Patna's book trade defies digital age

Time of India

25-05-2025

Patna: Since China unveiled the world's first printed book – the Diamond Sutra – in 868 CE, the evolution of books has come a long way from scrolls and stone tablets. With the spread of literacy and the onset of the information age, the book industry experienced explosive global growth, India included.
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Now, in an era dominated by digital media, a familiar question resurfaces: are physical books on the verge of extinction? Quite the contrary. Far from spelling doom for print, the digital revolution is fuelling a renaissance. In a surprising twist, global sales of paper books have surged, rising nearly 8% in recent years.
Analysts in the publishing world say India's book market remains not only robust but on the rise.
Valued at approximately Rs 50,000 crore in 2019, the industry is projected to grow to a staggering Rs 80,000 crore by 2024. And its impact is more than just economic as the publishing sector supports over 1.2 million jobs, promotes education and plays a vital role in preserving and propagating Indian culture and values. Nearly 45% of trade books sold are in regional languages, a proof of the country's linguistic diversity.
Several factors drive this upward trajectory like higher enrolment in educational institutions, increased govt spending on education and broader efforts to promote learning. Interestingly, over a third of the market – 35.4% precisely – comprises readers aged 25 to 34, signalling a youthful engagement with books.
Bihar, and Patna in particular, mirrors this national trend. Despite the convenience of online book sales, the city's local book trade continues to thrive.
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What keeps it alive? The joy of flipping through pages, the satisfaction of making a find in a second-hand store and the sense of community among readers.
That enduring passion is visible on every corner. "None of the publishing houses or bookshops that have been around for 60 or 70 years have shut down because of declining sales," said Bimal Rastogi, owner of Book Palace on Ashok Rajpath. "A few shops may have closed due to personal reasons, but not for lack of business," he added.
Patna once held a reputation as a literary hub with over a dozen prominent publishers and distributors headquartered in the city and branch offices across India. Even today, major national publishing houses maintain their presence here, continuing to do brisk business.
Narendra Jha of Novelty & Company, publishers and distributors operating on Ashok Rajpath since 1945, believes the charm of physical books still captivates Patnaites.
"Despite the growing use of the internet, email and the rise of online book shopping, people here love browsing through books before deciding what to buy," he said.
Jha added, "The annual book fair we organise not only draws large crowds of book lovers but also boosts sales across genres and encourages a reading habit among the youth."
For Rabindra Jain of Motilal Banarsidass, also based on Ashok Rajpath and in operation since 1937, the interest in printed books remains constant.
"Our focus is on philosophy, religion and astrology and sales are steady throughout the year. Any good bookseller sells books worth Rs 50,000 a day, on average," he said.
Govt support has also played a key role. Jain pointed out that the state sanctions ample grants to educational institutions for purchasing textbooks and reference materials. "Books worth Rs 2 lakh are bought in every panchayat from govt funds," he said.
Beyond formal shops, Patna's streets are a treasure trove for readers. From the iconic Ashok Rajpath opposite Patna University to Apna Bazar near Gandhi Maidan, Khaitan Market at Sabzibagh and neighbourhoods like Boring Road and Kadamkuan, pavements brim with second-hand books at bargain prices.