Wasif Manzil

Wasif Manzil is also known by various names like the new palace and Wasif Manzil. It was constructed by Nawab Wasif Ali Mirza Khan and Mr. Vivian supervised and directed him. He was the Bengali engineer in the Public Works Department as an Officer of Surendra Barat and Nadia rivers. Hazarduari Palace is very close to this building. It is constructed between the Daskshin Darwaza’s campus and Hazarduari palace of the Nizamat Fort campus which is just opposite to the south of the campus’s Zurud Mosque and it was to the parallel side of the Bhagirathi Hooghly River.

History

The history of the building lies in the fact when Wasif Ali Mirza in the year 1931, December 11 was forced to give his estates administration to the Government of India after paying the debt of 19 lakh rupees. Murshidabad district was allotted to Pakistan in the year 1947, August 15, by the Radcliffe Commission and thereby hoisting the flag of Pakistan at Hazarduari Palace. In two days duration, Khulna, which is now in Bangladesh, was exchanged for Murshidabad district and thereby hoisting the flag of India on the date of 17th August, 1947. In the year 1953 all the estates were resumed by the West Bengal’s Government. The President and founder of Hindu-Muslim Unity Association, Sir Wasif Ali named Anjuman-e-Musalmanan-e-Bangla in the year 1953. Wasif Manzil Palace was named after the name of Wasif Ali. Wasif Ali was very popular for the Urdu and English poems. A Mind’s Reproduction book was written by him in the year 1934. His experience, reflection and studies made him conclude that intelligence was the most powerful creation.

However the Palace got destroyed massively by the earthquake on 12th June, 1897. The whole building of the Palace was destroyed within a fraction of seconds. Although, later on it was repaired but there was an artificial hill along with a garden which was like a landscape there, which does not exists at present.

Structure

The design of the palace was such that it looked like a castle which had turrets in its corners. The building of the Palace was a pediment which was semi-circular in shape with the coats of arms of Nawabs of Murshidabad on it. At present the Archaeological Survey of India is looking after its maintenance and it has become a museum now. There is a garden space in the Palace’s front with a fountain with many statues made of marble. There are iron railings around the garden space and the main entrance of the palace has iron doors of open work in the Norman archway style. The statues and staircases which are inside the palace were of marble and were very attractive.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the palace in Murshidabad is during the months of October, November and December when the weather of West Bengal makes the journey comfortable to travel.

How to Reach

It is a tourist place and West Bengal has many other places of attractions which make the place famous to travel. Although Murshidabad is a town in West Bengal yet it has nearby railway and bus stations along with the airports which makes easier for the visitor to travel and reach the palace. Let’s discuss the means to reach by road, rail and air.

By Air

The nearest airport is in Kolkata, the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose airport which has both the connectivity of domestic and international flights to various parts of the world. A taxi could be hired from the airport to reach the city which is easily available.

By Rail

Although Murshidabad is not having any railway station in its own town but there is a railway station Berhampur which is near Murshidabad at a distance of 650 km which has a regular train service connected to various cities across India.

By Road

The place has good connectivity and roads and there are good facilities of bus services which run on daily basis of all classes including private and state buses at affordable fares.

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