Who built the Grand Trunk Road : A Timeless Passage Through South Asia’s History

The Grand Trunk Road, also known as the GT Road, is one of the oldest and longest roads in South Asia. This historic road runs from Chittagong in Bangladesh to Kabul in Afghanistan, covering a distance of over 2,500 kilometers. It is an important trade route and has played a significant role in the cultural, social, and economic development of the Indian subcontinent.

The history of the GT Road dates back to the Mauryan Empire, when King Chandragupta Maurya built a network of roads connecting his empire to the rest of the world. Later, during the Mughal Empire, the road was expanded and developed into a major trade route. The Mughals constructed several caravanserais, or resting places, along the route to provide facilities for travelers, traders, and their animals.

During the British colonial era, the GT Road was further developed and expanded, connecting major cities and towns across the subcontinent. The British also constructed several bridges and improved the road surface to make it more suitable for modern transportation.

So, the Grand Trunk Road was not built by a single person or empire, but rather evolved over time through the contributions of various rulers and empires.