Patna is the capital city of the Indian state of Bihar, situated on the southern bank of the Ganges River. One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, it serves as Bihar’s political, educational, and cultural hub. Its rich history and proximity to important religious sites make it a major center of heritage tourism in eastern India.Patna traces its origins to the ancient city of Pataliputra, capital of empires such as the Maurya, Gupta, and Pala dynasties. It was the seat of Emperor Ashoka the Great and played a central role in the political and cultural life of early India. The city’s archaeological remains reveal layers of urban settlement spanning more than two millennia.