Patna

{{Main|Names of Patna}}

The name of this city has changed with time. One of the oldest cities of India, there are several theories regarding the origin of the modern name Patna (Bengali: পাটনা; Devanagari: पटना; Kaithi: 𑂣𑂗𑂢𑂰; Gurmukhi: ਪਟਨਾ; Urdu: پٹنہ). It is etymologically derived from Patan (Devanagari: पटन), the name of the Hindu goddess, Patan Devi.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/patandevi/index.htm|title=Patan Devi|work=Hindubooks.org|publisher=Dharma Universe|author=Choudhoury, P. C. Roy|access-date=24 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215114659/http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/patandevi/index.htm|archive-date=15 February 2011}} Patan Devi Mandir is still in old Patna near Gulzarbagh mandi along with another, Patan Devi Mandir, near Takht Sri Patna Sahib. Many believe Patna derived its name from Patli, a tree variety that was found in abundance in the historic city.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-losing-floral-wealth-to-concrete-jungle/articleshow/44818169.cms | title=Patna losing floral wealth to concrete jungle | work=The Times of India | date=15 October 2014 | access-date=17 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019004154/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-losing-floral-wealth-to-concrete-jungle/articleshow/44818169.cms | archive-date=19 October 2014 | df=dmy-all }} It is also seen on the state tourism's logo.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150118/jsp/bihar/story_8940.jsp#.VONlluaUdH4 | title=Take a walk down heritage lane – Govt initiative to create awareness about rich history next Sunday | publisher=The Telegraph | date=18 January 2015 | access-date=17 February 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217200943/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150118/jsp/bihar/story_8940.jsp#.VONlluaUdH4 | archive-date=17 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} The place is mentioned in Chinese traveller Fa Hien's records as Pa-lin-fou. The city has been known by various names through more than 2,000 years of existence – Pataligrama, Pataliputra, Kusumapura, Kusumdhwaja Pushpapuram, Padmavathi, Azimabad and the present-day Patna.{{cite web|title = History of Patna|url = http://patna.bih.nic.in/District/history.htm|work = National Informatics Centre|publisher = Government of Bihar|date = 10 January 2002|access-date = 5 March 2011|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110413050240/http://patna.bih.nic.in/District/history.htm|archive-date = 13 April 2011|df = dmy-all}}{{cite web | url=http://fossendeliv.com/miscellanea/article_224513.php | title=STORY OF PATNA | publisher=fossendeliv.com | access-date=17 February 2015 | url-status=usurped | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217191438/http://fossendeliv.com/miscellanea/article_224513.php | archive-date=17 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Legend ascribes the origin of Patna to the mythological King Putraka who created Patna by magic for his queen Patali, literally "trumpet flower", which gives it its ancient name Pataligrama. It is said that in honour of the queen's firstborn, the city was named Pataliputra. Gram is Sanskrit for village and Putra means son.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130121/jsp/bihar/story_16464467.jsp#.VONsCOaUdH4 | title=Time travel in light & sound show – Patna Museum plans programme on the lines of Red Fort in Delhi | publisher=The Telegraph | date=21 January 2013 | access-date=17 February 2015 | author=PIYUSH KUMAR TRIPATHI | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217190007/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130121/jsp/bihar/story_16464467.jsp#.VONsCOaUdH4 | archive-date=17 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Legend also says that the Emerald Buddha was created in Patna (then Pataliputra) by Nagasena in 43 BCE.{{cite web |url=http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/asia/index.pl?read=129 |title=The Emerald Buddha |author=Fyfe, Ryan |publisher=Eslteachersboard.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701235145/http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/asia/index.pl?read=129 |archive-date=1 July 2009 }}

{{Main|History of Patna}}

{{See also|Pataliputra|History of Bihar|Timeline for Bihar}}

Traditional Buddhist literature attributes foundation of Patna 490 BCE{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141228/jsp/calcutta/story_19263953.jsp#.VeQUOCWqqkp|title=History in mint condition|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160433/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141228/jsp/calcutta/story_19263953.jsp#.VeQUOCWqqkp|archive-date=24 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LCNhWGd3SjS5P1eAV5nogP/Foreign-diplomats-line-up-for-Bihar-elections.html|title=Foreign diplomats line up for Bihar elections|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221081744/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LCNhWGd3SjS5P1eAV5nogP/Foreign-diplomats-line-up-for-Bihar-elections.html|archive-date=21 February 2016|date=27 August 2015}} as Ajatashatru, the king of Magadha, wanted to shift his capital from the hilly Rajagrha (today Rajgir) to a strategically chosen place to better combat the Licchavis of Vaishali.{{cite web |url=http://www.gangescruises.com/patna.htm |title=Attractions, history of Patna |publisher=Ganges Cruises |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112013206/http://www.gangescruises.com/patna.htm |archive-date=12 January 2012 }} He chose the site on the bank of the Ganges and fortified the area. Gautama Buddha travelled through this place in the last year of his life. He prophesied a great future for this place even as he predicted its ruin due to flood, fire, and feud.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9dMEQZqSJAgC&q=gautama+buddha+passed+patna&pg=PA211 |title=The Son of Man: Saoshyant — George Barclay, Jr. – Google Books |date=27 October 2010 |access-date=4 December 2013 |isbn=9781450266901 |author1=George W Barclay JR |publisher=iUniverse |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163653/https://books.google.com/books?id=9dMEQZqSJAgC&q=gautama+buddha+passed+patna&pg=PA211 |url-status=live }} According to Dieter Schlingloff, the Buddhist accounts may have presented the grandeur of Patna as a prophecy and that its wooden fortifications, unlike other early historic Indian cities, indicate that it might be much older than thought but only archaeological excavation and C14 dates of its wooden palisades which is presently lacking may establish this.{{Cite book|last=Schlingloff|first=Dieter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nVeWBQAAQBAJ&q=dieter+schlingloff|title=Fortified Cities of Ancient India: A Comparative Study|date=1 December 2014|publisher=Anthem Press|isbn=978-1-78308-349-7|pages=44–45|language=en|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163653/https://books.google.com/books?id=nVeWBQAAQBAJ&q=dieter+schlingloff|url-status=live}}

File:Statue of Matrikas found near Agam Kuan, Patna, 1895.jpg, built by Ashoka.]]

Megasthenes, the Indo-Greek historian and ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, gave one of the earliest accounts of the city. He wrote that the city was on the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Arennovoas (Sonabhadra – Hiranyawah) and was {{convert|9|mi|km|order=flip}} long and {{convert|1.75|mi|km|order=flip}} wide.{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.mssu.edu/projectsouthasia/history/primarydocs/Foreign_Views/GreekRoman/Megasthenes-Indika.htm |author=Megasthenes |title=Indika |chapter=Of the city Pataliputra Indika, Book II, Frag. XXV, Strab. XV. i. 35–36,--p. 702. Frag XXVI.Arr. Ind. 10. Of Pataliputra |quote=...  the greatest city in India is that which is called Palimbothra, in the dominions of the Prasians, where the streams of the Erannoboas and the Ganga unite,—the Ganga being the greatest of all rivers. The Erannoboas are perhaps the third largest of Indian rivers, though greater than the greatest rivers elsewhere. Still, it is smaller than the Ganga, where it falls into it. Megasthenes informs us that this city stretched in the inhabited quarters to an extreme length on each side of eighty stadia, and that its breadth was fifteen stadia, and that a ditch encompassed it all round, which was six hundred feet in breadth and thirty cubits in depth, and that the wall was crowned with 570 towers and had four-and-sixty gates....|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621065424/http://www.mssu.edu/projectsouthasia/history/primarydocs/Foreign_Views/GreekRoman/Megasthenes-Indika.htm |archive-date=21 June 2008 |access-date=24 February 2011}}{{cite book |url=http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/3038.html |title=Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology |volume=3 |page=704 |editor=Smith, Sir William |year=1870 |publisher=Little, Brown |location=Boston |access-date=25 February 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018045710/http://ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/3038.html |archive-date=18 October 2007 }} Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to India, described the city as the greatest city on earth during its heyday.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/india/gal_india_south.shtml |title=History – Ancient History in depth: The Story of India: South India |publisher=BBC |date=5 November 2009 |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113135122/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/india/gal_india_south.shtml |archive-date=13 January 2010 }} The Shungas ultimately retained control of Pataliputra and ruled for almost 100 years. The Shungas were followed by the Kanvas and eventually by the Guptas.{{cite journal |title=Did the Indo-Greeks occupy Pataliputra? |author=Wojtilla, Gyula |pages=495–504 |year=2000 |volume=40 |issue=1–4 |journal=Acta Antiqua |publisher= Akadémiai Kiadó |doi=10.1556/AAnt.40.2000.1-4.46 |issn=0044-5975}} Some Chinese travellers came to India in pursuit of knowledge and recorded their observations about Pataliputra in their travelogues. One such famous account was recorded by a Chinese Buddhist traveller Fa Hien, who visited India between 399 and 414 CE, and stayed here for many months translating Buddhist texts.[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2124/2124-h/2124-h.htm Pataliputra] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204161946/http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2124/2124-h/2124-h.htm |date=4 December 2008 }} Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms by Fa Hein, tr. by James Legge, Chapter XXVII, Pataliputtra or Patna, in Magadha. King Ashoka's spirit-built palace and halls. The Buddhist Brahman, Radha-Sami. Dispensaries and hospitals...... n.1 Pataliputra, The Sanskrit name, means "The city of flowers." It is the Indian Florence. When the Chinese Buddhist Monk Faxian visited the city in 400 A.D, he found the people to be rich and prosperous; they practised virtue and justice. He found that the nobles and householders of the city had constructed several hospitals in which the poor of all countries, the needy, the crippled, and the diseased, could get treatment. They could receive every kind of help gratuitously. Physicians would inspect the diseases and order them food, drink, and medicines.{{Cite book|last=Beal|first=Samuel|title=Si-Yu-Ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World|publisher=Trubener & Co|year=1884|location=London}}{{Page needed|date=March 2020}}

File:Main street of Patna, 1814-15.jpg

File:City of Patna, on the River Ganges, 19th century.jpg

In the years that followed, many dynasties ruled the Indian subcontinent from the city, including the Gupta Empire and the Pala kings. With the disintegration of the Gupta empire, Patna passed through uncertain times. Bakhtiar Khilji captured Bihar in the 12th century and destroyed everything, and Patna lost its prestige as the political and cultural centre of India.[http://www.ncap.res.in/VLS/Publications/5_Baghakole.pdf BAGHAKOLE – NCAP] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509172207/http://www.ncap.res.in/VLS/Publications/5_Baghakole.pdf |date=9 May 2015 }} ncap.res.in. Retrieved 5 December 2013

File:Guru Tegh Bahadar receives news of the birth of Gobind Rai.jpg (in Dhaka) being told about the birth of Gobind Rai (in Patna), 19th century painting]]

The Mughal Empire was a period of unremarkable provincial administration from Delhi.{{cite web |url=http://www.hoparoundindia.com/bihar/history-of-patna.aspx |title=History of Patna City Bihar Origin-Background-Significance |publisher=Hoparoundindia.com |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105045429/http://www.hoparoundindia.com/bihar/history-of-patna.aspx |archive-date=5 November 2013 }} The most remarkable period during the Middle Ages was under the Afghan emperor Sher Shah Suri, who revived Patna in the middle of the 16th century. He built a fort and founded a town on the banks of the Ganges. Sher Shah's fort in Patna does not survive, although the Sher Shah Suri mosque, built in Afghan architectural style, does. Mughal emperor Akbar reached Patna in 1574 to crush the rebellious Afghan Chief Daud Khan. One of the navratnas from Akbar's court, his official historian and author of "Ain-i-Akbari" Abul Fazl refers to Patna as a flourishing centre for paper, stone and glass industries. He also refers to the high quality of numerous strains of rice grown in Patna, famous as Patna rice in Europe.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4hgtAQAAMAAJ&q=Patna+rice+in+Europe&pg=PA985 |title=A Dictionary, Practical, Theoretical, and Historical, of Commerce and ... – John Ramsay McCulloch – Google Books |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828041600/https://books.google.com/books?id=4hgtAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA985&lpg=PA985&dq=Patna+rice+in+Europe&source=bl&ots=I3d7sDaylK&sig=Df3Wc9XcnKtWY4mItd84fPRLb0g&hl=en&sa=X&ei=FHyfUqd5iZGsB-zPgKAO&ved=0CI0BEOgBMAk#v=onepage&q=Patna%20rice%20in%20Europe&f=false |archive-date=28 August 2017 |url-status=live |last1=McCulloch |first1=John Ramsay |year=1839 }} By 1620, the city of Patna was being described as the "chiefest mart towne of all Bengala" (i.e. largest town in Bengal){{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wUeqQ2buQ80C&q=By+1620,+the+city+of+Patna+was&pg=PA15 |title=Merchants, Politics, and Society in Early Modern India: Bihar, 1733–1820 – Kumkum Chatterjee — Google Books |access-date=5 December 2013 |isbn=9004103031 |last1=Chatterjee |first1=Kumkum |year=1996 |publisher=BRILL |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163742/https://books.google.com/books?id=wUeqQ2buQ80C&q=By+1620%2C+the+city+of+Patna+was&pg=PA15 |url-status=live }} in northern India, "the largest town in Bengal and the most famous for trade".{{cite book |last1=O'Malley |first1=L. S. S. |editor1-last=James |editor1-first=J. F. W. |title=History of Magadha |publisher=Veena Publication |location=Delhi |year=2005 |page=36 |isbn=978-81-89224-01-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=18ULAwAACAAJ |access-date=24 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528125700/http://books.google.com/books?id=18ULAwAACAAJ |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} This was before the founding of the city of Calcutta. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb acceded to the request of his favourite grandson, Prince Muhammad Azim, to rename Patna as Azimabad, in 1704 while Azim was in Patna as the subedar. Patna or Azimabad did see some violent activities, according to Phillip Mason, writing in the book "The Men Who Ruled India". "Aurangzeb had restored the poll tax (Jazia) on unbelievers, which had to be compounded for. In Patna, Peacock, the factory's chief, was not sufficiently obedient. He was seized, forced to walk through the town bare-headed and bare-footed, and subjected to many other indignities before he paid up and was released." Little changed during this period other than the name. With the decline of the Mughal empire, Patna moved into the hands of the Nawabs of Bengal, who levied a heavy tax on the populace but allowed it to flourish as a commercial centre. The mansions of the Maharaja of Tekari Raj dominated the Patna riverfront in 1811–12.{{cite book

| first = Kumkum

| last = Chatterjee

| title = Merchants, Politics and Society in Early Modern India: Bihar: 1730 – 1820

| publisher = BRILL

| year = 1996

| isbn = 978-90-04-10303-0

| pages = 273 (at page 36)

}} In 1750, the future Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah revolted against his grandfather, Alivardi Khan, and seized Patna, but quickly surrendered and was forgiven.Dalrymple, W. (2019), The Anarchy p. 87, London: Bloomsbury Guru Gobind Singh (22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, was born as Gobind Rai in Patna to Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, and his wife Mata Gujri. His birthplace, Patna Sahib, is one of the most sacred sites of pilgrimage for Sikhs.{{cite news |date=30 December 2001 |title=Gurdwara gears up for Guru's Jayanti |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Gurdwara-gears-up-for-Gurus-jayanti/articleshow/695284660.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710120512/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-12-30/patna/27246437_1_patna-saheb-guru-gobind-tenth-guru |archive-date=10 July 2012 }}

As trade grew, settlements of the Portuguese empire expanded to the Bengal Gulf. Since at least 1515, the Portuguese were in Bengal as traders, and later in 1521, an embassy was sent to Gaur to create factories in the region. The Bengal Sultan after 1534 allowed the Portuguese to develop several settlements as Chitagoong e Satgaon.{{Cite book|title = India in Canada: Canada in India editado por Taniya Gupta, Antonia Navarro-Tejero|isbn = 9781443855716|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EmYxBwAAQBAJ&q=Ghiyasuddin%20Mahmud%20Shah%20Portugueses&pg=PA22|last1 = Gupta|first1 = Taniya|last2 = Navarro-Tejero|first2 = Antonia|date = 8 January 2014| publisher=Cambridge Scholars |access-date = 7 October 2020|archive-date = 30 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163654/https://books.google.com/books?id=EmYxBwAAQBAJ&q=Ghiyasuddin+Mahmud+Shah+Portugueses&pg=PA22|url-status = live}} In 1535 the Portuguese were allied with the Bengal sultan and held the Teliagarhi pass{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ghiyasuddin_Mahmud_Shah|encyclopedia=Banglapedia|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=23 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623101404/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ghiyasuddin_Mahmud_Shah|url-status=live}} 280 km from Patna helping to avoid the invasion by the Mughals. By then, several of the products came from Patna, and the Portuguese sent in traders, establishing a factory there in 1580 at least.{{cite book |last1=Thakur |first1=Baleshwar |title=Urban Settlements in Eastern India: Entropy Changes and Pattern Analysis |year=1980 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |page=117 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HHVIU-HsMswC&q=Patna%20Portuguese&pg=PA117 |language=en |access-date=7 October 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163730/https://books.google.com/books?id=HHVIU-HsMswC&q=Patna+Portuguese&pg=PA117 |url-status=live }} The products were shipped out down the river until other Portuguese ports as Chittagoon e Satgaoon, and from there to the rest of the empire.

