murshidabad tourist spot map

Map of Murshidabad — Best attractions, transportation info, and itineraries

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Murshidabad, India for travelers! Check out Murshidabad’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Murshidabad? See our Murshidabad Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Murshidabad. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Murshidabad map:

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• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 18 attractions in Murshidabad

Hazarduari palace, kathgola bagan bari.

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JAHAN KOSHA CANNON

Motijheel park & resorts pvt. ltd., jafraganj cemetery.

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Jiaganj Azimganj

Khosbag garden, nizamat imambara, wasif manzil, katra masjid, nashipur rajbari, jagat seth's house, cossimbazar choto rajbari, fauti masjid.

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Tomb Of Azimunnisa Begum

Shree kiriteswari shaktipeeth temple, char bangla temple, transportation in murshidabad, nearby airports, ishwardi airport (ird), pabna, highways and major roads.

• NH-12 - National Highway 12 is the major highway in Murshidabad, West Bengal connecting Kolkata and Siliguri.
• NH-34 - National Highway 34 connects Dalkhola of North Dinajpur district to the city of Kolkata in West Bengal passing through Murshidabad.
• NH-12A - National Highway 12A is a shorter alternative route connecting Kolkata and Siliguri passing through Murshidabad.
• SH-11 - State Highway 11 connects the district headquarters of Murshidabad with Krishnanagar of Nadia district.
• SH-14 - State Highway 14 connects Murshidabad with the border town of Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur district.
• SH-15 - State Highway 15 connects Murshidabad with Malda town in Malda district.
• SH-11A - State Highway 11A connects Murshidabad with Salar in the district.
• SH-14B - State Highway 14B connects Berhampore, the largest city in Murshidabad district, with Jalangi block.
• Murshidabad-Azimganj Road - A local road connecting Murshidabad and the neighboring town of Azimganj.
• Murshidabad-Raghunathganj Road - A local road connecting Murshidabad with the town of Raghunathganj.

Popular road trips from Murshidabad

What's the weather like in murshidabad.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Murshidabad for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Murshidabad in January
• Weather in Murshidabad in February
• Weather in Murshidabad in March
• Weather in Murshidabad in April
• Weather in Murshidabad in May
• Weather in Murshidabad in June
• Weather in Murshidabad in July
• Weather in Murshidabad in August
• Weather in Murshidabad in September
• Weather in Murshidabad in October
• Weather in Murshidabad in November
• Weather in Murshidabad in December

All road trips from Murshidabad

• Murshidabad to Kolkata (Calcutta) drive
• Murshidabad to Gangtok drive
• Murshidabad to Darjeeling drive
• Murshidabad to Patna drive
• Murshidabad to Ranchi drive
• Murshidabad to Digha drive
• Murshidabad to Gaya drive
• Murshidabad to Howrah drive
• Murshidabad to Siliguri drive

Explore nearby places

• Murshidabad
• Rajshahi City
• Purbasthali
• Shantiniketan
• Santiniketan
• Krishnanagar

All related maps of Murshidabad

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Murshidabad throughout the year

• Murshidabad in January
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Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Murshidabad?

Get inspired for your trip to Murshidabad with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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Murshidabad

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Murshidabad Travel Essentials

Ideal duration: 1 day

Best Time: October to March Read More

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"Historian's Paradise"

Murshidabad tourism.

From the Nawabs of the pre-British era to the Lords from England, Murshidabad has seen history from its core. This small tourist haven in West Bengal serves as a place that manages to combine the beauty of the past with the beliefs of the present.

Calling it a religious town or a monument city would mean limiting its beauty and restricting it magnificence. This town reminds you that no matter how forward technology has brought us, some things are best experienced on foot. The city will transport you to a beautiful, ancient time and give you a great sense of peace and awe

Places To Visit In Murshidabad

Hazarduari Palace

Nizmat Imbambara

Shopping in Murshidabad

Footi Mosque

Wasif Manzil

Top Hotels In Murshidabad

8.0 (74 reviews)

₽ 1,109 onwards

7.7 (38 reviews)

₽ 2,774 onwards

5.4 (12 reviews)

₽ 1,037 onwards

4.2 (6 reviews)

₽ 2,662 onwards

5.5 (2 reviews)

₽ 893 onwards

₽ 1,134 onwards

More on Murshidabad Travel

Symbol of british colonialism, local handicrafts, restaurants and local food in murshidabad, suggested itinerary for murshidabad, best time to visit murshidabad, top stories about murshidabad tourism.

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Murshidabad

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By train
• 3 Get around
• 4.1 Hazar Duari Complex
• 4.2 East of Hazarduari Complex
• 4.3 North of Hazarduari Complex
• 4.4 South of Hazarduari Complex
• 4.5 West Bank of Bhagirathi River
• 7 Eat and drink

Murshidabad ( Bengali : মুর্শিদাবাদ Murśidābād ) is a historic town in West Bengal . It was the capital of Bengal , Bihar and Odisha during the Nawab rule. The last capital city of independent Bengal was named after Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the Diwan of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. It is situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. A city of splendours and famous for its silk, it was made the capital of Bengal in 1717. The British East India Company starts its journey from that place. The British shifted the capital to Calcutta in 1773.

Understand [ edit ]

Murshidabad ( MOOR-shih-dah-bahd ) became the capital of Bengal under Murshid Quli Khan in 1727. He was the first independent ruler of the region, which consisted of present-day Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal , Bihar , Jharkhand and Odisha . Murshidabad was a flourishing trade and commerce centre and historical records even suggested that Murshidabad contributed about 20% of the Indian economy and a staggering 5% of the world GDP. After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, Murshidabad was considered as prosperous as London. Sadly, Murshidabad has long lost its former glory and only traces of its glorious past survive to this day. Whatever has survived is still enough to turn Murshidabad into a leading tourism destination, but sadly the place lacks proper tourist infrastructure. Still, Murshidabad along with Bishnupur and Gour - Pandua are the three important historic tourist destinations of West Bengal .

Get in [ edit ]

Murshidabad is well connected from Kolkata by both rail and road.

By train [ edit ]

By bus [ edit ].

Regular long distance buses are also available from Kolkata. Volvo bus service is available for the Kolkata-Baharampur route.

Get around [ edit ]

By auto rickshaw. Cars are also available for hire. Horse-drawn carriage is also an option for short distances. There are no fixed rates so bargaining is required.

See and do [ edit ]

The historical sites of Murshidabad can be divided into five sectors:

• Hazar Duari Complex
• East of Hazar Duari Complex
• North of Hazar Duari Complex
• South of Hazar Duari Complex
• West of the Bhagirathi River

Hazar Duari Complex [ edit ]

East of hazarduari complex [ edit ], north of hazarduari complex [ edit ], south of hazarduari complex [ edit ].

• 24.186719 88.270985 16 Nara Bano Masjid . A small mosque located opposite the main entrance of the Hazarduari complex. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 24.185308 88.270903 18 Chawk Masjid . The Chawk Mosque was built in 1767 by Munni Begum wife of Mir Jafar . The mosque has five domes and approached through an entrance flanked with minerates ( updated Oct 2019 )
• 24.182885 88.27004 20 Begum Mahal of Wasif Manzil . Behind the Wasif Manzil lies the ruins of Begum Mahal of Wasif Manzil. It is in total ruins ( updated Oct 2019 )
• 24.180986 88.269278 22 Ghari Ghanta . Located just north of the Dakshin Darwaza, the Ghari Ghanta consists of a bell on top of a bastion. ( updated Oct 2019 )

West Bank of Bhagirathi River [ edit ]

Do [ edit ]

• Murshidabad Heritage Festival: The Murshidabad Heritage Festival aims at reviving the tangible and intangible heritage of Murshidabad along with those nearby heritage tows of Jiaganj Azimganj and Cossimbazar . The festival aims at preserving the past and integrating it with the present and to bring Murshidabad back in the tourism, cultural and heritage map of India. It is an initiative of Murshidabad Heritage Development Society (MHDS). The festival began in 2011 and has been celebrated ever since. There are no fixed days for the festival but it is celebrated during the winter season, especially during January or February. The festival is complete with cultural performances, heritage walks, cruise along the Bhagirathi River and exotic food. The food served during the festival is purely vegetarian, with special emphasis on Sheherwali cuisine.

Buy [ edit ]

• Baluchari Sarees . These are figured silk sarees produced in the town of Baluchar in Murshidabad district. Baluchar sarees essentially have a silk base with silk brocaded designs with respect to their colours, where in spite of a rich composition, the Baluchar bootidars almost avoid strong contrasts. Each pattern is treated in a colour which harmonises with the ground on which it is laid. The most popular colours used are red, blue, yellow, green and scarlet. The Baluchari sarees have large floral motifs interspersed with flowering shrubs. Traditionally the Muslim community was also known to produce these Baluchars with figured patterns depicting court scenes, horse with a rider, women smoking hookah. The Kalka design or the cone motif is often surrounded with floral borders.  
• Murshidabad Silk . Most Baluchar artisans have long migrated to Bishnupur. Hence Murshidabad is no longer famous for the Baluchari sari. Rather one can purchase a Murshidabad silk kora sari than particularly for different types of embroidery works in Kolkata. These things are available in most Khadi shops in Berhampore and Khagra. But purchase it if they provide a rebate of 20% on its printed price. Most of them give it throughout the year even when the government subsidy is not available.  
• Other things include Shola art, brass, copper and Kansha items.

Eat and drink [ edit ]

Nothing special in Murshidabad particularly for Kolkatans. Nawabi Ghee-e bhaja chhanabora has been replaced by Dalda-bhaja one. Still Kolkatans can relish sweets and curd of Murshidabad because those are much cheaper here.

If you sit for lunch in a roadside ordinary hotel near Hazarduari, first ask whether the menu follows meal-system or a la carte and the rate. Otherwise, you may feel cheated after the lunch is over.

The ground water here is contaminated with arsenic , so you are better off drinking from the municipal supply of surface water or bottled drinking water of reputed companies, not of ordinary companies, here and there in Murshidabad, even if those are cheaper by ₹2 per litre.

Sleep [ edit ]

• 24.1886 88.2671 1 Hotel Manjusha , Lalbag , ☏ +91 3482 270321 . On the bank of Bhagirathi and very close to Hazarduari. ₹350-₹500 .  
• 24.1763 88.2806 2 Hotel Indrajit , ☏ +91 9836381994 . AC Non AC Rooms * Bar Cum Restaurant ₹550-₹1150 .  
• 24.178454 88.267308 3 Netaji Abas , Lalbag , ☏ +91 3482 70033 .  
• 24.1897 88.2694 4 Lalbagh Youth Hostel , ☏ +91 33 22480626 , +91 22109206 , +91 22106767 . 50 seats in dormitory.  
• 24.177713 88.269709 5 Hotel Sagnik , 77 Omrahaganj, Lalbag , ☏ +91 3482-270051 , +91 3482 271492 , +91 9434021911 . ₹450-₹1500 .  
• 24.1893 88.2671 6 Hotel Anwesha , Lalbag ( near Hazarduari ), ☏ +91 9434115470 .  
• 24.1575 88.28184 7 Motijhil Tourist Cottage , Motijhil . ( updated Aug 2022 )

Go next [ edit ]

• Baharampur (Berhampore) — about 24 km (15 mi) from Murshidabad.
• Gour — a historical and heritage town.
• Jiaganj Azimganj
• Tarapith — a Hindu pilgrimage site. Best known for the Maa Tara Temple built by Sadhak Bamakshyapa. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre, and several thousand devotees visit the temple every day.

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Murshidabad Tourism

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• 8 Places To Visit In Murshidabad To Delve In The Mughal Era

21 Aug 2023

Murshidabad is a picturesque city lying on the eastern bank of the Bhagirathi River in West Bengal. Once the capital of the Bengal region during the Mughal era, this destination has observed the rise and fall of several empires, leaving behind a treasure trove of historical landmarks and architectural marvels. There are numerous places to visit in Murshidabad reflecting the rich heritage of the place. From the colossal Hazarduari Palace to the fascinating Nizamat Fort, there’s so much to explore in Murshidabad. Here we have enlisted some of the best attractions that you must incorporate into your itinerary.

8 Intriguing Places To Visit In Murshidabad

If you are planning to explore the top places to visit in Murshidabad, this curated list will surely help you explore the city in the most hassle-free manner.

1. Katra Masjid

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Built between 1723 and 1724 by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, Katra Masjid is a significant religious site showcasing a unique blend of Indo-Islamic architecture that makes it one of the best places to visit in Murshidabad. Its exceptional black basalt pillars and wonderfully crafted dones make it a true visual delight for visitors. One of the largest caravanserais in the Indian subcontinent, Katra Masjid is a sight to watch especially during sunset when its pink facade glows in the soft light.

