Murshidabad, a historic town on the banks of the Bhagirathi river in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, was the capital of Bengal under the Nawabs through much of the 18th century. It is where the Battle of Plassey in 1757 handed control of Bengal to the East India Company and changed the course of Indian history. Today its riverside spread of palaces, mosques and garden tombs makes it one of the state’s richest heritage circuits, reachable as a weekend trip from Kolkata.
Murshidabad is a heritage town in West Bengal, about 200 km north of Kolkata, best known as the 18th-century seat of Bengal’s Nawabs and as the site of the 1757 Battle of Plassey. Its headline sights are the Hazarduari Palace museum, the Nizamat Imambara and the Katra Masjid, and the comfortable season to visit runs from October to March.
Key takeaways
- Murshidabad, in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, was the capital of Bengal under the Nawabs and the site of the 1757 Battle of Plassey, fought at Palashi to the south.
- The Hazarduari Palace, now an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) museum, charges ₹20 for Indian visitors and ₹100 for foreign visitors, is open 9 am–5 pm and is closed on Fridays (ASI/Museums of India, as of October 2026).
- The best months to visit are October to March, when days are dry and mild; summer and the monsoon are hot and humid.
- Reach Murshidabad by train from Kolkata (the Hazarduari Express, about 225 km, roughly 5 hours) or by road in about 5 hours; the nearest airport is Kolkata.
- Two days are enough to cover the main monuments, with Berhampore town, about 14 km away, as the usual base for hotels.
About Murshidabad and the Nawabs
Murshidabad is a town in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, that served as the provincial capital of Bengal in the first half of the 18th century. The town takes its name from Murshid Quli Khan, the Mughal governor who, according to district records, shifted his capital from Dacca (present-day Dhaka, Bangladesh) to the eastern bank of the Bhagirathi in 1717 and named the city after himself.
Under Murshid Quli Khan and his successors the town grew into one of the wealthiest cities of its day, home to the Nawabs’ court and to bankers such as the Jagat Seths. That era ended at the Battle of Plassey. Fought on 23 June 1757 on the banks of the Bhagirathi near Palashi (Plassey), south of Murshidabad, the battle saw Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah defeated by Robert Clive’s East India Company forces after the Nawab’s commander Mir Jafar defected. The victory passed effective control of Bengal to the Company.
What survives today is a compact riverside landscape of Nawabi monuments on the Kila Nizamat (Nizamat Fort) campus and across the surrounding countryside. Murshidabad remains a working town, so treat its residents and places of worship with respect rather than as a stage set.
Best time to visit Murshidabad
The best time to visit Murshidabad is October to March, when the weather is dry and comfortable for a day of walking between monuments. The town sits on the Gangetic plain, so April to June is hot and the June–September monsoon brings heavy, humid spells. Winter mornings can be misty along the river, which makes early boat crossings atmospheric.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October–March | Dry, mild days; the comfortable window for sightseeing and boat rides. |
| Summer | April–June | Hot and dry on the plains; start early and carry water. |
| Monsoon | July–September | Humid with heavy rain; the river runs high and greenery returns. |
If you want to see the Nizamat Imambara’s interior, note that it opens mainly during Muharram; dates shift each year with the Islamic calendar, so check locally before planning a trip around it.
How to reach Murshidabad
Murshidabad is best reached by train or road from Kolkata, about 200 km to the south; the nearest airport is Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Trains stop at Murshidabad station and at Berhampore Court, the larger town nearby.
The direct option is the Hazarduari Express (train numbers 13113/13114), which, according to published timetables, runs from Kolkata station to Lalgola over about 225 km in roughly 4 hours 50 minutes and stops at both Berhampore Court and Murshidabad. By road, the drive from Kolkata takes about 5 hours along National Highway 12. From Berhampore, Murshidabad town is about 14 km, a 20–30 minute drive by car or auto-rickshaw.
| From | Mode | Distance / time |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | Train (Hazarduari Express 13113) | ~225 km rail; ~4 hr 50 min to Murshidabad station |
| Kolkata | Road (NH 12) | ~200 km; about 5 hours by car |
| Berhampore | Road (car/auto) | ~14 km; 20–30 minutes |
| Nearest airport | Kolkata (NSCBI) | ~200 km; then train or road |
Within the town, shared autos, cycle-rickshaws, toto (battery rickshaws) and hired cars cover the monuments. Many visitors hire a rickshaw or car for a half-day circuit since the sights are spread out.
Top things to see in Murshidabad
The must-see cluster is the Hazarduari Palace, the Nizamat Imambara and the Katra Masjid, with garden tombs and merchant houses filling out a full day or two. The core monuments sit on or near the Kila Nizamat campus beside the Bhagirathi.
The Hazarduari Palace, meaning “palace of a thousand doors,” is the signature sight. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, it was built between 1829 and 1837 for Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah, designed by Colonel Duncan MacLeod of the Bengal Engineers in a neoclassical style, and takes its name from its roughly one thousand real and false doors. It now functions as an ASI museum holding Nawabi paintings, arms, furniture and a large chandelier.
