[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Bengal, Orissa and the North-East](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east) › [Riyāẓ al-salāṭīn](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin) › [The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam) › 6 # Riyaz al-salatin 6: CITY OF MURSHIDABAD. The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 6 - **Language:** English ### [6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.6) The city of Murshidabad is a large town situate on the banks of the river Bhagirati. Both banks of the river are populated. In the beginning, a merchant named Makhsus Khan built a serai or guest-house there, and called the place Makhsusabad. The houses of a few shop-keepers were placed there. In the reign of Emperor Aurangzib Alamgir, Nawab Jafar Khan Nasiri, who held the office of Diwan of Orissa, received the title of Kartalab Khan and obtained the office of Diwan of Bengal. After his arrival at Jahangirnagar, otherwise called Dhakah (Dacca), which at that time was the Viceregal Capital and where from before Prince Azim-u-shan, who had been appointed Viceroy by Emperor Aurangzib (as will be setforth hereafter) lived, finding that he (Jafar Khan) could not pull on with the Prince, put forward the pretext that the mahals of Bengal were at a long distance from that place (Dacca), separated himself from association with the Prince, and established himself at Makhsusabad, and placed there the Amlas of Zemindars, and Qanungos and other officials employed in connection with the Revenue Administration of Crown-lands. And at Dughariah, which was quite a wilderness, he erected a palace, established the Board of Revenue (Dewankhanah) and the Court of Exchequer, and made collections of the Imperial revenue. And when he was appointed permanently Subahdar (Viceroy) of Bengal and Orissa in addition to the office of Diwan, with the title of Murshid Quli Khan and with the gift of a valuable Khil'at, and of the standard and the Na'qarah (a royal drum) and the advancement of Mansab, on arrival at Makhsusabad, he improved the city, and called it after his own name "Murshidabad." And establishing a mint there, he had the words "struck at Murshidabad" inscribed on the coins. From that time, this city became the Viceregal seat. It is a beautiful city. Its inhabitants, in the society of the Subahdars, being thrown into contact with the people of Delhi, in point of refinement of manners and conversation, resemble the people of Hindustan, unlike those of other parts of Bengal. Amongst its buildings, none that was seen was noteworthy, except the Imambarah building, which was erected by Nawab Siraju-d-daulah. Its praise is beyond description; its equal is not to be found in the whole of Hindustan. Although at present one-tenth of it does not exist, yet a remnant of it is a fair specimen of the original edifice. These two verses of Maulana 'Urfi Shirazi, (May peace of God be on him!) being found to be apposite to the present case, are transcribed below:— How much of morning is known to the dwellers at its gate, In that in its neighbourhood, the sunset has no access; Wonderful is the fairness of the building, that in gazing at it, The glance does not turn back to the socket from the sight of the wall! And the palaces of Mutijhil and Hirajhil, which were most beautiful, at present have been dug up from their foundations, and are in complete ruin. - [Previous: 5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.5) - [Next: 7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.6) · Pramāṇa