The Hazarduari Palace, formerly known as the Bara Kothi, is a majestic palace located on the grounds of Kila Nizamat in Murshidabad, West Bengal. This magnificent palace holds a significant place in India’s history.
It is placed near the Bhagirathi-Ganga River and was built in the 19th century under Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah, the then-ruler of Bengal. The complex where it stands, was originally the site of the old fort of Murshidabad.
ADVERTISEMENT
The name Hazarduari translates to “the one with a thousand doors,” and the palace lives up to its name. It is an alluring spot as it mirrors a part of the past in the present times and shows us how life and its aspects were in those times.
In this article, you will get to know the following points about the Hazarduari Palace,
- Timings
- Ticket price
- How to reach
- Architecture
- Attractions
- Things to do
- Best time to visit
- Nearby attractions
Let’s see each of these points in detail.
Timings of Hazarduari Palace
| Saturday – Thrursday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
ADVERTISEMENT
Ticket price of Hazarduari Palace
The ticket price or entry fee to the Hazarduari Palace is,
| For Indians | Rs. 5 |
| For Foreigners | Rs. 100 |
How to reach Hazarduari Palace
| District | Murshidabad |
| Kolkata to Hazarduari Palace distance | 232 kilometers |
The best way to reach Hazarduari Palace from Kolkata is to take a train to Mursidabad Railway Station. It takes about 4 hours to reach. You can then take an Auto or a taxi to Hazarduari (about 10 minutes). The approx. cost of the train tickets is ₹160-900 (may vary). Some of the recommended trains are Hazarduari Express, Dhano Dhanye Express, Sealdah-Lalgola Local, etc.
ADVERTISEMENT
In case you are traveling by car, you can travel via NH12. It will take you about 5 hours to reach.
If you are willing to travel by bus, you can take NBSTC or WBTC buses to Berhampur or Mursidabad. The price of the tickets is between ₹600-800.
Hazarduari Palace architecture
The Hazarduari Palace was designed by the architect Duncan Macleod in a blend of Italian and Greek (Doric) styles of architecture. The palace stands at 80 feet high, with a length of 130 meters and a width of 61 meters.
There are a total of 1000 doors, out of which only 110 are real. The rest of the doors are false and were meant to confuse any thieves or intruders who would try to steal or escape from the palace. This was a clever security measure to deter the enemies.
The palace consists of three stories and has huge gates, so much so that even humongous elephants with a Mahout sitting on them can enter comfortably. Musician’s galleries were there above the main gateways which were also called the Naubat Khanas.
ADVERTISEMENT
In front of the splendid palace, there is a magnificent staircase with 37 steps, spanning 108 feet in length. A striking statue of a lion can be seen at the base of the staircase.
Inside the royal palace, there is a Darbar hall that was used for official meetings by the Nawab. In recent days, the Darbar Hall has been converted into a flourishing museum that showcases priceless artifacts from that era.
Attractions in Hazarduari Palace
The museum is the main attraction of the palace apart from its architecture and the surrounding greenery. It displays paintings, artifacts, weapons, such as the sword of Siraj-Ud-Daula, and much more. The museum consists of 20 galleries and features an entrance porch with a Victoria carriage and a camel carriage.
In the lobby, there are paintings and photographs of historical events and the Bengal Movement. A section of the lobby exhibits stuffed animals, hunting equipment, and armories.
In the galleries, you will find precious metal objects like ivory and silver artifacts. There are beautiful landscape paintings, portraits of the prince, Nawab Nizam, some British portraits, etc. Also, there is the main hall, drawing room, Billiards room, and a few religious and decorative objects meant for everyday use.
Things to do in Hazarduari Palace
- Go around the entire palace and admire it from the outside.
- Look at the mesmerizing architecture inside out and learn about the history.
- Explore the interiors together with all the other priceless things that are showcased there.
- Know about the time when the building was constructed and what are the events that the structure had seen.
- Sit on the green carpet grass while experiencing the essence of the past.
- Walk through the pavements adoring the entire view of the palace with the gardens.
- Witnessing the chandelier is a must.
- Click pictures of yourself and the palace from outside.
ADVERTISEMENT
Best time to visit Hazarduari Palace
October to March is the best time to visit Hazarduari.
The weather remains blissful for all the escapades and the area is in full blossom. The journey and the exploration will be comfortable during this time.
Other attractions near Hazarduari Palace
| Attraction | Distance from Hazarduari Palace |
|---|---|
| Hirajheel | 11 kilometers |
| Motijheel | 3.2 kilometers |
| Rosnaiganj Garden | 13 kilometers |
| Cossimbazar Choto Rajbari | 10 kilometers |
| Dutch Cemetery | 9 kilometers |
Now that you have come to know about this historic site, what do you think of it? Has it made you plan a trip yet? If not, make one quickly and travel towards it as soon as the winter rolls in. It is a place worth visiting in Murshidabad.
Not only history enthusiasts but all will be enraptured once they visit. Know a bit more about our past and create new memories.
Some other articles you might like
- Neora Jungle Camp (Lataguri) – How To Book, Accommodations
- Jayanti (Dooars) West Bengal – Attractions, Best Time To Visit
- Abanindranath Tagore’s Garden House | Konnagar Bagan Bari
- 8 Best Places For A One Day Tour From Kolkata 2024
- Chandannagar Museum (Hooghly) – Timings, Ticket Price, History
- 4 Best Places To Visit In Bolpur-Shantiniketan (West Bengal)
Disclaimer: Some of the links provided in the article may contain affiliate links. This means when you book or buy something using these links, you help support the website at no extra cost.