Educational Trip to Murshidabad by the History Department

The Department of History conducted a field trip to Murshidabad from 9th May to 12th May, 2023. Thirty students from semesters 2, 4 and 6 along with five teachers from the department left from Chitpur station at 6:30 am reaching Murshidabad at 10:30 am.

After a quick change, we left for the palace of the Roys in Cossimbazar. The Roys were a prominent family in the social and cultural landscape of Murshidabad in nineteenth century and hence the perfect first stop for the trip. The students learnt about their contribution (mostly philanthropic) and their business connections with the colonial rule in nineteenth century Bengal. After a sumptuous lunch and a guided tour of the palace, we returned to the resort after sundown. With this ended the first day of the tour.

The second day of the tour (10th May, 2023) commenced with a visit to Motijheel park and the students saw for themselves a seventeenth century canon also known as the Jahan Kosh Gun made during the reign of Shah Jahan in 1637 AD. The students were instructed about the incredible canon-making techniques which also bore testimony to the metallurgical skill of Bengali blacksmith Janardan who made it.

Soon after we departed for our next stop which was the famous Katra Masjid built for Murshid Quli Khan in 1723. The mortal remains of Murshid Quli lies beneath the steps of the mosque. Encompassing a total area of 19.5 acres, the Katra compound accommodates 700 Koran readers in the compound and 2000 people can offer namaz at the same time. After visiting the Katra mosque, we wrapped up our trip with a visit to Kathgola Bagan (the garden and Jagat Seth’s house.

The third day of the tour (11th May, 2023) commenced with a visit to the tomb and the mosque of Alivardi Khan and the tomb of Siraj-ud-daula. Also known as Khosbag or the “Garden of Happiness” it was built in mid-eighteenth century. Standing face-to-face to the tombs of the last independent Nawabs of Bengal, the students were intimated about the complex political history of Bengal in eighteenth century India.

The final stop of our trip was the palace and museum of Hazarduari which was built in mid nineteenth century. A three hour trip in the palace informed students about the priceless paintings, renowned chandelier and the architecture of the palace.

Wrapping up our trip on a successful note, we departed for Sealdah station on 12th May, 2023 at 6:30 in the morning. The Department would like to extend its thanks to the college administration for graciously sponsoring the trip and encouraging students to study history right where it all was going on – Murshidabad.