Pataliputra

Ancient northern Indian city, founded c. 490 BC as a small fort (Pataligrama) near the River Ganges within the kingdom of Magadha janapada. It became the capital for both the Mauryan dynasty under Chandragupta and, later, of the imperial Guptas. During the reign of Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC, it was the world's largest city, with a population of 150,000-300,000. As Patna, it remains an important regional centre.