Location: 57MQ+W3V, Murshidabad Station Rd, Kadamsarif, Murshidabad, Sabjikatra, West Bengal 742149 Timings: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Must Read: Kolkata Cuisine: From Traditional Curries To Sweet Specialities, Here’s All You Need To Try

2. Hazarduari Palace

Famously known as the “palace with a thousand doors”, Hazarduari Palace lies on the campus of Kila Nizamat. Once the residence of the Nawabs, the palace now serves as a museum featuring an impressive collection of artworks, weapons, artefacts, and historical relics. While exploring this iconic palace, get transported back to the regal era of the Nawabs. The 100 doors of the palace out of 1000 are falsely built to leave the robbers muddled and get caught by the guards easily.

Location: Siraj Ud Daulah Rd, Hazarduari, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742149 Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Closed on Fridays)

3. Khushbagh Cemetery

Image Credit: Royroydeb for Wikipedia

Positioned on the west bank of the Hooghly River, Khushbagh Cemetery is the garden-cemetery housing tombs of the Nawabs of Bengal such as Siraj ud-Daulah and Alivardi Khan. The beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding the tombs create a calming atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for spending some mind-relaxing moments.

Location: Khosbag, West Bengal 742149 Timings: NA

Suggested Read: 33 Best Things To Do In Kolkata: Know What Makes It The City Of Joy

4. Nizamat Imambara

One of the prominent places to visit in Murshidabad, Nizamat Imambara is an Islamic congregation hall boasting great historical and architectural significance. Step inside to witness the breathtaking chandeliers and the largest cannon in India displayed on the grounds. The attraction also features the Nizamat Fort or Nizamat Kila which once served as the residence of the Nawabs. The fort has an impressive entrance gate known as the Black Hole Monument, commemorating the tragic incident known as the “Black Hole of Calcutta”.

Location: 57Q9+8CW, Lalbagh – Hazarduari Rd, Hazarduari, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742149 Timings: 1o:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closed on Fridays)

5. Jahan Kosha Cannon

Placed in the Topekhana, the Nawab’s Artillery Park, Jahan Kosha Cannon is one of the largest cannons in the world. Crafted during the reign of Sher Shah Suri, this colossal cannon measures around 17.5 feet and weighs about 7 tons. While exploring top places to visit in Murshidabad, spare some moments to marvel at the Jahan Kosha Cannon and appreciate the craftsmanship and engineering brilliance of the past. If ancient weaponry fascinates you, don’t forget to stop by Jahan Kosha Cannon.

Location: 57HV+28M, Kadamsarif, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742149 Timings: Opens throughout the day

Suggested Read: 40 Thrilling Weekend Getaways From Kolkata You Must Visit

6. Motijheel Park

Image Credit: sushanta mohanta sindrani for Wikimedia Commons

Motijheel, the cradle of British rule in India, stands witness to a remarkable turning point in Indian history. A 350-acre oxbow lake formed out of an abandoned bed of river Bhagirathi, the Motijheel, derived its name from extensive pearl cultivation during the Nawabi period. The Jheel was famous for raising golden-tinted pearls extracted from union margaritifera species. The exclusivity of Motijheel Park is in its unique blend of vividly green eco-friendly ambience with a fine flavour of Murshidabad’s Nawabi History and a smooth touch of amusement items like boating, toy Train, seesaws, swings etc.

Location: Moti Jhil Rd, Berhampur, Matijhil, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742149 Timings: Opens throughout the day

7. Nashipur Rajbari

Once the court of Debi Singha, Nashipur Rajbari is now a museum that features belongings of the Nashipur royal family, farmans, legal documents, and other intriguing elements. Besides this, you will also find a temple inside the premises dedicated to Lord Rama which is touted to be one of the largest temples across Murshidabad. Nashipur Rajbari is a perfect spot for those interested in history.

Location: Nashipur Palace, Kathgola, Murshidabad, West Bengal, 742149 Timings: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Suggested Read: 15 Resorts Near Kolkata That Will Enthrall You With Their Charm

8. Katgola Palace

Image Credit: Czarhind for Wikipedias

Katgola Palace is a hidden gem in Murshidabad, tucked away from bustling city life. Surrounded by lush gardens and water bodies, this elegant palace showcases the influence of Greek, Roman, and Indian architectural styles. A walk through its corridors will transport you back to the days of opulence and grandeur.

Location: 6748+QVM, Kathgola, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742149 Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Further Read: Best Street Food In Kolkata: 15 Dishes You Must Try In The City Of Joy

Murshidabad offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and religious diversity, making it an ultimate haven for history enthusiasts and explorers alike. Be it the city’s rich history or its architectural wonders, places to visit in Murshidabad will let you get immersed in the true essence of its unparalleled charm. So, wait no more and have a look at the best-rated West Bengal tour packages and gear up for a memorable holiday with your loved ones.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Murshidabad

What is Murshidabad famous for?

Murshidabad is a historically rich destination which was once a capital during the Mughal rule. The forts, palaces, and other historical attractions uplift the charm of Murshidabad. There are numerous attractions you can explore in the city such as Katra Masjid, Murshidabad District Museum, Nizamat Fort, Katgola Palace, Jahan Kosha Cannon, Hazarduari Palace, Imambara, and more.

Which are the best places to visit in Murshidabad?

Some of the top places to visit in Murshidabad are Murshidabad District Museum, Katgola Palace, Nizamat Fort, Jahan Kosha Cannon, Imambara, Hazarduari Palace, and Katra Masjid.

When is the best time to visit Murshidabad?

The months between October to February are ideal to explore places to visit in Murshidabad. The pleasant weather will make your sightseeing all the more memorable.

Which are the best hotels in Murshidabad?

Here are some accommodation options in Murshidabad: 1. Hotel Manjusha 2. Bari Kothi Heritage Hotel 3. The Fame 4. Jalchhabi Hotel and Resort 5. Hotel Samrat

How many days are enough for a Murshidabad trip?

A trip of 3-4 days would be enough to explore the best of Murshidabad. Apart from sightseeing, you can indulge in outdoor activities.

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THE 10 BEST Murshidabad Sights & Landmarks

Murshidabad landmarks.

• Historic Sites
• Sacred & Religious Sites
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Architectural Buildings
• Monuments & Statues
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Katra Masjid

2. Khosh Bagh

3. Kiriteswari Temple

4. House Of Jagath Seth

5. Char Bangla Temple

6. Imambara

7. Jahan Kosha Cannon

8. Nasipur Palace

9. Motijheel Mosque and Cemetery

10. Tomb of Azimunnisa Begum

11. Tomb of Siraj-ud-Daulah

12. Jafarganj Cemetery

13. Bhavaniswar Mandir

14. Yellow Mosque

15. Old English Cemetery

16. Tomb of Alivardi Khan

17. Wasef Manzil

18. Nimak Haram Deori

19. Footi Mosque

20. Nil Kuthi Mound

21. Tripolia Gate

22. Old Cossimbazar (berhampore) Palace

23. Dutch Cemetery

24. Azimganj

What travellers are saying.

• Katra Masjid
• Char Bangla Temple
• Jahan Kosha Cannon
• House Of Jagath Seth
• Motijheel Mosque and Cemetery
• Kiriteswari Temple

Murshidabad Tourism And Travel Guide

A historic city on the banks of River Bhagirathi, a tributary of River Ganges, Murshidabad is an interesting tourist destination in West Bengal . A town that rose in prominence during the rule of Bengal Subah under Alivardi Khan and Murshid Quli Khan, Murshidabad and its adjacent town of Cossimbazar continued to play a significant role during the early years of British rule in Bengal. Siraj-ud-Daullah who was the last sovereign ruler of Murshidabad aka Bengal was defeated in Plassey which marked the beginning of the British rule in India . Today Murshidabad has lost its place of glory but continues to draw people with its colourful past and architectural splendour. It is among the most popular weekend getaways in the state. Here is a snippet of travel guide and some tourism insight on Murshidabad.

How to Reach

By Air:  

Small town that it is, Murshidabad does not have air connectivity. Travellers arriving by flight will have to disembark at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Dum Dum, Kolkata . It is one of the major airports in the country that enjoys great connectivity with almost all parts of India and has international flights as well to some of the east Asian countries. Private and public carriers operate regular flights to and from Kolkata. For those travelling to Murshidabad they need to take a cab, taxi or bus to reach the historic town.

Murshidabad boasts of its own railway station, namely, the Murshidabad Railway Station. It is fairly well connected with Kolkata and neighbouring towns and cities. It lies on the sealsah-Ranaghat-Krishnanagar-Berhampore-Lalgola line in Bengal. There are some popular express trains that pass through Murshidabad and make a halt. Dhandhanya Express, Bhagirathi Express, Hazarduari Express are some of the trains that connect Murshidabad to other areas of the state. For those visiting Murshidabad from outside Bengal, they need to change trains at Sealdah. From the station, local transport like taxis are available to ferry people to their destination.

By Road:  

Given the presence of Grand Trunk Road in Bengal, Murshidabad is well connected to most parts of the state. Murshidabad and the capital city of Kolkata have buses plying regularly between them. It is located about 200 km from Kolkata, 177 km from Asansol, 39 km from Kandi and 164 km from Durgapur. West Bengal State Road Transport Corporation (WBSRTC) and private bus companies offer regular bus services from Murshidabad to different parts of the state. From Kolkata it is a comfortable 4 hours drive and some people choose to drive themselves.

Getting Around:

Though a town, Murshidabad is not small or obscure. They have a well developed transport system which makes travelling within Murshidabad and outside hassle-free and simple. Most of these services are state-run. Cars and cabs are available easily for sightseeing and exploring the town. There are now a fair number of hotels in Murshidabad and upon request they too make transportation arrangements for the tourists however, at a higher cost.

• How To Reach Murshidabad

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Summer (April to June):

Any visit to Murshidabad during summer is highly unadvisable. Like most parts of the state, the town experiences hot tropical climate which makes summers unbearably hot, humid and sultry. The land becomes completely dry and the mercury registers a steady increase. Temperatures cross 40°C with ease. May and June in particular are the hottest months of summer. The early months are comparatively better because the evenings are accompanied by hailstorms, thunderstorms and showers. 

Monsoon (July to September):

Monsoon sets in gradually and is in full force by the month of July. The rains bring much needed relief for the parched land. Come August however the showers gain strength and Murshidabad witnesses occasional flooding. The entire district reels under the effect of flood and it makes travelling within the city and outside extremely difficult. Local transport facilities are affected. Ice sleet and rain cover the town. While you can get some attractive hotel deals being off season, it is recommended not to visit the town as sightseeing is made difficult because of incessant rains and flood.

Winter (October to March):

After the terrible heat and floods of the past few months, Murshidabad decks up to welcome winter in all its glory. The skies clear up, the clouds disappear, and a chill sets in much to the joy of the people. Temperature remains on the lower side but never goes below 5°C. Winter also coincides with some of the biggest festivals of the region. Durga Puja is celebrated with much fervour and the entire city is lit up. There are pandals everywhere where Goddess Durga is worshipped. This is followed by Kali Puja, which is celebrated during Diwali. The entire town comes together to enjoy. It is a good time to visit the town, participate in the festivities and enjoy the lovely weather.

• Murshidabad Weather And Best Time To Visit Murshidabad

Things to Do

Visiting the Hazarduari Palace Complex:  

Murshidabad and Hazarduari Palace are names that are often taken together. It is the biggest attraction of the town. As the seat of power of Bengal Subah, Murshidabad has remnants of the royal dynasty. The magnificent Hazarduari Palace or the Palace with 1000 doors is the best among the structures that one comes across here. This palace is accompanied by several small and big buildings strewn across a huge area. There is the Nizamat Imambara, the congregation hall; Madina Masjid, Ghari Ghar, Katra Masjid, the jahanKosha Cannon, Nasirpur Palace, the Jafaganj Cemetry where several members of the royal family like Mirzafar is buried.

A Trip to Cossimbazar:  

17 km from Murshidabad is another interesting destination, Cossimbazar. The town rose in prominence when the European trading companies like the British, French and the Dutch built their factories here. A flourishing river port, it allowed trade to flourish here. Because of European influence one comes across a beautiful Armenian Church which was built in 1758. A Bengali family who made enormous wealth from silk trade, the Roys were an influential family here. There are two palaces known as Cossimbazar Palace of the Roys. The smaller one has survived the test of time while the bigger one is in ruins today. A quick trip to Cossimbazar could be historically enriching.

A Short Trip to Azimganj:

Another place of interest located a stone’s throw way at 9 km from Murshidabad is Azimganj. Here one comes across some stunning temples with Bengal architectural features. The Char Bangla Temple Complex comprises four temples with ‘do chala’ features which are typical of Bengal architectural style. They are embellished with rich terracotta work. The Gangeshwar Temple also boasts of rich terracotta sculptures. The Bhabaniswar Mandir has fascinating stucco work.

Walking Down Bhagirathi River:

Murshidabad town is situated along the banks of River Bhagirathi, a tributary of Ganges. Take a walk down the banks, enjoying the scenic beauty. Along the banks too one comes across some structures like Hazarduari Palace and Nizamat Imambara. There is Khosbag which houses the tombs of members of royal family like Alivardi Khan and Siraj-ud-Daullah. Rosnaiganj is located on the bank opposite to Hazarduari Palace which also has tombs of some other members of the family.