During the 17th century, Patna became a centre of international trade. In 1620, the English East India Company established a factory in Patna for trading in calico and silk. Soon it became a trading centre for saltpetre. Francois Bernier, in Travels in the Mogul Empire (1656–1668), says, ". It was carried down the Ganges with great facility, and the Dutch and English sent large cargoes to many parts of the Indies, and Europe". This trade encouraged other Europeans, principally the French, Danes, Dutch, and Portuguese, to compete in the lucrative business. Peter Mundy, writing in 1632, described Patna as "the greatest mart of the eastern region". After the decisive Battle of Buxar of 1764, as per the treaty of Allahabad East India Company was given the right to collect a tax of this former Mughal province by the Mughal emperor. Patna was annexed by the company in 1793 to its territory when Nizamat (Mughal suzerainty) was abolished, and the British East India Company took control of the province of Bengal-Bihar. Patna, however, continued as a trading centre. In 1912, when the Bengal Presidency was partitioned, Patna became the capital of the British province of Bihar and Orissa. However, in 1936 Orissa became a separate entity with its capital. To date, a major population of Bengalis lives in Patna particularly.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a-QaOP5nK-MC&q=Bihar+and+Orissa+Province+capital&pg=PA166 |title=Bihar And Orissa District Gazetteers Patna – L.S.S. O'malley – Google Books |access-date=5 December 2013 |isbn=9788172681210 |last1=O'Malley |first1=L. S. S. |year=1924 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |archive-date=17 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117202738/https://books.google.com/books?id=a-QaOP5nK-MC&q=Bihar+and+Orissa+Province+capital&pg=PA166 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/history.htm |title=History of Bihar |publisher=Gov.bih.nic.in |date=26 June 1975 |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331063547/http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/history.htm |archive-date=31 March 2014 }}

File:Sir Charles D'Oyly - Street in Patna - Google Art Project.jpg|Street in Patna, 1825 (British, active in India)

File:Golghar at Bankipur, near Patna, 1814-15.jpg|Golghar at Bankipore, near Patna, 1814–15

People from Patna were greatly involved in the Indian independence movement.{{cite web |url=http://www.go4patna.com/index.php/tourism/in-nations-service |title=In Nation's service |publisher=Go4patna.com |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213130847/http://www.go4patna.com/index.php/tourism/in-nations-service |archive-date=13 December 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/features/8182-braj-kishore-prasad-the-forgotten-hero-of-bihar.html |title=Braj Kishore Prasad – the Forgotten Hero of Bihar |publisher=PatnaDaily.Com |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216062117/http://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/features/8182-braj-kishore-prasad-the-forgotten-hero-of-bihar.html |archive-date=16 December 2013 }} Most notable movements were the Champaran movement against the Indigo plantation and the 1942 Quit India Movement.{{cite web |url=http://www.pib.nic.in/feature/feyr98/fe0798/PIBF2907986.html |title=Feature |publisher=Pib.nic.in |access-date=11 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924073138/http://www.pib.nic.in/feature/feyr98/fe0798/PIBF2907986.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cf-cI_yfVfYC&q=patna+in+Champaran+movement&pg=PA190 |title=Agrarian Movements and Congress Politics in Bihar – Kaushal Kishore Sharma – Google Books |access-date=5 December 2013 |isbn=9788185150109 |last1=Sharma |first1=Kaushal Kishore |year=1989 |publisher=Anamika Prakashan |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163745/https://books.google.com/books?id=cf-cI_yfVfYC&q=patna+in+Champaran+movement&pg=PA190 |url-status=live }} National leaders who came from the city include Swami Sahajanand Saraswati; the first President of the Constituent Assembly of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad; Bihar Vibhuti (Anugrah Narayan Sinha); Basawon Singh (Sinha); and Loknayak (Jayaprakash Narayan).

Patna remained the capital of Bihar after India gained independence in 1947, even as Bihar was partitioned again in 2000 when Jharkhand became a separate state of the Indian union. On 27 October 2013, six people were killed and 85 others were injured in a series of co-ordinated bombings at an election rally for BJP candidate Narendra Modi.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/28/patna-bombings-outlawed-islamic-group-blamed | title=Patna bombings: outlawed Islamist group blamed for fatal blasts | work=The Guardian | date=28 October 2013 | access-date=16 January 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919012453/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/28/patna-bombings-outlawed-islamic-group-blamed | archive-date=19 September 2015 | df=dmy-all }} On 3 October 2014, 33 people were killed and 26 injured in a stampede at Gandhi Maidan during Vijaya Dashmi celebrations.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/33-killed-as-bomb-blast-rumour-sparks-stampede-during-Dussehra-celebrations-in-Patna/articleshow/44256019.cms | title=33 killed as bomb blast rumour sparks stampede during Dussehra celebrations in Patna | work=The Times of India | date=4 October 2014 | access-date=16 January 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006000404/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/33-killed-as-bomb-blast-rumour-sparks-stampede-during-Dussehra-celebrations-in-Patna/articleshow/44256019.cms | archive-date=6 October 2014 | df=dmy-all }}

{{See also|Geography of Bihar}}

File:Patna district.PNG

Patna is on the southern bank of the river Ganges.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9wO6BQAAQBAJ&q=patna+south+ganga&pg=PA205 |title=Riverbank Filtration for Water Security in Desert Countries |last1=Ray |first1=Chittaranjan |last2=Shamrukh |first2=Mohamed |date=14 December 2010 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9789400700260 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014433/https://books.google.de/books?id=9wO6BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA205&lpg=PA205&dq=patna+south+ganga&source=bl&ots=2Z_Dx-iVxT&sig=D3X_39kgXecFbAh4_aA-jHRrdmU&hl=de&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQiqDCtKLZAhUFPFAKHcLECXsQ6AEIYTAI#v=onepage&q=patna%2520south%2520ganga&f=false |archive-date=14 February 2018 }} The total area of Patna is {{convert|250|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The municipal area constitutes {{convert|109.218|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The suburban area covers {{convert|140.782|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. It has an average elevation of {{convert|53|m|ft|abbr=on}}. A characteristic feature of the geography of Patna is its confluence of major rivers.{{cite web | url=http://urban.bih.nic.in/Docs/CDP/CDP-Patna.pdf | title=CDP Patna | publisher=PATNA – Urban Development Department | work=Infrastructure Professionals Enterprise (P) Ltd, C – 2, Green Park Extension, New Delhi – 110016, INDIA. | date=July 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072731/http://www.urban.bih.nic.in/Docs/CDP/CDP-Patna.pdf |archive-date = 4 March 2016 | access-date= 28 October 2016 | pages=20, 21 (area) 52 (metropolis), 31 (geography)}}

During the British Raj, Patna was part of the Bengal Presidency. After Nalanda district was carved out of Patna district in 1976,{{cite web | url = http://www.statoids.com/yin.html | title = Districts of India | access-date = 11 October 2011 | last = Law | first = Gwillim | date = 25 September 2011 | work = Statoids | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111017155710/http://www.statoids.com/yin.html | archive-date = 17 October 2011 | df = dmy-all }} Patna was purged of all hilly regions. It is an alluvial, flat expanse of land. The land in the district is too fertile and is almost entirely cultivated with no forest cover. Alluvial soil is ideal for cultivating rice, sugarcane, and other food grains. The area under cultivation is studded with mango orchards and bamboo groves. In the fields along the banks of river Ganges, weeds such as ammannia, citriculari, hygrophile and sesbania grow. But palmyra, date palm, and mango orchards are found near habitations. Dry stretches of shrubbery are sometimes seen in the villages far from the rivers. Trees commonly found are bel, siris, jack fruit, and the red cotton tree.{{cite web |url=http://patna.bih.nic.in/District/dist_home.htm |title=About District |publisher=Patna.bih.nic.in |date=1 January 2004 |access-date=17 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509090413/http://patna.bih.nic.in/District/dist_home.htm |archive-date=9 May 2013 }} Patna is unique in having four large rivers in its vicinity.{{cite web |url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/patna/ |title=Patna Maps, Bihar |publisher=Mapsofindia.com |date=29 September 2011 |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318134143/http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/patna/ |archive-date=18 March 2014 }} It is the largest riverine city in the world.{{cite web | url=http://futureofpower.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Patna-Summary-Report.pdf | title=Summary Report of Patna | publisher=future of power | access-date=2 June 2014 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605052641/http://futureofpower.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Patna-Summary-Report.pdf | archive-date=5 June 2014 | df=dmy-all }} The topography of Patna city is saucer shaped as per Patna City Development Plan prepared in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160909/jsp/bihar/story_107083.jsp#.V9L7uvB97IU|title=Smart city? That sinkin' feeling Drainage hits tall claims of rain prep|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909183003/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160909/jsp/bihar/story_107083.jsp#.V9L7uvB97IU|archive-date=9 September 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151228/jsp/frontpage/story_60759.jsp#.V_k1NOV97IU|title=Patna is a saucer-shaped receptacle bounded by four interlinked rivers that can be trusted to turn turbulent|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009181815/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151228/jsp/frontpage/story_60759.jsp#.V_k1NOV97IU|archive-date=9 October 2016}} The bridge over the river Ganges named Mahatma Gandhi Setu is 5575m long. It is the longest river bridge in the India.{{cite web |url=http://www.thecolorsofindia.com/interesting-facts/infrastructure/longest-river-bridge-in-india.html |title=Longest River Bridge in India – Mahatma Gandhi Setu – Longest River Bridge in World |publisher=Thecolorsofindia.com |access-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229220551/http://www.thecolorsofindia.com/interesting-facts/infrastructure/longest-river-bridge-in-india.html |archive-date=29 February 2012 }}

Patna comes under India's seismic zone-IV, indicating its vulnerability to major earthquakes, but earthquakes have not been common in recent history.{{cite web |url=http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf |title=Hazard profiles of Indian districts |access-date=23 August 2006 |work=National Capacity Building Project in Disaster Management |publisher=UNDP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519100611/http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf |archive-date=19 May 2006}} Patna also falls in the risk zone for floods and cyclones.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130829/jsp/bihar/story_17285754.jsp#.VmdYT9J97IU | title=Flood fear, after 38 years | publisher=The Telegraph | date=29 August 2013 | access-date=9 December 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211013718/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130829/jsp/bihar/story_17285754.jsp#.VmdYT9J97IU | archive-date=11 December 2015 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://inextlive.jagran.com/temperature-changed-in-patna-due-to-cyclone-65768 | title=अभी दो बार और आएगा आंधी-तूफान | publisher=inextlive.jagran | date=16 March 2015 | access-date=9 December 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010336/http://inextlive.jagran.com/temperature-changed-in-patna-due-to-cyclone-65768 | archive-date=5 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}

File:Monsoon clouds over Priyadarshi Nagar.jpg- residential area in Eastern Patna.]]

Patna has a humid subtropical climate under the Köppen climate classification: (Cwa) with sweltering summers from late March to June, the monsoon season from late June to late September and chilly winter nights and foggy or sunny days from November to February.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnlu.ac.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=28|title=climate of patna|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421171801/http://www.cnlu.ac.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=28|archive-date=21 April 2012|url-status=live}} Highest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|46.6|°C}} in the year 1966,{{cite web |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/patna2.htm |title=Extreme Weather Events in the Month Of September |publisher=Imd.gov.in |access-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315193421/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/patna2.htm |archive-date=15 March 2012 }} the lowest ever was {{convert|1.1|°C|°F|0}} on 9 January 2013,{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/At-1-1-degree-C-Patna-chilliest-since-1868/articleshow/17961610.cms | title=At 1.1 °C, Patna chilliest since 1868 | date=10 January 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503003851/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-10/patna/36256997_1_patna-zoo-sanjay-gandhi-biological-park-cantonment-area | archive-date=3 May 2013 | work=The Times of India | df=dmy-all }} and highest rainfall was {{convert|204.5|mm|abbr=on}} in the year 1997.

The table below details historical monthly averages for climate variables.

