Patna - Bihar

Paṭnā is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the most populous city in Bihar. Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. Ancient Patna, known as Pataliputra, was the capital of the Magadha Empire under the Haryana, Nanda, Mauryan, Sunga, Gupta, Pala, and during the Islamic period the seat of power for the Suri dynasty.

Pataliputra was also a seat of learning and fine arts. Its population during the Maurya period (around 300 BCE) was about 400,000.

The modern city of Patna is situated on the southern bank of the Ganges. The city also straddles the rivers Sone, Gandak, and Punpun. The city is approximately 35 km long and 16 km to 18 km wide.

Economy

Patna has long been a major agricultural center of trade, its most active exports being grain, sugarcane, sesame, and medium-grained Patna rice. There are multiple sugar mills still in existence in and around Patna. It is an important business and luxury brand center of eastern India.

As of 2011, the economy of Patna has seen sustained economic growth. In particular, the economy has been spurred by growth in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods industry, the service sector, along Green revolution businesses. In 2009, the World Bank stated Patna as the second-best city in India to start up a business. As of 2010, the per capita income of Patna was ₨ 37737.

As of 2001, the slum population of Patna was only 0.25%. The lowest of any million-plus Indian city. Patna is the 21st fastest growing city in the world, and the fifth fastest-growing city in India, and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.72%.