Murshidabad

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

By train
is on the Ranaghat–Lalgola line of the Kolkata Suburban Railway. Other than local trains, there are three express trains from Kolkata to Murshidabad, namely Bhagirathi Express, Hazarduari Express and Dhano Dhanye Express. From Howrah, you can take Ganadevata Express, Balurghat Express, Malda Town Intercity Express or any other Azimganj-bound trains to reach Azimganj. Then you have to reach Murshidabad from Azimganj by ferry or road.

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

Get around
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
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

Do

 * 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

 * Other things include Shola art, brass, copper and Kansha items.
 * Other things include Shola art, brass, copper and Kansha items.
 * Other things include Shola art, brass, copper and Kansha items.

Eat and drink
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.

Go next

 * Baharampur (Berhampore) — about 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.