Murshidabad nawab’s palace set to get a heritage hotel makeover

Kolkata/Berhampore: Taking its cue from the popularity of palaces in Rajasthan, the tourism department in Bengal has embarked on an ambitious plan to transform Murshidabad’s Wasif Manzil — an impressive edifice close to Hazarduari — into a 40-room heritage hotel.
Once the stately home of Nawab Wasif Ali Mirza Khan, the riverside property sprawling over five acres on the Nizamat Fort campus in Berhampore currently houses a museum run by the Archaeological Survey of India.If the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation has its way, the property will be leased out for 10 years to run a hotel. Officials also plan to introduce a water taxi service.
Wasif Manzil will be Murshidabad’s second heritage hotel after Cossimbazar Rajbari, which is a private initiative. The palace boasts a pediment with the nawab’s emblem and has fascinating corner turrets. A fountain and manicured gardens lead to an imposing Norman archway with iron doors. Inside, marble statues stand like sentinels guarding the rich heritage.
A tourism department official said they expected the grand architecture of Wasif Manzil to be a big draw for both domestic and international travellers. “India’s rich history has always been a crowd magnet. Palaces and havelis when turned into heritage accommodations generate a fair amount of revenue too. We are sanguine Wasif Manzil, which is not far from Hazarduari, will increase tourist footfall to Murshidabad,” he said.
According to the official, the plan as of now is to carry out some restoration work at Wasif Manzil before handing it over. “Extra care will be taken to preserve the legacy of the place. The proposed heritage hotel will have at least 40 rooms once ready,” he added.
The state government plans to finalise a lease deal with interested parties by the current financial year. The hotel will be opened to visitors after restoration work is completed.