Eating in Murshidabad

Food features significantly on any trip across the country. Every place has different cuisines bursting with flavours, each distinct from the other. Murshidabad is no exception. West Bengal is known for its love for food, delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and sweets. In Murshidabad the Mughal influence is strong. However the Mughal influence here is different from other parts of the country because there is much overlapping of flavours, whether it is Bengali cuisine or North Indian. Like most parts of the state, Murshidabad too is known for its amazing sweets. The Chhanabhora is a delicious sweet that is found in different corners of the town and it is mindblowing.

Shopping in Murshidabad

Murshidabad is very popular for silk sarees. The Baluchari silk sarees in particular are famous across the country for their vibrant colors, weave, and intricate designs. They come in solid primary colours of red, blue, green, yellow and scarlet. The beautiful flower motifs are typical in Balucharis. Though most of the silk weavers are said to have migrated to other parts of the state, we still associate Baluchari with Murshidabad. Copper and kansha items, utensils and souvenirs are very popular here and make for good gifting objects.

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15 Best Places To Visit In Murshidabad

Suppose you’re looking for a change of pace and want to explore a new city. Then, Murshidabad is the perfect place for you. Here are the best places in Murshidabad to visit.

With its rich history and abundance of cultural experiences, Murshidabad is a city that has something for everyone. 

The city of Murshidabad is in the Indian state of West Bengal . It is in the district of Murshidabad, on the east side of the Ganges River.

The city has a population of over 1 million people and is a significant tourist destination. In addition, Murshidabad is known for its historical monuments, palaces, and temples.

History Of Murshidabad

Murshidabad was once the capital of Bengal, and its history is full of fascinating stories. Murshid Quli Khan founded the city. 

He was a powerful Nawab who ruled over Bengal in the 18th century. 

Murshidabad was a prosperous city, and its people enjoyed a great deal of wealth and prosperity. But this changed in 1757 when the British East India Company took over Bengal.

The city then declined, and it has never regained its former glory. But Murshidabad is still an important part of Bengal’s history, and its unique culture is still visible today.

 Why Should You Visit Murshidabad?

1. Murshidabad is a city with a rich history that is worth exploring. It was once the capital of Bengal and is now a city with fascinating sights to see.

2. There are many reasons to visit Murshidabad. But its architecture is one of the most exciting parts of it. The city is home to some of India’s finest examples of Mughal architecture.

3. Murshidabad is also home to many beautiful mosques, temples, and tombs. Here you may learn about Muslim culture and architecture.

The following are the top 15 places to visit in Murshidabad:

1. Hazarduari Palace – Places To Visit In Murshidabad

The Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad is the most beautiful place in the world. It covers a vast area of 41 acres and is the largest palace in the world. 

This 41-acre campus structure is unparalleled in beauty. The beautiful palace is on the banks of the River Bhagirathi and is known for its grandeur. 

Tourists visit every year to observe how the Nawabi lived. The name roughly means “a thousand doors” because this palace has a thousand ornamental gateways. 

Of these, 900 are real doors, and the rest are fake ones built to confuse intruders. The style of the palace is a mix of Italian and Greek architecture. 

It is an excellent example of Murshidabad’s rich cultural heritage.

The palace is on the eastern side of the Bhagirathi river, inside an area called the Kila Nizamat. 

The Nizamat Imambara, Wasif Manzil, Bacchawali Tope, and Murshidabad Clock Tower are outside the palace.

The palace was a royal mansion in the past. But now it is a museum with priceless artifacts. 

2. Nizmat Imbambara

The Nizmat Imambara in Murshidabad is a must-see for any traveler to India. Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, built the impressive building in the 1800s. 

The Imambara is a large hall used for religious ceremonies. It has chandeliers and intricate carvings.

Nizmat Imambara is a prominent Murshidabad attraction. Its stunning architecture and rich history attract people from throughout the globe.

So if you’re planning a trip to India, add the Nizmat Imambara to your itinerary.

3. Footi Mosque – Places To Visit In Murshidabad

The 18th-century Footi Mosque is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture. 

The Nawab of Murshidabad, Sayyid Muhammad Khan, built the mosque. It is one of India’s most important mosques.

On the banks of the River Bhagirathi is the Footi Mosque. The mosque has four minarets, two domes, and Islamic calligraphy and carvings.

Muslims in Murshidabad go to the mosque to worship, which is also a popular place to visit.

4. Katra Masjid

Katra Masjid is one of India’s most beautiful and intriguing mosques. Murshid Quli Khan built it in the early 1800s. It is known for its unique architecture. 

The mosque is in the middle of Murshidabad, on the banks of the Ganges River.

The Katra Masjid is a huge building. It is about 200 feet long and 150 feet wide. 

The main prayer hall can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers at a time. The mosque is built entirely of brick and stone, with three large domes resting on top of four minarets. 

The exterior of the mosque is decorated with intricate patterns and calligraphy.

5. Kathgola Gardens – Places To Visit In Murshidabad

This palace complex in Murshidabad was created for European and Muslim commercial visitors. It is a wonder all on its own.

The palace got its name from a lumber yard that was there before the castle was built. The name means “wood war house.” Because it was made before its time, the place is more than just a palace. 

Here, you can see the palace, endless gardens, ponds, a temple to Adinath, and a statue by Michelangelo, among other things.

6. Khosh Bagh

Khosh Bagh is a beautiful garden in Murshidabad, India. 

The garden is situated on the banks of the River Bhagirathi. The park is famous for its numerous fruit trees, flowers, and shrubs. 

It is also home to a variety of birds and animals. In addition, visitors to the garden can see the tombs of Siraj ud-Daulah and his wife, Begum Wilayat Mahal.

The Khosh Bagh is a must-visit for anyone interested in Indian history and culture. Moreover, it is a place of outstanding natural beauty and peace.

7. Jahan Kosha Cannon -Places To Visit In Murshidabad

Jahan Kosha Cannon, also known as the “Nawab Gun,” is a massive cannon in Murshidabad. The cannon was cast in 1637 by Ibrahim Khan, the Nawab of Bengal. 

It is 7.32 meters long and has a caliber of 890 mm. The cannon is currently on display at the Hazarduari Palace Museum.

The Jahan Kosha Cannon is one of the giant cannons in the world and a popular tourist attraction in Murshidabad. Visitors can see the massive cannon up close and even touch it for a small fee. 

The cannon is a reminder of the long history of Murshidabad and the fact that it was once the capital of Bengal.

8. House Of Jagath Seth

The House of Jagath Seth is a beautiful historic building in Murshidabad. Jagath Seth, a wealthy merchant and banker built it in the 18th century.

The house is made of brick and stone and has two stories. The first story comprises a series of small rooms. While the second contains a large hall with a balcony. 

The house has many intricate carvings and paintings and is one of India’s most important examples of Mughal architecture.

9. Tomb of Azimunnisa Begum

Azimunnisa Begum was the wife of Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Bengal. She was a very religious woman and built many mosques and madrasas in Murshidabad. 

After her husband’s death, she became the regent for her son, Siraj-ud-Daulah. Azimunnisa Begum was a sage and just ruler. 

She is buried in Murshidabad’s Azim Bagh, a garden she created.

10. Nasipur Palace

Nasipur Palace is a luxurious palace once the home of the Nawabs of Murshidabad. The palace is now a hotel and one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations.

The Nasipur Palace was built in the 18th century by Nawab Ali Vardi Khan. It is a large, impressive building with two main wings and a courtyard in the middle. 

The palace has many beautiful gardens and fountains, and its rooms are decorated with Mughal-style paintings and carvings.

The Nasipur Palace is not only a beautiful building but also has a rich history. When the British ruled India, many important things happened there.

Today, it is one of Murshidabad’s most popular places to visit.

11.Tomb of Siraj-ud-Daulah

The Tomb of Siraj-ud-Daulah is a beautiful and historic site. The tomb is an integral part of Bengal’s history and culture.

The Tomb of Siraj-ud-Daulah is a large, white marble structure. A garden with fountains and trees surrounds it. 

The tomb has four minarets and a large dome. Inside the tomb are the remains of Siraj ud-Daulah and his family.

The Tomb of Siraj-ud-Daulah is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can learn about Bengal’s history and culture and see the beautiful architecture of the tomb.

12. Motijheel Mosque and Cemetery

Murshidabad’s Motijheel Mosque and Cemetery are two of the city’s most important historical sites. The mosque, built in 1704, is the largest in Murshidabad. 

It is said to have been built on the site of a previous mosque destroyed by flooding. Many nobles and rulers of Murshidabad are buried in the cemetery. 

The last Bengali ruler, Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah, is buried there.

13. Jafarganj Cemetery

The Jafarganj Complex is about a mile away from the Hazarduari Palace. Mir Jafar built his palace on this three-and-a-half-acre plot of land. 

But now, Mir Jafar and many of his family are buried there. In addition, some influential people are buried in the area, including Mir Jafar’s father, Syud Ahmed Nazafi; Alivardi Khan’s sister, Shahkhanum; and Mir Jafar’s widows, Munni Begam and Babbu Begam. 

The beautiful white cemetery makes you simultaneously feel the sadness of death and the beauty of times gone by.

14. Bhavaniswar Mandir

Bhavaniswar Mandir is a Hindu temple in Murshidabad dedicated to Shiva. Many believe Murshidabad’s Maharaja Bhavananda Roy erected the shrine in the 1800s.

The temple has unique architecture and is adorned with beautiful sculptures. Thousands of devotees visit the temple yearly to pray to Bhavaniswara and seek his blessings.

15. Tomb of Alivardi Khan

The Tomb of Alivardi Khan is a must-see for Mughal architecture. The tomb was built in 1671 and is the final resting place of Alivardi Khan. 

The tomb’s beautiful carvings and mosaics are classic Mughals. The mausoleum lies in the former Bengali capital, Murshidabad.

The Tomb of Alivardi Khan is one of the most important buildings in Murshidabad and should not be missed.

How To Travel Safely In Murshidabad? 

Are you looking to travel to Murshidabad? Here are some recommendations for safe travel.

1. Do your research. Before you travel, be sure to research the area and any safety concerns. This will assist you in becoming knowledgeable about possible risks and how to prevent them.

2. Stay in well-lit, busy areas. When possible, try to stay in well-lit, active regions. This will help you feel safer and more secure.

3. Keep valuables close. Keep your valuables close at hand at all times. This includes things like your passport, money, and credit cards.

4. Be aware of your surroundings. It’s essential always to be mindful of your surroundings when traveling. This means being aware of people around you and any potential hazards in the area.

Is Murshidabad A Costly Place To Visit?

Yes, Murshidabad is a costly place to visit. But it is worth it! 

The city has a rich history and plenty of things to see and do. Plus, the food is fantastic! 

Suppose you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, then Murshidabad is the place for you.

How Much Does The Average Hotel Cost In Murshidabad?

The average hotel room in Murshidabad costs about Rs. 2,200 per night. However, many different types of hotels are also available. 

You may be looking for a luxurious experience. But, then, you can expect to pay more than Rs. 5,000 per night. 

However, plenty of affordable options are available, starting at around Rs. 1,000 per night. You can locate a hotel to meet your requirements and budget in Murshidabad.

What Can You Buy From Murshidabad?

Murshidabad is a small town in West Bengal, India. It is located on the banks of the River Ganges. The city is known for its traditional handlooms and handicrafts.

 Murshidabad is also known for its sweets. The rosogolla is the most popular sweet in Murshidabad. 

Rossogollas are white balls made of cottage cheese and sugar syrup. They are very soft and melt in your mouth. 

Other popular sweets from Murshidabad include cham cham, rasgulla, and Sandesh.

If you are looking for traditional handloom fabrics, then Murshidabad is the place to go. The town is famous for its silk and cotton fabrics. 

In beautiful designs and colors, you can find saris, dupattas, stoles, and dress materials.

Best Time To Visit Murshidabad

1. Winter is the best time to visit Murshidabad. The weather is cool and pleasant, and the city comes alive with festivals and celebrations.

2. The weather is warm but not oppressive, so the flowers are in full bloom in the spring.

3. Autumn is another beautiful time of year in Murshidabad, with the leaves turning red and gold.

In conclusion, Murshidabad is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Bengal’s rich history and culture. With its unique mix of Hindu and Muslim influences, the city has something to offer everyone. So be sure to include it in your travel itinerary!

Nayana is passionate about discovering the most magnificent places to visit in India ! She also loves to uncover the most incredible sights and capture her experiences in her writing through  TouristPanda.com .

