Golghar

Golghar is a large round structure in Patna built in the late 1700s by British engineers to store grain. The building stands nearly 30 meters tall with thick walls and no interior pillars, while a spiral external staircase of 145 steps leads to the top.

This structure was built following a severe famine in 1770, intended to supply the city with grain reserves and prevent future food shortages. British engineer Captain John Garstin designed it as a practical storage solution for times of hardship.

The name Golghar means 'Round House', referring to the distinctive shape that defines the structure. Today it serves as a gathering place where locals and visitors connect with Patna's past while observing the city and river from above.

The best time to visit is during the cooler months from September to April when the weather is pleasant and not too hot or rainy. The structure is located west of Gandhi Maidan and is easily accessible by auto-rickshaw, bus, or taxi from central Patna.

The building was never functional as a grain storage due to a design flaw, despite being built specifically for this purpose. The elaborate staircase was intended to allow workers to transport grain downward from the top, but the system did not work as planned.