Golghar

Infobox building
building_name = Golghar
native_building_name= Golghar
former_names = The Granary at Patna


caption = Golghar
map_type =
building_type =
architectural_style = Stupa
structural_system =
cost =
location = Patna, Bihar, India
address =
client = Bihar government
owner = Bihar government
current_tenants = Bihar government
landlord = Bihar government
coordinates = coord|25|36|28.77|N|85|10|03.06|E|display=title
start_date =
completion_date = 20th July 1786
inauguration_date =
demolition_date =
destruction_date =
height = 29 m
diameter = 125m
other_dimensions =
floor_count =
floor_area =
main_contractor =
architect = Captain John Garstin
structural_engineer =
services_engineer =
civil_engineer =
other_designers =
quantity_surveyor =
awards =
references =

The Golghar or Gol Ghar (गोलघर), ("Round house"), located to the west of the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, capital of Bihar state, India is a granary built by Captain John Garstin, in 1786 [ [http://images.vam.ac.uk/indexplus/result.html?_IXFIRST_=39&_IXSS_=_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dIXID%3d%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26%2524%253dIXOBJECT%3d%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d15%26%252asform%3dvanda%26%2524%253dIXNAME%3d%26_IXSESSION_%3dkqOBQ7B2FSq%26%2524%253dIXPLACE%3d%26_IXadv_%3d0%26search%3dsearch%26%2524%253dIXMATERIAL%3d%26%2524%253ds%3dpatna%26%2524%253dop%3dAND%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26%2524%253dIXFROM%3d%26%2524%253dIXTO%3d&_IXACTION_=query&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSR_=7fdauD0_pkE&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft Golghar, 1888] Victoria & Albert Museum.] .

History

After the devastating famine of 1770, which killed nearly 10 million people in regions of Bengal, Bihar and modern day Bangladesh, Warren Hastings, then Governor-General of India, ordered the construction of this beehive shaped structure for the purpose of storing grains for the British Army [ [http://www.indnav.com/servlet/Browse?mt=goToName&name=Golghar Golghar] ] . It was conceived and built by Captain John Garstin, an engineer with the East India Company [ [http://gov.bih.nic.in/depts/YouthArtCulture/Da-02.htm#Golghar Golghar] Directorate of Archaeology, Govt. of Bihar, official website.] , and has a storage capacity of 140000 tons, it construction was completed on 20th July 1786.

A beautification drive of the structure was set in 2002 [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1002064.cms Development of Golghar as tourist site in limbo] The Times of India, February 15, 2002.] .

The architecture

Built in the native Stupa architecture, the building has a foundation of 125m, and a height of 29 m. It is pillarless with a wall of thickness of 3.6 m at the base. One can climb atop the Golghar through the 145 steps of its spiral stairway around the monument. 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.

The top of the Golghar presents a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Ganga flowing nearby. At time of its construction, it was the tallest building in Patna.

One interesting fact about the Golghar is that never in its existence has it been filled to its maximum capacity and there are no plans in future as well. The reason for this is that due to oversight while designing and construction of the Golghar, the doors were designed to open inside. Thus, if it is filled to its maximum capacity, then the doors will not open.

Gallery

Golghar, Patna, painting of 1888
Gol Ghar, Patna, a 19th century painting
Golghar, Patna, Golghar in 1990
Gol Ghar, Patna, A lady on coming down the stairs of Golghar.
Gol Ghar, Patna, Front view of Golghar
Gol Ghar, Patna, Outside the Golghar's gate

References