Facing it across the campus is the Nizamat Imambara, a white Shia congregation hall. The present structure was completed in 1847 under Nawab Mansur Ali Khan, replacing an earlier wooden imambara built by Siraj-ud-Daulah in 1740 that was lost to fire; the Murshidabad district administration describes it as among the largest in India. It generally opens to visitors only during Muharram.
The Katra Masjid, built between 1723 and 1724, is a former caravanserai and mosque that also holds the tomb of Murshid Quli Khan beneath its entrance staircase, according to the district government. A short way off, Khushbagh (the “garden of happiness”) is a walled garden cemetery across the river holding the graves of Nawab Alivardi Khan and his grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah. The Katgola (Kathgola) gardens and Jagat Seth’s house, linked to the town’s great banking family, and the crumbling Nashipur Rajbari round out the circuit.
| Site | Timings / closed day | Entry | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazarduari Palace museum | 9 am–5 pm; closed Fridays (ASI) | ₹20 Indian / ₹100 foreign; under-15 free | 1.5–2 hours |
| Nizamat Imambara | 10 am–5 pm; closed Fridays; interior mainly during Muharram | Exterior viewing free | 20–30 min |
| Katra Masjid | 8 am–6 pm | No ticket (place of worship) | 30 min |
| Katgola (Kathgola) gardens | Reported 6:30 am–5:30 pm | Small ticket (reconfirm locally) | 45 min |
| Nashipur Rajbari | Reported 8 am–6 pm | Small ticket (reconfirm locally) | 30 min |
| Khushbagh | Daylight hours | No set ticket; boat fare to cross | 45 min |
A slow boat across the Bhagirathi to Khushbagh is part of the experience; agree the fare before you board, as there is no published tariff.
A two-day Murshidabad itinerary
Two days cover Murshidabad’s main monuments comfortably, with the first day on the Kila Nizamat core and the second on the garden tombs and merchant houses. Base yourself in Berhampore or in Murshidabad town itself.
- Day 1: Start at the Hazarduari Palace museum when it opens at 9 am, then step across to the Nizamat Imambara and the Bachhawali Tope cannon. Walk or ride to the Katra Masjid and the Jahan Kosha cannon in the afternoon. End with a riverside evening along the Bhagirathi.
- Day 2: Cross the river by boat to Khushbagh in the cool morning. Afterwards visit the Katgola gardens, Jagat Seth’s house and Nashipur Rajbari. If time allows, add the Jafarganj cemetery (resting place of Mir Jafar) before heading back.
Avoid Fridays for the palace and imambara, which are closed that day. Those with a third day can add the Baranagar terracotta temples or a short trip toward Plassey.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in Berhampore, about 14 km away, which has the widest choice of hotels, with a smaller cluster of lodges and a heritage stay in Murshidabad town itself. Berhampore works well as a base because trains and buses converge there.
- Budget (indicative ₹800–1,800 per night): simple lodges and guesthouses in Berhampore and near Murshidabad station; functional rooms, book ahead on weekends and festival dates.
- Mid-range (indicative ₹1,800–3,500 per night): business-style hotels in Berhampore with air-conditioning and in-house dining.
- Heritage / premium (indicative ₹3,500 and up): the Cossimbazar Rajbari palace stay near Berhampore offers a heritage-house experience; rooms are limited, so reserve well in advance.
These bands are planning estimates as of October 2026 and should be reconfirmed when you book; rates rise around winter weekends and festivals.
Food and crafts to try
Murshidabad’s food leans on Bengali home cooking and river fish, while its workshops are known for silk and pith craft. Eat where locals do; the town is not a fine-dining destination, and simple thalis (set meals) are the norm.
- Chhanabora (soft cottage-cheese dumplings in syrup) and other Bengali sweets, a regional specialty.
- Macher jhol (light fish curry) and rice, using catch from the Bhagirathi.
- Mishti doi (sweetened set curd) to finish a meal.
For crafts, the district administration describes silk weaving as Murshidabad’s principal cottage industry, with the “Murshidabad silk” brand well known across India; Baluchari-style figured silk saris trace their roots to the region. Pith craft in sholapith (the dried, spongy core of the shola plant, carved into white ornamental figures) is another local tradition. Ivory carving, once patronised by the Nawabs’ court, has largely given way to sandalwood and shola work as ivory trade is now banned, according to district sources.
Budget for a Murshidabad trip
A two-day Murshidabad trip can be done on roughly ₹2,500–4,500 per person excluding the journey from Kolkata, depending on your hotel and transport. The monuments themselves are inexpensive; most of the cost is lodging, food and local travel.
| Item | Budget trip | Mid-range trip |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night, per person sharing) | ₹500–900 | ₹1,000–1,800 |
| Food (2 days) | ₹400–700 | ₹800–1,400 |
| Local transport (rickshaw/car, boat) | ₹500–900 | ₹900–1,500 |
| Monument entry and camera | ₹100–200 | ₹100–200 |
| Approx. per-person total | ₹1,500–2,700 | ₹2,800–4,900 |
Add the Kolkata–Murshidabad train or road fare on top. These figures assume two sharing a room and local sightseeing by shared or hired transport.
