The city of ____ served as the summer capital of Bihar during the British period:

Ranchi
Darjeeling
Dehradun
Shimla

The correct answer is Ranchi.

Ranchi is a city in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is the capital of Jharkhand and the second-largest city in the state after Jamshedpur. Ranchi is located in the Chota Nagpur Plateau and is known for its hilly terrain. The city is also home to a number of educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ranchi and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Ranchi.

Darjeeling is a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and is a popular tourist destination. Darjeeling is known for its tea plantations, its views of Mount Kanchenjunga, and its colonial architecture.

Dehradun is a city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the capital of Uttarakhand and the most populous city in the state. Dehradun is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and is a popular tourist destination. The city is also home to a number of educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and the University of Dehradun.

Shimla is a city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the most populous city in the state. Shimla is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and is a popular tourist destination. The city is also home to a number of educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi and the University of Shimla.

During the British period, Ranchi served as the summer capital of Bihar. This was because the city is located in a cooler climate than the rest of the state. The British would often travel to Ranchi during the summer months to escape the heat of the plains.