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Murshidabad Tour Guide – beyond Hazarduari

West Bengal , Weekend Getaways from Kolkata

Last Updated on: May 20, 2021  

Can you imagine that a small settlement in Bengal by the side of the Bhagirathi River was once as prosperous and thriving as London? It was not Calcutta, but Murshidabad that was said to be as flourishing as London . For all those planning a trip here, Hazarduari in Murshidabad is the most iconic attraction. But Murshidabad is much more than Hazarduari. It was the last seat of power of the Nawab of Bengal Province before the British took over in India. Murshidabad plays an important part in Indian modern history. No doubt the place has some important heritage structures in and around. So we decided to chalk out a Murshidabad tour guide to help all those who want to visit this erstwhile power centre of Bengal.

Murshidabad was not only a stronghold of power politically, but was also the centre of commerce, trade and administration in the eighteenth century India. So much so that it was said that Murshidabad region along with the twin towns of Jiaganj and Azimganj accounted for almost 5% of the world GDP . And that is no mean feat. Just imagine, how prosperous the town was during that time.

We had visited Murshidabad before along with Azimganj , where the beautiful terracotta temples of Baranagar stand beside the Bhagirathi River. This time, it was on the invitation of Bari Kothi, a heritage property in Azimganj , we again visited the historic town. This visit was important in a few ways. We understood the importance of the twin towns of Azimganj and Jiaganj, the Sheherwali community in the history of Murshidabad. So before we start on about the places to visit, we would like you to get acquainted with the place and its history and heritage. Because we should know our past to be prepared for our future.

  A brief history of Murshidabad | The story of a Brahmin who went on to become the Nawab

Murshidabad’s tryst with history starts in the early eighteenth century. Murshidabad was originally a nondescript village named Maksudabad before Murshid Quli Khan set his eyes upon this land to make it the capital of Bengal province. The life story of the Nawab is quite interesting. It is said that Murshid Quli Khan was born a Brahmin in the Deccan region. Due to penury, he was sold as a slave to Haji Shafi Isfahani , a Persian merchant from Iran. Isfahani rechristened him as Mirza Hadi and provided him an education.  After returning to India, Mirza Hadi joined the services of the Mughals. His active role in the army of Aurangzeb earned him brownie points. So when the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was looking for a Diwan in Bengal at Dacca, Hadi was his automatic choice. By this time he also came to be known as Kartalab Khan .

Later Kartalab Khan went into a confrontation with Azim-ush-Shan, the grandson of Aurangzeb. In this scenario, Kartalab Khan relocated his office from Dacca to Maksudabad on the banks of Bhagirathi. His logic was that the place was situated in the central part of Bengal and it would be easier to communicate throughout the province. Aurangzeb was happy with the revenue that Kartalab Khan gave him and awarded him the title of Murshid Quli among others. Consequently, he changed the name of Maksudabad to Murshidabad in 1704 . Later Murshid Quli Khan declared himself the Nawab of Bengal and thus became the first independent Nawab of the province. At that time, Bengal province consisted of present-day Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Murshidabad was one of the most prominent cities of Bengal. It was rich in natural resources, trade and commerce flowed and was prosperous. Most of the European traders like the British, French, Portuguese and Armenians had settled around these areas for business. Affluent businessmen from Rajasthan came and settled down in Murshidabad. Later these Jain merchants formed the Sheherwali community and many of them became the bankers to the Nawab. While Murshid Quli Khan became the first Nawab, Manik Chand became his personal banker.  Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar, after ascending the throne of Delhi in 1712, honoured Manik Chand with the title of Nagar Seth (Banker of the city) . Murshidabad rolled in riches.

It was in 1757, that Nawab Siraj-ud-daula, the grandson of Alivardi Khan was defeated by Robert Clive of the British East India Company in the Battle of Plassey. It is believed that the Nawab was betrayed by his own people leading to his defeat. The glory and sheen of Murshidabad gradually diminished, but the ruins of the glorious past still remain. A trip to Murshidabad to visit Hazarduari and the other attractions is quite common among the Bengalis. But I would also suggest everyone who visits West Bengal to take a trip to Murshidabad and enjoy its regal beauty.

Places to visit in Murshidabad

Murshidabad is located beside the Bhagirathi River. Tourism in Murshidabad thus can be divided into two parts – one on the eastern bank of the river and the other on the western bank. While Azimganj and Khosh Bagh lie on the western bank, Lalbag area, Nasipur, Jiaganj and Cossimbazar lie on the eastern bank of Bhagirathi. You can plan your Murshidabad trip accordingly. Let us first write about the places to visit in Murshidabad.

Hazarduari Palace

Hazarduari in Murshidabad is undoubtedly the most iconic attraction in Murshidabad. The grand yellow structure is located right beside the Bhagirathi River. Although Murshidabad is known for both Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula and Hazarduari, the palace has nothing to do with the Nawab. Hazarduari was built by Humayun Jah during the period 1829-1837 at the site of the old fort known as Nizamat Qila (fort) . Architect Duncan Mc Leod was the mastermind behind this grand building. Hazarduari is the best example of Indo Italian architecture having huge pillars, a grand flight of stairs, beautiful statues and lamp posts. Nawab Humayun Jah is believed to have spent a whopping 18 Lakh Rupees (during that time) for building his palace .

The palace has now been converted into a museum having a great collection of antiques, arms, weapons and some invaluable paintings of various European artists. Other interesting things include old costumes and jewellery, palanquins, ivory howdahs and palanquins, magnificent chandeliers and even some rare books, old maps and manuscripts. All the artefacts in the museum are no doubt wonderful, but the most impressive one is the grand chandelier with 96 lamps placed in the Durbar Hall. There is also a silver throne with a grand umbrella inside the Hall.

Hazarduari literally means the place of thousand doors ( Hazar means thousand and duar means doors). The palace is said to have a thousand doors. However, only 900 of them are real and 100 are fake. You will probably require an hour or so to explore the Hazarduari Palace and its museum. And if you are fond of antiques and history, you might take more time. The Hazarduari complex also consists of the Clock Tower, Bacchewali Tope, Madina mosque and the Nizamat Imambara lies just opposite Hazarduari.

Hazarduari, Murshidabad Opening Time:  9AM to 5 PM.

Entry Fees: To enter the museum, you have to pay an entry fee. The entry fees of Hazarduari Palace and Museum is Rs5 for Indians and Rs200 for foreign nationals.

Nizamat Imambara

Right opposite to the yellow building of Hazarduari Palace stands the impressive Nizamat Imambara. The white structure looks absolutely gorgeous against the blue sky. Look at the pictures if you do not believe me.

The present Imambara was built in 1847 by Nawab Nazim Mansoor Ali Khan Feradun Jah after the original wooden Imambara built by Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula was destroyed by fire. The Imambara is 680 feet long and the central block is about 300 feet in width. The Nizamat Imambara is the largest one in Bengal and one of the largest in India.

Unfortunately, entry to the Nizamat Imambara is usually not allowed. The Imambara remains open to visitors only for 10 days during Muharram.

Clock Tower

This huge yellow tower used to be known as the “Big Ben” of Murshidabad . The tower was designed by Sagar Mistri, assistant to Duncan Mc Leod and like the Big Ben of London, the dials of the clock could be seen from a long distance and also from the other side of the Bhagirathi River. The tower has a heavy bell on top.

Madina Masjid

The only remains of the original Nizamat Imambara is the Madina Masjid located just in front of the Imambara. According to the book “A History of Murshidabad District” by Major J. H. Tull Walsh, it is said that Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula personally brought bricks and mortar and erected the foundation of the Imambara building. In the middle of the Imambara, the Medina was constructed. The plot of land on which the Medina was built was dug out and refilled with the sacred earth brought from Mecca. When you visit the Hazarduari complex, the guide will tell you that Nawab Siraj himself went to Mecca to bring the sacred earth. Well, this fact is not yet corroborated.

Bacchawali Tope

The cannon is placed in the Nizamat Fort Campus between the Nizamat Imambara and the Hazarduari Palace and just beside the Madina Masjid. The cannon is said to have been built between 12 th and 14 th century AD and weighs 7657 kg. it is said that the cannon was fired only once. When it was fired, it produced such deafening noise, that al the pregnant women in the vicinity of 10 miles radius had a miscarriage! The cannon was never used since. The name Bacchawali Tope also comes because of this ( Baccha means child and tope means cannon).

Katra Masjid

The Katra Masjid is perhaps one of the oldest standing structures in Murshidabad. It was built by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan between 1723 and 1724. The Katra Mosque was a great centre for Islamic learning. As you enter the Katra Mosque, you will see 2 towers on either side. There were actually 4 of them on the four corners, but the other 2 got destroyed in the earthquake of 1897.  There were a flight of stairs through which one could get to the top of the tower. But now the gates have been closed.

Between the two towers, you will find small cells. These cells are found in 2 stories surrounding the mosque. It is said that these are the cells were used to house the scholars who had come there for Islamic learning. There are as many as 700 cells surrounding the structure.

The next interesting structure is the mosque itself. There are 5 doors to the Katra Masjid. There are triple Mihrabs on the walls of the mosque facing the doors. Mihrab indicates a semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque. It indicates the direction of Kabba in Mecca. Muslims pray looking at this direction.

On top of the central Mihrab, there is an Arabic inscription. There is a small flight of stairs leading to a small platform at the central Mihrab. This is the platform where sermons and speeches are usually given. This is quite same as the one we had seen at Adina mosque in Malda . There the platform was much higher though.

At the outer walls of the mosque, there is a basalt slab that has some Persian inscription written on it. In front of the mosque is the huge praying area. It is said that the praying area could accommodate 2000 Namaz readers. You can actually see the floor of the praying area is divided into squares. It is said that there are 2000 squares, each one for a Namaz reader. There are also a few hooks on the mosque wall and a few rings on the floor of the prayer area. Our guide told us that the hooks and rings were used for tying huge clothes so that they could serve as a canopy over the Namaz readers during the sun and heat.

This is not the end of the Katra mosque. This place also houses the tomb of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. The current entrance to the mosque is actually the back entrance. The original entrance to the mosque now lies on the backside (the eastern side). There is a flight of fourteen stairs to enter the mosque. Under the stairs lies the tomb of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. It is said that the Nawab at the end of his days felt remorse for all the bad deeds he had done during his lifetime. So he desired to be buried under the stairs of the Katra Masjid so that the dust from the feet of noblemen would fall on his grave. This would be a way to atone for the sins he had committed.

Although Murshidabad is known mostly for Hazarduari, it is the Katra Masjid that we found most interesting. The structure, architecture and the stories of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan were quite engrossing. Hazarduari in Murshidabad is no doubt iconic, but it is the Katra Masjid that had my heart!

Fauti Masjid

Fauti or Fouti Masjid is another impressive structure in Murshidabad. It is a huge structure, but in a state of decay overgrown with vegetation. The mosque was built in 1740 by Nawab Sarfaraz Khan, the grandson of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, but was never completed. The mosque is located near a railway crossing about a km from Hazarduari in Murshidabad. There are a couple of interesting stories surrounding the mosque.

The Fauti Masjid is an incomplete work. Only 2 out of the 5 domes were constructed. The rest were never made. Also, nobody has read Namaz in the mosque. It is said to be a failed mission of Nawab Sarfaraz Khan . Historically, Nawab Sarfaraz Khan died of a gunshot against Alivardi Khan in the Battle of Giria in 1740 , the same year that the mosque was built. After his death, the building of the mosque stopped.

There is another interesting story about the death of the Nawab that is more of a local legend. It is said that the Nawab died on the battlefield not by a gunshot, but by lightning. According to the legend, lightning struck the mosque as well when he died on the battlefield. That created a big crack in the dome. The mosque was thus considered unlucky and the work was completely abandoned. Well, actually, the work of building the mosque stopped after the death of the Nawab mostly because of lack of funds. The story of lightning is perhaps the interesting stories made up to astonish people.

There is a third story as well which is told more as fascinating folklore. It is said that the Nawab had commissioned building the mosque in a single day. The work could not be completed by the masons and thus was abandoned. This story is so silly that even the guides nowadays tell us that this is not true!!

Anyways, Fauti Masjid is an impressive structure. At first sight, it looks just like any dilapidated structure. But once you go inside, you will find it to be quite grand. A small flight of broken stairs lead inside the mosque. There are 5 entrances and 4 attached towers. As we said before, only two domes were completed. Well, if you decide to climb the stairs, be careful. It is broken and slippery and I am sure you would not like to fall down from there.

We found the incomplete and decaying structure to be so interesting. We wondered how the complete structure would actually look! It would undoubtedly be quite a feat if the construction were completed!

Jahan Kosha Cannon

The Jahankosha Cannon lies just near the Katra mosque. Placed on a pedestal, the huge cannon weighs 8000 kg, 17.5 feet long and made of 8 metals. About 17 kg of gunpowder was used for a single shot. No wonder, it was known as Jahankosha (destroyer of the world). The area where the cannon is now placed was used to be known as the Topekhana or armoury. The cannon was made by gunsmith Janardan Karmakar of Dacca in 1637. Nawab Murshid Quli Khan bought the cannon from Dacca to Murshidabad when he shifted his capital.

