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Location
Murshidabad, the grand heritage of Bengal is distanced at 182 kilometers from Kolkata and just about 11 kilometers from Behrampore.
History
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A city of grand stature, Murshidabad, has been named after the Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, who was the Diwan of Bihar, Orissa, and Bengal, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The Nawab had made the city his capital in 1716 AD and it continued to be the same under the succession of various other rulers, till in 1869 AD when it was constituted as a municipality.
The city has been a host to a number of battles from that of The Battle Of Plassey, that took place between Lord Clive and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula, to The Sepoy Mutiny against the British in 1857 AD. Its dry earth and ancient air shrieks loud of the events that took place in history. Hiuen Tsiang, the Chinese globe-trotter illustrates in his travelogue the various trade and commercial activities that took place from here. His book also states that Karanasubarna, a city near Murshidabad was the very first capital of Bengal. |
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Attraction
One of the most prominent cities in Bengal, the place Murshidabad is of immense historical significance. It constitutes ancient monuments and forts that speak bold of the turmoil they have witnessed in the past.
The Hazarduari Palace, built in 1837 by Duncan Macleod, in the European style of architecture, is a museum of thousand doors that pulls a good deal of visitors. Then there is the Nimak Haram Deohri or the Traitors Gate, the Khusbagh, the Garden of Happiness, which is a boat-ride over the river where Siraj is buried. The Katra Mosque stands in a market place. It is encompassed by an array of two-storied dome chambers. Among other attractions, the eminent ones are Moti Jhil - the Pearl Lake, the Great Imambara, the Nasipur palace, Topkhana, Wasif Manzil, the Jain Parashnath Temples, the Bhavaniswar Temple , Syedabad and the Jafraganj
Cemetry.
Another significance of the place is in its abundance in the production of rich silk and handicrafts. The beautiful Baluchari sarees that are weaved in here are famous all over the world.
Special
Events
The most celebrated festival in the region is Muharram. While in September, the occasion of Bera-Bhasan is also performed on the heart of the vast
Ganga.
Fact File
Apart from its heritage, Murshidabad has now emerged as a significant educational centre, comprising of eight institutions under the Kalyani University.
Murshidabad, with its ancient beauty, is a must-visit for all those who are yet to be touched by its cultural heritage.
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