Ahsan Manzil, Dhaka, Bangladesh : An Attractive Historical Sign in Dhaka

Ahsan Manzil is one of the most attractive historical sign in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is a wonderful tourist spot of Bangladesh in the capital city. Ahsan Manzil is situated on the bank of the river Buriganga at Islampur Kumartuli in old Dhaka. It was the official residential palace and the collectorate of the Nawab Family of Dhaka. This well planned and well decorated magnificent building was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture from 1859-1869 A.D. and it is one of the top most significant architectural sign of Dhaka. To conserve the history and culture of this locality, the government of Bangladesh is preserving this palace as ‘Ahsan Manzil Museum since September 20, 1992 and made it open for all. 

The palace Ahsan Manzil is a two storied building. It is divided into two parts - 1.Rangmahal, the eastern building with the dome and 2.Andarmahal, the western side with the living rooms. The high octagonal dome is on the central round room. There are large drawing room, library, card room, state room and two other guest rooms in the eastern portion of the palace. There is ballroom, the Hindustani room and some residential rooms in the western portion. The drawing room and the Jalsaghar are decorated with a beautiful artificial ceiling made of wood. A grand dining hall and some smaller rooms are in the west part. Nice white, green and yellow colored ceramic tiles decorate the floors of the dining and Darbar Halls. The famous store-room, where Nawabs used to store their valuables, was in the middle of the five rooms located in the western half of the ground floor. 

Khaja Alimullah, father of Nawab Abdul Gani, purchased this khuthi (trading house) from the French in 1830 and after some renovation work made it their resident. Later Nawab Abdul Gani reconstructed the palace and named it as ‘Ahsan Manzil’ on his beloved son Ahsan Ullah in 1869.

More than 4000 signs are collected and being displayed in Ahsan manzil Museum. These are being displayed in 23 rooms out of 31 in Rangmahal. Among those, 9 rooms are arranged according to photos captured in 1904.

Spectacular Things in the Museum

Gallery 1

The brief description of Ahsan Manzil presented with photographs and pictures. There is a model of the building also.

Gallery 2

Evolution of the building ‘Ahsan Manzil’ is displayed with photographs here. There are Samples of cut-glass and Chandelier also.

Gallery 3

It is the Royal Gala dining room. Cupboard, mirrors, glass and clay crocks obtained from Ahsan Manzil are displayed here.

Gallery 4

Large wooden stairs. Skeleton of Elephant head. Armour and sword. Original specimen of wooden fence.

Gallery 5

Armours and swords.

Gallery 6

Various Instruments and Registers used in Ahsan Ullah Memorial Hospital are displayed here.

Gallery 7

This large room was used as Darbar Hall. Oil paintings of all India Muslim leaders who came to join Shahbag Conference to form Muslim league in 1906 are being displayed in this gallery. Additionally, an octagonal table gifted to the Nawab of Dhaka from Italy is also being displayed here.

Gallery 8

Horns of various kinds of animals collected from Edward House. Various Sports Equipment of the then indoor and outdoor games.

Gallery 9

Large iron chests and wooden cupboards of Royal period.

Gallery 10

There are large cupboards, clay crocks which are signs of Nawab period.

Gallery 11

This gallery is arranged with portraits of eminent persons.

Gallery 12

This gallery is organized with the memory of Nawab Sir Salimullah.

Gallery 13

This gallery has been decorated with portraits of Royal contemporary great men.

Gallery 14, 15, 16 & 17

These are the Hindustani room, main stairs, Library room and card room respectively.

Gallery 18 & 19

The symbols of Drinking Water Supply in Dhaka which were found in Ahsan Manzil and Edward House. There are also a few rare pictures of Dhaka Water Work.

Gallery 20 & 21

There was no electricity in Dhaka before 1901. Information about the arrangement of electricity by the Nawabs as well as clay crocks and flower vases of the royal period are being dispayed here.

Gallery 22

This gallery is in the first floor. Arms got from Ahsan Manzil are being displayed here. The high dome is located over this room.

Gallery 22

It was a Ballroom. It has been arranged according to pictures taken in 1904.

How to Go

Direct Bus service is available from Gulistan of Dhaka city. Private Car, Auto Rickshow, Taxi etc. are also available to go there.

Visiting Hours of Ahsan Manzil Museum

Summer time (April-September)

• Saturday to Wednesday: 10.30 am – 05.30 pm
• Friday: 03.00 pm – 07.30 pm
• Thursday: Closed
• Other Government Holidays: Closed

Winter time (October-March)

• Saturday to Wednesday: 09.30 am – 04.30 pm
• Friday: 02.30 pm – 07.30 pm
• Thursday: Closed
• Other Government Holidays: Closed

Entrance fee of Ahsan Manzil

• For Locals: 5 TK
• For Foreigners: 75 TK

Ticket Counter

Ticket counter of this museum is situated at the eastern side of the palace beside the gate. The rooms being used as ticket counter were the barrack of soldiers and guard rooms of this palace.