Name: Murshidabad
Rating: 3.4

Hazarduari Palace, Murshidabad Overview

Spread over a massive area of 41 acres, the magnificence of Murshidabad's Hazarduari Palace is second to none. This stunning structure spreads over a massive area of 41 acres on the Kila Nizamat campus, and its splendour is second to none. The breathtaking palace is located on the banks of River Bhagirathi and is famous for its grandeur. Tourists from all over the world flock this attraction every year to escape the present and get a glimpse of the Nawabi lifestyle. The name roughly translates to 'a thousand doors' as this palace is embellished with a thousand ornamental gateways. Out of these, 900 doors are real, and the rest are false doors which were built to confuse any intruders. The construction style of the palace is an amalgam of Italian and Greek architectural styles and is a great example of Murshidabad's rich cultural heritage.

The palace is located on the eastern banks of the Bhagirathi river within an enclosure called the Kila Nizamat. The perimeter of the palace also houses the Nizamat Imambara, Wasif Manzil, Bacchawali Tope and the Murshidabad Clock Tower.

In its earlier days, the palace was a regal mansion, but now it has been converted into a museum of priceless relics. Ranging from Siraj-ud-Daula's prized swords to the vintage cars owned by the Nawabs, this destination has amassed the life and times of Mir Jafar's dynasty.

Construction of Hazarduari Palace

The Hazarduari Palace was built in the 19th Century when Bengal was under the power of Nawab Nazim Humayun Jha. Duncan Macleod was the architect appointed for the construction of the palace, the foundation stone of which was laid in August 1829. The location where Hazarduari Palace is located was the site for the Nizamat Kila was demolished to build Hazarduari. The construction went on till 1837.

It is said that the foundation bed runs so deep that then Nawab had to take the aid of a ladder to go down and lay the foundation stone. The atmosphere that deep was so suffocating and the Nawab Fainted and had to be brought up. It was only after he came back to conscious that the foundation stone was laid. The enchanting palace is now considered as a Heritage Monument and is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Architecture of Hazarduari Palace

The Hazarduari Palace is considered as a marvellous architectural illusion that has ever existed in India. The regal palace has a thousand doors out of which only 110 are real, and the rest are forged. Historic researchers state that the fake doors were meant to confuse the intruders in case of attacks or intrusions. It served as a brilliant security trick to keep the intruders at bay and protect the Nawabs.

The palace is built in the Italian and Greek styles of architecture and has three storeys. It has gates grand enough for an elephant to pass with a Mahout sitting on it. Above the main gates are musician's galleries, also known as Naubat Khanas. The magnificent flight of stairs right in the front of the enrapturing palace consists of 37 steps that are 108 feet long. At the base of these stairs is a magnificent statue of a lion. The structure houses a Darbar meant for official meetings during the regal era of the Nawabs. This darbar is now converted into a museum that exhibits priceless relics belonging to the Nawabs.

Enclosures Within Hazarduari Palace

The Nizamat Kila, which houses the palace, also plays host to some other monuments of significance. The Nizamat Imambara is a Hall of Shia Muslim congregation located right in the vicinity of the palace. The ancient clock tower of Murshidabad also finds a place here.

The Madina Mosque and Chowk Masjid are important shrines of the Bengali- Muslim community here. The Bacchawali Tope is a spectacular cannon that finds a place between the Nizamat Imambara and the Hazarduari Palace. If you actually wish to indulge in the Nawabi lifestyle, set a day aside for the Hazarduari Palace!

Artefacts in Hazarduari Palace

For a history buff, this place can turn out to a fascinating journey. The Hazarduari Palace is a safe house for many distinctive historical relics and is divided into museum galleries. The most notable exhibits here are lavish paintings, distinguished weaponry and marble statues, which constitute a small part of a broad array of different artifacts.

Hazarduari Palace Museum

The Hazarduari Palace Museum is a famous tourist attraction exhibiting beautiful artefacts, paintings, weapons like Siraj-Ud-Daula's swords, statues and vintage cars that once belonged to the Nawabs of the 18th century. The museum has twenty galleries spread across the huge property and has an entrance porch that has a Victorian carriage and a camel carriage on display. The lobby is adorned with photographs, paintings historic events and monuments of Bengal. A part of this lobby is used to exhibit hunting equipment, stuffed animals and armouries.

The Galleries exhibit armouries like various kinds of swords, shields, spears, bow and arrow, daggers, knives, guns, pistols, rifles, revolvers, cannons, paintings, statues, precious metal objects like silver and ivory artefacts. Some galleries are dedicated only to display a marvellous collection of landscape paintings from the era while some are just to demonstrate British Portraits, Portraits of Nawab Nazim, Portraits of the Prince, Dewans and Nazirs. The others are the Archive gallery, the Royal Darbar, the Billiards Room, the Drawing Room, the Main Hall, Religious Objects and a wide range of decorative objects meant for daily use.

Nizamat Kila

Nizamat Kila was once a palace belonging to the Nawabs of Murshidabad. It was where the Old Murshidabad Fort was located and where the present Hazarduari Palace stands. Today, when people talk about Nizamat Kila, they mostly refer to the site where the Hazarduari Palace is along with other structures namely, the Chawk Masjid, the Murshidabad Clock Tower, the Nizamat Imambara, Madina Mosque, Bacchiwali Tope, Wasif Manzil, Shia Complex and two Zurud Mosques. The property also has the Nizamat College or the Nawab Bahadur Institution.

Best Time To Visit Hazarduari Palace

The best time to visit Hazarduari Palace is between October and March as the weather is pleasant to explore the region.

Tips For Visiting Hazarduari Palace

1. Parking space is available.
2. Photography is not allowed inside the premises.
3. Carry enough water to keep yourself hydrated.

How To Reach Hazarduari Palace

The palace lies at a distance of 3 kilometres from the Murshidabad Railway Station, from where you can easily hail local transport to this destination.