Patliputra, or modern-day Patna in Bihar, has a pretty wild history. Back in the day, around the 6th century BCE, it was just a small village on the banks of the Ganges. But then, it got a makeover when Ajatashatru, a king from the Haryanka Dynasty, decided to make it his capital. From there, it just ballooned into one of the largest cities of ancient India.
By the time of the Mauryan Empire, around 320 BCE, Patliputra was the epicenter of power. Chandragupta Maurya and later his grandson, Ashoka, made it their capital. Ashoka, in particular, went all out with urban planning, turning it into a mega-city with impressive fortifications, wide roads, and even a system for water supply. Imagine ancient plumbing!
The city was a melting pot of cultures too, thanks to its strategic location on trade routes. It attracted scholars, traders, and travelers from all over, making it a hub of learning and commerce. Greek ambassadors like Megasthenes wrote about its grandeur, describing it as a city of vast size and sophisticated administration.
Fast forward through various dynasties like the Guptas, who also made Patliputra their capital, and you see the city enduring through invasions, changes in power, and cultural shifts. But by the time of the Muslim conquests in India, its prominence began to wane, and other cities like Delhi started taking the spotlight.
Today, Patna still stands, not as grand as in its ancient heyday, but rich with history. It's home to places like the ancient ruins of Kumhrar, where you can see the remnants of Ashoka's palace, and it continues to be an important city in Bihar, keeping the legacy of Patliputra alive.