Golghar of Patna: India’s First Granary Built to Supply Food during Famines

The iconic Golghar of Patna in Bihar, India’s first granary with the capacity to store nearly 140,000 tons of grain, has now entered its 238th year and still offers a fresh look even today.

Resembling a Buddhist stupa, this architectural marvel was designed by John Garstin, an architect of the East India Company’s Bengal Army. The construction of Golghar was completed on July 20, 1786.

During my recent visit to Golghar, I noticed that it has been painted and beautified. It is no surprise that it remains a major tourist attraction in Patna.

This pillar-less structure, standing at a massive height of 20 metres, holds deep historical value. It marked Colonial India’s first organised effort to store food grains to prevent starvation deaths across Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha during famines.

The Great Famine of 1770

The East India Company was deeply shaken by the death of over 10 million people in eastern India—undivided Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha—during the famine of 1770.

At that time, Warren Hastings served as the Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William in Calcutta and later became the Governor-General of Bengal. The famine occurred after a complete absence of rainfall for more than a year, leading to total crop failure in Bengal and triggering widespread starvation. Thousands died at regular intervals.

The severity of the crisis can be understood from the fact that the 10 million deaths accounted for nearly 50 percent of the total population of the Bengal Province, which included Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.

Birth of India’s First Granary

This crisis alerted the East India Company, prompting Hastings to plan the construction of a massive granary to reserve food supplies. Golghar thus became India’s first structured attempt at ensuring food security during famines and floods.

The famine also devastated the East India Company’s economy, as it lost nearly half of its tax-paying population in Bengal. The resulting revenue loss continued for decades, since population recovery was slow.

Alarmed by these consequences, the Company decided to store food for future emergencies. This led to the idea of constructing a large granary at a location from where grain could be distributed across Bihar and the Bengal–Odisha belt during future famines.

Strategic Location Along the Ganga

For this reason, Golghar was built on the banks of the Ganga River, allowing grains to be easily transported by boats to Bengal.

After the famine of 1770, another smaller famine struck Bihar in 1783, killing thousands. Soon after this, the East India Company accelerated the construction of the granary.

John Garstin was entrusted with the responsibility of building the structure. Patna was chosen due to its strategic location on the Ganga and its strong connectivity with Bengal. The river route made it easier to transport grain across Bihar and Bengal.

Engineering Features of Golghar

In 1784, John Shore, then President of the Committee of Revenue of the East India Company, formally recommended the construction of the granary. Garstin proceeded with the project under Hastings’ direction.

An experienced architect and civil engineer, Garstin took nearly two years to complete Golghar. The structure has walls 3.6 metres thick and 145 steps arranged in spiral stairways leading to the top.

What sets Golghar apart from other large granaries in India is the opening at the top. Workers carrying grain bags poured them through this hole, allowing the grain to collect at the bottom. Doors at the base were later opened to remove the stored grain.

The spiral stairs reduced physical strain for workers carrying heavy grain sacks, as straight stairs would have required greater effort.

Conclusion

Reaching the top of Golghar offers a complete panoramic view of Patna. The Ganga riverfront is clearly visible from the summit.

In 2002, a major renovation and beautification project was undertaken, which helped restore the structure. A sound-and-light programme was later introduced to attract visitors during night-time hours.