Golghar

Golghar is a historic granary located in Patna, the capital city of the Indian state of Bihar. It was constructed during the British colonial period and bears the name of Lieutenant George William Golghar, a British engineer who oversaw its design and construction. The building was completed in 1842 and has since been a prominent landmark in Patna’s cityscape.

The structure is an octagonal, vaulted granary made of brick with a distinctive dome that rises to approximately 112 feet (34 metres). Its design was inspired by the need for a large, centrally located storage facility that could withstand the monsoon rains common to the region. The octagonal shape not only provided structural stability but also facilitated temperature regulation within the storage chambers, helping to preserve grain quality.

Golghar was built to store grain for the surrounding agricultural community in the Ganges River basin, which suffered from recurrent food shortages due to flooding and crop failure. It was intended as a 25,000-ton capacity storage that would act as a buffer during times of scarcity and a source of revenue for the colonial administration through grain sales. The granary also had a central cistern to harvest rainwater, reflecting a practical approach to self-sustainability.

After independence, the granary fell into a state of disrepair. In the 1970s it was recognized as a protected heritage monument and was restored in 2006 to serve as a public park and cultural venue. Today, Golghar supports cultural events, educational tours, and provides panoramic views of the city from its elevated position on a small hill. The site is maintained by the Bihar State Department of Archaeology and Conservation.