Murshidabad at a glance
Murshidabad was once called Muksudabad and takes its present name from Murshid Quli Khan, the ruler who made it the capital of Bengal. The official move of the capital from Dhaka to Murshidabad is dated 1717. After the British conquest of Bengal the city stayed the seat of administration for some time, and the Nawabs' buildings, mosques and tombs still stand along the Bhagirathi.
The heart of a visit is Lalbagh. The Hazarduari Palace is there, with the Nizamat Imambara facing it, and the Katra Masjid and the Jahan Kosha cannon are nearby. Khoshbagh lies on the other side of the river. If you want a guide, a driver and a plan made for you, see Murshidabad tours from Kolkata.
Murshidabad places to visit
The main sights in the order they usually fit into a day. Opening hours and interiors can change, so ask on the day.
Hazarduari Palace
A neoclassical palace built in 1829 to 1837, now a museum with galleries of portraits, furniture, weapons and silver thrones. It is the anchor of the visit.
Hazarduari Palace →Nizamat Imambara
A Shia assembly hall opposite the palace. The present building dates from 1847, after fires in 1842 and 1846 destroyed the older hall built by Siraj ud-Daulah. Do not count on seeing the inside.
All sights →Katra Masjid
A mosque and former caravanserai with the tomb of Murshid Quli Khan. It was built between 1723 and 1725.
Jahan Kosha
A large cannon in Tope Khana, south-east of the Katra, cast in Dhaka in 1637 under Shah Jahan. It is not the same as the Bachhawali Tope near Hazarduari.
Kathgola Gardens
A four-storey palace in a garden, with paintings, mirrors and furniture. The pond in front gives the building its reflection.
Khoshbagh
The burial ground of Alivardi Khan, Siraj ud-Daulah and Lutfunnissa Begum, across the river opposite Amaniganj.
Our picks: tours starting in Kolkata
The Murshidabad day trip is on the tours page; these three are Kolkata tours with hotel pickup for the days around it. The half-day or full-day tour comes as a shorter or longer version, and the heritage tour adds the light and sound show only if you pick that option.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kolkata full-day tour by private car
- Private air-conditioned car
- English-speaking guide
- Parking, tolls and taxes
A private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking guide, parking and tolls. Monument entries are extra, and pickups from the airport or station cost more.
Check availability →Kolkata half-day or full-day tour by car
- Hotel pickup and return
- Private air-conditioned car
- Guide and water
A private air-conditioned car with a guide, in a half-day or full-day version. Entry and lunch are only included if you choose that option.
Check availability →
Kolkata heritage tour with pickup and drop-off
- Hotel pickup and return
- Private local guide
- Air-conditioned car
A private local guide and an air-conditioned car. The light and sound show is only included if you pick that option.
Check availability →Murshidabad tours and day trips
Heritage tours with a guide and a driver, private day trips and multi-day programs from Kolkata.
Murshidabad tour package: what a multi-day program covers
A local operator offers a 3-day, 2-night program. Cossimbazar fills the arrival day. The main day covers Hazarduari, the Katra, the Imambara, Kathgola and other sights. Khoshbagh and Palashi fill the last day. Local transfers run in a non-air-conditioned toto or auto, and driver and parking costs are included.
Entrance fees and a guide are not part of that program. The group totals are INR 40,000 for 2 people, INR 55,000 for 4 and INR 70,000 for 6, as of 2026. These are totals for the group, not prices per person, and taxes and season can change them. Ask for a quote with your dates. For the full set of options, see tours and trains.
More to see around the city
Smaller stops that add variety to a second day.
Motijheel
The Motijheel mosque, also called Kala Masjid, stands on the western shore of the lake and was built in 1750 by Nawaej Muhammad Khan. A park by the lake has offered boats and a light and sound show. Do not assume every attraction runs on your day.
Nashipur Rajbari
A palace museum with family objects and documents, and a temple in the grounds.
Cossimbazar
The palaces of the Maharajas at Cossimbazar and Saidabad belong to the history of the area. Free access to every part is not assured, so ask before you plan around a visit.
Jafarganj cemetery
The burial place of Mir Jafar and of later Nawabs of the Najafi family. Siraj ud-Daulah is buried at Khoshbagh, not here.
Murshidabad silk and Baluchari
Silk weaving is part of the economy and culture of the region. The Baluchari sari takes its name from Baluchar in Murshidabad district, and the craft later moved to Bishnupur. If you buy silk, ask where it was woven. Ivory objects you see in the museum are not a suggestion for a souvenir.
Plan your visit
Pages that help with the next step.
Murshidabad: frequently asked questions
Is Murshidabad the same as Berhampore?
No. Berhampore is a town, and Murshidabad is the historic city of the Nawabs with Lalbagh at its centre. The Hazarduari Palace is in Lalbagh. Berhampore Court station is about 11 rail km before Murshidabad station on the Hazarduari Express line.
How many days do I need in Murshidabad?
One full day covers Hazarduari, the Imambara, the Katra and Kathgola. Khoshbagh, Motijheel and Cossimbazar fit a second day. The multi-day program above runs 3 days and 2 nights, which shows how much time such a program allows.
Does a tour include entrance fees and a guide?
Not always. The multi-day program described above leaves out both. Ask what is included before you pay, and check whether the price is for the group or per person.
Can I enter the Nizamat Imambara?
The building is a sight from outside. Opening times for the inside vary, from about 08:00 or 10:00 to 17:00, Friday may be a closing day, and the interior is sometimes open only during Muharram. Ask on the day.
When is the best time to visit Murshidabad?
November to February is cooler and drier, with average highs of 24.7 °C in January. June to September is the rainy season, and July averages 278.7 mm of rain. October is still wet. These are long-term averages, so see weather and the best time to visit for the monthly figures.
Which sights have an entrance fee?
The Hazarduari museum charges an entrance fee. Fees can differ by sight and by visitor category, so ask at the gate. See the Hazarduari Palace page for its fee.