APRIL 2005

Photo: Patna

Beneath the din and bustle of Patna, the capital of Bihar state, lies a fascinating past. In each chapter of its history, it has been crowned by a new name: Kusumpur, Pushpapur, Pataliputra and Azeemabad.

Turning over the pages of early Indian history one comes across the name of the pre-eminent city of Pataliputra. Located at the site where Patna is today, this city saw the rise and fall of India's first major kingdoms. Its Period of glory spanned a thousand years, from 6th century B.C. to 5th century A.D.

Ajastshatru, second in the line of Magadh Kings, built a fort at Pataligram on the bank of river Ganga. This later became famous mauryan metropolis of Pataliputra and was ruled by Chandragupta Maurya (a contemporary of Alexander) and his grandson Ashok, acclaimed for the spread of Buddism.

Other emperors who ruled from Pataliputra were the Gupta and Pala Kings, Shershah Suri (16th Century) and Azimush-Shan (18th Century) grandson of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who renamed it Azeemabad. Vestiges of this ancient city can be seen at Kumhrar, Bhikhnapahari, Agamkuan, Bulandi Bag etc.