Bihar's 235-Year-Old Golghar: From Famine Solution to Tourism Hub

• Golghar in Patna, built in 1786, was intended to store grain after the devastating 1770 famine in Eastern India.
• Commissioned by Governor-General Warren Hastings and designed by Captain John Garstin, it features a unique beehive/stupa-like structure.
• Despite its grand design, technical flaws like inward-opening doors and poor ventilation prevented it from being used for grain storage.
• The 29-meter-high monument, with 3.6-meter thick walls, offers panoramic views of Patna from its 145 stairs.
• Declared a state-protected monument in 1979, Golghar is now a popular tourist attraction and picnic spot, known for its acoustics and laser shows.

Why It Matters: Golghar, a historic granary in Patna, transformed from a flawed famine solution into a major tourist attraction.