PROJECTS.

It was the official residence of Dr. Syed Mahmud, a Minister in Bihar Government, that Mahatma Gandhi had stayed in a couple of occasion for more than 65 days. The house presently is in the premises of A.N.Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Ashok Raj path, Patna. It was witness to Gandhiji’s last message of peace and harmony after the communal riots broke out in Bihar during 1946-47.

Mahatma Gandhi was energetically pursuing his mission of peace among the Hindus of Noakhali where they had become victims of a sudden communal flare on 29th August 1946. His heart ached no less for the Muslims of Bihar, as in Bihar the pictures was reserved.

Gandhiji reached Patna in the morning of 5th March 1947 and was taken to Dr. Mahmud’s residence. In his extreme eagerness to ascertain the truth Gandhiji held discussion with Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr Anugraha Narayan Sinha and with other leaders and the representatives of different schools of thought. He was provided this house where he stayed there for more than 60 days during his repeated visit to Patna and other places in Bihar.
It was the Patna lawns, just opposite to the present house, where Gandhijee had deliberated and addressed the people during his stay. It was for the first time that, for this, the said Patna lawns was opened to the Indians in general without any restrictions. Prior to this meeting entry to Patna Lawns was restricted to Europeans and Elite (Loyalist Indians). This lawn was later on rechristened as “Gandhi Maidan”.