{{Clear}}

{{Weather box

| collapsed =

| location = Patna Airport (1991–2020, extremes 1951–2013)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 33.1

| Feb record high C = 35.1

| Mar record high C = 41.4

| Apr record high C = 44.6

| May record high C = 45.6

| Jun record high C = 46.6

| Jul record high C = 41.6

| Aug record high C = 39.7

| Sep record high C = 37.6

| Oct record high C = 38.2

| Nov record high C = 34.6

| Dec record high C = 30.5

| year record high C = 46.6

| Jan high C = 22.1

| Feb high C = 26.1

| Mar high C = 32.2

| Apr high C = 37.1

| May high C = 37.5

| Jun high C = 36.4

| Jul high C = 33.4

| Aug high C = 33.1

| Sep high C = 32.6

| Oct high C = 32.1

| Nov high C = 29.1

| Dec high C = 24.3

| year high C = 31.3

| Jan low C = 9.2

| Feb low C = 12.5

| Mar low C = 17.0

| Apr low C = 22.2

| May low C = 25.2

| Jun low C = 26.7

| Jul low C = 26.5

| Aug low C = 26.5

| Sep low C = 25.7

| Oct low C = 22.0

| Nov low C = 15.4

| Dec low C = 10.7

| year low C = 20.0

| Jan record low C = 1.1

| Feb record low C = 3.4

| Mar record low C = 8.2

| Apr record low C = 13.3

| May record low C = 17.7

| Jun record low C = 19.3

| Jul record low C = 21.1

| Aug record low C = 20.2

| Sep record low C = 19.0

| Oct record low C = 12.0

| Nov record low C = 7.7

| Dec record low C = 2.2

| year record low C = 1.1

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 10.2

| Feb precipitation mm = 12.6

| Mar precipitation mm = 8.9

| Apr precipitation mm = 11.9

| May precipitation mm = 48.4

| Jun precipitation mm = 162.2

| Jul precipitation mm = 289.1

| Aug precipitation mm = 266.6

| Sep precipitation mm = 209.7

| Oct precipitation mm = 49.7

| Nov precipitation mm = 5.3

| Dec precipitation mm = 4.7

| year precipitation mm = 1077.6

| Jan rain days = 1.1

| Feb rain days = 1.2

| Mar rain days = 0.6

| Apr rain days = 1.0

| May rain days = 3.0

| Jun rain days = 6.9

| Jul rain days = 12.6

| Aug rain days = 12.4

| Sep rain days = 9.2

| Oct rain days = 2.7

| Nov rain days = 0.4

| Dec rain days = 0.4

| year rain days = 51.6

| time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 67

| Feb humidity = 53

| Mar humidity = 38

| Apr humidity = 33

| May humidity = 43

| Jun humidity = 59

| Jul humidity = 74

| Aug humidity = 76

| Sep humidity = 76

| Oct humidity = 69

| Nov humidity = 67

| Dec humidity = 72

| year humidity = 61

| Jan sun = 207.7

| Feb sun = 228.8

| Mar sun = 260.4

| Apr sun = 264.0

| May sun = 272.8

| Jun sun = 192.0

| Jul sun = 130.2

| Aug sun = 151.9

| Sep sun = 162.0

| Oct sun = 238.7

| Nov sun = 240.0

| Dec sun = 201.5

| year sun =

| Jand sun = 6.7

| Febd sun = 8.1

| Mard sun = 8.4

| Aprd sun = 8.8

| Mayd sun = 8.8

| Jund sun = 6.4

| Juld sun = 4.2

| Augd sun = 4.9

| Sepd sun = 5.4

| Octd sun = 7.7

| Novd sun = 8.0

| Decd sun = 6.5

| yeard sun = 7.0

| source 1 = India Meteorological Department (sun 1971–2000)

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Patna Climatological Table 1981–2010

| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = January 2015

| pages = 601–602

| access-date = 2 March 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M36

| access-date = 2 March 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042602/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Daily%20Normals%20of%20Global%20&%20Diffused%20Radiations%20%201971_2000.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Daily%20Normals%20of%20Global%20&%20Diffused%20Radiations%20%201971_2000.pdf

| title = Table 3 Monthly mean duration of Sun Shine (hours) at different locations in India

| work = Daily Normals of Global & Diffuse Radiation (1971–2000)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M-3

| access-date = 2 March 2020}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230101061732/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| archive-date = 1 January 2023

| title = Climatological Tables 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = 1 January 2023

| page = 21}}

| source =

| Jan uv = 6

| Feb uv = 7

| Mar uv = 9

| Apr uv = 11

| May uv = 12

| Jun uv = 12

| Jul uv = 12

| Aug uv = 12

| Sep uv = 11

| Oct uv = 8

| Nov uv = 6

| Dec uv = 5

| source 2 = Weather Atlas

{{cite web

| url = https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/india/patna-climate

| title = Climate and monthly weather forecast Patna, India

| publisher = Weather Atlas

| access-date = 16 June 2022

}}

}}

Pollution is a major concern in Patna. According to the CAG report, tabled in the Bihar Legislative Assembly in April 2015, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) level (PM-10) in Patna was 355, three-and-a-half times higher than the prescribed limit of 100 micro-gram per cubic metre,{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150425/jsp/bihar/story_16503.jsp#.VX1aovmqqko | title=Unhealthy air alarm | publisher=The Telegraph | date=25 April 2015 | access-date=14 June 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627065934/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150425/jsp/bihar/story_16503.jsp#.VX1aovmqqko | archive-date=27 June 2015 | df=dmy-all }} primarily due to high vehicular{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141124/jsp/bihar/story_19078515.jsp#.VX1bOPmqqko | title=Drive to check car pollution papers | publisher=The Telegraph | date=24 November 2014 | access-date=14 June 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627080615/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141124/jsp/bihar/story_19078515.jsp#.VX1bOPmqqko | archive-date=27 June 2015 | df=dmy-all }} and industrial emissions{{cite web | url=http://cpcb.nic.in/upload/NewItems/NewItem_104_airquality17cities-package-.pdf | title=Air Quality Trends and Action Plan for Control of Air Pollution from Seventeen Cities | publisher=CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS | date=September 2006 | access-date=14 June 2015 | page=152 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720220311/http://cpcb.nic.in/upload/NewItems/NewItem_104_airquality17cities-package-.pdf | archive-date=20 July 2015 | df=dmy-all }} and construction activities in the city.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-2nd-most-polluted-city-after-Delhi/articleshow/46972132.cms | title=Patna 2nd most polluted city after Delhi? | work=The Times of India | date=18 April 2015 | access-date=13 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502091427/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-2nd-most-polluted-city-after-Delhi/articleshow/46972132.cms | archive-date=2 May 2016 | df=dmy-all }} In May 2014, a World Health Organization survey declared Patna the second most air polluted city in India, only after Delhi, with the survey calculating the airborne particulate matter in the state capital's ambient air (PM-2.5) to be 149 micro-grams, six times more than the safe limit, which is 25 micro-grams.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140521/jsp/bihar/story_18363030.jsp#.VXwUX_mqqko | title=Pollution report comes as a breath of fresh air | publisher=The Telegraph | date=21 May 2015 | access-date=13 June 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614202533/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140521/jsp/bihar/story_18363030.jsp#.VXwUX_mqqko | archive-date=14 June 2015 | df=dmy-all }}[https://www.aqi.in/in/dashboard/india/bihar/patna Real-time Air Quality Index for Patna is available at] Severe air pollution in the city has caused a rise in pollution-related respiratory ailments, such as lung cancer, asthma, dysentery and diarrhoea.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Citys-air-quality-dangerous/articleshow/5982720.cms | title=City's air quality "dangerous" | work=The Times of India | date=28 May 2010 | access-date=13 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510195023/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Citys-air-quality-dangerous/articleshow/5982720.cms | archive-date=10 May 2018 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/High-air-pollution-in-Patna-cardiac-ailments-risk-up/articleshow/19300566.cms | title=High air pollution in Patna, cardiac ailments' risk up | work=The Times of India | date=31 March 2013 | access-date=13 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418050724/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/High-air-pollution-in-Patna-cardiac-ailments-risk-up/articleshow/19300566.cms | archive-date=18 April 2016 | df=dmy-all }} The dense smog in Patna during winter season results in major air and rail traffic disruptions every year.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Fog-impacts-air-train-traffic-13-flights-74-trains-cancelled/movie-review/45683550.cms | title=Fog impacts air, train traffic: 13 flights, 74 trains cancelled | work=The Times of India | date=30 December 2014 | access-date=13 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229180220/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Fog-impacts-air-train-traffic-13-flights-74-trains-cancelled/movie-review/45683550.cms | archive-date=29 December 2016 | df=dmy-all }}

Patna has been ranked 10th best "National Clean Air City" (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India according to 'Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 Results' {{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}

{{Main|Economy of Patna}}

File:Maurya Lok Patna.jpg is a major shopping area of the city, and one of the oldest]]

Since the 17th century, Patna has been a centre of international trade and an agricultural and textile hub, including a major silk and calico market.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} After gaining independence in 1947, the economy remained relatively stable, including growth in produce and manufacturing of vegetable oil. From the 1980s onwards, the economy experienced fluctuations. When liberalisation came to India in the 1990s, Patna did not attract significant global funds or foreign investment which proved a setback for the economy. Although the city had several fertiliser plants and sugar mills, due to a weakened ecosystem, many companies incurred losses and were eventually forced to close or leave the state.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The economy of Patna has seen sustained growth since 2005, in particular from the fast-moving consumer goods industry, the service sector, and Green Revolution businesses. In 2009, the World Bank ranked Patna as the second best city in India to start a business.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/New-Delhi-Patna-best-cities-to-start-business-World-Bank/articleshow/4720294.cms | title=New Delhi, Patna best cities to start business: World Bank | date=30 June 2009 | access-date=23 October 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104223215/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-30/india-business/28178105_1_world-bank-cities-report-ranks | archive-date=4 January 2012 | url-status=live | work=The Times of India | df=dmy-all }} In 2010, Patna was ranked 21st fastest-growing city in the world and fifth fastest-growing city in India, and was forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 3.72% through 2020.{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth1.html |title=World's fastest growing urban areas (1) |publisher=City Mayors |access-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125090345/http://citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth1.html |archive-date=25 November 2010 }}

Its largest exports are grain, sugarcane, sesame, and Patna rice, a local medium-grained variety. There are several sugar mills in and around Patna.{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-25/patna/30319506_1_sugar-mills-lakh-quintals-raiyam | title=Deadline extended for sugar mills auction | date=25 October 2011 | access-date=26 October 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105002106/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-25/patna/30319506_1_sugar-mills-lakh-quintals-raiyam | archive-date=5 January 2012 | url-status=dead | work=The Times of India | df=dmy-all }} Patna has been described as an important business and luxury brand centre of eastern India.{{cite web | url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/patna-emerging-luxe-centre-in-eastern-india/183628-3.html | title=Patna emerging luxe centre in eastern India | publisher=IBN Live | date=13 September 2011 | access-date=2 June 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605130312/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/patna-emerging-luxe-centre-in-eastern-india/183628-3.html | archive-date=5 June 2014 | df=dmy-all }}

The major business districts of the city are Bander Bagicha, Exhibition Road, Gandhi Maidan Marg, Frazer Road, Indrapuri and Maurya Lok.

Many manufacturing companies, including Hero Cycles, Britannia Industries, PepsiCo, Sonalika Tractors and UltraTech Cement, have established their manufacturing plants in the Patna metropolitan area. One of the world's largest leather clusters is in Fatuha, in Patna. Patna is also emerging as an information technology hub, including Tata Consultancy Services, which started operations in 2019 at a new Patna facility.{{cite news |title=Ravi Shankar Prasad opens new TCS centre in Patna |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/minister-opens-new-tcs-centre/articleshow/70208922.cms |work=The Times of India |date=14 July 2019 |access-date=4 January 2020 |archive-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128170748/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/minister-opens-new-tcs-centre/articleshow/70208922.cms |url-status=live}}

File:SBI Patna.JPG|State Bank of India- Patna Regional office at East Gandhi Maidan Marg

File:Software Technology Park of India, Patna..jpg|Software Technology Park of India, Patna

File:RBI Patna.JPG|Reserve Bank of India's regional office at South Gandhi Maidan Marg, Patna

{{See also|Demographics of Bihar|List of cities in Bihar}}

{{Historical populations

|align = right

|state = collapsed

|source ={{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wzMDQz_yR28C&q=population+of+patna+in+1901&pg=PA37 |title=Television and Development of Women |last=Kumari |first=Preeti |date=1 January 2006 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=9788183241618 |language=en |access-date=7 October 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163729/https://books.google.com/books?id=wzMDQz_yR28C&q=population+of+patna+in+1901&pg=PA37 |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm | title=India-historical demographical data of the urban centers | publisher=populstat | access-date=8 December 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217053707/http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm | archive-date=17 February 2013 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/Admin_Units/Admin_links/slum1_m_plus.html | title=Census of India 2001 (Provisional) Slum Population in Million Plus Cities (Municipal Corporations): Part A | publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, New Delhi | access-date=8 December 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20151209032721/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/Admin_Units/Admin_links/slum1_m_plus.html | archive-date=9 December 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

|1807–14| 312000

|1820| 100000

|1865| 284100

|1872| 158000

|1881| 170684

|1891| 165200

|1901| 134785

|1911| 136153

|1921| 119976

|1931| 159690

|1941| 196415

|1951| 283479

|1961| 364594

|1971| 475300

|1981| 813963

|1991| 1099647

|2001| 1376950

|2011| 1684222

|footnote= Note: Huge population decline after 1814 due to the decrease
in the river borne trade, persistent unhealthiness and repeated
epidemics of plaque.

}}

With an estimated population of 1.68 million in 2011, Patna is the 19th most populous city in India and with over 2 million people, its urban agglomeration is the 18th largest in India. Residents of Patna are referred to by the demonym Patnaite.{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patnaite-makes-it-to-records-book-twice-with-collection-of-editorials/articleshow/19012243.cms |title=Patnaite makes it to records book twice with collection of editorials |date=17 March 2013 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221945/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-17/patna/37786197_1_limca-book-records-book-national-record |archive-date=2 December 2013 |website=The Times of India |url-status=live}}[http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Patna/Dual-entry-for-Patnaite-in-Limca-book/Article1-1051712.aspx Dual entry for Patnaite in Limca book] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818091119/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/patna/Dual-entry-for-Patnaite-in-Limca-book/Article1-1051712.aspx |date=18 August 2013 }} Hindustan Times (Patna). Retrieved 28 April 2013

According to 2011 census data, Patna city had a population of 1,684,222 (before the expansion of the city limits) within the corporation limits, with 893,399 men and 790,823 women. This was an increase of 22.3 per cent compared to the 2001 figures. 11.32 per cent of the population was under six years of age, with 102,208 boys and 88,288 girls. The overall literacy rate is 83.37%, with the male literacy rate being 87.35% and the female literacy rate being 79.89%. The sex ratio of Patna is 885 females per 1,000 males. The child sex ratio of girls is 877 per 1000 boys.{{cite web | url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/174-patna.html | title=Patna City Census 2011 data | publisher=census2011.co.in | access-date=9 December 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201735/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/174-patna.html | archive-date=23 September 2015 | df=dmy-all }} The urban agglomeration had a population of 2,049,156 of which 1,087,285 are males and 961,871 are females with 82.73% literacy.{{cite web | url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/metropolitan/145-patna.html | title=Patna Urban Region | publisher=census2011.co.in | access-date=9 December 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212142/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/metropolitan/145-patna.html | archive-date=10 December 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Patna is the second largest city (in terms of population) in eastern India.{{cite news |title=Government announces India's 10 dirtiest cities: Things you need to know |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/indias-10-dirtiest-cities-309018-2016-02-16 |access-date=30 December 2020 |work=India Today |date=16 February 2016 |language=en |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613131113/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/indias-10-dirtiest-cities-309018-2016-02-16 |url-status=live }}

Roughly 0.25% of Patna's population lives in slums which makes Patna, the city with the lowest percentage of people living in slums in India.{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/gratis/indian_cities.html|title=City Mayors: Largest Indian cities|access-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119101044/http://www.citymayors.com/gratis/indian_cities.html|archive-date=19 November 2016}} Like other fast-growing cities in the developing world, Patna suffers from major urbanisation problems including unemployment, poor public health, and poor civic and educational standards for a large section of the population.{{cite web | url=http://competitiveness.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Liveability-Report.pdf | title=Liveability Index 2011, The Best Cities in India | publisher=Institute of Competitiveness | date=12 December 2011 | access-date=9 December 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426181029/http://competitiveness.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Liveability-Report.pdf | archive-date=26 April 2013 | df=dmy-all }} In 2015, the National Sample Survey Organisation revealed that, for females, Patna had the highest unemployment rate 34.6%, and for males, it was the second highest with a rate of 8% in 2011–12.{{cite web | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/unemployment-rate-lucknow-tops-list-for-men-patna-for-women/ | title=Unemployment rate: Lucknow tops list for men, Patna for women | publisher=The Indian Express | date=23 May 2015 | access-date=9 December 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211140529/http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/unemployment-rate-lucknow-tops-list-for-men-patna-for-women/ | archive-date=11 December 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Patna city (2011)

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|86.39}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|12.27}}

{{bar percent|Christianity|dodgerblue|0.51}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.83}}

}}

According to the 2011 census of India, Patna's major religion is Hinduism with 86.39% followers. Islam is the second most popular religion in Patna with approximately 12.27% following it. Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, with smaller followings, are also practised in Patna. During the last census report, around 0.01% stated other religions and approximately 0.49% stated no particular religion.{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: Bihar |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11366/download/14479/DDW10C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Patna city (2011)

|label1 = Hindi |value1 = 65.94 |color1 = orange

|label2 = Magahi |value2 = 18.04 |color2 = red

|label3 = Urdu |value3 = 9.67 |color3 = green

|label4 = Bhojpuri |value4 = 3.19 |color4 = gold

|label5 = Maithili |value5 = 1.79 |color5 = pink

|label6 = Others |value6 = 1.37 |color6 = grey

}}

Hindi is the official language of the state of Bihar and Urdu is the additional official language, but many other languages are spoken too. The native language is Magadhi or Magahi, named after Magadha, the ancient name of South Bihar and is most widely spoken. Hindi is spoken by 65.94% of the population, 18.04% Magahi, 9.67% Urdu, 3.19% Bhojpuri and 1.79% Maithili as their first language.{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Bihar (Town) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10236/download/13348/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-1000.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

The Patna sub-division (Tehsil) is one of the 6 Tehsils of the Patna district. It is headed by an IAS or state Civil service officer of the rank of Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM). The SDM of Patna Tehsil reports to the District Magistrate (DM) of Patna District.

