Gandhi Maidan
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Gandhi Maidan, previously known as the Patna Lawns, is a historic ground at Patna near the banks of Ganges. The Golghar falls to its west.
This ground saw the launch of several movements during the Indian freedom struggle, the most important being the Champaran movement and the Quit India movement of 1942. Mahatma Gandhi used to hold his prayer meetings at this historic ground. Many prominent leaders of the Indian Independence Movement, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, Nehru, Jaya Prakash Narayan, Srikrishna Singh and Anugraha Narayan Singh, addressed their rallies from here. It was said that a leader had not arrived until he had addressed a rally at the Patna Lawns.
The successful struggle against Indira Gandhi was also launched from this historic ground.
The flag-raising ceremony on the Indian Independence Day and Republic Day is held here by the Chief Minister and Governor of Bihar respectively. Nowadays, these grounds are seeing some commercial use with the District Administration leasing it out to private parties for conducting events like mass prayers, trade fairs and other similar activities. There are also many illegal dwellers, gypsies, and locals gangs that are making the place dirty and ruining the spirit of history amongst the citizens.
Most of the important buildings of the city, including a three star hotel, Hotel Maurya, and the various government buildings like the Sri Krishna Science Centre, SK Memorial Hall, Twin Tower Hathwa (city's important trade centre) and the Biscoman Bhawan (the city's tallest building where many important government offices are situated), are around Gandhi Maidan. Recently, a Software Technology Park was opened in Biscoman Bhawan.
