Mahishadal Raj Bari

4.3

Location: Garh Kamalpur, West Bengal 721628, India

Estimated Visiting Time: 1 to 2 hours.

Nestled amidst the verdant countryside of Midnapore, West Bengal, India, the ‘Mahishadal Raj bari’ is a majestic complex which is proudly whispering the tales of a bygone era. Towards the journey of a royal retreat, you can add this place to your list. Here, the complex houses a fascinating collection of various artifacts. The walls and belongings narrate the story of the Mahishadal royal family. Starting from antique furniture and artistic paintings to weapons and taxidermied animals, every single thing unveils a piece of the family’s rich heritage. If you are a history lover, you can certainly come to this place. This place is also ideal for visiting with friends.

Attraction

Any historical place carries some significance with itself. Every place has its own story, time, and tradition. The Rajbari’s charm and beauty extend beyond the palaces. You can go to the lush green gardens, dotted with so many ancient trees and serene ponds full of water. All of these offer a welcome respite from the bustle of everyday life. Here, you are allowed to go through the serene courtyards, breathing in the fresh air. You can also allow yourself to imagine as a guest of the royal family enjoying a leisurely afternoon stroll if you want. Inside the palace, you can see shields, floral things, vintage architecture, majestic staircases, and so many things that can feel like time travel. Moreover, this place is whispering the bygone era that is an inseparable part of our history. We recommend you visit this place while visiting Midnapore.

History

The history of ‘Mahishadal Raj Bari’ dates back to the sixteenth Century. Almost 500 years ago, the current place ‘Geonkhali‘ was known as ‘Jibonkhali’. It was the same time when Emperor Akbar was reigning Delhi (India). This Mahishadal Raj Bari was founded by ‘Janardhan Upadhya’, who was a high ranked personnel in the Emperor’s Army. However, this place is whispering the history of the bygone era for this place has seen the Mughal, the British and the post-Independence era.

Inside/Outside Views

If you look at the palace, you might think that it would have looked more ‘at home’ in a European setting than in this rustic countryside in West Bengal. Here, lofty Ionic columns support the roof from all sides. Elaborate ornamentation that includes shields and floral patterns marked the white facade, giving a European vibe. In the lawn, iron benches were arranged at whose center stood a cannon mounted on a carriage. The 1926 palace (known as the ‘Phool Bagh’) was indeed designed by a French architect (said Hara Prasad Garg, a descendant of the former Mahishadal Raj family who ruled here).

The Moment you enter the rooms Kalyani, Diptimoyee, Totini, and Pritimoyee, you will be transported to the old ‘Zamindari Era’. The vintage ambiance in combination with the Royal aesthetics will catch your attention without any doubt. The rooms are quite spacious and filled with necessary amenities. The surroundings are calm and serene. The library, on one side, has a thoughtful collection of books. The Grand corridors, the museum, the majestic staircase, and the Weapon Rooms will take you back through decades. Here, you can also learn about the lifestyle of that time.

Opening Hours

Saturday 10 AM–6 PM

Sunday 10 AM–6 PM

Monday 10 AM–6 PM

Tuesday 10 AM–6 PM

Wednesday 10 AM–6 PM

Thursday 10 AM–6 PM

Friday 10 AM–6 PM

Entry & Others Fees

Parking fee is ₹.20 and Entry ticket is ₹.15.

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By road: It is situated in Midnapore’s ‘Garh Kamalpur’ area. From the busy area of Midnapore, Mahishadal Raj Bari is 80 to 100 kms away. Midnapore is well connected with other major cities like Siliguri, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Mumbai etc. of the country. And from Midnapore city, you will get local transports to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport’ (which is an international one), is almost 130 kilometres away from this area which is in Dum Dum, Kolkata. You can visit this place from outside of India. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi, Mumbai or Lucknow with direct flights in Kolkata. From the airport, you can easily get local transports to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from the Mahishadal Raj Bari is only 3 km away at the ‘Mahishadal Railway Station’. This station is connected with major areas of the country. From the station, you will get local transport so that you can reach the site. You can also use the Midnapore Railway Station.

Tips for Travellers

Please wear suitable and comfortable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Midnapore for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.
Please stay away from total strangers.