The Patna Tehsil is divided into 3 Blocks, each headed by a Block Development Officer (BDO). The list of Blocks is as follows:

1. Patna
2. Sampatchak
3. Phulwari Sharif

The civic administration of Patna is run by several government agencies and has overlapping structural divisions. At least five administrative definitions of the city are available; listed in ascending order of area, those are: Patna division, Patna district (also the Patna Police area), the Patna Metropolitan Region{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140213/jsp/bihar/story_17930537.jsp#.VOIGceaUdH4 | title=Growth goes west, south & green Master plan to add more areas | publisher=The Telegraph | date=13 February 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216205416/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140213/jsp/bihar/story_17930537.jsp#.VOIGceaUdH4 | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} (also known as Patna Planning area),{{cite web | url=http://urban.bih.nic.in/PMP/0337-13-08-2014.pdf | title=Notification No. 337, dated 13th August, 2014. | publisher=UD&HD, Government of Bihar | date=13 August 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216205112/http://urban.bih.nic.in/PMP/0337-13-08-2014.pdf | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} "Greater Patna" or PRDA area, which adds to the PMC area a few areas just adjacent to it{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-2021-Master-Plan-for-mega-expansion/articleshow/1953103.cms | title=Patna 2021: Master Plan for mega expansion | work=The Times of India | date=4 September 2006 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=Dipak Mishra | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905082307/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-2021-Master-Plan-for-mega-expansion/articleshow/1953103.cms | archive-date=5 September 2016 | df=dmy-all }} and Patna Municipal Corporation area.

As Patna's apex body, the corporation discharges its functions through the mayor-in-council, which comprises a mayor, a deputy mayor, and other elected members of the PMC. The Mayor is usually chosen through indirect election by the councillors from among themselves. The functions of the PMC include water supply, drainage and sewerage, sanitation, solid waste management, street lighting, and building regulation.

The Municipal Commissioner is the chief Executive Officer and head of the executive arm of the Municipal Corporation. All executive powers are vested in the Municipal Commissioner who is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer appointed by the state government.{{cite web | url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-12-13/news/57012202_1_ias-association-sushil-modi-senior-bjp-leader | title=Patna Municipal Corporation Commissioner suspended; BJP attacks Janta Dal (United) | publisher=Economic Times | date=13 December 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216210300/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-12-13/news/57012202_1_ias-association-sushil-modi-senior-bjp-leader | archive-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} Although the Municipal Corporation is the legislative body that lays down policies for the governance of the city, it is the Commissioner who is responsible for the execution of the policies. The Commissioner is appointed for a fixed term as defined by state statute. The powers of the Commissioner are those provided by statute and those delegated by the Corporation or the Standing Committee. As of June 2017, the BJP won PMC Mayor seat; the mayor is Sita Sahu, while the deputy mayor is Vinay Kumar Pappu. The Patna Municipal Corporation was ranked 4th out of 21 Cities for best governance & administrative practices in India in 2014. It scored 3.6 on 10 compared to the national average of 3.3.{{cite web|last1=Nair|first1=Ajesh|title=Annual Survey of India's City-Systems|url=http://janaagraha.org/asics/images/Annual-Survey-of-Indias-City-Systems-2014.pdf|publisher=Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy|access-date=6 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319003215/http://janaagraha.org/asics/images/Annual-Survey-of-Indias-City-Systems-2014.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2015}} The revenue district of Patna comes under the jurisdiction of a District Collector (District Magistrate).{{cite web | url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/governance/RTIAct2005/RTI-Revenue.pdf | title=Revenue – Government of Bihar | publisher=gov.bih.nic.in | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319000331/http://gov.bih.nic.in/governance/RTIAct2005/RTI-Revenue.pdf | archive-date=19 March 2015 | df=dmy-all }} The Collectors are in charge of the general administration, property records and revenue collection for the Central Government, and oversee the national elections held in the city.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a-QaOP5nK-MC&q=revenue+district+of+Patna+District+Collector&pg=PA141 | title=Bihar And Orissa District Gazetteers Patna | publisher=Concept Publishing Company, 1924 – Patna (India : District) | author=L.S.S. O'malley | page=142 | isbn=9788172681210 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216204128/https://books.google.com/books?id=a-QaOP5nK-MC&pg=PA141&lpg=PA142&ots=5MP5jj4mz8&focus=viewport&dq=revenue+district+of+Patna+District+Collector#v=onepage&q=revenue%20district%20of%20Patna%20District%20Collector&f=false | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all | year=1924 }} The Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO) and the Patna Metropolitan Area Authority, are responsible for the statutory planning and development of the Patna Metropolitan Region.{{Cite web |url=http://210.212.23.61/AdminPanel/Files/Advertisements/10902018.pdf |title=SHORT NOTICE INVITING QUOTATION |date=27 April 2017 |website=Urban Development Department, Bihar |access-date=24 November 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041115/http://210.212.23.61/AdminPanel/Files/Advertisements/10902018.pdf |archive-date=1 December 2017 }} Patna Metropolitan Area Authority was established in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1160425/jsp/bihar/story_82011.jsp|title=Patna master plan gets committee push|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724144829/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160425/jsp/bihar/story_82011.jsp|archive-date=24 July 2016}} It is the superseding agency for the former Patna Regional Development Authority (PRDA), which was dissolved in 2006.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Patna-population-likely-to-be-over-60-lakh-by-2031/articleshow/41309413.cms | title=Patna population likely to be over 60 lakh by 2031 | work=The Times of India | date=31 August 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=Pranav Chaudhary | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125095337/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Patna-population-likely-to-be-over-60-lakh-by-2031/articleshow/41309413.cms | archive-date=25 November 2014 | df=dmy-all }} In addition to the city government, numerous commissions and state authorities—including the Ministry of Tourism, the Bihar Health Department, the Bihar Water Resources Department, National Ganga River Basin Authority, Bihar State Pollution Control Board and the Bihar Public Service Commission—play a role in the life of Patnaites. As the capital of Bihar, Patna plays a major role not only in state politics but in central politics as well.{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-the-youth-connect-with-narendra-modi-/20140312.htm | title=Why the youth connect with Narendra Modi | work=rediff.com | date=12 March 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216205253/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-the-youth-connect-with-narendra-modi-/20140312.htm | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

In October 2016, the Bihar cabinet approved the Patna master plan 2031 which envisages the development of a new airport at Bihta.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Cabinet-OKs-Patna-master-plan-paves-way-for-big-bulidings-new-airport/articleshow/55100844.cms|title=Cabinet OKs Patna master plan, paves way for big bulidings [sic], new airport |website=The Times of India|access-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807182141/http://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/home-still-a-dream-sans-nod-to-map-in-patna/47294944|archive-date=7 August 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/patna-master-plan-2031-metropolitan-committee-will-pass-the-map/885005.html|title=पटना मास्टर प्लान 2031 मेट्रोपोलिटन कमेटी नक्शा पास करेगी|date=November 2016 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010315/http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/patna-master-plan-2031-metropolitan-committee-will-pass-the-map/885005.html|archive-date=4 November 2016}} As of August 2015, the area of Patna city (along with its urban agglomeration) is {{convert|250|km2|sqmi}}.{{cite news |title=Master plan for Patna to be unveiled soon |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/master-plan-for-patna-to-be-unveiled-soon/articleshow/48450409.cms |access-date=30 August 2020 |work=The Economic Times |date=12 August 2015 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163656/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/master-plan-for-patna-to-be-unveiled-soon/articleshow/48450409.cms |url-status=live }} Patna master 2031 is the second master plan of the city that has been passed ever, after the last plan was approved for 1961-1981.{{cite web|url=http://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-patna-zonal-plan-will-be-part-of-the-master-plan-14938895.html|title=Patna zonal plan will be part of the master plan|access-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101000025/http://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-patna-zonal-plan-will-be-part-of-the-master-plan-14938895.html|archive-date=1 November 2016}} Patna master plan covers six urban local bodies - Patna Municipal Corporation, Danapur Nagar Parishad, Phulwarisharif Nagar Parishad, Khagaul Nagar Parishad, Maner Nagar Panchayat and Fatuha Nagar Parishad.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/patna-master-plan-work-gathers-pace/articleshow/61798859.cms|title=Patna master plan work gathers pace|website=The Times of India|date=26 November 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201072609/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/patna-master-plan-work-gathers-pace/articleshow/61798859.cms|archive-date=1 December 2017}} The new master plan proposed to increase the area of Patna city to {{convert|1167|km2|sqmi}} to transform it as a metropolitan city.{{cite news |title=Masterplan to Develop Patna as a Metropolitan Soon |url=https://www.ndtv.com/patna-news/masterplan-to-develop-patna-as-a-metropolitan-soon-1206479 |access-date=30 August 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=12 August 2015 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121030252/https://www.ndtv.com/patna-news/masterplan-to-develop-patna-as-a-metropolitan-soon-1206479 |url-status=live }} 5 satellite towns have also been proposed in the master plan at Bihta, Naubatpur, Punpun, Fatuha and Khusrupur.

Patna has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under Government of India's flagship Smart Cities Mission.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/smart-city-patna-to-get-a-grand-makeover/articleshow/59291401.cms|title=Smart City: Patna to get a grand makeover |website=The Times of India|date=24 June 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202163836/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/smart-city-patna-to-get-a-grand-makeover/articleshow/59291401.cms|archive-date=2 December 2017}} With the grade of a Smart City, Patna will have highly up-to-date and radical provisions like uninterrupted electric supply, first-rate traffic and transport system, superior health care and many other prime utilities. Under this scheme, the city will use digital technology that will act as the integral mechanism of the aforesaid facilities and thereby further elevate the lifestyle of the citizens. A special purpose vehicle company named the Patna Smart City Limited has been formed to implement the smart city projects. On 22 November 2017, Eptisa Servicios de Ingenieria SL of Spain was chosen as the project management consultant.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/spanish-firm-for-smart-city-187749|title=Spanish firm for smart city|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122182957/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/spanish-firm-for-smart-city-187749|archive-date=22 November 2017}}

As the seat of the Government of Bihar, The city has several federal facilities, including the Raj Bhavan: Governor's house, the Bihar Legislative Assembly; the state secretariat, which is housed in the Patna Secretariat; and the Patna High Court. The Patna High Court is one of the oldest High Court in India. The Patna High Court has jurisdiction over the state of Bihar.{{cite web | url=http://patnahighcourt.bih.nic.in/AboutUs.aspx | title=ABOUT PATNA HIGH COURT | publisher=The High Court of Judicature at Patna | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217143232/http://patnahighcourt.bih.nic.in/AboutUs.aspx | archive-date=17 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Patna also has lower courts; the Small Causes Court for civil matters, and the Sessions Court for criminal cases.{{cite web | url=http://ecourts.gov.in/patna | title=History | publisher=ecourts.gov.in | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216210715/http://ecourts.gov.in/patna | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/patna-high-court-acquits-all-26-in-dalit-massacre-case/article5218083.ece | title=Patna High Court acquits all 26 in Dalit massacre case | newspaper=The Hindu | date=9 October 2013 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=RAHI GAIKWAD | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227081940/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/patna-high-court-acquits-all-26-in-dalit-massacre-case/article5218083.ece | archive-date=27 February 2014 | df=dmy-all }} The Patna Police, commanded by Senior Superintendent of Police, is overseen by the Bihar Government's Home Department. The Patna district elects two representatives to India's lower house, the Lok Sabha,{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140420/jsp/bihar/story_18257615.jsp#.VOH94OaUdH4 | title=Rural Patna defeats urban in EVM hits | publisher=telegraphindia.com | date=20 April 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=PIYUSH KUMAR TRIPATHI | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216214410/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140420/jsp/bihar/story_18257615.jsp#.VOH94OaUdH4 | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} and 14 representatives to the state legislative assembly. The capital city of Patna has 8 State Legislative Assembly constituencies,{{cite news |title=Mired in civic mess, voters vent ire on netas in Patna |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/civic-issues-at-the-top-of-voters-minds-in-patna/articleshow/78737188.cms |access-date=10 July 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=19 October 2020}} which form two constituencies of the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Parliament of India).

File:Patna district assembly.png

File:TV Tower Patna 04.jpg TV Tower broadcasts programming to Patna|left]]

Groundwater fulfills the basic needs of the people,{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111213/jsp/bihar/story_14872821.jsp#.U49aroGDkTA | title=24x7 water in pipeline | publisher=The Telegraph (Calcutta), Patna | date=13 December 2011 | access-date=4 June 2014 | author=PIYUSH KUMAR TRIPATHI | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606210358/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111213/jsp/bihar/story_14872821.jsp#.U49aroGDkTA | archive-date=6 June 2014 | df=dmy-all }} administered by Patna Jal Parishad under Patna Municipal Corporation.{{cite web | url=http://cpheeo.nic.in/SDWQ%20-%2025/14%20PATNA.PDF | title=14 PATNA.cdr – cpheeo | publisher=cpheeo.nic.in | access-date=4 June 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606221635/http://cpheeo.nic.in/SDWQ%20-%2025/14%20PATNA.PDF | archive-date=6 June 2014 | df=dmy-all }} The public water supply system comprises 98 tube wells{{cite web | url=http://www.urbannewsdigest.in/?p=4031 | title=Patna: Historic Past, Urban Future | publisher=urbannewsdigest | access-date=4 June 2014 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606224720/http://www.urbannewsdigest.in/?p=4031 | archive-date=6 June 2014 | df=dmy-all }} that pump water directly to the distribution mains. Around 23 overhead reservoirs of which only the ones at Agam Kuan, Gulzarbagh Press, Guru Gobind Singh Hospital and High Court serve the city. The sewerage system in Patna was set up in 1936. At present, there are four sewage treatment plants{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140202/jsp/bihar/story_17888889.jsp#.U49fB4GDkTA | title=PMC go-ahead for sewerage network | publisher=The Telegraph (Calcutta), Patna | date=2 February 2014 | access-date=4 June 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606211425/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140202/jsp/bihar/story_17888889.jsp#.U49fB4GDkTA | archive-date=6 June 2014 | df=dmy-all }} at Saidpur, Beur, Pahari and Karmali Chak.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140215/jsp/bihar/story_17939031.jsp#.U49gnYGDkTA | title=Funds to clean Ganga litter | publisher=The Telegraph (Calcutta), Patna | date=15 February 2014 | access-date=4 June 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606203914/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140215/jsp/bihar/story_17939031.jsp#.U49gnYGDkTA | archive-date=6 June 2014 | df=dmy-all }} In 2019, the central government has started the process Nirmal Ganga, which is to build new sewerage infrastructure at Patna's Karmalichak as well as in Barh, Naugachia and Sultanganj. The new infrastructure will be capable of preventing the flow of 67 million litre of sewage into Ganga.{{cite news |title=Bihar gets Nirmal Ganga push, Patna riverfront! PM Narendra Modi unveils important infrastructure projects |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/bihar-gets-nirmal-ganga-push-patna-riverfront-pm-narendra-modi-unveils-important-infrastructure-projects/1490954/ |access-date=10 September 2019 |work=The Financial Express |date=18 February 2019 |archive-date=18 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218121900/https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/bihar-gets-nirmal-ganga-push-patna-riverfront-pm-narendra-modi-unveils-important-infrastructure-projects/1490954/ |url-status=live }}

