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Located on the southern bank of the mighty and sacred Ganga, Patna the capital city of the Indian state of Bihar epitomises the history and culture of the whole region .
Besides, being the capital city, Patna is one of the major business, health and educational centre.
Patna is one of the fastest growing city in the World, ranking 21st in the world and 5th in India. With a population of above 1.8 million spreading over an area of 42 Sq. Km Patna is the 2nd largest city in Eastern India next only to Kolkata.

Map of Patna

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Patna is known for its glorious past. Patna is one of the oldest cities in the world, known as Patliputra in the ancient times. The historical city of Patliputra was founded by Ajatashatru, The great king of Magadhan empire, about twenty-five centuries ago.
Patliputra became the capital of first known empire of India that of Magadha, when Udyain, son & successor of Ajatashatru moved his capital to Patliputra from Rajgriha.
Patliputra continued to be the capital of the great Magadhan Empire under successive dynasties of Shishunaga, Nanda, Maurya, Shunga, Kanva and Gupta and serve as the nerve center of Indian politics. Patliputra occupied a pivotal position commanding communication on all sides. Further the position of Patliputra itself was rendered invulnerable because of its being surrounded by rivers on almost all sides. Patliputra was situated at the confluence of the Ganga, the Gandak and the Sone, and a fourth fiver called the Ghaghra join the Ganga not far from Patliputra. Poonpun surrounded it on the south. Patliputra, therefore, was a true "water-fort". Patliputra, the imperial capital reached the apex of glory under Maurya dynasty.
The imperial capital seems to have suffered a great deal at the hands of the Bactrians, the Greeks and the Saka-Kushanas.With the decline of the Imperial Mauryas, Patliputra tended to lose its monopoly of importance. Fortunes fluctuated. Powers rose and fell. The main interest in the history of northern India from the middle of the eighth century A.D. onward centers round the struggle for Kannauj which had supplanted Patliputra as the center of political gravity. More .

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