Tripaulia Gate

The Tripaulia Gate was one of the entrances to the Nizamat Kila (fort) area of Murshidabad. It now stands as a white gate with a Nahabatkahana at the top. It is said the Nawabs used to enter the Kila area with their horses through the Tripaulia Gate. Earlier, the gate was known as Chawk Gate. The Chawk Masjid is just a few metres beside the gate. The Tripaulia Gate was built by Nawab Shuja Khan, the successor of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan.

Kathgola Gardens and Palace

Kathgola Gardens is a sprawling area of gardens, palaces and temples in the heart of Murshidabad, just like an oasis in the middle of the busy town. The complex was built by Rai Bahadur Laxmipat Singh Dugar , one of the leading bankers and zamindars of the early nineteenth century. Well, the garden does not have anything to do with warehouse for timber as the name suggests ( kathgola means timber warehouse). The name has come from “Kath Golap” that means wood rose. Earlier many varieties of wood rose were grown in the garden and hence the name was Kath Golap Gardens.

The entrance of Kathgola itself is huge and quite impressive. Yellow in colour, the entrance has huge Corinthian pillars, stucco floral designs and a Nahabatkhana adorned with beautiful stained glass. Once you enter the gate, you will come across the huge garden that mainly has mango trees. If you look around, you will see 2 statues of a person on horseback on either side of the pathway. The statues are probably of the Dugar brothers. The entry ticket gate is next.

After you enter the premises, the first thing that will come is the Baoli on your left. The Baoli was once in a very bad state, but now it has been renovated. Well, this is just a stepwell and not any secret passage as a few guides will claim. There is a statue of a lion and a marble statue of a man. On the right, you will find a zoo. It was once a private zoo, but now it has lost its sheen. We did not visit the zoo.

Next, comes the grand 3-storied mansion with a pond in front. Go to the other side of the water body and you will get beautiful pictures of the mansion and its reflection on the water. This mansion is also a beautiful example of fusion architecture that was so prevalent during those times. The mansion has now been converted to a museum and houses marble statues, huge chandeliers, Italian marbles, porcelain artefacts, old rosewood furniture, Belgian mirrors, paintings and other antiques. Photography is not allowed inside the mansion just like that in Hazaduari.

Just close to the yellow mansion, another dilapidated building is standing. This one used to be the Zenana Mahal or the women’s quarters. If you walk down a little, the beautiful Adinath Temple dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara is located at one end of the garden. The temple was built in 1933, while the idol is said to be almost 900 years old. There is a water body in front of the temple where you can do boating.

Ticket Price: Rs10/-

Kathgola Gardens is a huge complex. Be ready to walk around a bit. I would suggest you to wear comfortable shoes for visiting these places.

House of Jagat Seth & Pareshnath Temple

Jagat Seth was the title given to the insanely rich businessmen of the area who were also the financers to the Nawab and other zamindars . It was the title given to the descendants of Manik Chand, who had come to Murshidabad from Rajasthan for business. In 1715, Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar conferred the title of “ Nagar Seth (Banker of the city)” to Manik Chand.

After the death of Manik Chand, his nephew Fateh Chand became his successor and achieved much success. Fateh Chand was given the title “Jagat Seth” (banker of the world) by Mughal emperor Mohammad Shah in 1723 .

After Fateh Chand his grandson Mahtab Chand succeeded to the title in 1744. His cousin Swarup Chand was given the title of “Raja”. Both of them were the biggest financiers of that period. They were instrumental in the defeat of Siraj-ud-Daula in the Battle of Plassey.

Jagat Seths were said to be the pioneer in banking in India. There are many stories about the riches of the Jagat Seths. They not only financed the Nawab, but also the Europeans and other feudal lords.

There is an interesting saying about the wealth of Jagat Seth. It was believed that if their wealth were poured into River Bhagirathi, the river would be blocked by the immense treasure of Jagat Seth! Roben Orme, the official historian of the British East India Company described Jagat Seth as the greatest banker and money changer known in the world at that time.

The present building that is now known as the House of Jagat Seth was perhaps their banking premises. The original house has been devoured by the changing flow of the Bhagirathi River. The house has now been converted into a museum. Here too, you can get a guided tour of the museum where you can see antique furniture, coins, utensils and old dresses.

There is Pareshnath Temple at the premises of the house of Jagat Seth.

Tomb & Mosque of Azimunnisa Begum

Well, Azimunnisa Begum has a gory history. We found the place to be very beautiful, but the story was a bit difficult to digest. Begum Azimunnisa was the daughter of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan and was believed to be a nymphomaniac. That we don’t have a problem with, but the story goes on to say that she used to eat the livers of children. The Begum once had a life-threatening disease . She was advised to eat the livers of freshly slaughtered children as a remedy. She did so and got well, but this became an unhealthy habit for the Begum. She did not stop having livers (Kalija) of children. She was thus known as Kalija-Khaki Begum . She was later buried alive because of her misdeeds.

We actually do not know whether or not to believe the story. We leave it to you to decide. But the tomb of Begum Azimunnisa is located below the entrance stairs, just like that of her father, Nawab Murshid Quli Khan.

Namak Haram Deori

Namak Haram Deori is actually the dilapidated gate of Mir Jafar’s palace. Nothing much remains of the palace now. It is believed that it is under this gate that Mir Jafar’s son Miran stabbed Siraj-ud-Daula to death. There is another saying that Siraj was actually killed at Hira Jheel Palace. The Hira Jheel Palace was also totally destroyed after the death of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula.

According to popular belief, Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula was betrayed by his own relatives and men and so he lost to Robert Clive despite having more military strength than the British. Mir Jafar betrayed the Nawab. Henceforth, the gate of his palace came to be known as Namak Haram Deori or Traitor’s Gate .

Jafarganj Cemetery

Adjacent to the Namak Haram Deori is the Jafarganj Cemetary. The graves of the family of Mir Jafar lies in this cemetery. The cemetery has the graves of Mir Jafar, his wives, his son Miran and his other family members. The grave of Humayun Jah is also located here. Interestingly, the graves of the women are enclosed within the walls. In death also the women remained pardahnashin (inside the veil) .

If you walk through the cemetery, you might come across some interesting white and blue coloured tiles. These ceramic tiles are on the floor and mainly depict the lifestyle of the British.

Nasipur Palace

Nasipur Palace is clearly the lookalike of Hazarduari in Murshidabad. Nasipur Rajbari was the property of Debi Singh, who had arrived from Panipat to Murshidabad for trading. Gradually he became the tax collector for the British and was said to be the most stone-hearted and sadistic feudal lord of his time. If taxes were unpaid, he used to hang the people to death, which is quite an extreme form of punishment.

The house was initially in a bad state, but now it has been renovated and turned into a museum. There are 2 storeys with a flight of staircase and an imposing façade. The yellow building with green doors, windows and façade look quite beautiful from a distance. The Nasipur Rajbari has a temple located inside, a nat mandir and long corridors.

At Nasipur Rajbari, you will invariably come across the pictures of Hirabai . She was the dream girl of the eighteenth century. Tall and elegant, Hirabai used to be the main attraction of the parties thrown by Debi Singh.

Wasif Manzil

Wasif Manzil is a beautiful palatial structure built by Nawab Wasif Ali Mirza as his residential mansion. It is located between the Hazarduari Palace and the South gate of the Nizamat Fort campus. The original palace was destroyed during the earthquake of 1897 and was later rebuilt in 1904.  The palace has some rare artefacts but was lying in utter neglect. Recently, the place has been renovated and turned into a museum.

Motijheel is a beautiful horse-shoe shaped lake located about 3 km from Wasifi Manzil. The lake was created on the orders of Nawazish Muhammad Khan, the son-in-law of Nawab Alivardi Khan. He had also built a beautiful palace named Sang-i-dalan along with a gateway and a mosque here. Nothing remains of the palace. Only a part of the mosque remains and it is known as the Motijheel mosque . The grave of Nawazish Muhammad Khan is also placed in the mosque. His widow, Ghaseti Begum lived in the palace after his death. In 1756, Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula took over the mosque, ransacked it and carried great treasures from here with him . He built a similar lake and a beautiful palace known as Hira Jheel on the other side of the Bhagirathi River . Nothing remains of Hira Jheel as well. It was totally destroyed after the death of Siraj.

Motijheel is also known as the Company Bagh because of its association with the East India Company. Motijheel served as the residence of Robert Clive in 1765 when he came to negotiate with the Nawab for transfer of Dewani to the East India Company. Warren Hastings too had stayed here during 1771-73.

Terracotta Temples of Azimganj

The Baranagar area of Azimganj has some beautiful terracotta temples. These temples were built by the pious Rani Bhabani of Natore (now in Bangladesh) during the 18 th century. Rani Bhabani was well known for her philanthropic deeds. She was also a celebrated patron in Kashi (now Varanasi) . She had built 380 asylums in Benaras, guest houses and temples. She encouraged Hindu learning and bestowed large endowment for the spread of education. She had built a number of Hindu temples at Murshidabad and Natore. Infact, Azimganj area came to be known as the Kashi of the East , because of her.

Many of the temples do not remain now. But the few that remains at Baranagar gives a testimony of some of the finest examples of Bengal temple architecture and terracotta work. Once in Baranagar, you must visit the exquisite Char Bangla Temple, Bhabaniswar Temple, Gangeswar Jor Bangla Temple and Panchanan Shiva Temple.

Khosh Bagh lies on the other bank of the Bhagirathi River. Usually, after your visit to the Lalbagh area, take a country boat from the ferry ghat near Hazarduari to Khosh Bagh or the garden of happiness. At Khosh Bagh lie the graves of Nawab Siraj-ud-daula, his wife Lut-fun-nessa and Nawab Alivardi Khan, grandfather of Siraj. The grave of the Siraj-ud-Daula and Lut-fun-nessa lies inside a mausoleum in a simple manner without any trace of extravaganza.

Khosh Bagh was built by Nawab Alivardi Khan. The garden was later maintained by begum Lutfunessa after the death of Siraj. It is believed that once 108 varieties of roses once bloomed in the garden. There might not be so many left now, but the place is still peaceful and a sense of happiness prevails once you are at Khosh Bagh. The place also has other graves of the Nawab family, many of which have not yet been identified.

Cossimbazar Area

Cossimbazar was a bustling port during the heydays of Murshidabad. Cossimbazar was also a fortified area, especially after the Battle of Plassey in 1757. Located less than 10 km from Murshidabad town, Cossimbazar has some interesting attractions. The most interesting place to visit is the Cossimbazar Chhoto Rajbari (Cossimbazar Palace of the Roys) . The Roys had settled in Cossimbazar and had made a fortune by trading in silk. The palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel.

The Cossimbazar Boro Rajbari or Cossimbazar Palace is also another interesting place to visit, but it is in ruins now. You can also visit the Dutch and English cemetery, the Armenian Church of St. Mary’s, Byaspur Shiva Temple and the Pataleshwar Shiva Temple.

You will need another day in your itinerary if you want to explore Cossimbazar area.

The Jain Temples of Azimganj

Azimganj has a rich history and heritage. The twin cities of Azimganj and Jiaganj were the place where the Rajasthani merchants came and settled down. With them they brought down their own tradition, food and culture and blending with the local culture, a unique community, the Sheherwalis emerged.

The Sheherwalis were Jains by religion and they had built a number of Jain temples around the region. There are nearly 9 Jain temples in the Azimganj area. You can simply walk around or take a Toto (e-rickshaw) and visit these beautiful Jain Temples.

Our Hazarduari – Murshidabad Itinerary

To explore Murshidabad and around, you need at least 2 days at your disposal. 3 days will definitely be better. How you plan your Murshidabad trip depends largely on your choice of accommodation. If you are staying at Cossimbazar, then your trip will start from there and then visit Murshidabad. If you are staying at Murshidabad, then the trip starts there and then you will have the option to visit Cossimbazar area or the Azimganj area according to your interest.

Here we are giving the itinerary that we had followed with the help of Bari Kothi, Azimganj, the only heritage hotel in Murshidabad.

Day 0: Arrival at Bari Kothi

We arrived at Bari Kothi in the dead of night. We had taken the Howrah-Katihar Special and arrived at Azimganj Station at 1.45AM. From there Bari Kothi was about 10 minutes Toto ride.

Day 1: Local sightseeing at Murshidabad

After having a hearty breakfast by the Bhagirathi River, we took a country boat and crossed the river to the other side. We arrived at the jetty near Hazarduari. We explored the Hazarduari Palace complex along with the Nizamat Imambara, Bacchawali Tope, Madina and the Clock Tower. We also saw the Tripaulia gate just outside the Hazarduari Palace.

Next, we took an e-rickshaw (Toto) for exploring Murshidabad. You can also take a tonga ride (horse carriage) if you fancy. The next in line was the Katra Mosque, Jahankosha Cannon, Fauti mosque, the tomb of Begum Azimunnisha, Namak, Haram Deori, Jafarganj Cemetery, Nashipur Rajbari, the House of Jagat Seth and the Kathgola Gardens. After that, we returned back to Bari Kothi.