As of 2011, the city's electricity consumption is about 601 kWh per capita, even though the actual demand is much higher.{{cite web |last=Kohli |first=Gayrajan |url=http://abcofsolar.com/patna-solar-energy-in-bihar/ |title=Patna: the City That Can Turn On Solar Energy in Bihar |publisher=Abcofsolar.com |date=30 December 2014 |access-date=15 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319011037/http://abcofsolar.com/patna-solar-energy-in-bihar/ |archive-date=19 March 2016 }} Electricity supply to the city is regulated and distributed by the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/speednewsshow/21216415.cms |title=Energy-bills:Patna: The South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (S |work=The Times of India |access-date=15 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920054835/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/speednewsshow/21216415.cms |archive-date=20 September 2015 }} managed by Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (the holding company and a successor company of erstwhile Bihar State Electricity Board).{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bihar-State-Electricity-Board-unbundled-into-five-companies/articleshow/17054046.cms |title=Bihar State Electricity Board unbundled into five companies – Times of India |work=The Times of India |date=2 November 2012 |access-date=15 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517120535/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bihar-State-Electricity-Board-unbundled-into-five-companies/articleshow/17054046.cms |archive-date=17 May 2017 }} The city forms the Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (PESU){{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-Electric-Supply-Undertaking-maintains-power-cuts-denizens-suffer/articleshow/22060039.cms |title=Patna Electric Supply Undertaking "maintains" power cuts, denizens suffer – The Times of India |work=The Times of India |date=26 August 2013 |access-date=11 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510195023/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-Electric-Supply-Undertaking-maintains-power-cuts-denizens-suffer/articleshow/22060039.cms |archive-date=10 May 2018 }} Circle, which is further divided into two wings namely Patna East (consists Kankarbagh, Patna City, Gulzarbagh, Bankipore, Rajendra Nagar Divisions) and Patna West (Consists Danapur, New Capital, Pataliputra, Gardanibagh, Dak Bungalow divisions).{{cite web |url=http://www.go4patna.com/index.php/patna/important-info/34-pi-pi/263-patna-electricity-supply-unit-pesu |title=Patna Electricity Supply Unit (PESU) |publisher=Go4patna.com |access-date=11 April 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411075316/http://www.go4patna.com/index.php/patna/important-info/34-pi-pi/263-patna-electricity-supply-unit-pesu |archive-date=11 April 2014 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141011/jsp/bihar/story_18913517.jsp#.V1saUbt97rd | title=Pesu seeks new supply division | publisher=The Telegraph | date=11 October 2014 | access-date=11 June 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808195922/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141011/jsp/bihar/story_18913517.jsp#.V1saUbt97rd | archive-date=8 August 2016 | df=dmy-all }}

Direct–to–home (DTH) is available via DD Free Dish, Airtel digital TV, Dish TV, Tata Sky, Videocon d2h, Sun Direct and Reliance Digital TV.{{cite web|author=Piyush Kumar Tripathi|date=12 March 2013|title=Get set or go blank|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130312/jsp/bihar/story_16661786.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124827/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130312/jsp/bihar/story_16661786.jsp|archive-date=13 April 2014|access-date=11 April 2014|publisher=Telegraphindia.com}} Cable companies include Darsh Digital Network Pvt. Ltd.,{{cite web|date=17 October 2011|title=Darsh Digital Selects NDS to Launch Digital Cable TV Platform in India|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111017005816/en/Darsh-Digital-Selects-NDS-Launch-Digital-Cable|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413125759/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111017005816/en/Darsh-Digital-Selects-NDS-Launch-Digital-Cable|archive-date=13 April 2014|access-date=11 April 2014|publisher=Business Wire}} SITI Maurya Cablenet Pvt. Ltd{{cite web|date=4 April 2013|title=Cable TV digitization: Bihar govt to seek deadline extension — The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Cable-TV-digitization-Bihar-govt-to-seek-deadline-extension/articleshow/19372468.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201191024/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Cable-TV-digitization-Bihar-govt-to-seek-deadline-extension/articleshow/19372468.cms|archive-date=1 December 2017|access-date=11 April 2014|work=The Times of India}} etc. The Conditional Access System for cable television was implemented in March 2013.{{cite news|title=Patnaites rush to get Set Top Box installed before Mar 31 – The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patnaites-rush-to-get-Set-Top-Box-installed-before-Mar-31/articleshow/18856923.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202025720/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patnaites-rush-to-get-Set-Top-Box-installed-before-Mar-31/articleshow/18856923.cms|archive-date=2 December 2017|access-date=11 April 2014|work=The Times of India|date=8 March 2013 }}

Patna comes under the Patna Telecom District of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL),{{cite web|title=Sub: Decisions taken in General Body Meeting of SNEA (I) Patna Telephone District on issues related to working culture in Patna Telephone.|url=http://www.sneabihar.org/SNEA/April2013/PGMT%20SNEA%20DS%20LETTER%2022-07-13.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305040502/http://www.sneabihar.org/SNEA/April2013/PGMT%20SNEA%20DS%20LETTER%2022-07-13.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|access-date=17 November 2015}} India's state-owned telecom and internet services provider. Both Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code division multiple access (CDMA) mobile services are available.{{cite web|date=12 March 2011|title=RCom launches 3G services in Bihar – The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/RCom-launches-3G-services-in-Bihar/articleshow/7684242.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213031916/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/RCom-launches-3G-services-in-Bihar/articleshow/7684242.cms|archive-date=13 February 2018|access-date=11 April 2014|work=The Times of India}} Apart from telecom, BSNL also provides broadband internet service.[http://bihar.bsnl.co.in/ BSNL Bihar homepage] {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090410043247/http://www.bihar.bsnl.co.in/|date=10 April 2009}} 12 April 2014 Among private enterprises, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Reliance GSM/CDMA, Idea Cellular, Aircel, Tata Teleservices (Tata DoCoMo, Virgin Mobile and Tata Indicom), Telenor (Formerly Uninor & Now Acquired by Bharti Airtel), Vodafone and Videocon Telecom{{cite web|date=19 February 2015|title=Videocon to Launch 4G Mobile Services in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh by December|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/videocon-to-launch-4g-mobile-services-in-bihar-uttar-pradesh-by-december-662343|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223140128/http://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/videocon-to-launch-4g-mobile-services-in-bihar-uttar-pradesh-by-december-662343|archive-date=23 February 2015|access-date=5 March 2015|work=Press Trust of India|publisher=ndtv.com}} are the leading telephone and cell phone service providers in the city.{{cite web|author=Piyush Kumar Tripathi|date=4 February 2012|title=Bihar mobile users queue up for clarity|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120204/jsp/bihar/story_15090816.jsp#.U0mEXIGDkTA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413125303/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120204/jsp/bihar/story_15090816.jsp#.U0mEXIGDkTA|archive-date=13 April 2014|access-date=12 April 2014|publisher=Telegraphindia.com}}{{cite web|date=8 December 2010|title=Recommendations on national broadband plan|url=http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/Recommendation/Documents/Rcommendation81210.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927084149/http://trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/Recommendation/Documents/Rcommendation81210.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2013|access-date=12 April 2014|publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India|page=22}}

Patna was the second Indian city, after Bangalore,{{cite web|date=21 February 2014|title=After Bangalore, Patna Launches Free Public WiFi Stretch. It's 20 Km Long!|url=http://www.nextbigwhat.com/free-wifi-in-patna-bihar-297/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405035455/http://www.nextbigwhat.com/free-wifi-in-patna-bihar-297/|archive-date=5 April 2014|access-date=12 April 2014|publisher=Nextbigwhat.com}} which offered free WiFi connectivity to its citizens in February 2014. By surpassing the previous record-holder, Beijing in China,{{cite web|date=20 February 2014|title=Bihar beats Beijing: Nitish Kumar unveils world's longest Wi-Fi zone|url=http://www.news18.com/news/bihar/nitish-kumar-unveils-worlds-longest-wi-fi-zone-3-times-the-size-of-chinas-367317.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904083548/http://www.news18.com/news/bihar/nitish-kumar-unveils-worlds-longest-wi-fi-zone-3-times-the-size-of-chinas-367317.html|archive-date=4 September 2014|access-date=1 September 2014|website=News18.com}} Patna's WiFi zone is the world's longest free WiFi zone, which covers a 20-km stretch from NIT Patna on Ashok Rajpath to Danapur.{{cite web|date=20 February 2014|title=World's longest free Wi-Fi zone in Patna – The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Worlds-longest-free-Wi-Fi-zone-in-Patna/articleshow/30691352.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412072405/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Worlds-longest-free-Wi-Fi-zone-in-Patna/articleshow/30691352.cms|archive-date=12 April 2014|access-date=12 April 2014|work=The Times of India}}{{cite web|date=9 April 2014|title=Wi-Fi checks in, partially|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140409/jsp/bihar/story_18169069.jsp#.U4obg4GDkTA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601005953/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140409/jsp/bihar/story_18169069.jsp#.U4obg4GDkTA|archive-date=1 June 2014|access-date=31 May 2014|work=PIYUSH KUMAR TRIPATHI|publisher=The Telegraph (Calcutta), Patna}}

{{multiple image

| direction = vertical

| width = 240

| image1 = Jagdeo Path Mor to Sheikhpura Mor four-lane flyover Patna Bihar.jpg

| caption1 = Bihar's longest flyover from Jagdeo Path Mor to Sheikhpura Mor in Bailey Road, Patna

| image2 = New Flyover At Patna.jpg

| caption2 = Chiriyatand Flyover at Patna, one of the many new ones that have come up in the city recently.

| image3 = Patna-Radio-Cab.PNG

| caption3 = Radio Taxis

| image4 = Digha_Sonpur_bridge_3.jpg

| caption4 = Digha–Sonpur Bridge connecting Patna with North Bihar.

| image5 =

| caption5 = Patna Junction railway station

}}

Patna is about 100 km south of national East – West Highway corridor. The NH 30, NH 31 and NH 2 passes through the city. The Ashok Rajpath, Patna-Danapur Road, Bailey Road, Harding Road and Kankarbagh old bypass Road are the major corridors. Patna was one of the first places in India to use horse-drawn trams for public transport.{{cite news |last1=Chaudhary |first1=Pranava K |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/First-ever-book-on-Patna-soon/articleshow/3515588.cms |title=Trams in Patna |date=23 September 2008 |access-date=25 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021204515/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-23/patna/27949532_1_patna-saheb-patna-city-paschim-darwaza |archive-date=21 October 2012 |work=The Times of India |url-status=live}} Public transportation is provided for by buses, auto rickshaws and local trains. Auto rickshaws are said to be the lifeline of the city.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Auto-fare-on-several-routes-hiked/articleshow/9448366.cms |title=Autos lifeline of city |date=2 August 2011 |access-date=4 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106004700/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-02/patna/29841924_1_auto-fare-patna-junction-auto-drivers |archive-date=6 November 2012 |work=The Times of India |url-status=live}} BSRTC has started City bus service on all major routes of Patna.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Colourful-buses-start-plying-in-Patna/articleshow/8346228.cms |title=Colourful buses start plying in Patna |date=15 May 2011 |access-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708044957/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-15/patna/29545409_1_bsrtc-ladies-special-buses-new-city-buses |work=The Times of India |archive-date=8 July 2012 }}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/AC-city-buses-to-ply-from-early-August/articleshow/9398832.cms |title=AC city buses to ply from early August |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=4 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106004717/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-28/patna/29824512_1_ac-buses-emergency-alarm-button-eden-transport |archive-date=6 November 2012 |work=The Times of India |url-status=live}} App based cab service is available within city.Piyush Kumar Tripathi, [https://www.telegraphindia.com/bihar/ola-city-taps-app-amp-go-habit/cid/1357476 "Ola! City taps app & go habit"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408095115/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/ola-city-taps-app-amp-go-habit/cid/1357476 |date=8 April 2019 }}, The Telegraph (Calcutta), 18 May 2016{{cite web|title=All we hear is Radio Taxi|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/all-we-hear-is-radio-taxi/article6329373.ece?homepage=true&theme=true|website=thehindubusinessline.com|publisher=The Hindu (18 August 2014)|access-date=19 August 2014|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819051509/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/all-we-hear-is-radio-taxi/article6329373.ece?homepage=true&theme=true|url-status=live}} Patna is about 70.02KM away from Chhapra

File:Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport 2 (cropped).jpg, Patna|left]]

Patna Airport known as Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport is classified as a restricted international airport.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/patna/patna-airport-deadline-extended-to-oct-31/article1-932447.aspx |title=Patna airport deadline extended to Oct 31 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=19 September 2012 |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318162434/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/patna/patna-airport-deadline-extended-to-oct-31/article1-932447.aspx |archive-date=18 March 2014 }} The arrival of several low-cost carriers and a number of new destinations have caused a growth in air traffic in recent years, as has an improvement in the situation with regard to law and order.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-airport-notches-No-1-spot-in-air-traffic-passenger-growth/articleshow/6026297.cms | title=Patna airport notches No. 1 spot in air traffic, passenger growth | work=The Times of India | date=9 June 2010 | access-date=22 July 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510195023/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-airport-notches-No-1-spot-in-air-traffic-passenger-growth/articleshow/6026297.cms | archive-date=10 May 2018 | df=dmy-all }} For the period April to December 2009 the airport ranked first in a survey of 46 airports in the country in terms of percentage growth of domestic passengers as well as domestic aircraft movement.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Traffic-flyers-flow-grow-at-Patna-airport/articleshow/6112353.cms |title=Traffic, flyers' flow grow at Patna airport |author=Verma, Sanjeev Kumar |date=9 June 2010 |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811080507/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-01/patna/28274650_1_amritsar-airport-patna-airport-arvind-dubey |archive-date=11 August 2011 |newspaper=The Times of India |url-status=live}} The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has proposed to develop a civil enclave at Bihta Air Force Station to serve as the new airport for Patna. The military airfield lies {{convert|40|km|mi|0}} southwest of Patna, in Bihta.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/AAI-to-develop-Bihta-airport-for-international-operations/articleshow/46521504.cms | title=AAI to develop Bihta airport for international operations | work=The Times of India | date=10 March 2015 | access-date=12 March 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827164423/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/AAI-to-develop-Bihta-airport-for-international-operations/articleshow/46521504.cms | archive-date=27 August 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

File:Patna junction.jpg Railway Station, Patna|left]]

