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.
0 comments:
Post a Comment