![]() History of Murshidabad Murshidabad was a town and district of British India in the presidency division of Bengal. It acquired its name in 1704 when Nawab Murshid Quli Jafar Khan changed the seat of government from Dhaka to Maksudabad, and named the latter after himself. In 1716, he attained the title of Nawab (ruler) of the Subah (province) of Bengal, and Murshidabad became his capital. It continued to be the capital under a succession of Nawabs, and also under the British until 1790. It was constituted as a municipality in 1869, which remains to the present day. The city of Murshidabad was the last capital of Bengal before the advent of the British era. Even after the British conquest, Murshidabad remained for some time the administrative headquarters. Even though the criminal and supreme court was shifted from Murshidabad to Kolkata initially, the criminal courts were brought back to Murshidabad in 1775.The town continues to be the residence of the Nawab, who ranks as the first nobleman of the province with the style of Nawab Bahadur of Murshidabad, instead of Nawab Nazim of Bengal. The city still bears memories of Nawabs with other palaces, mosques, tombs, and gardens, and retains such industries as carving in ivory, gold and silver embroidery, and silk-weaving. An educational institution is named after the Nawab family. Geography of Murshidabad ![]() Demography of Murshidabad According to the 2001 census, the average population of Murshidabad is close to 40,000. Around 51 percent of the population is made up of males while females make up the rest. The majority population here comprises of Muslims. The average literacy rate of Murshidabad district is 66 percent. Within this, male literacy is 71 percent whereas female literacy is 61 percent. Some Bhumihar Brahmins had settled in Chandipur, Murshidabad during late nineteenth and early twentieth century where they were the local landlords and they are still at the top of the social hierarchy. Tourism in Murshidabad Many places of historical interest are located in the city. Most of them are outstanding examples of the legacies bestowed on the city by various ruling dynasties. Of note among the various tourist attractions here is the Hazaarduari Palace, or the Palace of a thousand doors. It was built by Duncan Mc Leod of the Bengal engineers in 1837 as a nazrana(gift) to the Nawab Nizam Humaun Jha, descendant of Mir Jafar. Other places of interest here include the Khushbagh cemetry where the remains of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj ud Daulah are interred, the Muradbagh palace, the Medina mosque, the Wasef Manzil which is the palace and residence of Nawab Wasef Ali Mirza, the Katra Mosque, Jahan Kosha Cannon, Katgola etc. (Last Updated on : 17-06-2014) |
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Murshidabad, West Bengal