Discover Murshidabad
Accommodation in Murshidabad
Murshidabad tells its story through palaces, burial sites and religious buildings, but also through silk weaving, which is considered Murshidabad’s most important cottage industry. Those interested in Bengal’s past will find a variety of points of interest here, from residential architecture and cemeteries to historic trading sites. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding which of these different themes to prioritise rather than viewing Murshidabad as a single attraction.
Palaces, buildings and historic sites
The present-day Nizamat Imambara was built in 1847 by Nawab Mansur Ali Khan and is considered the largest imambara in India and Bengal. Another notable landmark in the history of the city’s architecture is Hazarduari Palace: Duncan McLeod built it in 1837 for Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah. The two buildings represent different chapters in the city’s history. The Jahan-Kosha Cannon is also useful for orientation. It stands in Topekhana, in the city of Murshidabad, a quarter of a mile southeast of the Katra Mosque.
Even smaller architectural details tell stories of the past. The four-storey Kathgola Palace is located in the Kathgola Gardens. Cossimbazar Rajbari of the Roy family is considered an outstanding example of European and Indian architecture and has been restored to its former splendour. Nashipur Palace was converted into the Nashipur Rajbari Museum. Items on display there include personal belongings of the Nashipur royal family, farmans and legal documents relating to tax collection at the time. Those particularly interested in history and administration will find different insights in this collection than in the palaces.
Burial sites and religious heritage
Jafarganj Cemetery was established by Mir Jafar on an area of 3.51 acres within a walled enclosure. It contains the graves of the later Nawabs of Bengal from the Najafi dynasty, beginning with Mir Jafar, as well as those of their family members. The cemetery is currently controlled and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Khushbagh contains the graves of the Nawabs of Bengal from the Afshar dynasty and their family members. Both sites offer a glimpse into dynastic history, with the respective burial sites belonging to different families.
The Armenian Church in Saidabad, Berhampore, was founded in 1757 and is considered the oldest Armenian church in eastern India. At the tomb of Azimunnisa Begum, a ruined mosque commemorates a building she had commissioned. Azimunnisa is also known as Jinnatunnisa Begum. The tomb itself is associated with another distinctive detail: she is buried beneath its staircase; the year 1734 is given as the date.
Waterfront sites, silk and cultural experiences
Not every historic attraction is a palace or a burial site. Moti Jhil, also known as Pearl Lake, is one of the places of historic interest in Murshidabad. Bishnupur Kalibari is located on the bank of Bishnupur jheel. These two sites offer a different backdrop to the area’s history, without promising the same kind of experience. Silk weaving, meanwhile, points to an important cottage industry in Murshidabad and complements the architectural and dynastic history with a craft tradition.
Cultural events include the Bera Utsav in Lalbagh. It takes place on the banks of the Bhagirathi near the Nawabs’ palace. The festival features traditional dance and music, as well as a fireworks display on the riverbank. For those interested in local festival traditions, this offers a different focus from visiting buildings or historical collections.
The Dutch Cemetery also points to another historical connection. It is located in Kalkapur, beside Cossimbazar railway station; Dutch factories were established in Kalkapur in 1666. The name House of Jagat Seth refers both to a Bengali Jain family of bankers and to the title of the family’s eldest son. Such places and names broaden the exploration of Murshidabad beyond the Nawabs.
Getting there and other places
For travel by train, Murshidabad and Berhampore Court railway stations are connected by trains to Howrah, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad and other Indian cities. State-run buses regularly connect Murshidabad with Kolkata, Burdwan, Rampurhat, Suri, Bolpur, Malda, Krishnagar and Durgapur. These connections may be relevant when choosing your starting point: consider whether you want to focus your trip mainly on historic buildings and collections or on cultural and craft-related themes.
Other places that help you get your bearings in the area include Gokarna and Madhurkul. When choosing a holiday rental for your trip, it is worth first deciding which aspects of Murshidabad interest you most. This will help you align your accommodation search with your planned focus, without reducing the area’s different historic sites and experiences to a single sightseeing itinerary.
For a broader travel overview: West Bengal.
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