Patna is served by several railway stations within. The Patna Junction railway station is the main railway station of the city, and one of the busiest railway stations in India.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131210/jsp/bihar/story_17662189.jsp#.Va-fABuqqko | title=Easy climb at railway station in new year | publisher=The Telegraph | date=10 December 2013 | access-date=22 July 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723033808/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131210/jsp/bihar/story_17662189.jsp#.Va-fABuqqko | archive-date=23 July 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Patna lies in between New Delhi and Kolkata on Howrah–Delhi main line, which is one of the busiest rail routes in India.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120713/jsp/frontpage/story_15724186.jsp#.Va-gGBuqqko | title=90 trains delayed or diverted after coal wagons derail in Bihar | publisher=The Telegraph | date=13 July 2013 | access-date=22 July 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723045145/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120713/jsp/frontpage/story_15724186.jsp#.Va-gGBuqqko | archive-date=23 July 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Patna Junction is directly connected to most of the major cities in India.{{cite book|author1=Kory Goldberg|author2=Michelle Dcary|title=Along the Path – The Meditator's Companion to the Buddha's Land|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rWhGU_fPycoC&pg=PA200|access-date=6 April 2012|date=9 November 2009|publisher=Pariyatti|isbn=978-1-928706-56-4|pages=200–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528134838/http://books.google.com/books?id=rWhGU_fPycoC&pg=PA200|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=live}} The city has four additional major railway stations: {{rws|Rajendra Nagar Terminal}} (adjacent to Kankarbagh), {{rws|Patliputra Junction}} (near Bailey road), {{rws|Danapur}} (near western outskirts) and {{rws|Patna Sahib}} (in Patna City area). Danapur is the divisional headquarters of East Central Railway zone's Danapur railway division. Patna is well connected with neighbouring Gaya, Jehanabad, Bihar Sharif, Rajgir, Islampur through daily passenger and express train services. And also connected with Jamalpur Junction and Munger. India's longest road-cum-rail bridge, Digha–Sonpur bridge has been constructed across river Ganges, connecting Digha, Patna to Pahleja Ghat in Sonpur.{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120426/jsp/bihar/story_15420512.jsp#.VyiRTvl97IV|title=Ganga bridge bonanza New projects to ease travel hassle|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602132643/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120426/jsp/bihar/story_15420512.jsp#.VyiRTvl97IV|archive-date=2 June 2016}} The bridge was completed in 2015,{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120308/jsp/bihar/story_15185406.jsp#.UJkPQmckPCA|title=New deadline for rail bridge|publisher=The Telegraph, 8 March 2012|access-date=6 November 2012|location=Calcutta, India|first=Amit|last=Bhelari|date=8 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307134409/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120308/jsp/bihar/story_15185406.jsp#.UJkPQmckPCA|archive-date=7 March 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-s-longest-rail-cum-road-bridge-to-come-up-in-Bihar/Article1-464170.aspx |title=India's longest rail-cum-road bridge to come up in Bihar |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=12 October 2009 |access-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023152514/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-s-longest-rail-cum-road-bridge-to-come-up-in-Bihar/Article1-464170.aspx |archive-date=23 October 2010 }} It is {{convert|4.55|km|miles}} long and therefore the second longest rail-cum-road bridge in India, after Bogibeel Bridge in Assam.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Digha-bridge-cost-likely-to-jump-by-Rs-1000-cr/articleshow/9088951.cms | title=Digha bridge cost likely to jump by Rs 1,000 cr | date=3 July 2011 | access-date=24 October 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105053237/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-03/patna/29732615_1_digha-rail-rail-bridge-guide-bund | archive-date=5 January 2012 | url-status=live | work=The Times of India | df=dmy-all }}

The city is served by several major road highways and state highways, including National Highways 19,{{cite web |url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh19-driving-directions-map.html |title=National Highway 19 |publisher=Mapsofindia.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217075435/http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh19-driving-directions-map.html |archive-date=17 February 2010 }} 30,{{cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh30-driving-directions-map.html|title=National Highway 30|publisher=Mapsofindia.com|access-date=1 February 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213192953/http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh30-driving-directions-map.html|archive-date=13 February 2010}} 31,{{cite web |url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh31-driving-directions-map.html |title=National Highway 31 |publisher=Mapsofindia.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204055423/http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh31-driving-directions-map.html |archive-date=4 February 2010 }} and 83.{{cite web |url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh83-driving-directions-map.html |title=National Highway 83 |publisher=Mapsofindia.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103100903/http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh83-driving-directions-map.html |archive-date=3 January 2010 }} Pataliputra Bus Terminal is an upcoming ISBT. Asia's longest river bridge, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu (built 1982), is in Patna and connects the city to Hajipur across the Ganga. In recent times, the bridge has been witnessing major traffic chaos and accidents due to exceeding number of vehicles passing over it and regularly overloading the structure.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Broken-railings-vibrations-make-Patnas-Gandhi-Setu-commuters-nightmare/articleshow/47304106.cms | title=Broken railings, vibrations make Patna's Gandhi Setu commuters' nightmare | work=The Times of India | date=16 May 2015 | access-date=25 July 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430204119/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Broken-railings-vibrations-make-Patnas-Gandhi-Setu-commuters-nightmare/articleshow/47304106.cms | archive-date=30 April 2016 | df=dmy-all }} A new six lane road bridge across the Ganges parallel to Mahatma Gandhi Setu is proposed which would connect Kacchi Dargah in Patna City to Bidupur in Vaishali district,{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150405/jsp/bihar/story_12692.jsp#.VbPGmBuqqko | title=Nitish blasts Centre over roads | publisher=The Telegraph | date=5 April 2015 | access-date=25 July 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728011826/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150405/jsp/bihar/story_12692.jsp#.VbPGmBuqqko | archive-date=28 July 2015 | df=dmy-all }} which will be the longest bridge in India after completion.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Cabinet-OKs-new-bridge-on-Ganga/articleshow/48118331.cms | title=Cabinet OKs new bridge on Ganga | work=The Times of India | date=17 July 2015 | access-date=25 July 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909152802/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Patna/Cabinet-OKs-new-bridge-on-Ganga/articleshow/48118331.cms | archive-date=9 September 2016 | df=dmy-all }}

Patna is well connected with roads to various major cities of Bihar like Hajipur, Munger, Jamalpur, Bhagalpur, Gaya Motihari, and Purnia.

Patna is {{convert|1015|km|miles}} East from Delhi, {{convert|1802|km|miles}} North East from Mumbai,{{convert|1527|km|miles}} North from Hyderabad and {{convert|556|km|miles}} North West from Kolkata.{{cite web |url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/distances/patna.html |title=Road distance chart for Patna |publisher=Mapsofindia.com |date=4 May 2007 |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206120029/http://www.mapsofindia.com/distances/patna.html |archive-date=6 February 2010 }} Luxury bus service between Patna and several neighbouring cities is provided by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation and the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation.{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/article2705990.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Luxury bus service between Bihar and Jharkhand from Monday | date=11 December 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111113445/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/article2705990.ece | archive-date=11 January 2012 | df=dmy-all }} Auto rickshaws are a popular mode of transportation.{{cite web | url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/patna-23-000-auto-rickshaws-on-strike-400679 | title=Patna: 23,000 auto-rickshaws on strike | publisher=NDTV | date=1 September 2009 | access-date=25 July 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029161425/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/patna-23-000-auto-rickshaws-on-strike-400679 | archive-date=29 October 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Prepaid auto services operated by an all-women crew was started in 2013 in Patna, which is the first of its kind in India.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/An-all-woman-bank-to-open-in-Patna/articleshow/21063277.cms | title=An all-woman bank to open in Patna | publisher=The Times of India (Patna) | work=Anisha Anand, TNN | date=14 July 2013 | access-date=5 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511230528/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/An-all-woman-bank-to-open-in-Patna/articleshow/21063277.cms | archive-date=11 May 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} Radio Taxi services are also available within city limit as well as outskirts. There are private options such as Ola Cabs.

Patna Metro is an under-construction rapid transit system for the city. It would be owned and operated by state run Patna Metro Rail Corporation.{{cite web | url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/bihar/bihar-fast-tracks-patna-metro-rail-project_1498986.html | title=Bihar fast-tracks Patna Metro rail project | publisher=Zee News | date=14 November 2014 | access-date=22 May 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328203718/http://zeenews.india.com/news/bihar/bihar-fast-tracks-patna-metro-rail-project_1498986.html | archive-date=28 March 2015 | df=dmy-all }} It will be constructed on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, estimated to cost {{INRConvert|140|b|0}}.{{cite news|title=Long awaited proposal of Patna Metro Rail project gets CM's nod |work=Daily News & Analysis }} It will have 5 lines with a total planned length of {{convert|60|km|mi|0}} km, which will be built in 3 phases.{{cite news | url=http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/23-oct-2013-edition-Patna-Nager-page_3-43715-7142-84.html | title=Patna Metro will run in 3 phase | date=23 October 2013 | access-date=23 October 2013 | newspaper=Dainik Jagran | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205423/http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/23-oct-2013-edition-Patna-Nager-page_3-43715-7142-84.html | archive-date=29 October 2013 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} Patna Monorail Project covering the municipal area is also underway. Recently the central government approved Patna metro rail project comprising two corridors (Danapur - Khemnichak and Patna Junction - Pataliputra Bus Terminal). According to government, the project will be completed until 2025 with an estimated cost of Rs. 133657.7 million.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Signature-buildings-to-change-Patnas-skyline-in-2-years/articleshow/45197958.cms | title='Signature buildings to change Patna's skyline in 2 years' | work=The Times of India | date=19 November 2014 | access-date=25 July 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122182146/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Signature-buildings-to-change-Patnas-skyline-in-2-years/articleshow/45197958.cms | archive-date=22 November 2014 | df=dmy-all }}File:Patna river port1.JPG at Gai Ghat, Patna

|left]]

The Ganges – navigable throughout the year – was the principal river highway across the vast Indo-Gangetic Plain. Vessels capable of accommodating five hundred merchants were known to ply this river in the ancient period; it served as a major trade route, as goods were transported from Pataliputra to the Bay of Bengal and further, to ports in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. The role of the Ganges as a channel for trade was enhanced by its natural links – it embraces all the major rivers and streams in both north and south Bihar.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D5lQutvzAp4C&q=Bazaar+India |title=Bazaar India: Markets, Society, and the Colonial State in Gangetic Bihar |access-date=15 October 2009 |isbn=978-0-520-21100-1 |last=Yang |first=Anand A |year=1998 |publisher=University of California Press |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415112630/https://books.google.com/books?id=D5lQutvzAp4C&q=Bazaar+India |url-status=live }} In recent times, Inland Waterways Authority of India has declared the stretch of river Ganges between Allahabad and Haldia National Inland Waterway and has taken steps to restore and maintain its navigability. The National Waterway-1, the longest Waterway in India, stretches 1620 km in the River Ganga from Allahabad to Haldia via Varanasi, Munger, Bhagalpur passes through Patna.{{cite web | url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=National_Waterways-1 | title=National Waterways-1 | publisher=Water Resources Information System (Govt. of India) | date=15 March 2012 | access-date=4 June 2014 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606223252/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=National_Waterways-1 | archive-date=6 June 2014 | df=dmy-all }} This National Waterways has fixed terminal at Patna.{{cite web | url=http://www.indiawaterportal.org/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/inland_water_transport_sector_2008.pdf | title=Inland Water Transport Sector | publisher=Inland Waterways Authority of India | date=21 April 2008 | access-date=25 July 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034526/http://www.indiawaterportal.org/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/inland_water_transport_sector_2008.pdf | archive-date=24 September 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

File:Magahi folk singers.JPG File:Gandhi Maidan.jpg (shown above) lies in the heart of Patna and is the site for most political and social functions in the city.]]

File:Mahavir Mandir from Buddha Smriti Park.JPG is a famous temple in Patna.]]

Patna's native language is Magahi or Magadhi a language derived from the ancient Magadhi Prakrit,South Asian folklore: an encyclopedia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, By Peter J. Claus, Sarah Diamond, Margaret Ann Mills, Routledge, 2003, p. 203 which was created in the ancient kingdom of Magadha, the core of which was the area of Patna south of the Ganges. It is believed to be the language spoken by Gautama Buddha. Patna has a vibrant Bengali culture too with many Bengali stalwarts including the first Chief Minister of post-independence West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Ray, being born here. The numerous Bengali speaking Patnaites have contributed massively into fine arts, culture, education and history of Bihar in general and Patna in particular.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ljdiy2JiN78C&q=magadhi+spoken+buddha&pg=PA57 | title=The Great Compassion: Buddhism and Animal Rights | publisher=Lantern Books, 2004 | author=Norm Phelps | page=57 | isbn=9781590560693 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216205956/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ljdiy2JiN78C&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=magadhi+spoken+buddha&source=bl&ots=viab__cpVM&sig=x9LBfv-0Rl79Ck24u1bErqjBQck&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8gfiVMSuN87juQSn74CYCA&ved=0CB4Q6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=magadhi%20spoken%20buddha&f=false | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all | year=2004 }} However, Magahi was the official language of the Mauryan court, in which the edicts of Ashoka were composed.Basham A.L., The Wonder that was India, Picador, 2004, pp.394

The name Magahi is directly derived from the name Magadhi Prakrit, and educated speakers of Magahi prefer to call it "Magadhi" rather than "Magahi".Jain Dhanesh, Cardona George, The Indo-Aryan Languages, pp449

Patna has many buildings adorned with Indo-Islamic{{cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Hidden+treasures/1/71577.html | title=Hidden treasures | publisher=India Today | date=19 November 2009 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216205323/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Hidden+treasures/1/71577.html | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} and Indo-Saracenic architectural motifs. Several well-maintained major buildings from the colonial period have been declared "heritage structures";{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/A-walk-through-city-heritage-sites/articleshow/46015047.cms? | title=A walk through Patna heritage sites | work=The Times of India | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=Banjot Kaur Bhatia, TNN | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820141652/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Patna/A-walk-through-city-heritage-sites/articleshow/46015047.cms | archive-date=20 August 2016 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Renovation-of-Patna-University-heritage-buildings-starts/articleshow/34128179.cms | title=Renovation of Patna University heritage buildings starts | work=The Times of India | date=24 April 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=B K Mishra, TNN | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427170214/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Renovation-of-Patna-University-heritage-buildings-starts/articleshow/34128179.cms | archive-date=27 April 2014 | df=dmy-all }} others are in various stages of decay.{{cite web | url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-03-24/news/37981405_1_world-class-museum-patna-museum-heritage | title=Patna heritage bungalows dismantled for Rs 360cr museum | publisher=The Economic Times | date=24 March 2013 | access-date=16 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216205749/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-03-24/news/37981405_1_world-class-museum-patna-museum-heritage | archive-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} Established in 1917 as the Bihar's first museum, the Patna Museum (पटना संग्रहालय) houses large collections that showcase Indian natural history and Indian art.{{cite web | url=http://yac.bih.nic.in/dm-01.htm | title=Directorate of Museum | publisher=Youth, Arts and Culture Department, Government of Bihar | access-date=16 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215231007/http://yac.bih.nic.in/DM-01.htm | archive-date=15 February 2015 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} The Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library and Sinha Library are historic public libraries of Patna.{{cite web | url=http://www.indiaculture.nic.in/khuda-baksh-oriental-public-library-patna | title=KHUDA BAKHSH ORIENTAL PUBLIC LIBRARY | publisher=Ministry of Culture, Government of India | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216204703/http://www.indiaculture.nic.in/khuda-baksh-oriental-public-library-patna | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Historic-Sinha-library-struggling-for-survival/articleshow/21966610.cms | title=Historic Sinha library struggling for survival | work=The Times of India | date=22 August 2013 | access-date=16 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511230554/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Historic-Sinha-library-struggling-for-survival/articleshow/21966610.cms | archive-date=11 May 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}

Several theatres are in or near the central part of the city, including the Bhartiya Nritya Kala Mandir, the Rabindra Parishad, Premchand Rangshala and the Kalidas Rangalaya, which is home to the Bihar art theatre. Kalidas Rangalaya also hosts the Patliputra Natya Mahotsav, a dance festival.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120204/jsp/bihar/story_15087910.jsp#.VPtAJnyUdH4 | title=Dual delights on first night of theatre festival – Patliputra Natya Mahotsav starts in capital; 34 dramas and 11 street plays lined up for six days | publisher=The Telegraph | date=4 February 2012 | access-date=8 March 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175744/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120204/jsp/bihar/story_15087910.jsp#.VPtAJnyUdH4 | archive-date=2 April 2015 | df=dmy-all }} But in the last two decades, the popularity of commercial theatres in the city has declined.{{cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/theatre-back-to-centrestage-in-the-patna/1/131679.html | title=Theatre back to centrestage in the state | publisher=India Today | date=7 March 2011 | access-date=8 March 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402173951/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/theatre-back-to-centrestage-in-the-patna/1/131679.html | archive-date=2 April 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

