Murshidabad
In the early 1700s, a man named Murshid Quli Khan stood at the center of a crumbling empire. The Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar promoted him to the status of a princely Nawab. This decision allowed Khan to create a new dynasty within the Mughal aristocracy. He shifted the capital of Bengal from Dhaka to a place he would name after himself. The city became the center of political and economic life for the region. Jurisdiction over the area now included not only Bengal but also Bihar and Orissa. Wealthy families and companies established their head offices in this new capital. The Murshidabad mint grew to become the largest in all of Bengal. It accounted for two percent of the total currency value minted across the province. Artisans and multiethnic merchants flocked to the growing town. Khan built a palace and a caravanserai with a grand mosque known as the Katra Masjid. A main military base formed the eastern gateway near that mosque. The third Nawab Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan later added another palace and revenue office. His Farrabagh compound featured canals, fountains, flowers, and fruit trees.
The French East India Company operated factories in both Murshidabad and Dhaka during the 1700s. British agents reported large quantities of silk available in the area back in 1621. The British East India Company maintained its primary base at Fort William while operating nearby. Murshidabad fell under the jurisdiction of the Dutch Bengal Department. The Ostend Company of Austria established a trading base just outside the city limits. The Danish East India Company set up posts throughout the Bengal Subah region. European companies conducted business and operated factories around the city outskirts. Wealthy banking families from different parts of the Indian subcontinent lived here. An Armenian community settled down to become financiers for the Nawabs. The Jagat Seth family controlled money lending activities for administrators and traders alike. They served as financiers for the British, French, Armenians, and Dutch merchants. Merchants built many mansions including Azimganj Rajbati and Kathgola house. Nashipur house stood among these structures as well. Brokers, workers, peons, naibs, wakils, and ordinary traders filled the streets daily.
Siraj-ud-Daulah lost his final battle against the British forces in 1757. Despite receiving assurances of support from the French, he was betrayed by his commander Mir Jafar. The British installed Mir Jafar's family as a puppet dynasty over the region. They eventually reduced the Nawab to the status of a landlord known as zamindar. Warren Hastings removed the supreme civil and criminal courts to Calcutta in 1772. These courts were brought back to Murshidabad again three years later in 1775. Lord Cornwallis moved the entire revenue and judicial staffs to Calcutta in 1790. The city remained the residence of the Nawab who ranked as the first nobleman of the province. He held the style of Nawab Bahadur of Murshidabad instead of Nawab Nazim of Bengal. In 1858, the British government gained direct control of India's administration. The population in 1901 numbered just 15,168 people within the town limits. A silk industry revival occurred with assistance from the government after this decline.
Hazarduari Palace rose from the ground in 1837 as a residence for both the Nawab and British civil servants. The Nizamat Fort complex featured high gates tall enough for an elephant to pass through. Musicians' galleries lined the main entrances of that fortified palace structure. Khoshbagh garden served as the burial place for the Nawabs themselves. Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah established a palace near the Motijhil or Pearl Lake area. The Nizamat Imambara was built specifically for Shia Muslims living in the region. Fauti Mosque stood alongside Jama Masjid and Katra Masjid in the central district. The Motijhil area contained gardens, mosques, and prince's pavilions painted by Company Style artists. Illuminated Kathgola Palace glowed at night during later centuries. A group of attractions existed in the northern part of the town including Kiriteswari Temple. Karnasuvarna and Rosnaiganj lay on the other side of the river from the main city. Berhampore area held additional attractions not shown on early maps. The map scale helped viewers find distances between these notable locations.
The Bengal Famine of 1770 affected Murshidabad very badly indeed. Large quantities of silk were available in the area back in 1621 according to English agents. The population dropped significantly after the famine struck the region hard. In the 19th century, estimates placed the population at around 46,000 people. Murshidabad became a district headquarters of the Bengal Presidency following administrative changes. It was declared as a municipality in 1869 marking an official status change. The silk industry revived with government assistance after years of struggle. Mango and litchi production also became notable features of the local economy today. The city remains a center for agriculture and handicrafts in modern times. Famous Murshidabad silk is much in demand for making saris and scarves. The total number of literates reached 32,451 by the 2011 census count. Male literacy stood at 77.3 percent while female literacy reached 70.1 percent. Effective literacy rate for the seven plus population hit 81.9 percent overall.
As of 2011 Indian Census data, Murshidabad had a total population of 44,019 residents. Twenty-two thousand one hundred seventy-seven were males and twenty-one thousand eight hundred forty-two were females. Four thousand four hundred fourteen children fell within the age group from zero to six years old. Three thousand two hundred forty-five individuals counted as literate among the total population. Scheduled Castes numbered thirteen thousand seven hundred sixty-two people in the area. Three hundred two members belonged to Scheduled Tribes according to the same count. Hindus made up 75.09 percent of the religious makeup recorded that year. Muslims comprised 23.86 percent of the population with others accounting for 1.05 percent. Many Hindus including women and children took shelter in neighboring Malda district during violence. Raghunathganj High School operates as a ten-plus-two institution today. Berhampore College stands alongside Berhampore Girls' College offering higher education options. Government College of Engineering & Textile Technology serves students in the region. Aligarh Muslim University maintains a center here for advanced studies. Murshidabad University opened its doors in Berhampore to local learners. The Murshidabad Heritage Festival began in 2011 to revive tangible heritage.
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Common questions
Who founded the city of Murshidabad and when did he shift the capital?
Murshid Quli Khan shifted the capital of Bengal from Dhaka to the place that became known as Murshidabad in the early 1700s. The Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar promoted him to the status of a princely Nawab which allowed Khan to create a new dynasty within the Mughal aristocracy.
What happened to Murshidabad after Siraj-ud-Daulah lost his final battle in 1757?
Siraj-ud-Daulah lost his final battle against British forces in 1757 and was betrayed by his commander Mir Jafar who received support from the French. The British installed Mir Jafar's family as a puppet dynasty over the region and eventually reduced the Nawab to the status of a landlord known as zamindar.
When did Warren Hastings move the courts from Murshidabad to Calcutta?
Warren Hastings removed the supreme civil and criminal courts to Calcutta in 1772. These courts were brought back to Murshidabad again three years later in 1775 before Lord Cornwallis moved the entire revenue and judicial staffs to Calcutta in 1790.
How many people lived in Murshidabad according to the 2011 census data?
As of 2011 Indian Census data, Murshidabad had a total population of 44,019 residents with twenty-two thousand one hundred seventy-seven males and twenty-one thousand eight hundred forty-two females. Four thousand four hundred fourteen children fell within the age group from zero to six years old while three thousand two hundred forty-five individuals counted as literate among the total population.
What is the religious makeup of Murshidabad recorded in 2011?
Hindus made up 75.09 percent of the religious makeup recorded that year while Muslims comprised 23.86 percent of the population with others accounting for 1.05 percent. Scheduled Castes numbered thirteen thousand seven hundred sixty-two people in the area and three hundred two members belonged to Scheduled Tribes according to the same count.