Gol Ghar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Golghar. (Discuss)

This article is orphaned as few or no other articles link to it. Please help introduce links in articles on related topics. (November 2007)

This article or section needs to be wikified to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please help improve this article with relevant internal links. (November 2007)

Facts: Built In 1786 by Captain John Garstin

Description:

Golghar,was built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin, at the order of Warren Hastings who was the administrator then. Bihar experienced severe drought that resulted in great hue and cry in the year 1770. Many people died because of that drought. Alarmed by the situation faced by the people, this massive granary was constructed for the British army.

Golghar is 29 m high and is 3.6 m wide at the base. Overlooking the river and the plains, it looks like the upper half of a gigantic, decorated Easter egg, with the spiral stairway winding around this monument, adding to its embellishment. It offers a magnificent breathtaking view of the city and the river Ganges, flowing nearby.

The spiral staircase was designed so as to facilitate the passage of the coolies, who had to carry grain-bags up one flight, deliver their load through a hole at the top, and descend the other stairs.

Location Patna (Bihar)

How To Get There Patna is connected by air, Road and train with all the MAzor Cities in India

Golghar In News :

The work on beautification of Golghar and its strengthening by repairing cracks is in limbo due to non-arrival of technical experts here to assess the needed repair of the cracks. consequently, the state government is finding it difficult to make further demand of money from the central government, which had planned to develop this historic site. the two experts, whose advice the state government has sought for the repair of cracks, are former directors of the archaeological survey of India. According to secretary of the art, culture and archaeology department Rama Shanker Tiwari, the two experts, because of their very old age, could not come to Patna due to severe cold conditions. they are expected here towards the end of this month. on their advice, the two internal cracks in the Golghar building will be repaired. the central government had allocated rs 1.2 crore for strengthening of Golghar and beautification of its site. for the construction of boundary wall with a gate, the centre had released rs 11 Lakh, while the state added rs 1 Lakh as matching grant. the wall has been constructed, but a part is left. the gate is yet to be provided for the site by the building construction department. Tiwari said the repair work of steps around Golghar is to be completed soon. for this, the centre has already provided rs 4 lakh. after completion of the repair work, the department concerned will seek more money for the beautification of the site. a noted architect j k lal has done landscaping of the golghar site under the beautification project, which involves construction of fountain, cafeteria and small shops for the display and sale of handicraft items. the project has been undertaken jointly by the department of art, culture, archaeology and the department of tourism with financial assistance from the central government to strengthen golghar and make it an ideal tourist spot. inter-departmental meetings have been held, but the project has got delayed due to financial constraints, said a senior official. Tiwari said that his department had also sought the release of Ekta Bhavan, situated diagonally opposite to Golghar, for the creation of an art museum. a large number of rare paintings, more than 50 years old, are kept in crates in the department’s premises. these paintings would be displayed in the art museum housed in the Ekta Bhavan. the paintings preserved are of different styles that developed in Bihar. they include paintings of the patna kalam style and some of the antique value. the department has been working on this, Tiwari added. the file pleading for the release of the ekta bhavan for the creation of the art museum had been sent to chief minister Rabri Devi for her approval. he said a beautified Golghar and the art museum near it would develop the scope of tourism in Patna.