The Patna School of Painting or Patna Qalaam, some times also called Company style, is an offshoot of the well-known Mughal Miniature school of painting, which flourished in Bihar during the early 18th to the mid-20th centuries.{{cite web | url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010224/windows/main3.htm | title=Patna kalam Death of an art tradition | work=The Tribune | date=24 February 2001 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=Janaki Bhatt | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063507/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010224/windows/main3.htm | archive-date=4 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} The practitioners of this art form were descendants of Hindu artisans of Mughal painting who facing persecution under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and who found refuge, via Murshidabad, in Patna during the late 18th century. The Patna painters differed from the Mughal painters, whose subjects included only royalty and court scenes, in that they included as subjects bazaar scenes, scenes of Indian daily life, local dignitaries, festivals and ceremonies, and nature scenes. The paintings were executed in watercolours on paper and on mica, but the style was generally of a hybrid and undistinguished quality. It is this school of painting that inspired the formation of the College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, under the leadership of Shri Radha Mohan, which is an important centre of fine arts in Bihar.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120614/jsp/bihar/story_15606127.jsp#.VOIequaUdH4 | title=Fade-out tale of art school – Artists remember style of indigenous painting, narrate days of its glory and decline | publisher=The Telegraph | date=14 June 2012 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=AMIT SHEKHAR | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216204906/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120614/jsp/bihar/story_15606127.jsp#.VOIequaUdH4 | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

Bihar Government is promoting its art and culture through Madhubani arts to educate people about Bihar's rich cultural diversity.{{cite news |title=Patna just got a Madhubani makeover, and it's a new city altogether |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/patna-just-got-a-madhubani-makeover-and-its-a-new-city-altogether/articleshow/71920618.cms |access-date=1 August 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=5 November 2019}}

Some well known dishes of Bihari cuisine include {{transliteration|hi|sattu paratha}} (parathas stuffed with roasted gram flour), "{{transliteration|hi|sattu ka sharbat}}" (a spiced drink with roasted gram flour as main ingredient), {{transliteration|hi|chokha}} (spicy mashed potatoes), fish curry, Bihari kebab, {{transliteration|hi|postaa-dana kaa halwaa}}, malpua, dal pitha (Similar to momos), {{transliteration|hi|kheer makhana}} (fox nut) and {{transliteration|hi|thekua/khajuria}} (a type of snack).{{cite web | url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/news/famous-bihari-cuisines-3636.html | title=10 Bihari cuisines you must try at least once! (view pics) | publisher=indiatvnews | date=25 September 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | author=Priyanshi Lal | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216205433/http://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/news/famous-bihari-cuisines-3636.html | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

Street foods such as samosa,{{cite web | url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Any-Samosa-Chutney-Left/282723 | title=Any Samosa Chutney Left? | publisher=Outlook India | date=5 November 2012 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216221654/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Any-Samosa-Chutney-Left/282723 | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} chaat, jalebi, litti chokha, phuchka (a deep-fried crêpe with tamarind sauce), South Indian and Chinese cuisine are favourite among Patnaites.{{cite news | title=Patna ke samose | work=DB Star, Dainik Bhaskar | date=9 November 2014 }} Taj Hotel Patna is under construction at Budh Marg Lodipur.{{cite news |author=Capital Market |title=Indian Hotels gains on signing three new Taj Hotels |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-cm/indian-hotels-gains-on-signing-three-new-taj-hotels-120120100547_1.html |access-date=29 June 2022 |work=Business Standard India |date=1 December 2020}}

Bihari Women have traditionally worn cotton sari but shalwar kameez and other western attire are gaining acceptance among younger women.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120813/jsp/bihar/story_15848030.jsp#.VOItDOaUdH4 | title=Dress diktat with safety pinch | publisher=The Telegraph | date=13 August 2012 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216204751/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120813/jsp/bihar/story_15848030.jsp#.VOItDOaUdH4 | archive-date=16 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Western attire has gained wide acceptance among the urban men, although the traditional dhoti and kurta{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eIa6tqdgNbAC&q=bihar+sari+salwar&pg=PA69 | title=Diamond Social Science | publisher=Saraswati House Pvt Ltd | isbn=9788173353918 | df=dmy-all }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} are seen during festivals. Chhath, also called Dala Chhath, is a major ancient festival in Bihar.{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/bihar-govt-to-provide-free-electricity-for-chhath-puja-in-public-places/article5328524.ece | title=Bihar govt. to provide free electricity for "Chhath Puja" in public places | newspaper=The Hindu | date=8 November 2013 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830180052/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/bihar-govt-to-provide-free-electricity-for-chhath-puja-in-public-places/article5328524.ece | archive-date=30 August 2014 | df=dmy-all }} It is celebrated twice a year: once in the summer, called the Chaiti Chhath, and once about a week after Deepawali, called the Kartik Chhath. Durga Puja, held in September–October, is Patna's another important festival; it is an occasion for glamorous celebrations.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Durga-Puja-Patna-set-to-turn-into-city-of-temples/articleshow/16731342.cms | title=Durga Puja: Patna set to turn into city of temples | work=The Times of India | date=9 October 2012 | access-date=16 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223142300/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Durga-Puja-Patna-set-to-turn-into-city-of-temples/articleshow/16731342.cms | archive-date=23 February 2019 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/news/10087-durga-puja-in-full-swing-in-patna-pandals-open.html | title=Durga Puja in Full Swing in Patna; Pandals Open | publisher=PatnaDaily.com | date=2 October 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217062719/http://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/news/10087-durga-puja-in-full-swing-in-patna-pandals-open.html | archive-date=17 February 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Among the city's other festivals, are Saraswati Puja, Eid, Holi, Christmas, Vishwakarma Puja, Makar Sankranti, Raksha Bandhan and Rath Yatra. Cultural events include the Patna Book Fair, Patna Sahib Mahotsav, the Patna Film Festival, Bihar Diwas, Rajgir Mahotsav, Vaishali Mahotsav and the Sonepur Cattle Fair in neighbouring towns.

File:Durga Puja 2014 Patna 05.JPG|A murti, or representation, of the goddess Durga shown during the Durga Puja festival

File:People Celebrating Chhath Festival.jpg|People Celebrating Chhath Festival the 2nd Day at Morning a tribute to the rising holy God Sun

{{Main|Tourism in Patna}}

File:Golghar 01.jpg was originally built to serve as a granary for the British East India Company army during the famine of 1786. It now features an observation deck overlooking the Ganges and the city.]]

File:Sabhyatadwarpatna.png in Patna]]

File:Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan.jpg

Patna is home to many tourist attractions and it saw about 2.4 million tourists (including day visitors) in 2005. Tourists visiting the city accounted for 41% of the total number of tourists visiting Bihar although Bodh Gaya was the most popular destination for foreign visitors.{{cite book |url=http://www.tourism.gov.in/survey/BIHAR%20TOURISM%20ANNUAL%20STATISTICS%20%20REPORT%20Final.pdf |title=Bihar's annual tourist statistics report, January, 2005 to December, 2005 |pages=15, 20, 51 |author=Market Pulse |publisher=Market Research Division, Government of India |access-date=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222105539/http://www.tourism.gov.in/survey/BIHAR%20TOURISM%20ANNUAL%20STATISTICS%20%20REPORT%20Final.pdf |archive-date=22 December 2010 }} The cultural heritage of Bihar is reflected in its many ancient monuments. Kumhrar and Agam Kuan are the sites of the ruins of the Ashokan Pataliputra. Didarganj Yakshi remains as an example of Mauryan art.{{cite web |url=http://patna.bih.nic.in/District/tourism.htm |title=Tourism |publisher=Patna.bih.nic.in |access-date=6 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512013754/http://patna.bih.nic.in/District/tourism.htm |archive-date=12 May 2011 }}

Takht Sri Patna Sahib is one of the Five Takhts of Sikhism and consecrates the birthplace of the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Gobind Singh.{{cite web |url=http://sgpc.net/holy%20takhat/holy_takhat_english.asp |title=Holy Takhats |publisher=Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612061821/http://sgpc.net/holy%20takhat/holy_takhat_english.asp |archive-date=12 June 2010 }} There are five other Gurdwaras in Patna that are related to different Sikh Gurus; these are Gurdwara Pahila Bara,{{cite web |url=http://www.gurbaani.com/gurd/gurdawaras6.htm |title=Gurdwara Pahila Bara |publisher=Gurbaani.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111054434/http://www.gurbaani.com/gurd/gurdawaras6.htm |archive-date=11 January 2010 }} Gurdwara Gobind Ghat,{{cite web |url=http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Kangan-Ghat.aspx |title=Gurdwara Gobind Ghat |publisher=Takhatpatnasahib.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527214504/http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Kangan-Ghat.aspx |archive-date=27 May 2009 }} Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh,{{cite web |url=http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Guru-Ka-Bagh.aspx |title=Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh |publisher=Takhatpatnasahib.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217005152/http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Guru-Ka-Bagh.aspx |archive-date=17 February 2012 }}

Gurdwara Bal Leela,{{cite web |url=http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Bal-Leela.aspx |title=Gurdwara Bal Leela |publisher=Takhatpatnasahib.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527213026/http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Bal-Leela.aspx |archive-date=27 May 2009 }} Gurdwara Handi Sahib,{{cite web |url=http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Haandi-Saheb.aspx |title=Gurdwara Handi Sahib |publisher=Takhatpatnasahib.com |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527214459/http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Haandi-Saheb.aspx |archive-date=27 May 2009 }} and Prakash Punj.{{cite news |title=Nitish emerges, launches Sikh centre |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/bihar/nitish-emerges-launches-sikh-centre/cid/1667169 |access-date=31 August 2019 |work=www.telegraphindia.com |date=10 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=31 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831120048/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/nitish-emerges-launches-sikh-centre/cid/1667169 |url-status=live }} Padri Ki Haveli, High Court, Golghar, Sultan Palace, and Secretariat Building are examples of British architecture. Gandhi Maidan is a historic ground in Patna where several freedom movement rallies took place. Newly built Buddha Smriti Park near Patna Junction is also becoming a major tourist attraction.

The Patna Planetarium (Indira Gandhi Planetarium) is in Patna's Indira Gandhi Science Complex. It claims to be one of the largest planetariums in Asia and to attract a large number of tourists.{{Cite web |title=Planetarium |url=http://patna.bih.nic.in/html/planetarium.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416173723/http://patna.bih.nic.in/html/planetarium.htm |archive-date=16 April 2009}}{{Better source needed|reason=Primary source, ie self claimed.|date=December 2017}} The Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan (Patna Zoo) is at Bailey Road, Raj Bhawan, Rajbanshi Nagar, and includes over 300 mammals, 300 birds, and 450 species of reptiles as of January 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.zoopatna.com/ |title=Patna Zoo {{pipe}} Home |access-date=22 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223074302/https://www.zoopatna.com/ |archive-date=23 February 2019 |url-status=live}}

In 2015, the Bihar government has built a state-of-the-art art landmark museum in Patna at a cost of approximately {{INR}}530 crores{{cite web |author=Our Correspondent |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130710/jsp/bihar/story_17098004.jsp |title=First brick for heritage home |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=10 July 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113123144/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130710/jsp/bihar/story_17098004.jsp |archive-date=13 November 2013 }} on a site of 13.9 acres at Bailey Road.{{cite web |url=http://www.bihartimes.in/Newsbihar/2013/July/newsbihar11July3.html |title=Nitish lays foundation of new museum in Patna |publisher=Bihartimes.in |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720024150/http://www.bihartimes.in/Newsbihar/2013/July/newsbihar11July3.html |archive-date=20 July 2013 }} 5 firms were shortlisted for the architectural design,{{cite web|url=http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.showbriefdetail&newsid=1316|title=Shortlist selected for museum in Patna|publisher=World Architecture News|access-date=4 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119001356/http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.showbriefdetail&newsid=1316|archive-date=19 January 2012}} of which the Japanese firm Maki and Associates was chosen. It is now completed and opened for all.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/patna-news/bihar-chief-minister-nitish-kumar-inaugurates-bihar-museum-1205103|title=Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Inaugurates 'Bihar Museum'|access-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902202117/http://www.ndtv.com/patna-news/bihar-chief-minister-nitish-kumar-inaugurates-bihar-museum-1205103|archive-date=2 September 2016}} Completed in May 2018, the Sabhyata Dwar was built with Mauryan-style architecture. It was opened to the general public in December 2018.{{cite news |title=गेटवे ऑफ इंडिया से छह मीटर ऊंचे 'सभ्यता द्वार' का अब सभी कर सकेंगे दीदार |url=https://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-patna-sabhyata-dwar-open-to-all-tourist-18705959.html |access-date=16 October 2019 |work=Dainik Jagran |date=2 December 2018 |language=hi |archive-date=16 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016102721/https://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-patna-sabhyata-dwar-open-to-all-tourist-18705959.html |url-status=live }}

In 2014, the Bihar government laid the foundation of Samrat Ashok International Convention Centre. It is expected to use more steel than used in raising Eiffel Tower and Indira Gandhi International Airport. Construction of Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Science City began in February 2019.{{cite news |last1=Rumi |first1=Faryal |title=Work on APJ Abdul Kalam Science City to begin this month {{!}} Patna News |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/work-on-science-city-to-begin-this-month/articleshow/68141661.cms |access-date=31 August 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=24 February 2019 |language=en |archive-date=29 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129021835/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/work-on-science-city-to-begin-this-month/articleshow/68141661.cms |url-status=live }} The Eco Park is in Jawaharlal Nehru Marg. It has more than 3,000 varieties of plants and includes several theme parks, a restaurant, and a boat trip zone.

{{See also|List of schools in Patna|List of educational institutions in Patna|Education in India}}

File:Front view of administrative building of IIT Patna.jpg at Bihta, one of the premier institutes of engineering and research in India.]]

File:Patna College, Admin Building, June 29 2012.jpg, established 1863, is considered to be the oldest institution of higher education in Bihar.]]

