Gola Ghar

Gola Ghar, also known as Golghar, is a large granary located in Patna, Bihar, India. It was commissioned by Captain John Garstin of the Bengal Engineers in 1786, following a famine in 1770. Its purpose was to store grain for the British East India Company's army.

The structure is a massive, beehive-shaped building, standing 29 meters (96 ft) tall. Its unique design features no pillars to support the internal space. The walls are 3.6 meters (12 ft) thick at the base, gradually thinning towards the top. Two spiral staircases wrap around the exterior, leading to the top where grain was loaded. These staircases were designed to allow coolies carrying grain to ascend one staircase while others descended the other, streamlining the process.

Although designed to hold approximately 137,000 tonnes of grain, it was never filled to its full capacity. A design flaw prevented the structure from being completely filled, as the stored grain created pressure that could potentially damage the walls.

Gola Ghar remains a significant landmark in Patna and a testament to British engineering during the colonial era. It is a popular tourist destination and provides panoramic views of the city and the Ganges River.