Gol Ghar गोलघर Patna
The Golghar or Gol Ghar (गोलघर), (“Round house”), located to the west of the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, is a granary built by Captain John Garstin, in 1786.
The Golghar is a single dome structure is unique and an architectural wonder. It was built to serve as a granary by the British to store grain to be used in times of famines. The base of the building is 125 meters in width and the walls are 3.6 meters thick. There are stairs to go on to the top of the building from where the city and the river Ganga can be viewed.
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 Ganges 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.
Gol Ghar Video
