A visit to AHSAN MANZIL

Group Members : 1. Tanvir Rashid Chowdhury (141-19-1531) 2. Md Wahiduzzaman (141-19-1534) 3. Md Nazim Uddin Bhuiyan (141-19-1532) 4. Sanjida Sharmin (141-19-1533) 5. Samia Nur Tisha (141-19-1535) 6. Nusrat Jahan (141-19-1542) 7. Habiba khan(141-19-1530)

Submitted To: Md. Faisal Akbar Lecturer Dept Of Natural Science

Ahsan Manzil

Ahsan Manzil ( আহসান মঞ্জি�ল, Ahsan Monjil) was the official residential palace and seat of the Nawab of Dhaka.The building is situated at Kumartoli along the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh.Construction was started in 1859 and was completed in 1872.It was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. Now It has been designated as a national museum.

History

In Mughal era, there was a garden house of Sheikh Enayet Ullah, the landlord of Jamalpur Porgona (district), in this place. Sheikh Enayet Ullah was a very charming person. He acquired a very big area in Kumortuli (Kumartuli) and included it in his garden house. Here he built a beautiful palace and named it "Rongmohol" (Rangmahal). There was a grave of Sheikh Enayet Ullah in the north-east corner of the palace yard which was ruined in the beginning of the 20th century.

Ondor Mohol (The Old Building)

After some renovation work, the trading house became the residence of Khwaja Alimullah. In his time, a stable and a family mosque was added in the compound.

After his death, his son Khwaja Abdul Gani made a great flourish to the property, and named it "Ahsan Manjil" on his son Ahsan Ullah.

In the east side of the old building, he made a new building with a different design, and also done great renovation work to the old building.

Since then, the old building was called "Ondor Mohol" and the new building was called "Rong mohol".

History Of Reconstruction

In the evening of 7 April 1888, a devastating tornado hit Dhaka city causing great damage. Ahsan Manjil was severely damaged and abandoned. An English engineer from Kolkata arrived here to examine the palace. He gave opinion that except for the "Rangmahal", all the other parts of the palace would have to be reconstructed. So Khwaja Abdul Gani and his son Ahsanullah turned their full attention to rebuild the palace. Both of the buildings were reconstructed during that time with a new design and supervised by the local engineer Gobinda Chandra Roy.

Glory Days

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) everyday. Many anti-Congress meetings were held here under the patronization of Nawab Ahsanullah, a staunch believer in Muslim identity. Ahsan Manzil was the cradle of the All India Muslim League.

Decline

In 1952, the Dhaka Nawab State was acquired under the East Bengal Estate Acquisition Act ; it became impossible for the successors of the Nawabs to maintain the palace due to financial constraints. Nawab Khwaja Habibullah started living at Paribag Green House soon after the acquisition of the zamindari. The palace was soon on the verge of collapse as successors rented out rooms without considering its dignity. Over the years illegal occupants turned the place into a filthy slum. After the independence of Bangladesh, most of the nawab family went to abroad in search of a better livelihood and work. On 1974, the owners of the palace decided to put it up for auction. With the decline of the Nawabs of Dhaka, Ahsan Manzil also started to decline.

Gallery Of Ahsan Manzil

Gllery No 1:(Introducing to Ahsan Manzil-I )

Gallery No 2:(Introducing to Ahsan Manzil-II )

After that Khwaja Abdul Gani and his son Ahsanullah rebuild the palace.The picture was taken after the reconstructionOf Ahsan Manzil

The palace was damaged by a devastatingTornado. The picture was taken in 1888.

GalleryGallery N0 3:(Palace Dinning room)

This is Nawab’s Dinning room.All of the members used to seat together for meal.

Gallery No 4:(The Round Room)

GalleryGallery No 5:(The Grand Stair Case,Ground floor)

Gallery No 6:(Ahsanullah Memorial Hospital)

Gallery No 7:(Muslim League Room)

Gallery

Gallery No 8:(Billiard Room)There is a Billiard Room. Nawab and his guests Used to play billiard. Billiard was a favourite game for Nawab an his Family.

Gallery No 9:(Chest Or Treasury Room)There is a treasury room in Ahsan Manzil in which there is a locker vault. The locker vault consist of 3 types of locker box(Large,Medium,Small). All of them used by Nawabs.

GalleryGallery No 10:(Introducing the Nawabs)

Gallery No 11:(All India Muslim League)A Group of photogrouph of All IndianMuslim League who came & attended The 20th anniversary of ”All IndiaMohamedan Educational Conference”held in Dhaka in 1906 at the initiative of Nawab Salimullah.

Gallery

Gallery No 12:(Portait No-IIn Memory of Salimullah)

Gallery

Gallery No 13:(Hindustani Room)

Gallery No 14:(Grand Staircase First Floor)This is grand staircase. It was used byThe Nawab. It was mostly used by his Guests.

GalleryGallery No 15:( Palace Library Room) Gallery No 16:

(Card Room)Nawab & his guests used to play cardsIn this room.

GalleryGallery No 17:(Nawab’s contribution to Dhakawater supply)

Gallery No 18:(Nawab’s contribution to DhakaElectric supply)

Gallery

Gallery No 19:(Nawab’ Bed room)

Gallery No 20:(Drawing Room)

Gallery

Gallery No 21:(Ball Room)

Gallery No 22:(Round room)There is a Octagonal dome above this room. This room is used by NawabFor special guests.

GalleryGallery No 23:(Metal Armour Room)

In this room we got to see Metalic body which was used by the Nawab’s and his Army during any war or fight. There is also some skull of animal head (Elephant head,Deer’s head) in the Metal Armour room.

Gallery

Gallery No 24:( Objects used by Nawab)Fruit dish, Saop-case, Lamp shade,Chandelier etc.

GalleryGallery No 25:( Objects used by Nawab)Tea Cup-set, Comb made with elephant teeth, Sheesha etc.

Renovation

Recognizing the historical and architectural importance of the Ahsan Manzil, the government of Bangladesh took the initiative to renovate it.In 1985, Ahsan Manzil and its surroundings were acquired. After the completion of the renovation work in 1992 under the supervision of the Directorate of Public Works and Architecture, it was brought under the control of Bangladesh National Museum (20 September 1992). A museum has been established there.

Our visit to Ahsan Manzil in pictures

Our visit to Ahsan Manzil in pictures

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