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| Hazarduari Palace museum, Murshidabad |
Brief History : Murshidabad was founded by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century. Earlier this place was known as Muksudabad. Later in 1706, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent Murshid Quli Khan as Dewan of Bengal, Bihar & Orissa and then this place was named as Murshidabad after the name of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. In 1704, the nawab Murshid Quli Khan (following Aurangzeb's orders) moved the capital (of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa) to Murshidabad from Dacca.
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| Asia's biggest Imambara, in front of Hazarduari Palace, Murshidabad |
The reign of Siraj-ud-daulla (1756-57) marked the entry of the British into the subcontinent's affairs. The nawab, peeved by the persistent British defiance of his wishes, marched to Calcutta and drove the British out of Fort Williams to their ships offshore. What followed was the 'Black Hole' incident, in which numerous English captives died of suffocation in a jail cell. Months later, the British, led by Robert Clive, retook Calcutta and plotted with Mir Jafar, Siraj-ud-Daula's general, to overthrow and assassinate the nawab in 1757 after the battle of Plassey (now Palashi). Murshidabad remained the capital under the British until 1790.
The remains strewn today speak of those times. But the history of this region date back perhaps further. The famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsiang, who made the long journey to India in 629-645 AD, in his world famous travelogue describes Karna-suvarna near Murshidabad as the first capital of the ancient Bengal. Murshidabad was also the major trading town between inland India and the port of Kolkata, 221 km south. Today it's an insignificant town on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. Due to lack of development today it is an insignificant town of West Bengal with all the odds, still attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year.Its famous for silk Saari (Murshidabad silk) and different type of Mangoes.
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| Clock Tower |
Hazarduari Palace literally means “palace with thousand doors” was the palace of the Nawabs. It was built in the 1830s by General Duncan McLeod of the Bengal Engineers at a cost of Rupees 18 Lakhs. It has a banquet hall lined with mirrors and a circular Durbar Hall. The palace comprises of 1000 doors of which only 900 are real and 114 rooms and 8 galleries. The palace is now a museum with many fine exhibits, such as a gigantic chandelier, presented by Queen Victoria. The museum has one dedicated library consists of more than 10,000 books among them are some illuminated Korans. The museum also displays a vast collection of arms and armour including cannons which were used at the crucial battle of Plassey.
Nearby the palace, which were built between 12th and 14th century are some other attractions : Asia’s biggest Imambara, Siraz’s Madina , Ghori Ghar (Clock Tower ), A Canon known as Bachchawali Tope, Tripolia Gate, Dakshin Darwaza & Chak Darwaza.
Katra Masjid : Murshid Quli Khan, in the year 1723-24, in two years time constructed this Katra Masjid and wished to be buried here. He designed his grave such a way that every body has to walk through his body so that he will be free from all sins earned in his life time.
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| Kathgola Palace |
Kathgola Garden : This Garden was built by Lachmipat Singh who was basically a business man from Rajasthan. From this garden there is a underground tunnel which goes straight to the house of Jagat Seth. Both were the conspirator and joined hands with Mirjafar and British to overthrow Siraj. In this Garden there was every arrangements for all type of enjoyments. Still there is a a well maintained palace, one swimming pool for bathing as well as for "Jala kelee" with the beautiful women hired by them. To guard the pool, there are two watch tower so that no body can enter to that area.
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A statue of Kathgola Palace, facing the swimming Pool
A nude statue at Jagat Seth's Palace
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| Sunset at Bhagirathi river |
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There is a Jain Temple in the garden and in between the pool and the temple there is a open stage (Nach Ghar) for the dancers. There lifestyle was not less than Nawabs. It is history today that this family and the Jagat Seth were engaged in unlawful businesses without the knowledge of the Nawabs and that necessitated the underground tunnel connecting their palaces.