Schools in Patna are either government-run schools or private schools. The schools are affiliated to Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), or the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) boards. A number of Bengali medium schools also thrive in Patna.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Class-XI-admission-process-begins-in-many-schools/articleshow/47376443.cms | title=Class XI admission process begins in many schools | work=The Times of India | date=23 May 2015 | access-date=19 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025641/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Class-XI-admission-process-begins-in-many-schools/articleshow/47376443.cms | archive-date=4 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} Hindi and English are the primary languages of instruction.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a4cFtJv3CsQC&q=schools+patna+english+languages+of+instruction&pg=PA65 | title=International Aid and Private Schools for the Poor: Smiles, Miracles and Markets | publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing, 2013 | author=Dixon, Pauline | year=2013 | page=65 | isbn=9781781953457 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619221812/https://books.google.com/books?id=a4cFtJv3CsQC&pg=PA65&lpg=PA65&dq=schools+patna+english+languages+of+instruction&source=bl&ots=82t9Tez_8e&sig=fa_I9HWgjyWljY3y_UxiensBHE4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TFSEVYuqKMy6uATTmoGwDg&ved=0CE0Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=schools%20patna%20english%20languages%20of%20instruction&f=false | archive-date=19 June 2015 | df=dmy-all }} A 2012 survey found 1,574 schools: of these, 78% were private unaided schools (most of them at an affordable cost), 21% were government schools and 1% were private aided.Baladevan Rangaraju, Professor James Tooley, Dr Pauline Dixon. [http://indiai.org/patna-urban-survey-report "The Private School Revolution in Bihar: Findings from a survey in Patna Urban"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619225236/http://www.indiai.org/patna-urban-survey-report |date=19 June 2012 }}

Under the 10+2+3/4 plan, students complete ten years of schooling and then enroll in schools that have a higher secondary facility and are affiliated to the Bihar State Intermediate Board, the All-India Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the NIOS{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/NIOS-declares-results-invites-complaints/articleshow/20548265.cms | title=NIOS declares results, invites complaints | work=The Times of India | date=12 June 2013 | access-date=19 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331003351/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/NIOS-declares-results-invites-complaints/articleshow/20548265.cms | archive-date=31 March 2017 | df=dmy-all }} or the CBSE, where they select one of three streams: arts, commerce, or science. This is followed by either a general degree course in a chosen field of study or a professional degree course, such as law, engineering, and medicine.{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110703/jsp/bihar/story_14189132.jsp | title=IIT success tips for parents | publisher=The Telegraph | date=3 July 2011 | access-date=19 June 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619220224/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110703/jsp/bihar/story_14189132.jsp | archive-date=19 June 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

Patna has important government educational institutions like Patna University, Anugrah Narayan College, Chanakya National Law University, Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bakhtiyarpur College of Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Patna, Patna Science College, Patna Women's College, Patna Law College, Bihar Veterinary College, J.D. Women's College, Birla Institute of Technology, Patna,{{cite web | url=http://patna.bitmesra.ac.in | title=BIT Patna | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519021602/http://www.patna.bitmesra.ac.in/ | archive-date=19 May 2015 | df=dmy-all | access-date=27 August 2015 }} Patna Medical College Hospital, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Nalanda Medical College Hospital, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna, National Institute of Fashion Technology Patna, Chandragupta Institute of Management, Development Management Institute, National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology, Patliputra University.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/35-locals-make-it-to-NIFT-Patnas-6th-batch/articleshow/21349806.cms | title=35 locals make it to NIFT-Patna's 6th batch | publisher=The Times of India (Patna) | work=Vithika Salomi, TNN | date=13 July 2013 | access-date=31 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819130707/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/35-locals-make-it-to-NIFT-Patnas-6th-batch/articleshow/21349806.cms | archive-date=19 August 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}

Patna University was established in 1917 and is the seventh oldest modern university in the Indian Sub-continent.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/No-appointment-in-Patna-University-since-2003/articleshow/39579296.cms | title=No appointment in Patna University since 2003 | work=The Times of India | date=4 August 2014 | access-date=20 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806024241/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/No-appointment-in-Patna-University-since-2003/articleshow/39579296.cms | archive-date=6 August 2014 | df=dmy-all }} Patna also has a variety of other universities, as well as many primary and secondary schools.

Nalanda University (also known as Nalanda International University) is an established university in Rajgir, around {{convert|100|km|mi}} from Patna. The University, created as a revival of an ancient centre of learning at Nalanda, began its first academic session on 1 September 2014.{{cite web | url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/patna-sushma-swaraj-inaugurates-nalanda-university/15618161 | title=Patna: Sushma Swaraj inaugurates Nalanda University | publisher=Mid-Day | date=19 September 2014 | access-date=20 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619220630/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/patna-sushma-swaraj-inaugurates-nalanda-university/15618161 | archive-date=19 June 2015 | df=dmy-all }} It attracts students from across the globe.{{cite web |author=PTI |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/india-signs-mous-with-7-countries-for-nalanda-university/article5221130.ece |title=India signs MoUs with 7 countries for Nalanda University {{pipe}} Business Line |publisher=Thehindubusinessline.com |date=10 October 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222140806/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/india-signs-mous-with-7-countries-for-nalanda-university/article5221130.ece |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}

File:Moin-Ul-Haque Stadium.JPG near Rajendra Nagar, used for cricket and association football.]]

As in the rest of India, cricket is popular in Patna and is played on grounds and in streets throughout the city.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/cricketnext/news/ishan-kishan-is-a-mixture-of-ms-dhoni-and-adam-gilchrist-1180721.html |title=Ishan Kishan is a mixture of MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist |publisher=IBNLive |date=23 December 2015 |access-date=16 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113185641/http://www.ibnlive.com/cricketnext/news/ishan-kishan-is-a-mixture-of-ms-dhoni-and-adam-gilchrist-1180721.html |archive-date=13 January 2016 }} There are several sports grounds across the city. The Bihar Cricket Association, which regulates cricket in Bihar,{{cite web |url=http://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-bcci-to-give-money-election-of-bihar-cricket-association-to-be-held-within-60-days-12728696.html |title=BCCI to give money, Election of Bihar Cricket Association to be held within 60 days 12728696 |publisher=Jagran.com |date=12 August 2015 |access-date=16 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612190614/http://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-bcci-to-give-money-election-of-bihar-cricket-association-to-be-held-within-60-days-12728696.html |archive-date=12 June 2016 }} is based in the city. Tournaments, especially those involving cricket, basketball, football, badminton, and table tennis, are regularly organised on an inter-locality or inter-club basis.

Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, which has a capacity of 25,000, has served as the venue for two one-day international cricket matches and several national sports events.{{cite web|url=http://beta.cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/profile/ground-profile?gid=98|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707010310/http://beta.cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/profile/ground-profile?gid=98|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012|title=Profile of stadium in Yahoo Cricket website}} It was home to the Bihar cricket team. Due to negligence and lack of maintenance, the stadium is in a dilapidated state and no international match has been played here since 1996.{{cite web |url=http://www.iamin.in/en/pataliputra/news/bihars-neglected-moin-ul-haq-stadium-waiting-host-international-cricket-match-19 |title=Bihar's "neglected" Moin-Ul-Haq Stadium waiting to host international cricket match since 19 years |publisher=Iamin.in |access-date=16 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115194904/http://www.iamin.in/en/pataliputra/news/bihars-neglected-moin-ul-haq-stadium-waiting-host-international-cricket-match-19 |archive-date=15 November 2015 }} In 2013, it was announced by the Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar that an international cricket stadium will be constructed at Rajgir.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bihar-government-plans-world-class-stadium/articleshow/20388841.cms |title=Bihar government plans world-class stadium – Times of India |work=The Times of India |date=2 June 2013 |access-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511082606/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bihar-government-plans-world-class-stadium/articleshow/20388841.cms |archive-date=11 May 2018 |url-status=live}}

The Patna Golf Club was established on 21 March 1916, and is one of the oldest golf courses in India. It has 18 holes in a historic setting in and around Bailey Road, a {{convert|165|acres|ha|adj=on}} course.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Golf-gains-ground-among-youngsters/articleshow/19485832.cms |title=Golf gains ground among youngsters – Times of India |work=The Times of India |date=11 April 2013 |access-date=16 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517145105/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Golf-gains-ground-among-youngsters/articleshow/19485832.cms |archive-date=17 May 2017 }}{{cite web |url=http://patnagolfclub.in/ |title=Patna Golf Club |publisher=Patna Golf Club |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207110751/http://patnagolfclub.in/ |archive-date=7 December 2013 }}

Patna hosted the first ever woman's Kabaddi world cup.{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120302/jsp/bihar/story_15201421.jsp |title=Women's World Cup begins |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=1 March 1999 |access-date=4 March 2012 |location=Calcutta, India |first=Roshan |last=Kumar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318180114/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120302/jsp/bihar/story_15201421.jsp |archive-date=18 March 2014 }} It was held at the Patliputra Sports Complex, Kankarbagh from 1 to 4 March 2012.[https://archive.today/20120711211127/http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/stage-set-for-first-world-cup-womens-kabaddi-championship/969313.html Stage set for first wc women's kabaddi championship] ibnlive 2 March 2012 Hosts India won the World Cup defeating Iran in the finals.[http://tehrantimes.com/sports/96082-iranian-women-second-in-kabbadi-world-cup Hosts India won the World Cup defeating Iran in the finals.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418231444/http://www.tehrantimes.com/sports/96082-iranian-women-second-in-kabbadi-world-cup |date=18 April 2012 }} Tehran Times 5 March 2012 Patna also hosts the seven league matches of Pro Kabaddi League with its home team as Patna Pirates at the Patliputra Sports Complex.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-Pirates-to-play-in-pro-kabaddi-league/articleshow/36226949.cms | title=Patna Pirates to play in pro-kabaddi league | publisher=The Times of India | work=Jai Narain Pandey, TNN | date=8 June 2014 | access-date=16 February 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527110533/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-Pirates-to-play-in-pro-kabaddi-league/articleshow/36226949.cms | archive-date=27 May 2015 | df=dmy-all }}

Other famous sports complexes of Patna are Bihar Military Police's Mithilesh Stadium,{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/BMP-stadium-to-have-synthetic-track/articleshow/18393173.cms |title=BMP stadium to have synthetic track – Times of India |work=The Times of India |date=8 February 2013 |access-date=16 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505141649/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/BMP-stadium-to-have-synthetic-track/articleshow/18393173.cms |archive-date=5 May 2016 }} East Central Railway zone's indoor stadium at Digha{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ECR-GM-opens-indoor-stadium-at-Digha/articleshow/45709662.cms |title=ECR GM opens indoor stadium at Digha, Patna – Times of India |work=The Times of India |date=January 2015 |access-date=16 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008223942/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ECR-GM-opens-indoor-stadium-at-Digha/articleshow/45709662.cms |archive-date=8 October 2016 }} etc.

File:Cricket (2305682483).jpg|A game of cricket in progress

File:Kankarbagh Indoor Stadium.png|Kankarbagh Indoor Stadium at Patliputra Sports Complex during Pro Kabaddi League match

The beginning of the 20th century was marked by a number of notable new publications. A monthly magazine named Bharat Ratna was started in Patna in 1901. It was followed by Ksahtriya Hitaishi, Aryavarta from Dinapure, Patna, Udyoga and Chaitanya Chandrika.Bihar ki Sahityik Pragati, Bihar Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Patna 1956, p. 73 Udyog was edited by Vijyaanand Tripathy, a famous poet of the time and Chaitanya Chandrika by Krishna Chaitanya Goswami, a literary figure of that time. The literary activity was not confined to Patna alone but to many districts of Bihar.Ahmad Qeyamuddin, Patna Through the ages: Glimpses of History, Society and Economy, Commonwealth Publishers, New Delhi, 1988Jayanti Smarak Granth, pp. 583–585

Magahi Parishad, established in Patna in 1952, pioneered Magadhi journalism in Bihar. It started the monthly journal, Magadhi, which was later renamed Bihan.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtCPAgAAQBAJ&q=Magahi+Parishad,+established+in+Patna+in+1952&pg=PA550 |title=Indo-Aryan Languages – Google Books |date=26 July 2007 |access-date=11 April 2014 |isbn=9781135797119 |last1=Jain |first1=Danesh |last2=Cardona |first2=George |publisher=Routledge |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630163754/https://books.google.com/books?id=OtCPAgAAQBAJ&q=Magahi+Parishad%2C+established+in+Patna+in+1952&pg=PA550 |url-status=live }}

Many national media agencies, including the Press Trust of India and Doordarshan's regional offices, are based in the city.{{cite web |url=http://www.prdbihar.in/media.htm |title=Information and Public Relation Department-Bihar |publisher=Prdbihar.in |access-date=11 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207062741/http://www.prdbihar.in/media.htm |archive-date=7 February 2014 }} The Hindu, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Economic Times and The Telegraph are the five principal English-language daily newspapers which have Patna editions. The Pioneer and The Indian Express,{{cite web |url=http://www.go4patna.com/index.php/patna/patna-important-information/34-cityimportant-information-cityimportant-information/164-newspapers-in-patna |title=Newspapers in Patna |publisher=Go4patna.com |access-date=11 April 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144714/http://www.go4patna.com/index.php/patna/patna-important-information/34-cityimportant-information-cityimportant-information/164-newspapers-in-patna |archive-date=13 April 2014 }} though not printed in the city, are other English-language daily newspapers available in the city. The city's Hindi newspapers include Hindustan Dainik, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar,{{cite web |last=Saha |first=Ananya |url=http://www.campaignindia.in/Article/370317,dainik-bhaskar-enters-bihar-with-edition-in-under-penetrated-patna.aspx |title=Dainik Bhaskar enters Bihar with edition in under-penetrated Patna – News – Media – Campaign India |publisher=Campaignindia.in |date=23 January 2014 |access-date=11 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140951/http://www.campaignindia.in/Article/370317,dainik-bhaskar-enters-bihar-with-edition-in-under-penetrated-patna.aspx |archive-date=13 April 2014 }} Prabhat Khabar, Aaj and Rashtriya Sahara, all of which have editions from Patna. There are also daily Urdu newspapers like Qaumi Tanzeem, Farooqi Tanzeem, and Qaumi Duniya Daily published in Patna. There is also the Hindi and English mixed newspaper tabloid Inext.{{cite web |url=http://www.biharplus.in/news/bihar-events/inext-bike-athon-bicycle-marathon-in-patna-on-1st-december-2013/ |title=inext bike athon bicycle marathon in patna on 1st December 2013 {{pipe}} Biharplus |publisher=Biharplus.in |access-date=11 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320104631/http://www.biharplus.in/news/bihar-events/inext-bike-athon-bicycle-marathon-in-patna-on-1st-december-2013/ |archive-date=20 March 2014 }}

Patna has several AM and FM radio stations, including many state-owned channels. The city hosts several radio stations, including the state-owned All India Radio's Vividh Bharati, and FM 105. The All India Radio, Patna (officially Akashvani Patna Kendra) was established in 1948.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/50-not-out-delight-in-Patna-AIR/articleshow/5389830.cms | title=50 not out, delight in Patna AIR | work=The Times of India | date=29 December 2009 | access-date=12 April 2014 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204123933/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/50-not-out-delight-in-Patna-AIR/articleshow/5389830.cms | archive-date=4 February 2018 | df=dmy-all }}

Patna is served by several private channels.

{{main|List of people from Patna}}

• Patan
• List of cities in Bihar by population
• Patna Lok Sabha constituency
• Largest Indian Cities by GDP

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|editor=Lewis Sydney Steward O'Malley|title=Bihar And Orissa District Gazetteers Patna|date=1924|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|page=256|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a-QaOP5nK-MC&q=patna| isbn = 9788172681210}}
• {{cite book|editor=Surendra Gopal|title=Patna in the 19th Century: A Socio-cultural Profile|date=1982|publisher=Naya Prokash|page=120|isbn=9780836409338|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m7sLAAAAIAAJ&q=patna}}
• {{cite book|editor=Robert Montgomery Martin|title=Behar (Patna city) and Shahabad, Volume 1 of The History, Antiquities, Topography, and Statistics of Eastern India|date=1838|publisher=W. H. Allen and Co.|page=256|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QA8NAAAAYAAJ&q=patna}}
• {{cite book|editor=William Tayler|title=The Patna crisis; or, Three months at Patna: during the insurrection of 1857|date=1858|publisher=J. Nisbet|page=96|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_qI5AQAAIAAJ&q=patna&pg=PA33}}
• {{cite book|editor=J. D. Beglar, Sir Alexander Cunningham|title=Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir, and Bhagalpur: The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum, and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan, and Hughli : in 1872–73 Volume 8 of Archaeological Survey of India|date=1878|publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing|page=213|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uc8OAAAAQAAJ&q=patna&pg=PA5}}
• {{cite book |editor=Walter Kelly Firminger|title=The Diaries of Three Surgeons of Patna – 1763|url=https://archive.org/stream/diariesofthreesu00firm#page/n7/mode/2up|year=1909|publisher=The Calcutta Historical Society }}
• Nas Margens do Hindustão : o estado da India e a expansão mongol ca.1570-1640. Por Jorge Flores
• {{Cite web|title=Urban Settlements in Eastern India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HHVIU-HsMswC&q=Patna+Portuguese&pg=PA117|last1 = Thakur|first1 = Baleshwar|year = 1980}}

{{Sister project links|voy=yes}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100416105758/http://www.patna.nic.in/ Official website of Patna district]
• [http://www.pmcbihar.in Official website of the Municipal Corporation of Patna]
• [https://www.colonialvoyage.com/portuguese-bay-bengal/ The Portuguese on the Bay of Bengal]

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