Architecture

Long ago, when the Mauryan Empire ruled India, its shining capital was Pataliputra — one of the largest and most advanced cities in the ancient world. Today it is known as Patna, but during Chandragupta’s time, it was a city so impressive that travelers compared it to the wonders of Athens and Babylon!

Pataliputra was built at the meeting of two great rivers, the Ganges and the Son, which made it perfect for trade, farming, and travel. The city was shaped like a giant rectangle, stretching nearly 15 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide, and it was said to have 64 massive gates and 570 tall watchtowers guarding its wooden walls. A deep moat filled with crocodiles surrounded the city to protect it from enemies — a clever and terrifying defense!

Inside the city were wide roads lined with trees and market stalls selling spices, silk, jewels, and ivory. People from all over the world came to trade here — from Greece, Persia, and even faraway Africa. The air was filled with the sounds of elephants, horses, music, and busy chatter. At the heart of the city stood the royal palace, built of wood and decorated with golden pillars and shining stone floors that reflected the sunlight. Greek traveler Megasthenes, who visited during Chandragupta’s reign, wrote that the palace gardens were filled with peacocks, fountains, and rare plants — a sight unlike anything he had ever seen before.

Pataliputra was also a city of learning and ideas. Scholars studied languages, mathematics, and philosophy, and the emperor’s court was filled with wise advisors. It had strong walls, clean streets, and public wells for water — a sign of how well-organized Mauryan cities were.

Even after the Mauryan Empire ended, Pataliputra remained an important capital for centuries. Its ruins still lie beneath modern Patna, reminding the world that long before Rome or Beijing reached their height, India already had a city of magnificent beauty, power, and imagination.

The Mauryan Empire left behind some of the most impressive buildings in Indian history. The grandest are the Ashokan Pillars, carved from shining stone and topped with lion sculptures — one of which, from Sarnath, became India’s national emblem. Other amazing structures include the Sanchi Stupa, built to honor the Buddha, and monasteries (viharas) carved into caves for monks to meditate and study. These monuments were made with simple tools but incredible skill, showing the empire’s love of art, religion, and craftsmanship.