Footi Mosque or masjid as it called in Urdu is an unfinished work of Nawab Sarafaraz Khan. It is located at a distance of a mile from Hazarduari Palace. Though unfinished the mosque has some unique architectural features that attract tourists to this spot. It is said that Sarafaraz Khan built this structure in one night.
Tag: Wasef Manzil
Kathgola Palace, Murshidabad
The Kathgola Palace built in the garden premises of Raja Dhanpat Singh Dugar and Lakshmipath Singh Dugar is located in half a km South-East part of Mahimapur (modern Nashipur) town in Murshidabad. It is an impressive structure constituting a central drawing room, a library, billiard room, bedroom and dining room. Built during 1870s as a rest house amidst the garden it has porches on all 4 sides. The pool sides are beautiful providing natural ventilation. The fantastic view of the countryside from the second floor will mesmerize you. Also there is the Adinath Temple which is of immense importance to the Jains.
Image Source: Flickr
Nasipur Palace, Murshidabad
According to Holiday HotSpot, Nasipur Palace, old name Mahimapur Raj Bari is one of the primary attractions of Murshidabad which generally brims with visitors. Constructed in 1723-24 by Murshi Quli Khan this imposing structure has high minarets, huge domes and also a cemetery of the Nawab just below the staircase. Ramachandra Temple, one of the largest temples in Murshidabad is inside the palace compound. The Nasipur Palace is only 1.5kilometers from the Railway station on the Berhampore-Lalgola route.
Image Source: Flickr
Nimak Haram Deori, Murshidabad
Nimak Haram Deori is the main gate leading to Mir Jafar, the traitor’s palace Jafargunj. It is located at a distance of only 1 kilometer north from the magnificent Hazarduari. Visitors cannot enter into the palace as it is well guarded. This palace stands as the memorial of the darkest hour in the history of Bengal as Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah was killed here in an act of the betrayal. This assassination was decisive in the colonization of Bengal and India.
Photo Courtesy: Tarun Pradhan, Flickr/Rajib Kumar Bhattacharya
War Memorial at the Battle of Plassey Ground, Murshidabad
The battle ground of Plassey lying on the banks of the Bhagirathi River holds lot of historical significance. The British East India Company defeated the last independent Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757 which decided the fate of Calcutta and India. The British built the war memorial in the same year and the statue of The Nawab was erected by West Bengal government in the recent times. Mir Jafar, the commander-in-chief of the Nawab’s army betrayed him by accepting bribe from Lord Clive sealing the fate of slavery for Indians for the next 200 years.
Image Source: Flickr
Mosque at Khoshbag Cemetary, Murshidabad
This mosque is located inside the premises of Khoshbag which is the final resting place of the Nawabs belonging to the Afshar dynasty ruling Bengal. It has the tombs of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah, his wife, grandfather and grandfather’s mother. Located on the west bank of Bhagirathi River, this is a famous toursist spot.
Cemetery of Siraj-Ud-Daula (Khoshbag ), Murshidabad
The cemetery of Siraj-ud-Daulah or Khoshbag as it is popularly known as is located at the Bhagirathi River bank in the west. The tomb is also shared by his wife, Lutf-un-nisa and his grandfather, Alivardi Khan. Basically Khoshbag is home to the tombs of Nawabs from the Afshar dynasty. Khoshbag covers an area of 7.65 acres of land. This is a prime holiday hotspot and thus secures a permanent place in other listings on the most notable tourist attractions in Murshidabad.
Moti Jheel near Lalbagh, Murshidabad
Moti Jheel, literal meaning Pearl Lake is a charming horseshoe shaped lake located 1 kilometer south of Lalbagh. The land adjoining Moti Jheel witnessed the celebration of Lord Clive after he acquired Bengal, Bihar and Orissa in 1765. It was also home of Warren Hatings during his tenure as Political President at Nawab Nazim’s durbar in 1771 AD. Moti Jheel is also referred to as the ‘Company Bagh’ because it was occupied by East India Company for a long time. Holiday HotSpot has also found out that the only existing building in the area is the Shahamat Jang.
Following are the other leading spots within Mitijheel:
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]
Ruins of Mitijheel Palace
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]
Motijheel Mosque
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]
Motijheel Cemetery
[/column]
[/row]
Jahankosha Canon near Katra Mosque, Murshidabad
Jahankosha canon also known as the Great Gun, exactly means the “Destroyer of the World” weighing 16,880 lb is 17.5 feet long with a girth of 5 feet at the touch hole end. The diameter of the touch hole is 1.5 inches and the diameter of the orifice is 6 inches. The celebrated canon is located at a short distance of 1 kilometer from Katra and was constructed in the 17th century by a craftsman named Janardan Karmakar belonging to Dhaka. There is a mosque named Kadam Sarif close to the canon which is said to house the replica of Hazrat Mohammad, the Prophet’s footprint.
The cannon is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Image Source: Flickr
Wasef Manzil: Some Facts
Wasef Manzil, alternately known as Wasef Manzil or New Palace had been constructed by Nawab Wasif Ali Mirza Khan. It is placed by the banks of the Ganges river while you’re heading towards the south from the back of Hazarduari (a major attraction here). The entire building was constructed under the able supervision of Surendra Barat, a Bengali engineer and Mr. Vivian, who was the officer of the Public Works Department of the Nadia Rivers Division. The building which shares a proximity to the Hazarduari Palace was exclusively used by the Nawab as his palace.
The 1897 earthquake had destroyed substantial portions of the palace. There were restoration attempts made later but without the second storey that had come down in minutes after the earthquake. The palace is actually built between Hazarduari Palace and Dakshin Darwaza, on the Nizamat Fort Campus. It’s just parallel to the Bhaghirathi- Hooghly River and just opposite the South Zurud Mosque of the campus.
The palace had majorly been designed as a castle with tiny corner turrets on the corners. The palace, which is now maintained by the Archeological Survey of India has a semi-circular pediment with the Nawabs of Murshidabad’s coat of arms on it. The garden space in front of the palace has several marble statues and a fountain. Framed by a neat iron railing, the palace has a Norman archway as the main entrance. The statues and staircases are etched out of marble and serve as tourist attractions as well.
How to reach Wasef Manzil
The driving distance from Murshidabad to Wasef Manzil is 2 kms. Depending upon traffic conditions you can reach this place within 5-10 minutes.
Transportation
Murshidabad is a major tourist hot spot in West Bengal. It receives thousands of footfalls every year and the number is increasing with every passing day. You can reach Murshidabad by train, bus or flight since it is well connected by all these routes. From Murshidabad you can rent a car for Wasef Manzil. The two nearest railway stations are Baharampur Court and Murshidabad railway Station.
Kolkata has the nearest 9to Murshidabad) airport connected with flights to major cities.
Accommodation
Grand World Hotel and Hotel Sonar Bangla are the two nearest accommodations near Wasef Manzil.