Ahsan Manzil is one of the most attractive historical sign in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is a wonderful tourist spot of Bangladesh in the capital city. Ahsan Manzil is situated on the bank of the river Buriganga at Islampur Kumartuli in old Dhaka. It was the official residential palace and the collectorate of the Nawab Family of Dhaka. This well planned and well decorated magnificent building was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture from 1859-1869 A.D. and it is one of the top most significant architectural sign of Dhaka. To conserve the history and culture of this locality, the government of Bangladesh is preserving this palace as ‘Ahsan Manzil Museum since September 20, 1992 and made it open for all.
The palace Ahsan Manzil is a two storied building. It is divided into two parts - 1.Rangmahal, the eastern building with the dome and 2.Andarmahal, the western side with the living rooms. The high octagonal dome is on the central round room. There are large drawing room, library, card room, state room and two other guest rooms in the eastern portion of the palace. There is ballroom, the Hindustani room and some residential rooms in the western portion. The drawing room and the Jalsaghar are decorated with a beautiful artificial ceiling made of wood. A grand dining hall and some smaller rooms are in the west part. Nice white, green and yellow colored ceramic tiles decorate the floors of the dining and Darbar Halls. The famous store-room, where Nawabs used to store their valuables, was in the middle of the five rooms located in the western half of the ground floor.
Khaja Alimullah, father of Nawab Abdul Gani, purchased this khuthi (trading house) from the French in 1830 and after some renovation work made it their resident. Later Nawab Abdul Gani reconstructed the palace and named it as ‘Ahsan Manzil’ on his beloved son Ahsan Ullah in 1869.
More than 4000 signs are collected and being displayed in Ahsan manzil Museum. These are being displayed in 23 rooms out of 31 in Rangmahal. Among those, 9 rooms are arranged according to photos captured in 1904.
How to Go
Direct Bus service is available from Gulistan of Dhaka city. Private Car, Auto Rickshow, Taxi etc. are also available to go there.
Visiting Hours of Ahsan Manzil Museum
Summer time (April-September)
Saturday to Wednesday: 10.30 am – 05.30 pm
Friday: 03.00 pm – 07.30 pm
Thursday: Closed
Other Government Holidays: Closed
Winter time (October-March)
Saturday to Wednesday: 09.30 am – 04.30 pm
Friday: 02.30 pm – 07.30 pm
Thursday: Closed
Other Government Holidays: Closed