Dularpur Darshan - 22

Seven wonders of Patna

Patnaites have traditionally had an emotional sense of belonging. By participating overwhelmingly in the Seven Wonders of Patna, you have confirmed our conviction that landmarks in a city are more than just cultural or historical artefacts, that they anchor us to our Universe, help us build a sense of community and a unique identity.

Over the past few days we presented to you 14 fascinating stories about well-known and not-so-well-known landmarks in the city. They included monuments, bridges, places of worship and even a Biological Park. The response was fantastic, reaffirming our belief that the majority of Patnaites are committed stakeholders in our city. Eventually, the Seven Wonders of Patna were decided through your SMS and website votes, and we are happy to present the final list to you.

• Golghar
  
  
  Golghar, a single dome structure built in the native Stupa architecture, is a unique architectural wonder. This massive and bulbous beehive of a granary was built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin, in the hope of avoiding a repeat of the vicious 1770 famine. Overlooking the Ganges, its dual spiralling staircases give an unparalleled view of the city and the river.
• Mahatma Gandhi Setu
  
  
  Built over the river Ganges, connecting Patna in the south to Hajipur in the north of Bihar, Mahatma Gandhi Setu has a length is 5,575 metres (18,291 ft)which makes it was one of the longest bridges in the world. It was inaugurated in May 1982 by the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi. Cantilever segmental construction method was adopted to construct this architecturally magnificent bridge.
• Gandhi Maidan
  
  
  Centrally located in the city of Patna and spread across an area of 62 acres, Gandhi Maidan is a historic and iconic ground. It saw the launch of several movements during the Indian freedom struggle, including the Champaran movement and the Quit India movement of 1942. Many prominent leaders of the Indian Independence Movement, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, Nehru, Jaya Prakash Narayan and Sri Krishna Sinha addressed their rallies from here. Lined beautifully with trees all across and encircled by busy roads, this iconic ground is home to various fairs and exhibitions besides being the venue for Republic Day and Independence Day ceremonies.
• Khuda Bakhsh Library
  
  
  Close to the banks of the Ganges, in Patna, stands the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library- one of the oldest libraries in India. It is a unique repository of about 21000 Oriental manuscripts and 2.5 lakh printed books. It was opened for public in October, 1891 by the illustrious son of Bihar Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh with 4,000 manuscripts, of which he inherited 1,400 from his father Maulvi Mohammed Bakhsh. It is known for its rare collection of Persian and Arabic manuscripts. It also hosts paintings made during the Rajput and Mughal eras of India and even the Quran inscribed in a book just 25mm wide.
• Patna Women’s College
  
  
  Founded in 1940 by Bishop B.J. Sullivan S.J. and Mother M. Josephine, the building for Patna Women’s College was so carefully designed in 1948, so as to match in beauty the High Court opposite which it was situated. Called an ‘Architect’s dream’, the college building is a unique synthesis of Hindu, Islamic, Norman and Gothic styles. The magnificence and heritage value of this institution is unmatched.
• Patna Sahib Gurdwara
  
  
  A magnificent holy shrine, Takht Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib is situated in one of the old quarters of Patna city. This is the place where the tenth sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born in 1666. Situated at the bank of the Ganges, the magnificent gurdwara houses relics of the Guru Gobind Singh Ji, including a 'pangura' (cradle) with four stands covered with golden plates, four iron arrows, sacred sword of the Master and a pair of his sandals. The architecturally rich shrine has an interesting history. When the ancient Harmandir was burnt down by fire, Maharaja Ranjit Singh had re-built it in white marble in 1839. When this was destroyed by the earthquake of 1934, the present Harmandir was built in 1954.
• Patna College
  
  
  Patna College situated on the bank of the river Ganga, is the 2nd oldest Educational Institution in the entire Eastern region of India. This premier college was founded on 9th January, 1863. The administrative block of the college is the oldest of all the buildings. It used to be the site for an opium store-house and a Dutch factory in the 17th century, much before the college was started. Other buildings were constructed gradually over a period of time. The college building, having the status of a heritage site by the Archaeological Survey of India, is an architectural marvel.