Hazarduari Palace, famous for its 1000 doors at Murshidabad, West Bengal.

About Murshidabad Tourism

Murshidabad is a district in the state of West Bengal that is situated on the southern bank of the River Bhagirathi. It used to be the capital of undivided Bengal during the rule of the Mughals. The Nawabs of Bengal ruled this historical place for a long time. Many historical buildings with ancient architecture are a part of Murshidabad’s history. Out of them, the most popular building is the Hazar Duari Palace and others are Moti Jhill and Muradbagh Palace. Murshidabad covers a land area of about 5,341 square km.  Many agro-based industries including cotton and silk textiles are based here.

Murshidabad has witnessed a great deal of Palace politics and treachery that led to the transfer of its control from the last independent Nawab, Siraj-ud-Daulah to the East India Company. This transfer was the result of a contract between the Company and the Nawabs in the year 1757 AD due to the defeat suffered by Siraj-ud-Daulah at the hands of the English troops.

The Nawab was later on murdered as a part of the conspiracy between the company and Mir Jafar. It was after this battle, the East India Company shifted its capital to Calcutta and in the early eighteenth century, the city got its present name and shape. The East India Company ruled this province for many years after the battle.              

Many other kings also ruled different districts here like in the capital city of Sasanka, the king of Gouda ruled in the seventh century AD. The other Pala kings of Bengal were in this district in parts of Mahipala. After the seventh century, Nawab Murshid Quli Khan named Murshidabad as the capital city of Sube Bangla, which also included Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. There are several religions practised by different races here like Buddhism, Vaishnavism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity.    

Some of the popular places in Murshidabad are Katra Masjid, which was built in 1724 AD by Nawab Murshid Quili Khan. Jahankosh, which is a huge cannon, about 17.5 ft long, was built by Janardhan Karmakar in Decca. Other than these ancient sites, there are palaces like Wasef Manzil that was built by the Nawab of Murshidabad, Sir Wasef Ali Mirza. The main attractions in this palace are the marble stairs and statues. Other attractions here include Traitors Gate, the place where Siraj-ud-Daulah was assassinated, Hazar Dwari Palace and Kathgola.