Xavier University

• 03 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

On 29 March 2025, the Chief Minister of Bihar inaugurated the Xavier University located on 36 acres in Patna, Bihar. 

Key Points 

• About Patna:
  • It is the capital and largest city of Bihar . 
  • This ancient city is situated on the southern banks of the Ganga . 
  • Patna has been a centre of administration, education, tourism, historical heritage, religion, spirituality, and culture . 
  • Demographics (2011 census): 
    • Total Population : 58,38,465 (Male – 30,78,512, Female – 27,59,953) 
    • Population growth rate (2001–2011): 23.73% 
    • Density: 1,800 km2 
    • Literacy rate : 70.68% (Male – 78.48%, Female – 61.96%) Official language: Hindi . 
    • Other spoken languages: English , Urdu , Bengali , Oriya . 
    • Local dialect: Magahi , Bhojpuri , Maithili . 
• History: 
  • The old name of Patna was Pataliputra or Patalipattana, which is found in history before 600 BC .  
  • Chandragupta Maurya made his capital here in the 4th century AD. 
  • Ajatashatru laid the foundation of Pataliputra, which later developed as Patna . 
    
    • In Greek history it was called Patalibothra. 
  • Great rulers like Emperor Ashoka , Chandragupta Maurya , and Samudragupta ruled from this city. 
    • The famous travellers Fa-Hien (3rd AD) and Xuanzang (7th AD) visited the city and wrote extensively about its governance and society. 
    • Scholars like Kautilya also lived here and wrote important works like Arthashastra . 
  • In 1703 AD, Prince Azim-e-Shan was made the governor of Patna and he gave it a modern look and named it Azimabad, but among the general public it remained popular by the name Patna . 
  • Major places of interest: 
    • Bihar Museum 
    • Patna Planetarium 
    • Japanese Peace Pagoda 
    • Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden 
    • Lauria Nandangarh 
    • Golghar 
    • potter 
    • Ajanta Gandhi Museum 
    • Jalan Museum