In this paper, we present the design of a metamaterial based microstrip patch an- tenna, optimized for bandwidth and multiple frequency operations. A Criss-Cross structure has been proposed, this shape has been inspired from the famous Jerusalem Cross. The theory and design formulas to calculate various parameters of the proposed antenna have been presented. Design starts with the analysis of the proposed unit cell structure, and validating the response using software — HFSS Version 13, for obtaining negative response of ε and µ — metamaterial. Following this, a metamaterial-based-microstrip-patch-antenna is designed. A detailed compara- tive study is conducted exploring the response of the designed patch made of metamaterial and that of the conventional patch. The unique shape proposed in this paper gives improvement in bandwidth without reducing the gain of the antenna. The C-band of the frequency spectrum has been chosen for all the above mentioned exercise as it is the most popular band for commercial, satellite and radar applications. The proposed metamaterial based antenna can be utilized for higher gain and bandwidth requirements in any of these applications.