West Bengal · 5 destinations & hidden spots
Murshidabad & Nawabi Bengal Citadel
Constructed in grand Greek Doric style on the banks of the Bhagirathi River for Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah, Hazarduari Palace boasts 1,000 doors (900 of which are optical illusions). Preserved by the ASI, its museum contains armory, the mirror hall, royal chandeliers, and the silver throne of the Nawabs.
Murshidabad & Nawabi Bengal Citadel
Erected in 1723 CE by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan (the founder of Murshidabad), this monumental brick mosque features two towering 70-foot octagonal minarets with winding spiral staircases. Underneath the entrance staircase lies the humble final resting place of the Nawab.
Murshidabad & Nawabi Bengal Citadel
Constructed in 1847 by Nawab Nazim Mansur Ali Khan Feradun Jah, the Nizamat Imambara spans 680 feet in length, making it the largest Imambara in India and Bengal. It features gleaming white facades, ornate prayer halls, and the sacred Medina enclosure.
Hidden Gem
Murshidabad & Nawabi Bengal Citadel
Built in 1904 by Nawab Bahadur Sir Wasif Ali Mirza just south of Hazarduari Palace, Wasif Manzil is designed like a miniature European castle. Preserved by the ASI, the palace boasts semi-circular arches, antique marble statues, and landscaped gardens.
Murshidabad & Nawabi Bengal Citadel
Originally excavated as a horseshoe-shaped lake for natural pearl cultivation by Nawazish Muhammad Khan, Motijheel was the residence of Ghaseti Begum. Later, Lord Clive stayed here after the Battle of Plassey in 1757. Today, it features an eco-tourism park with sound-and-light shows, musical fountains, and boating.