Entry fees, timings and rules
The only ticketed monument in the core cluster is the Hazarduari Palace museum, which the ASI’s Museums of India listing prices at ₹20 for Indian adults and ₹100 for foreign adults, with children under 15 free and photography permitted; it is open 9 am to 5 pm and closed on Fridays (as of October 2026). The Murshidabad district police site lists the palace timings as 9 am to 4:30 pm, so arrive by early afternoon to be safe.
No special permit is needed to visit Murshidabad; it is an open heritage town with no Inner Line Permit or protected-area rules. Follow ordinary monument etiquette: do not touch or lean on exhibits, follow the photography rules posted inside the museum, and dress modestly at the Katra Masjid and other active places of worship. Carry water and expect queues on winter weekends.
Practical tips
Treat Murshidabad as a half-rural heritage circuit: carry some cash, start early, and build in travel time between sites. Mobile networks and UPI payments work in the towns, but small vendors, rickshaws and boatmen often prefer cash.
- Money: ATMs are in Berhampore and Murshidabad town; carry cash for boat fares, rickshaws and small shops.
- Getting around: hire a rickshaw or car by the half-day; the monuments are spread over several kilometres.
- Health: the main hospitals are in Berhampore; carry basic medicines and sun protection for the open sites.
- Solo and women travellers: the heritage circuit is busy with day visitors and generally straightforward; keep to daylight hours at the riverside and garden tombs.
- Packing: light cottons and a hat for October–March days, a layer for misty winter mornings, and comfortable walking shoes.
For a wider state itinerary that places Murshidabad alongside the hills, the Sundarbans and the temple towns, see our West Bengal travel guide.
Nearby places
Murshidabad pairs well with Berhampore, Plassey and the Baranagar terracotta temples, all within a short drive. These extend a heritage trip by a day without long transfers.
| Place | Distance from Murshidabad | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Berhampore | ~14 km | Main base town; hotels, hospitals, railway junction and the Cossimbazar palace stay. |
| Plassey (Palashi) | ~50 km south | The 1757 battlefield that changed Bengal’s history, with a memorial. |
| Baranagar temples | ~20 km north | Char Bangla and other 18th-century terracotta temples on the Bhagirathi’s west bank. |
To weave these into a longer loop through the state, our West Bengal travel guide sets out the main regions and routes.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Murshidabad and why is it famous?
Murshidabad is a historic town on the Bhagirathi river in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, about 200 km north of Kolkata. It is famous as the 18th-century capital of Bengal under the Nawabs and as the site of the 1757 Battle of Plassey, which passed control of Bengal to the East India Company.
What is the Hazarduari Palace entry fee and is it closed on any day?
The Hazarduari Palace museum charges ₹20 for Indian visitors and ₹100 for foreign visitors, with children under 15 free, according to the ASI’s Museums of India listing (as of October 2026). It is open 9 am to 5 pm and closed on Fridays, so plan sightseeing on other days of the week.
How many days do you need in Murshidabad?
Two days are enough to see Murshidabad’s main monuments. Day one covers the Hazarduari Palace, Nizamat Imambara and Katra Masjid on the Kila Nizamat core; day two covers Khushbagh across the river, the Katgola gardens, Jagat Seth’s house and Nashipur Rajbari. A third day allows nearby Plassey or the Baranagar temples.
How do you reach Murshidabad from Kolkata?
Reach Murshidabad from Kolkata by the Hazarduari Express (train 13113), which covers about 225 km to Murshidabad station in roughly 4 hours 50 minutes, or by road along NH 12 in about 5 hours. The nearest airport is Kolkata; there is no airport at Murshidabad itself.
What is the best time to visit Murshidabad?
The best time to visit Murshidabad is October to March, when the Gangetic-plain weather is dry and mild for walking between monuments. April to June is hot, and the July–September monsoon is humid with heavy rain, though the river and greenery are at their fullest then.
Do you need a permit to visit Murshidabad?
No permit is needed to visit Murshidabad. It is an open heritage town with no Inner Line Permit or protected-area restrictions. Visitors only need to follow ordinary monument and place-of-worship etiquette, buy the Hazarduari museum ticket at the counter, and respect posted photography rules.
Last updated and sources
Murshidabad suits travellers who enjoy history, architecture and slow riverside towns, and it is at its most comfortable between October and March. Give it two days and a flexible pace.
Last updated: 22 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Archaeological Survey of India / Museums of India, Hazarduari Palace Museum listing (shop.museumsofindia.org); Murshidabad District Police, Places of Interest (murshidabadpolice.wb.gov.in); Murshidabad district administration, Katra Masjid and handicraft pages (murshidabad.gov.in); Indian Railways timetable for the Hazarduari Express 13113/13114; Wikipedia entries for Hazarduari Palace, Nizamat Imambara, Katra Masjid and the Battle of Plassey (used to locate primary detail); Outlook Traveller, “Heritage trail in Murshidabad” (outlooktraveller.com). Accessed October 2026.
