Murshidabad - A Lost Capital

Natural Division
Murshidabad was situated on what was known as the island of Cossimbazar, bounded by the Padma on the north, the Bhagirathi on the west and the south, and the Jalangi on the east and it lies between 23° 43' and 24° 52' north latitude and 87° 49' and 88° 44' east longitude. Malda is situated on the north side of the district. Birbhum on west side, Burdwan on south side and Nadia is on the east. The river Bhagirathi, flowing from north to south through the district, divides it into two almost equal portion. Murshidabad was a Political, Cultural, Economical and Social Capital of Bengal.
The district derives its name from Murshidabad, where the provincial revenue headquarters was shifted from Dacca in 1704 by Murshid Kuli Khan (Jafar Khan), the Diwan of Bengal. It's former name was Mukhsusabad (Makhsusabad or its variant Makhsudabad), means the Select Ciy. It is said that the earliest name was Masumabazar or the market-town founded by some noble's wife.
For the first half of the eighteenth century, the history of Murshidabad is the history of the progress of the Mohammedan Government of Bengal, while the latter half represents the history of the decline of the Mohammedan and the rise of the British power in that province. After the grant of the Dewani to the East India Company in 1765, Murshidabad still continued to be the capital of independent Bengal. From 1717 until 1880 AD, three successive Islamic dynasties namely the Nasiri, Afshar and Najafi ruled Bengal from Murshidabad. Murshidabad accounted for 5% of world’s GDP, And all the wealthy Nawabs, Zamindars and Tax Collectors stayed within 1 sqaure km of area, called Azimgunj and Jiagunj, They held more money than the total wealth hoarded by British Aristocracy. Her silk and cotton trade attracted the Dutch, the French, the Armenians and the English who established settlements and factories. Adventurers from the Northern India flocked to seek their fortune. Traditionally Murshidabad is famous for its Silk industries, Ivory carving, Textile Industries, Metal industries, Wood and Bamboo works, Clay models. The Bengal silk once drove all competitors, except Italian and China silks, out of English market
 Murshid Quli Khan transferred his capital to the then "Mukhsusabad" later came to be known after Murshid Quli Khan as "Murshidabad" in 1704 A.D. Murshid Quli Khan was born in a south Indian Brahmin family, kidnapped and sold to a rich Muslim as a slave. He was converted to Islam and worded his way up by joining the Mughal army.
After Murshid Quli Khan, his son-in-law Suja-ud-Daulla came in reign of Bengal in 1727 AD and ruled up to 1739 AD.. His mortal remains lies in Farhabag ('Garden of Pleasure') just opposite of Hazarduari Palace on the western bank of Bhagirathi
Murshidabad is truly an historical place, replete with historical & tourist spots. If approached with academic interest it will take at least 12-15 days even a more to cover the whole. A few notable / distinguished tourist spots are here mentioned:-

Barrack Square witnessed first war of Independence i.e. mutiny of Sepoy broke out at 25th Feb. 1857 A.D. There is “Saheed bedi” situated at south-western side of this Barrack Square.
Cossimbazar there are “Bara Rajbari” and ‘choto Rajbari”. Bara Rajbari was built after the grand design of European style where Rabindranath Thakur presided over the first “Bangiya Sahitya Sanmelan”
Of historic interest are Nizamat Kila (the Fortress of the Nawabs), also known as the Hazaarduari Palace (Palace of a Thousand Doors), built by Duncan McLeod of the Bengal Engineers in 1837, in the Italianate style, the Moti Jhil (Pearl Lake) just to the south of the palace, the Muradbagh Palace and the Khushbagh Cemetery, where the remains of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj Ud Daulah are interred.
The present Nizamat Imambara was built in 1847 AD by Nawab Nazim Mansoor Ali Khan Feradun Jah, who succeeded his father Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah in Murshidabad, India. It was built after the fires of 1842 and 1846 which burnt the wooden Imambara built by Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah.
The Katra Masjid (also known as Katra Mosque) is a mosque and the tomb of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan built between 1723 and 1724. It is located in the north eastern side of the city. Its importance lies not only as a great centre of Islamic learning but also for the tomb of Murshid Quli Khan, who is buried under the entrance staircase. The most striking feature is the two large corner towers having loopholes for musketry.
Rani Bhavani of hallowed memory had a long association with Murshidabad. The temples of Baranagore, particularly the Charbangla, temple's mark the quintessence of Bengali art and architecture in the 18th century.

Wriiten by:
Gaurav Samrat