Golghar, Historic granary in Patna, India

Golghar is a grain storage building with a dome-shaped structure in Patna that rises above the city. The walls taper upward and form an enclosed space without internal supports.

The Golghar was built as a grain store after the 1770 famine, when Governor-General Warren Hastings planned a reserve for the British army. Captain John Garstin of the Bengal Engineers began work on 20 January 1784 and completed it on 20 July 1786. An inscription at its base records that it was meant as the first of a series of grain stores, though no others were built. It was declared a state protected monument in 1989.

The name means "round house" in Hindi and refers to the building's shape. Visitors today use the wide area at the base for walks and to observe the unusual circular silhouette up close.

The staircase runs along the outside curve and ends at a platform on top. Those planning the climb should wear comfortable shoes and allow enough time for the steps.

The granary has never been filled to capacity. A common claim says inward-opening doors would jam if it were full, but visitors report the doors actually open outwards. Inside, a sound echoes 27 to 32 times.