David Boyk

David Boyk, an Associate Professor at Northwestern University, dives into the rich history of Patna, once a thriving Mughal city now seen as part of the mofussil. He explores its vibrant intellectual culture, fueled by Urdu literary gatherings and institutions like the Khuda Bakhsh Library. Boyk discusses the impact of railroads on Patna’s economy and the campaign for a separate Bihar province, highlighting how its uniqueness thrived from provinciality. His insights reveal how local identity shaped broader cultural and political movements.