If you start early, then you can also cover Wasifi Manzil and also visit Khosh Bagh on the other side of Bhagirathi. We were a bit late and so had to miss Khosh Bagh this time. We had, in fact, visited Khosh Bagh on our previous visit and after that also made our way to Motijheel. So if you have enough time, you can put all these in one day itself.

In the evening, a cultural performance was arranged by our hosts.

Day 2: Sightseeing at Azimganj and Jiaganj Area and Return to Kolkata

We started early with and went for Azimganj Heritage walk. We visited the Jain Temples in the area and a couple of old mansions of the area. We visited the Mansion of the Nowlakhas and the Singhi Mansion.

After breakfast, again we took the boat and visited Baranagar to explore the terracotta temples. After that, we again crossed the river by a local ferry to Jiaganj to visit the Tantipara. This is the place where the famous Murshidabad silks are weaved. After seeing how the threads spin themselves into exquisite sarees, we returned back to Bari Kothi. After having our lunch, we started for our return journey to Kolkata.

This was the itinerary we had followed. If you have one more day in hand, you can visit Cossimbazar area as well.

How to reach Murshidabad

The best way to reach Murshidabad from Kolkata is by train. The distance is about 200 km by road. There are a number of trains available from Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata Station.

The best bet would be to take the Hazarduari Express that leaves Kolkata Station at 6.50AM and reaches Murshidabad Station at 11.10 AM.

Alternatively, you can also take the Ganadevata Express from Howrah at 6.05AM and reach Azimganj Station at 12.15PM.

You can check the train timing at Indian railway website.

Where to stay in Murshidabad

There are a number of hotels in Lalbagh area of Murshidabad as well as near Murshidabad Station. But all these hotels are in the budget category and do not expect proper service in these hotels. The best budget option to stay is the Bahrampur Tourist Lodge by the WB Tourism.

If you want to experience heritage and luxury stay in Murshidabad, then Bari Kothi will be your destination. This boutique luxury hotel located in Jain Patty, Azimganj is a 250 years old property now renovated to provide utmost comfort and a royal experience to their guests. They provide full package to their guests that include stay, food, local tour and cultural experience. For booking, send them a mail at [email protected]

Best Time to visit Murshidabad

The best time to visit Murshidabad is between November to February when the weather will remain cold. At Murshidabad, you have to roam around a lot and a cool weather will be an advantage.

Mangoes in Murshidabad are also quite famous. So if you want to visit during the mango season, then late May to June is the best time.

A few more pictures of Murshidabad

Murshidabad is a beautiful place, only if you wish to explore it and listen to its tale. Hope you liked the post. Please let us know your thoughts by commenting below. Please share it with others.

Pin it for a later read!

Agni Amrita

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12 comments.

Thanks to you both. You really enhanced my thirst to visit Murshidabad.

Thank you so much for your kind comment. I am sure you had a wonderful trip.

Thank you Agnimitra for such a wonderfully informative piece. I revisited the place of my boyhood days long back in the early fifties.

Thank you so much for this lovely comment. It definitely brought a smile! 🙂

Such neat detailed writing!!

Thank you so much! Glad you liked it!

The pictures were amazing. It tells us about the glory of the past. Would love to visit the place.

Thank you so much Madhusree for the kind words. Hope you visit there soon!

Wonderful writeup with details n amazing photos. Thanks.

Thank you so much, Tanushree.

Brilliant would be an understatement. I would like to connect with you to know some details. Is there any email address you can provide where I can contact you.

Thank you so much. Please connect with us at [email protected]

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Top 13 Best places to visit in murshidabad

• by Mohammad Affan
• December 31, 2023 December 31, 2023

Murshidabad, a city rich in history and culture, entices visitors with a tapestry of architectural marvels and tranquil surroundings. This West Bengal historical jewel reveals a treasure trove of delights. Hazarduari Palace , embellished with a thousand doors, exemplifies the grandeur of a bygone period.

Now, talk about The places to visit in murshidabad are The majestic Nizamat Imambara tells stories of religious diversity and architectural grandeur. Kathgola and Khushbagh , set among lush gardens, offer peace and historical echoes.

The scenic Moti Jheel and Baranagore Strand offer tranquil riverside retreats. Murshidabad promises a voyage through time, embellished with palaces , mosques , and cultural icons that weave the enthralling narrative of this regal city, from the luxurious Wasef Manzil to the historic Nasipur Palace.

Table of Contents

1. hazarduari palace (places to visit in murshidabad).

Hazarduari Palace , a regal testimony to the region’s rich heritage, is located in Murshidabad, West Bengal. This renowned structure, which translates to “Palace of a Thousand Doors,” not only has a spectacular appearance but also houses centuries of royal legacy within its walls.

The palace, which was built in the nineteenth century, now functions as a museum, housing an enormous collection of artefacts such as firearms, paintings, and magnificent antiques.

Visitors are transported back in time as they walk through the palace’s myriad chambers and passageways, each telling the story of the Nawabs that once graced its halls. Hazarduari Palace stands as a proud sentinel, beckoning visitors to immerse themselves in Murshidabad’s grandeur and cultural past.

2. Nizamat Imambara (places to visit in murshidabad)

Nizamat Imambara , a magnificent architectural marvel in Murshidabad, West Bengal, is a tribute to religious significance as well as creative brilliance. It was built in the nineteenth century and is one of India’s largest Imambaras, functioning as a place of worship as well as a symbol of community harmony.

The structure’s one-of-a-kind architectural design, with enormous doors and a massive hall, displays a blend of Islamic and European forms. Nizamat Imambara is historically notable for witnessing significant occurrences throughout the Nawabi dynasty.

Its tranquil environment and spirituality continue to captivate visitors today, inviting everybody to explore the junction of faith and architectural splendour in this cultural enclave.

3. Katra Mosque (places to visit in murshidabad)

The architectural jewel Katra Mosque in Murshidabad, West Bengal, stands as a mute testimony to the city’s historical tale. This mosque, built in the 18th century, features an amazing blend of Indo-Islamic architecture, with detailed carvings and delicate embellishments. “Katra,” the mosque’s name, refers to the market area that originally surrounded it, providing layers of historical background to its significance.

The majestic domes and elegant minarets that embellish the skyline fascinate visitors. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Katra Mosque provides a hallowed area for prayer and thought, enabling both devotees and history buffs to immerse themselves in the spirituality and architectural splendour that distinguish this Murshidabad cultural icon.

4. Kathgola Garden (places to visit in murshidabad)

Kathgola Gardens , a lush oasis in Murshidabad, West Bengal, provides a peaceful retreat steeped in history. These gardens, nestled among lush foliage, are filled with relics of a bygone era, including the famous Kathgola Palace.

It began as a pleasure garden in the 18th century and has since evolved into a tranquil hideaway. The well-kept pathways carry tourists through stunning ponds and lovely scenery, providing a serene mood.

The vestiges of the past stand as silent witnesses to the tales of the Nawabs and their leisurely hobbies among the flora. With its ageless beauty, Kathgola Gardens welcomes visitors to meander through history and nature, providing a break from the hectic world outside its walls.

5. Nasipur Palace (places to visit in murshidabad)

Nasipur Palace , an enthralling architectural jewel in Murshidabad, West Bengal, tells stories of regal splendour and cultural legacies. This palace, built in the 18th century, displays a harmonious combination of European and Indian architectural traditions. Nasipur Palace, surrounded by beautiful flora, has withstood the test of time, standing as a tribute to the grandeur of the Nawabi era.

Originally built as a mansion, it now sits in stunning seclusion, providing tourists with a look into Murshidabad’s splendour and historical richness. With its magnificent facades and regal ambiance, the palace draws history and architecture fans to discover the stories carved inside its walls and courtyards.

6. Wasef Manzil (places to visit in murshidabad)

Wasef Manzil , a prestigious palace in Murshidabad, West Bengal, tells a story of architectural elegance and historical significance. This mansion, built during the Nawabi period, exhibits a fusion of European and Indian architectural elements. Wasef Manzil was previously the home of renowned Wasef Ali Mir, a wealthy nobleman.

From the elegant doors to the spacious courtyards, the mansion’s meticulous detailing transports visitors to a bygone era of wealth and sophisticated taste. Wasef Manzil is now a cultural landmark, inviting those interested in history and architecture to discover the complexities of a nobleman’s lifestyle as well as the continuing appeal of Murshidabad’s architectural heritage.

7. Khushbagh (places to visit in murshidabad)

Khushbagh , a tranquil garden in Murshidabad, West Bengal, provides a tranquil haven surrounded by historical value. Khushbagh, which houses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah and his family, translates to “Garden of Happiness.” The rich vegetation and well-kept pathways provide a calm ambiance, offering guests a place for reflection and relaxation.

Khushbagh’s historical origins and the solemn beauty of the tombs add to the garden’s particular attractiveness, making it a poignant destination for anyone seeking a blend of nature and historical meditation in the heart of Murshidabad.

8. Khirasara Palace (places to visit in murshidabad)

The sumptuous Khirasara Palace in Murshidabad, West Bengal, is a monument to imperial majesty and architectural magnificence. This palace, built during the Nawabi dynasty, exhibits a perfect blend of Indian and European architectural elements.

Khirasara Palace functioned as a dwelling for the elite, surrounded by spacious grounds and embellished with beautiful craftsmanship. The stately structure, with its expansive courtyards and exquisite facades, provides a look into aristocratic life in the past.

Today, the palace continues to attract visitors with its historical appeal, inviting them to immerse themselves in the enchantment of a palace that whispers tales of a regal past and discover the rich tapestry of Murshidabad’s cultural legacy.

9. Jafarganj Cemetery (places to visit in murshidabad)

Jafarganj Cemetery in Murshidabad, West Bengal, is a historical burial site that tells the history of the locality. This Nawabi-era cemetery contains one-of-a-kind tombs and graves, each providing a quiet tribute to the lives and legacies of people interred here.

The architectural complexities of the tombs show a synthesis of cultural influences from the time period. Visitors can connect with the historical narratives inscribed on weathered gravestones at Jafarganj Cemetery, which gives a sad trip through time.

The quiet ambiance and historical significance make it a place of introspection, providing a glimpse into Murshidabad’s unique cultural tapestry and the lives of those who fashioned its past.

10. Kala Masjid (places to visit in murshidabad)

Kala Masjid , in Murshidabad, West Bengal, is a famous mosque known for its distinctive architectural characteristic – its distinctive black colour. With its dark facade, this old mosque, also known as the Black Mosque, stands out among the surroundings, producing a stunning visual contrast. Kala Masjid, built during the Nawabi dynasty, is culturally and architecturally significant.

The mosque’s solemn beauty and historical origins draw visitors, and it provides a tranquil location for prayer and reflection. Kala Masjid is a captivating location for people visiting Murshidabad’s rich heritage due to its architectural uniqueness and serene ambiance.

11. House of Jagat Seth (murshidabad tourist place)

The House of Jagat Seth in Murshidabad, West Bengal, bears financial clout as well as historical significance. This mansion, which once belonged to the powerful Jagat Seth family, famous financiers during the Nawabi dynasty, represents grandeur and cultural richness.

The house, as the region’s financial nerve centre, played a critical role in the region’s economic affairs. It now exists as a relic of a bygone period, with vestiges of its architectural splendour displaying a fusion of Indian and European elements.

The House of Jagat Seth welcomes guests to explore the corridors of financial history and a glimpse into the heritage of a family that shaped Murshidabad’s economic landscape.

12. Azimunnisa’s Manzil (murshidabad places to visit)

Azimunnisa’s Manzil is a lovely home in Murshidabad, West Bengal, that exudes historical charm and architectural grace. This mansion, named for Azimunnisa, a notable figure during the Nawabi era, is a monument to the region’s cultural and historical riches. The architectural aspects of the mansion, from exquisite carvings to intricate designs, reflect a blend of Indian and European influences.

Azimunnisa’s Manzil carries the history of a bygone period, offering visitors to walk back in time and experience the luxury and sophisticated taste that characterised Murshidabad’s nobility. The historical significance and architectural allure make it an intriguing destination for anyone visiting this regal city’s cultural tapestry.

13. Karnasubarna (murshidabad tourist spot)

Karnasubarna , an archaeological site near Murshidabad, West Bengal, reveals ancient ruins and historical relics. This site contains a wealth of historical artefacts and structures that provide insights into the region’s rich history.

Karnasubarna, thought to have been an important centre during ancient times, welcomes explorers and history buffs to explore the archaeological wonders dispersed across its vastness.

Excavations at the site uncover the foundations of ancient structures and artefacts that reflect the stories of civilizations that previously thrived in this region, providing a glimpse into Murshidabad’s cultural and historical legacy.

What is the historical significance of Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad?

Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad is historically significant because it was the residence of the Nawabs during the nineteenth century. Today, it serves as a museum, displaying a rich collection of artefacts like as firearms, paintings, and antiques.

