Kathgola Palace

Kathgola Palace
Kathgola Palace
General information
Type	Complex
Location	Kathgola, Murshidabad-Jiaganj CD block, Murshidabad district
Coordinates	24°12′27″N88°16′02″E / 24.2076°N 88.26723°E / 24.2076; 88.26723
Completed	1873
Owner	Dugar family

Kathgola Palace is a historical building belonging to the Dugar family at Kathgola in the Murshidabad-Jiaganj CD block of Murshidabad district. It now houses a museum.

Etymology

The place was earlier called Kath Golap Garden because Wood Roses , called Kath Golap in Bengali, used to grow in abundance in the garden. The name got distorted later. ^[1]

Geography

[Interactive fullscreen map]

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Murshidabad
F: facility, H: historical site
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location

Kathgola Palace is located at 24°12′27″N88°16′02″E / 24.2076°N 88.26723°E / 24.2076; 88.26723 .

The Namak Haram Deorhi, Jafarganj Cemetery, Nashipur Rajbari , House of Jagat Seth and Tomb of Azimunissa Begum are all located nearby. One can reach the temple town of Rani Bhavani at Baranagar, on the other side of the Bhagirathi, by country boat from Ajimganj. ^[2]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in Murshidabad city. Most of the places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map. A few, without pages yet, remain unmarked. The map has a scale. It will help viewers to find out the distances.

The palace and garden

Illuminated Katgola Palace at night during the Murshidabad Heritage Festival

Murshidabad was at its peak in the early 19th century, and the opportunities of trade and banking attracted many Marwari Jains to go and settle there. Azimganj and Jiaganj became the nucleus of the Marwari Jain community. In the course of time, they acquired immense wealth and they built many Jain temples. The principal families were the Dugars, the Dudhorias, the Nahars, the Kotharis and the Nowlakhas. ^[3] Although, many of them shifted their base to Kolkata, with the ascendancy of the British, the palatial buildings and temples they built are still there. ^[4]

A popular attraction on a customary tour of Murshidabad is the Kathgola Palace and Garden, built by Dhanpat Singh Dugar and Lakshmipat Singh Dugar in 1873. The Dugars hired a French architect to renovate a part of their palace. A Bengali architect was also involved. "This palace is a perfect blend of art and architecture and connoisseurs of true art will get a taste of both." Victorian lions and Michael Angelo statues have changed the place. The Adinath temple is famous and there are several Jain and Hindu temples. There are 17 images of Jain tirthankaras. There was a zoo inside. "The palace has been converted to a museum and showcases magnificent chandeliers, mirrors, furniture, etc". ^{[4] [5] [6]}

After the Battle of Plassey, Mir Jafar had met British representatives at the Kathgola Palace. ^[5]

Kathgola picture gallery

• 
  Kathgola Palace
• 
  Gateway – Kathgola Gardens
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  Kathgola Palace
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  Adinath Temple

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  Michaelangelo
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  Stelwell Gate – Kathgola Garden
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  Garden decoration
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  Garden decoration
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  A traditional design in the palace
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  Equestrian statue
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  Cast iron chairs in the palace
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  Garden road
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  Pillar decoration
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  Ganesha in the palace
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  Verandah railing
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  Kathgola Palace

See also

• Nawabs of Bengal and Murshidabad

References

1. "Place of Interest". Kathgola Garden. Murshidabad Police District. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
2. "Offbeat Weekend in Murshidabad". Outskirts of Killa Nizamat (Northern part). Offbeat Weekend. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
3. "The Hidden Treasures: Azimganj, Jiyaganj & Kathgola". Stories by Arpit. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
4. "Have you heard about the Sheherwalis of Bengal?". Uttara Gangopadhyay. Outlook Traveller, 20 November 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
5. "Importance of the Kathgola Palace in Murshidabad in West Bengal". The Jain temples and Kathgola Palace are brilliant historical sites. Travel & Culture. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
6. "Visit This Palace In Murshidabad To Get A Taste Of Erstwhile Bengal". LBB. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

External links

Murshidabad travel guide from Wikivoyage