A weekend in the winter , will be perfect to tour Murshidabad , a district of West Bengal, situated on the southern bank of the River Bhagirathi.The city (approx 238 kms from Kolkata) still resonates the history of Nawabs , Begums, Palace politics , treachery, battles ,betrayals… .
Once it had been the capital of undivided Bengal during the rule of the Mughals , and also the epicenter of the Nawabs of Bengal . Battle of plassey took place just 50 km from present Murshidabad .
It has many historical buildings with ancient architecture which now pose to be tourist spots and adorable place for the history lovers. You would love to dwell there , to experience the enriched city and its buildings which will recall the historic events and heroic characters who fought and martyred to keep the British East India Company away from their terrain .
How to reach : There are number of trains connecting Kolkata to Murshidabad .You can also travel by car too.
Hazar Duari Palace is one of the important tourist spot .The Hazarduari Palace, or the “palace with a thousand doors ” is three-storey palace ,which which was used for holding the “Durbar” or meetings and other official work of the Nawabs and later turned to be the residence of the high ranking British Officials.It was built beside the river Bhagirathi where previously Kila Nizamat or Nizamat Kila old fort of Murshidabad, was located .The fort was demolished to build this grand palace. It is now converted into a museum .
Moti Jhill :The beautiful horseshoe shaped lake was excavated by Nawazesh Mohammad, the husband of the famous Ghasseti Begum, is worth seeing . Muradbagh Palace ,Katra Masjid , Jahankosh, ( a huge cannon, about 17.5 ft long, was built by Janardhan Karmakar in Dhaka),Wasef Manzil ,Traitors Gate( the place where Siraj-ud-Daulah was assassinated) , Imambara, ( largest in Bengal, is perhaps the largest in India)attracts tourists for their structure and the past legacy they unfold .
Jafarganj Cemetery ,Khosh Bagh Khosh Bagh lies on the opposite banks of Bhagirathi. The grave of Nawab Alivardi Khan, Alivardi’s Mother, Siraj-ud-Doula and his wife Lutfannesha and other members of the Nawab family lie here.
Katgola Palace is famous for its palace garden and the Adinath Temple famous for its intricately designed walls. The Nasipur Palace is a major tourist attraction . There is also a temple of Lakshmi-Narayana, close by, renowned for its Jhulantara celebrations.
The town still retains such industries as carving in ivory, gold and silver embroidery and silk weaving.The brand “Murshidabad silk” is not only famous across India, but also has a great demand throughout the world.
