Description of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's Pataliputra and the Dining Habits of then India

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Excerpts from "Everyday Life in Ancient India" by Padmini Sengupta, a book published by Oxford University Press in

"Pataliputra, now known as Patna, was the capital of Chandragupta’s Empire. It was situated on the tongue of land between the rivers son and Ganges , and was an oblong city about 9 miles x 2. "

"It was defended by stockings of heavy timber. It had five 570 towers, and was pierced by 74 portcullised gates.

A deep moat about 200 yards wide surrounded the outer walls and was filled by water from the river Son. "

"The palace was magnificent ,and stood in a park where there were fish ponds, Peacocks, Pheasants, and ornamental shrubs.

The king lived in ‘barbaric splendour’ in his timber built Palace with its glided pillars, being served at his table with golden dishes 6 feet across"

"There were also copper vessels set with precious stones and Megasthenes tells us:

“When Indians or at supper, a table is placed before each person, this being like a tripod...