Tell me about the architectural features of Nizamat Imambara in Murshidabad?

Nizamat Imambara is known for its distinctive architectural design, which includes wide doors and a big hall. It was built in the nineteenth century and represents a combination of Islamic and European architectural elements, making it one of India’s largest Imambaras.

What is the story behind Khushbagh in Murshidabad?

Khushbagh is a Murshidabad park that houses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah and his family. The name translates as “Garden of Happiness,” and the rich foliage, along with old tombs, makes a tranquil setting for introspection.

Can you elaborate on the historical importance of Karnasubarna in Murshidabad?

Karnasubarna is a nearby archaeological site that provides glimpses into ancient civilizations. Excavations expose structure foundations, providing vital insights into the region’s cultural and historical legacy.

What role did the House of Jagat Seth play in Murshidabad’s history?

During the Nawabi dynasty, the House of Jagat Seth was an important financial centre. It once belonged to a renowned banking family and had an important part in defining Murshidabad’s economic landscape, reflecting richness and financial eminence.

Finally, Murshidabad emerges as an enthralling destination, weaving a tapestry of historical treasures and architectural marvels. The city tells stories of Nawabi riches and cultural richness, from the grandeur of Hazarduari Palace to the calm Kathgola Gardens.

Nizamat Imambara and Katra Mosque are architectural marvels, while the calm Moti Jheel and Baranagore Strand provide respite. The regal charm is enhanced by Wasef Manzil and Nasipur Palace, while Khushbagh offers a poignant historical refuge.

Furthermore, Karnasubarna and the House of Jagat Seth highlight the region’s archaeological and financial legacies. Murshidabad encourages visitors to immerse themselves in a voyage through time, experiencing the historical and cultural splendours that distinguish this lovely city in West Bengal.

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Murshidabad Travel Guide

Murshidabad is a town in Murshidabad district of North Bengal and is located on the southern banks of the river Bhagirathi. The per-colonial history of Bengal is thoroughly linked with the rise, development and decay of the city of Murshidabad. It had oversaw all the proceedings of the 18th century eastern India and provided the podium from which the colonial benefits had launched themselves and later became an Imperial power in 1857. 

In early 17 th century Emperor Aurangzeb sent his Diwan Kartalab Khan at Murshidabad for collection of revenue during his regime. A huge amount of money pleased Emperor and he named Kartalab as Murshid Kuli Khan.Later, in a cunning strategical move, Murshid Kuli shifted the executive power centre of Bengal to the city of Murshidabad- the prime life force of North India and almost in the geographic centre of the Province in 1701. After Murshid Kuli, his son in law Suja-ud-Daulla reigned the city till 1739. In 1740, the Nawab Nazim of Bihar, Aliwardi Khan defeated descendants of Suja in the Battle of Giriya and occupied Murshidabad. Henceforth the power shifted from the hands of the dynasty of Murshid Kuli to that of Aliwardi. Since Aliwardi had no son, he chose his grandson Siraj-ud-Daulla to sit on the thrones of Murshidabad, thus initiating the fall of the empire.

The rule of Siraj-ud-Daulla is perhaps the most prominent in the history of Bengal. The rift with the British Raj that started from the time of Murshid Kuli, widened during the reign of Siraj and ultimately culminated in the Battle of Plassey (1757) which saw the death of Siraj-ud-Daulla as a result of betrayal by Mir Jafar and his associates.

The city which was once a power hub of Bengal, even now is carrying the legacy of the royalty with innumerable memorials and mausoleums. A visit to Murshidabad will definitely transport you to the golden age of Bengal’s prosperity and will bring the history alive!

How to Reach Murshidabad

• By Air – Reach Kolkata by flight. It is 204 km away from Murshidabad. You can hire a private car and head off for Murshidabad.
• By Rail – Berhampore Court is the main station which is connected with Sealdah Station at Kolkata. The Bhagirathi Express & the Lalgola Passenger from Sealdah reach Berhampore Court Railway Station in 5 to 6 hours.
• By Road – Murshidabad is very well connected from Kolkata by road. The distance of Berhampore, the District capital town of Murshidabad is 195 Km from Kolkata. Tourist taxi, hired car, auto-rickshaw are available from Berhampore to visit the tourist spots at Murshidabad town.

Distance of Murshidabad from Below Places:

Murshidabad temperature:.

• Summer (Mar to Jun) — Temperatures are hot and range between (24°C) to (38°C)
• Monsoon (Jul to Sep) — Regular rainfall happens. Not a good season for tourists
• Winter (Oct to Feb) — Temperatures are moderate and range between (9°C) to (24°C)
• Best Season to Visit — Oct to Feb is the best season for tourism

What to See in Murshidabad

Hazarduari palace.

Photo by Shaunak Roy, CC BY -SA 3.0

The  Hazarduari Palace or the palace with a thousand doors is the principal tourist attraction of Murshidabad. This three-storey magnificent edifice was built in 1837 by Duncan McLeod for the Nawab Nazim Humaun Jah, descendent of Mir Zafar. It has thousand doors and 114 rooms and 8 galleries, built in European architectural style in the area of 41 acres. It is now a museum and has an exquisite collection of armoury, paintings, various works of art including beautiful works of ivory and many other valuables. 

The Armoury has 2700 arms in its collections of which only few are displayed. Swords used by Siraj-ud-Daulla and his grandfather, Nawab Aliwardi Khan, can be seen here. The other attractions in this floor are Vintage Cars and  Fittan Cars  used by the Nawab and their families. The library containing rare collections is not accessible to the public unless special permission is obtained

Char Bangla Temple

Photo by Amitabha Gupta, CC BY -SA 4.0

Char Bangla Temple is a famous tourist spot of Murshidabad, located at the old towns of Azimgunj. Azimgunj is a famous town on the heart of Murshidabad. This old sacred temple is actually sheltered by the Baranagar town which means the ‘Big City’ in Bengali and describes how stretched the complete area is for making business.

Rani (Queen) Bhabani made this wonderful monument in memory of his dead husband after returning back from Nator. Queen Bhabani was a loyal follower of Lord Siva and made this temple to earn virtues from him and patronized all the temples dedicating to him. But sadly few among them are only left now. Tourists take huge interests on making short trips to Char Bangla Temple, not to earn divine virtues only but to witness the arts on walls also. The town of Baranagar started gaining enormous popularity for producing the magnificent ‘Terracotta’ arts and crafts among the world traders. The piece of ‘Terracotta’ arts is found on the walls of the Char Bangla Temple which are real delight for all the tourists

Photo by Utpal Basu, CC BY-SA 3.0

Khosh Bagh is a nice place and worth tourist visits from both the historical and architectural point of views. Khosh Bagh has earned a huge amount of goodwill in recent past and the number of tourists gathering has been increased over the years. This place is actually a cemetery which is stretched up over an area of around 8 acres. Khosh Bagh was built right on the opposite banks of the River Bhagirathi. The souls of the famous Nawab family of Bengal starting from Nawab Alivardi Khan, his mother, his daughter to his grandson Siraj-ud-Doula and his wife Lutfannesha and many other members are resting in peace beneath the graves here. Tourists take special interests in visiting this place.

Khosh Bagh offers the delight of listening to many unheard stories from the history of Bengal from the local guides and inhabitants. Besides seeking the historical anecdotes tourists can also arrange beautiful habitats there near the banks of River Bhagirathi with their friends, relatives and loved ones. Local people often arrange beautiful camp activities for the tourists which are highly enjoyed by everyone. Tourists from all over Bengal and even from the other states of India prefer to visit this place

Jahan Kosha Canon

Photo by Ansuman Bhattachraya, CC BY -SA 3.0

Jahan Kosha Cannon is a nice sight and a wonderful piece of history of Bengal. It is located proudly at Katra of Murshidabad district and still an iconic symbol of warfare in Bengal. Jahan Kosha Cannon was built by the famous gunsmith of that time; named Janardan Karmakar in the year of 1637 AD and in the town of Dhaka during the rule of the great Mughal King Shah Jahan. It was built to pay homage to him when Islam Khan used to be the Subahdar of Bengal.

The wholesome construction of this canon took place under the prior instructions of Daroga Shree Muhammad and the supervision of Shri Hara Ballav Das. The literal meaning of the name of Jahan Kosha Cannon is ‘The World Destroyer’ and known for its strong external looks by the visitors and the locals. Jahan Kosha Cannon measures around 17.5 feet in length and 3 feet in width. It weighs around 16,880 lb as a whole. Tourists always prefer to make their visits to this place and also enjoy the beauty of the historical mosque of Kadam Sharif which is constructed right adjacent to the Jahan Kosha Cannon

Jalangi River

Photo by Susantab, CC BY-SA 3.0

It is actually a famous branch of the River Ganges and flows between the districts of Nadia and Murshidabad. It is a old river and have proud references in the mythological stories. Tourists prefer to visit this place because of its natural bliss and climatic behavior. Tourists often take interests in visiting the beautiful place of Ghurni which is located at a bank of Jalangi River and considered as the center of clay doll making. It is very closely located from Krishnanagar town which shares strong evidences in the cultural history of Bengal. Krishnanagar is always famous for producing clay dolls which are highly exported to almost every corners of the country.

The art of making dolls in Ghurni attract thousands of tourists from everywhere. The famous town of Mayapur where Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born is located on the other confluence of Jalangi and tourists can take boat rides to this place. The changing color of the water in Jalangi River is a marvelous sight for any tourist and they like to enjoy it during the daytime from the beautiful and small family boats. Tourists can also opt for the public boats in minimum fares.

Nizamat Imambara

Photo by Sarfarazit08, CC BY -SA 3.0

Parallel to the north facade of the Hazarduari, stands the Nizamat Imambara, built in 1847 AD by Nawab Nazim Mansoor Ali Khan Feradun Jah, son of Humaun Jah, after the Imambara built by Siraj-ud-Doula had been destroyed by fire. It took only eleven months to construct this Imambara. The Imambara, which is the largest in Bengal, is perhaps the largest in India. It is divided in three large quadrangles. There are massive pillars, floor decorated with Chinese tiles, fountains etc. There is also a shrine inside the Imambara. The top of the arches and pillars also contain extracts from Koran Sharif.

Katra Mosque

Photo by Alangkrita, CC BY -SA 4.0

This magnificent building is about one and a half km from Murshidabad Railway Station on the Berhampore-Lalgola Road. This imposing structure was built by Nawab Murshid Kuli Khan in 1723-24 and it remains one of the most significant tourist attractions. The stunning structure with its enormous cupolas and tall minarets has a humble cemetery of the Nawab below the front staircase. This brick-built mosque is surrounded by a row of double storied domed cells which form a cloister to the courtyard

Nashipur Palace

Photo by Surjasen, CC BY -SA 4.0

It is a miniature replica of Hazarduari palace. It was built in 1900 by Raja Kirti Chandra Sinha Bahadur and it still stands as a mystic beauty with its varied depictions of Hindu iconography

Kathgola Garden House

Photo by Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY -SA 3.0

At Mahimapur, a few yards from Nashipur Palace, there are the ruins of the old banking office of the famous Jagat Seth. It is an ornate four story palatial mansion with a beautiful garden. The interior is created with imported materials and with extreme precision.  The Kathgola complex also contains 18 th century Adinath Temple. A typically Jain style ornamentation is found here as the Seths were Jain by religion

Photo by Ansuman Bhattacharya , CC BY-SA 3.0

This is a horse-shoe shaped lake which once had been a part of Bhagirathi, says history. Within the bend of the lake, there was a beautiful palace and a mosque made by son-in-law of Nawab Aliwardi Khan. After his death, his widow Ghaseti Begum lived here until the conquest by Siraj-ud-Daulla who not only took over the palace but looted a huge amount of treasures

Other Details

• Sightseeing would take up the entire day and would be a pretty hectic one. So evenings can be left for relaxing. You can sit beside the river and enjoy the breeze with some local sweets.
• You can enjoy boating in Moti Jheel Lake.

