Ahsan Manzil, Dhaka Bangladesh

Ahsan Manzil (or Ahsan Manjil) was the presidential palace of the Dhaka Nawab Family. This magnificent building is situated at Dhaka on the banks of the Buriganga River in Bangladesh. The construction of this palace was started in the year 1859 and was completed in 1869. To preserve the cultural and history of the area, the palace became the Bangladesh National Museum on 20 September 1992. Now this museum is a popular tourist destination in Dhaka city.



Ahsan Manzil, Pink Palace, Dhaka Bangladesh



During the Mughal Period, Sheikh Enayetullah’s the illustrious landlord of Jalapur Garden House was situated here. In about the year 1740, his son Sheikh Motiullah, sold the Graden House to the French traders who used it as their business center. Khwaja Alimullah, the father of Nawab Adul Ghani, purchased that French trading center building in 1830 and renovated it into his residence. Nawab Abdul Ghani built an enormous palace on the eastern side of the kuthi and named it Ahsan Manzil after his son, Khwaja Ahsanullah. Ahsan Manzil is one of the most significant architectural monuments of Bangladesh. The building has a broad front-facing the Buriganga River. On the river side, an open spacious stairway leads right up to the second portal and on their stands the grand triple- arched portals. There was once a fountain in the garden in front of the stairs which does not exist today. All along the north and the south side of the building run spacious verandahs with an open terrace projected in the middle.



Ahsan Manzil_Dhaka Nabab Bari_Bangladesh



Ahsan Manzil, an architectural treasure, is a witness to many historical events of Bangladesh. From the last part of the 19th century to the initial years of Pakistan, the Muslim leadership of East Bengal emerged from this palace. The nawabs of Dhaka used to conduct their court affairs here as chief of the panchayet (village council) every day. Many anti-Congress meetings were held here under the patronization of Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah, a staunch believer in Muslim identity. Almost all the Viceroys, Governors and Lieutenant Governors of British India who visited Dhaka spent some time at the Ahsan Manzil. Almost all political activities of Nawab Khwaja Salimullah centered round this palace. Ahsan Manzil was the cradle of the All India Muslim League.



Ahsan Manzil_Dhaka National Museum_Bangladesh

Today visitors to Bangladesh have the opportunity to see the beautifully restored and preserved Ahsan Manzil. The museum reflects its grandeur and along with that the place reflects the activities that took place in the past.