Golghar

The Golghar (meaning ‘circular building’) in Patna, Bihar is a gigantic igloo-like granary that was built several years after the Bengal famine of 1770. Millions died in this disastrous famine, which affected Bihar, Bengal and other neighbouring regions. As a precautionary measure against another similar catastrophe, Governor-General Warren Hastings ordered the creation of granaries. In 1786, Captain John Garstin of the Bengal Engineers built this 29-metre tall, pillar-less structure to store surplus grain. A staircase was built around it for workers to carry sacks easily and empty them into the Golghar through the hole at the top. Strangely, the granary was never filled completely, as it was intended, and additional granaries were not built after Hastings retired. Today the Golghar offers tourists a panoramic view of the river Ganga.