The spice, jaggery and grain aromas that have filled this Patna market for 400 years

For longtime residents, Marufganj offers an experience unlike any other part of Patna. Surendra Lal Gupta, who has lived in nearby Jhauganj for decades, said the crowded lanes, weathered wooden shopfronts and heavy iron shutters evoke an older rhythm of commerce. The aroma of freshly ground spices, jaggery and unpolished pulses fills the air, while the constant movement of buyers, porters and traders creates an atmosphere that has changed little over time.

Located in the heart of Old Patna City, Marufganj is one of eastern India’s oldest and largest wholesale grocery markets, and for nearly four centuries has remained the commercial heartbeat of Bihar’s food trade in foodgrain, pulses, spices, dry fruits and edible oils.

Gupta recalled that handcarts and cycle-rickshaws once dominated the market’s transport system, navigating its narrow lanes with ease. Today, heavy commercial vehicles carrying goods to districts across Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Nepal often clog the roads, creating severe congestion. The narrow lanes winding through Chowk, Shikarpur and Marufganj still preserve the character of an old trading town, lined with family-run establishments that have survived for generations.

Despite the rise of newer wholesale centres in areas such as Daldali and Chitkohra, Marufganj continues to set benchmark prices for several grain and spice commodities, remaining a symbol of Bihar’s trading heritage.

Image: Wikimedia Commons/by Sita Ram