Where to Eat

• There are numerous hotels and guest houses in Murshidabad where you can enjoy your daily meal. The local restaurants generally serve authentic Bengali cuisine. Restaurant are neat and well equipped with clean cutlery and sitting arrangements. Food is generally tasty. They serve bottled beverages as well. Foreign liquor can be obtained from Berhampore.
• If you sit for lunch in a roadside eatery near Hazarduary, first ask if the menu follows meal-system or a-la-carte and the rate. Else you may feel cheated after the lunch is over.
• The sweets and curd of Murshidabad is pretty well known. One must try the Chhanabora and Mishti Doi available at a very affordable price

What to Buy

• There are numerous shops selling souvenirs, copper utensils, chatai, shola work and many such handicrafts.
• Murshidabadi silk and Baluchari sarees are world famous. You can take your pick and even visit one or two artisan’s house.
• Tanga or Horse Carts are one of the major attractions of the historical city. Although they are reducing in number day by day and thus charging a very high rate for a short distance, you can once try out these for the feel of an era bygone.
• Auto Rickshaws are ample. Do not forget to bargain before you fix the destination. Hiring a car from the hotel is also a safe option

Top Destinations - West Bengal

– Bakkhali – Bindu – Bishnupur – Buxa Tiger Reserve – Chapramari – Chilapata – Darjeeling – Digha – Jhalong – Lataguri – Jairambati – Jaldapara – Jayanti – Kalimpong – Kamarpukur – Lava – Lolegaon – Mandarmani – Murti – Murshidabad – Rishop – Samsing-Suntalekhola – Santiniketan – Sundarbans – Tajpur – Tarapith

Popular Tour Plans - West Bengal

1-3 Days  1. Murshidabad (2N/3D)  2. Digha (2N/3D)   3. Tajpur (2N/3D)   4. Bakkhali (2N/3D)  5. Sundarbans (2N/3D)  6. Kamarpukur-Jairambati-Bishnupur (3N/4D) 4-6 Days  1. Bakreshwar-Tarapith-Santiniketan (4N/5D)   2. Mandarmani-Digha (4N/5D)  3. Jaldapara-Chilapata-Buxa Tiger Reserve-Jayanti (5N/6D)  4. Lava-Lolegaon-Rishop (6N/7D)  5. Darjeeling-Gangtok (6N/7D)   7-10 Days  1. Jaldapara-Lataguri-Murti-Chapramari-Jhalong-Bindu-Suntanekhola (8N/9D) ​  2. Darjeeling-Kalimpong-Pelling-Gangtok (9N/10D) ​  3. Darjeeling-Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung (9N/10D)  4. Darjeeling-Pelling-Gangtok (8N/9D) >10 Days  1. Darjeeling-Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung-Pelling (11N/12D)

Top Things to Do in Murshidabad

Things to do in murshidabad, explore popular experiences, top attractions in murshidabad.

Other Top Attractions around Murshidabad

What travelers are saying

• Hazarduari Palace Museum
• Katra Masjid
• Motijheel Park
• Kathgola Gardens

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MURSHIDABAD

The last capital city of independent Bengal before British rule was named after Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the Dewan of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi, it is a city of splendours and is famous for its silk. It was made the capital of Bengal in 1717. The British shifted the capital to Kolkata in 1773. Plassey (Palashi), where the historic battle was fought in 1757 between Nawab Siraj ud-Daulahand Lord Clive of the East India Company, is only 40 km south of Murshidabad.

At a Glance

District head hq.

5,324 Sq Kms

71,04,000 (Ref: Census 2011)

Best time to visit

February and March, October, November, December

Average Rainfall

Bengali, English

Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha Ramadan Durga Puja

Places of Interest

Gokarna Karnataka Lalgola Jahangirpur Beldanga Murshidabad Dhulian Suti

Special Feature

Distance from kolkata.

The Hazarduari Palace The palace with a thousand doors, is the chief tourist attraction of Murshidabad. Built in 1837 by Duncan McLeod for the Nawab Najim Humaun Jah, a descendant of Mir Zafar, it has a thousand doors (only 900 are real) and 114 rooms and 8 galleries. It is now a museum and has an exquisite collection of armour, splendid paintings, exhaustive portraits of the Nawabs, beautiful works of ivory from China and many other valuable works of art

By Air:  The nearest airport to Hazarduari palace is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport at Dumdum, which is 192 km away approximately. There are a number of transport facilities available from Dumdum to reach Hazarduari palace. By Train:  The closest railway station to house of Hazarduari palace is Murshidabad which is well connected with Howrah and other major railway stations. By Road:  The Hazarduari palace (Murshidabad) is well connected by road with the other major cities in India.

Nizamat Imambara It stands parallel to the north face of the Hazarduari Palace. Built in 1847 AD by Nawab Nazim Mansoor Ali Khan Feradun Jah, it is the largest Imambara in Bengal and is perhaps the largest in India. Around the palace are other attractions such as the Wasef Manzil by the bank of the Ganga, Tripolia Gate, the Dakshin Darwaza, the Chak Darwaza, the Gharighar, the Bachchawali Tope (a cannon) and the Madina, the only surviving structure built by Siraj-ud-Doula.

Nizamat Imambara

By Air:  The closest airport to Imambara, Murshidabad is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. By Train:  The closest junction to Imambara, Murshidabad is Murshidabad Railway Station. By Road : Imambara, Murshidabad is well-connected to all nearby foremost places within the state or to its neighbouring states via road network like Kolkata, Burdwan, Rampurhat, Suri, Bolpur, Malda, Krishnagar and Durgapur. West Bengal State Road Transport Corporation (WBSRTC) and some private travel services connects Imambara , Murshidabad with various parts of the state of West Bengal, and cities of nearby states.

Jafarganj Cemetery Opposite the Deuri, 1.5 km north of Hazarduari is the Zafraganj Cemetery. There are more than 1000 burial sites of Mirzafar and his family here. Along the gate, third from the eastern end lied Mirzafar. Mirzafar's wives Mani Begum and Baboo Begum were also laid to rest in this graveyard.

JAFARGANJ CEMETERY

Buxa Fort is located at an altitude of 867 meters in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar. Buxa fort is about 30 kms from Alipurduar town and about 18 kms from Rajabhatkhawa. From Rajabhatkhawa, you have to enter the forest and drive for about 14 kms to reach Suntalabari. From here a trek of about 4 kms will take you to the fort. The Buxa Fort is one of the prime attractions of Buxa Tiger Reserve. It is located on a hilltop about 30 km from Alipurduar town. The fort area is famous for the ruins of the Detention Camp used by the British Government for detaining freedom fighters of our country, located at an altitude of 2600 ft above see level the Buxa Duar is a popular hiking destination.

Jahankosha Cannon A quarter of a mile to the south east of Katra Mosque is Tope Khana, the site of the Nawab's Artillery Park and the east entrance gate of the old capital, protected on the east, throughout the length of the eastern limits of the city, by Gobra Nala, known locally as the Katra Jheel. Here lies the great gun called the Jahan Kosha "destroyer of the world", which originally rested on a carriage with wheels, embedded in a peepal tree which had grown by its side and held it about four feet high from the ground lifting it up en masse. The wheels have disappeared. The iron work of the carriage and the trunnions are still visible. The cannon is made of a composition of eight metals, namely gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, iron and tin. It is 17 ft and 6 inches long, with a girth of 5 ft at the touch hole end. The diameter of the touch hole is 1-1/2 inches, and that of the orifice is 6 inches. The cannon weighs about 7,900 kgs and 17 kgs gunpowder was required for a single shelling.

JAHANKOSHA CANNON

By Air: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, situated in the state capital Kolkata, is the closest airdrome, situated at a separation of around 195 km from Berhampore, the headquarter town. There are standard flights that unite the air terminal to alternate urban communities in the nation and over the globe. After de-boarding from the air transporter, visitors can reach Murshidabad, with the assistance of roadways or rail lines. By Rail: Berhampore Court is the primary station that joins the area of Murshidabad with Kolkata and alternate urban communities of West Bengal. There are consistent trains that join the station to the Sealdah station in Kolkata. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to cover the separation. There is another rail route station, called Khagraghat, adjacent. Situated at the inverse bank of stream Bhagirathi, it is very much associated with the Howrah Station in Kolkata. The station is additionally joined by nearby prepares from Katwa, Salar, Bandel and Howrah. By Road: There are general transports that utilize to Berhampore (headquarter). There are tate claimed transports, which have an end at Berhampore, there are private transports also. Transports from the neighboring towns of Burdwan, Rampurhat, Suri, Bolpur, Malda, Krishnagar and Durgapur additionally utilize to Murshidabad routinely.

Katra Masjid Katra Masjid is situated about a mile in the north eastern side of Murshidabad town and is only 3 Kms from Murshidabad Railway Station. It was built by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan in 1137 A.H., (1723 A.D.) The Mosque was built within 1 year by an architect named Murad Farash. Standing on a 54 mtrs high square plinth, this brick built Mosque is surrounded by a row of double storied domed cells which form a cloister to the spacious courtyard in its front. Four huge minars were built at four corners of this quadrangle of which one in the North West and the other in the south west are now surviving. Octagonal in shape the minars taper upwards. There is a winding staircase inside each minar which leads to the top. The Mosque is approachable by a flight of fourteen steps from the east. Below the steps of the Mosque Murshid Quli Khan's mortal remains lie buried from 1727 AD. The Mosque stands on a high platform within a square courtyard measuring 50.60 mtrs on each side. The Katra compound can accommodate 700 Koran readers. In the compound within the Mosque 2000 people can offer Namaz at the same time.

KATRA MASJID

The nearest airport to Katra Masjid is Rajshahi Airport, rajshahi which is 34 km away from Katra Masjid. The nearest railway station to katra masjid is Azimganj Railway Station which is 6 km away from Katra Masjid.

House of Jagat Seth The Jagat Seth was a rich business and Money lender family in Murshidabad, Bengal during the time of Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah.

HOUSE OF JAGAT SETH

By Air:  The nearest airport to house of Jagat Seth is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport at Dumdum, which is 195 km away approximately. There are a number of transport facilities available from Dumdum to reach house of Jagat Seth. By Train:  The closest railway station to house of Jagat Seth is Murshidabad which is well connected with Howrah and other major railway stations. By Road:  The house of Jagat Seth (Murshidabad) is well connected by road with the other major cities in India.

Nasipur Palace The miniature of the Hazarduari, the Nasipur Royal Palace is situated a little to the north of Akhra, very close to Jagat Seth's house. It was built in the 2nd half of the 19th century by Raja Kirtichand Bahadur who came from Panipath to do business and later who became famous during the devastating famine of 76 as a revenue collector of the British company. The palace is also known as the house of Debi Singha. Though the palace is in ruins now, numerous Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu Purana are still in existence. The Jhulan of Nasipur is also famous. A little distance away is the Akhra of Ramanuj sect - Mohandas Ashram.

NASHIPUR PALACE

By Air:  The nearest airport to Nasipur palace is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport at Dumdum, which is 195 km away approximately. There are a number of transport facilities available from Dumdum to reach Nasipur palace. By Train:  The closest railway station to Nasipur palace is Murshidabad which is well connected with Howrah and other major railway stations. By Road:  The Nasipur palace (Murshidabad) is well connected by road with the other major cities in India.  

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 lived here. The Khosh Bagh cemetery is built over 7.65 acres of land.

By Air:  The closest air terminal is at Kolkata, situated around 195 km from Murshidabad. The airplane terminal is very much joined by flights to Indian urban communities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru. From the airplane terminal taxi administrations are accessible for Murshidabad. By Train:  Murshidabad rail route station is joined via trains to Howrah, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmadabad and a few other Indian urban communities. Taxi administrations are accessible from the station. By Road:  Mushidabad is all around joined by street. State-run transports from Kolkata, Burdwan, Rampurhat, Suri, Bolpur, Malda, Krishnagar and Durgapur do employ frequently to Murshidabad. One can likewise contract a taxi to reach Murshidabad from the aforementioned spots.

How To Reach By Air: The nearest airport is NSC Bose Airport, Kolkata to Murshidabad. By Train: Berhampur Court is the nearest station and is well connected to Kolkata. By Road: Berhampur and Kolkata are very well-connected to the rest of India via country's road network. Buses ply frequently from Kolkata to Murshidabad and Berhampur.

How To Reach By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, connecting Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. By Train: There is a railway service connecting Cooch Behar with Kolkata via New Jalpaiguri. One can also avail the railway service via Alipurduar. By Road: Siliguri is the gateway to the Dooars. Cooch Behar, being the headquarters of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation, is well connected by long distance bus routes to Siliguri as well as Kolkata, Jalpaiguri, etc.

Department of Tourism government of west bengal

"Banglar mati, Banglar jol"....West Bengal is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse states of India. The people of West Bengal inherit their identity and aspiration from the larger Indian mosaic. One can still recapture the colonial era in its relics which survived the state's progressive development.

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Tourism Centre at 3/2, B.B.D. Bag (East), Kolkata - 700 001, Phone: (033) 2243 6440 --> Tol Free No.: 1800 2121 655 Mob: 90733 86803, 90733 86804, 90733 27315. Online Booking: www.wbtdcl.com

Tourism centre at 3/2, b.b.d. bag (east), kolkata - 700 001, phone: (033) 2243 6440 tol free no.: 1800 2121 655 mob: 90733 86803, 90733 86804, 90733 27315. online booking: www.wbtdcl.com.

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Tourist Map of Murshidabad

For query related to Murshidabad tour please mail at [email protected]

** This map is not in scale. Can be used as a reference work only. For any suggestion please mail at [email protected]

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Author: nilanjan basu

i am nilanjan... interested in traveling and photography since my childhood and be inspired by other similar souls. i am working with some alternate tourism module and still searching for a better one based on sustainability. i basically act as a consultant on rural based sustainable ecotourism. my hobby is for creative endeavors in the rural field in india! thank you for visiting my profile! go green! go rural. View all posts by nilanjan basu

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