The historic Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), one of Asia’s oldest and longest routes, is emerging as a significant political focal point in Bihar ahead of the 2025 elections. This ancient highway, which predates modern national roads, has deep historical ties to Bihar, where its origins are traced back centuries, long before the Mughal and British eras.
The route, now connecting Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, was originally conceived and constructed within Bihar. Its legacy is intertwined with two pivotal regional rulers. Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Dynasty, ruling from his capital Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) in the 4th Century BCE, commissioned the initial imperial road known as ‘Uttarapath’. This early version stretched from Balkh in Afghanistan to Tamraliptika in West Bengal, with remnants like Ashokan pillars and edicts still visible along its ancient path.
Later, Sher Shah Suri, a prominent ruler born in Bihar, significantly revitalized and expanded the highway between 1540 and 1556 CE. He is credited with rebuilding the road to connect his capital, Agra, with his hometown, Sasaram, in Bihar. Suri renamed it ‘Shah Rah-e-Azam’ and extended it from Sonargaon (Bangladesh) to Multan (Pakistan), adding amenities like trees and rest houses (sarais) for travelers.
The GT Road has seen numerous transformations and names throughout history, serving as a vital artery for trade, migration, and military movements. From the ‘Uttarapath’ of the Mauryas to the ‘Shah Rah-e-Azam’ of the Suris, and the ‘Badshahi Sarak’ under the Mughals, each empire left its mark. The British eventually modernized it, giving it the enduring name Grand Trunk Road, largely corresponding to modern NH-1 and NH-2.
Spanning from Chittagong in Bangladesh to Kabul in Afghanistan, the GT Road remains a crucial link across the subcontinent. The Mughal rulers, particularly Akbar and Jahangir, utilized it as a ‘tool of governance,’ establishing sarais to foster commerce. The British also prioritized its modernization, recognizing its strategic importance, especially during the 1857 uprising. This vast network facilitated not only military and civilian movement but also crucial trade and cultural exchanges, profoundly shaping the region’s history and development.