Ahsan Manzil is one of the few spectacular places in Dhaka. Ahsan Manzil is also known as “Pink Palace” due to its pink colored walls. It is a notable architectural landmark of Bangladesh. Ahsan Manzil was once the palace of Nawabs of Dhaka. This palace, which contains much memorabilia of the Nawab family, is currently being run as a museum. However, if you also intend to visit here at least once, then know about Ahsan manzil off day so that you never get disappointed.
See also: Jamuna Future Park Off Day
Detailed History of Ahsan Manzil:
Around 1720, Zamindar Sheikh Enayetullah built a harem or pleasure house called “Rangmahal”. Sheikh Enayetullah was the zamindar of Jamalpur pargana. Later his son Sheikh Matiullah acquired the ownership of Rang Mahal and sold it to French merchants.
Later his son Sheikh Motiullah sold the Rangmahal to French merchants. Khwaja Alimullah, father of Nawab Abdul Ghani, bought it in 1830. In 1859, Nawab Abdul Ghani started building a palace there. It took 13 long years to complete the construction of the palace. Then he named it ‘Ahsan Manzil’ after his beloved son Khwaja Ahsanullah.
What is Ahsan Manzil?
The beautiful dome on the roof of Ahsan Manzil’s palace was once the tallest dome in Dhaka city. It is a two storied building. Its balconies and floors are made of precious marble stones.
Surrounded by exquisite craftsmanship, the ground floor of the palace houses a library, dining room, water tank, durbar hall and a billiard room. And on the second floor of the palace there are special rooms for guests, meeting rooms, dance rooms, and some other living rooms.
There is a beautiful flower garden just in front of the prasad. An open staircase leads down to the front garden from the south facing second floor balcony. Which has increased its beauty manifold.
It is believed that Ahsan Manzil is the first brick and stone architecture of Dhaka city. And the first electric light was lit in this building by the hands of the Nawabs of that time.
Ahsan Manjil’s architectural style attracts not only the desi locals but also the westerners alike. It is said that Lord Curzon used to stay in this building when he was in Dhaka.
Ahsan Manzil off day:
Ahsan Manzil is open for visitors every Saturday to Wednesday from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM on these five days. And every Friday from 3 pm to 8 pm (half-day) Ahsan Manzil can be visited. Ahsan Manzil Museum is completely closed on every Thursday and other public holidays. Besides, it is open from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm during the holy month of Ramadan.
Ahsan Manzil Museum full of wonders:
After many renovations, beautifications and renovations, the Museum was opened for visitors in 1992. This museum has many interesting collections. People come here from far and wide to see.
There are about 4 thousand 77 signs here. These artifacts are open for exhibition in 23 rooms of Gul Ahsan Manzil. The nine rooms are still decorated as they were during the Nawabi period. Each room takes you closer to the fascinating history of the Nawabi period.
Apart from this, you can also see the introduction and genealogy of the Nawabs, large mirrors used by the Nawabs, large iron chests, wooden cupboards, dining rooms, drawing rooms, glass and porcelain dishes, skeletons of elephant heads, shields and swords and much more.
Among these expensive items, you will find various types of decorated silverware from the Wab period, crystal chairs-tables, thrones, various types of oil paintings, vases, Hindustani rooms, bedrooms and dance rooms for royal guests. The different beauty of this museum will impress you.
Entry fees of Ahsan Manzil:
You must purchase tickets to visit Ahsan Manzil. That is why it is necessary to know about Ahsan Manzil ticket price. To enter Manzil, you have to buy a ticket for 40 taka per person. The cost of the ticket is significantly lower for residents of the area. Foreigners’ experiences vary depending on the nation they are from. Visitors from SAARC nations are required to pay a 300 BDT entrance fee. Visitors from foreign nations must pay 500 BDT to enter Ahsan Manzil.
How to go to:
Coming from Gulistan from any place in Dhaka, you will come to the Nayabazar junction after going a little further along the North South Road. From here continue towards Babubazar. If you go down on the left side of Babubazar Bridge, you will see another junction. Wheather you go to its left, Islampur. If you ask anyone who comes here, they will show you the way to Ahsan Manzil. From there you can walk or take a rickshaw.
