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- For other places with the same name, see Berhampore (disambiguation).
Berhampore (বহরমপুর Bohorompur), a colonial-era town on the Hooghly River, is the headquarters of the Murshidabad district of West Bengal.
Understand
[edit | edit source]History
[edit | edit source]The history of the Berhampore area is somewhat older than Murshidabad itself. By the early 17th century, Cossimbazar (কাশিমবাজার Kāshimbājār) in present-day Berhampore became a flourishing river port after the decline of Saptagram. The Roy zamindar family settled at Cossimbazar and made a fortune by trading in silk. They played a major role in shaping the present-day Berhampore alongside the British.
Berhampore was the first centre of the East India Company in India. It was established as a fortified British cantonment after leasing 400 bighas of land from Nawab Mir Jafar in 1757. Archibald Campbell designed the cantonment and architect Captain John Brohier oversaw it. Not only the British but also the Dutch and the French established their companies in this city and, as a result, it grew as a production hub of India.
Get in
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By train
[edit | edit source]- 1 Berhampore Court SDAH . Served by multiple suburban trains from Krishnanagar, Ranaghat and Sealdah, as well as some express trains from Kolkata. With the opening of Nashipur Rail Bridge in 2024, Berhampore is served by express trains from North Bengal and even North-Eastern India.
- 2 Cossimbazar SDAH . Particularly useful for the Cossimbazar area.
- 3 Khagraghat Road ER , Khagraghat (opposite the Hooghly River). Once popular among passengers to North Bengal or North-Eastern India before the opening of Nashipur Rail Bridge in 2024. It is still commonly used to go to Katwa, Bandel or Howrah.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Get into any private or government bus from Kolkata (Esplanade) going to or via Berhampore. Volvo bus service is also available for the Kolkata-Berhampore route.
Get around
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Toto (electric rickshaws) are available. There is no fixed rate. Fix up the price before you start the tour. Prices are subject to bargaining.
See
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- 1 Cossimbazar Palace of the Roys (Cossimbazar Choto Rajbari), ☏ +91 9831031108. The former royal palace of the Cossimbazar royal family, turned into a heritage property.
- 2 Old Cossimbazar Palace (Cossimbazar Boro Rajbari), Cossimbazar. ThisThe place is known as Boro Rajbari and belongs to the Nandi family. It is totally in ruins, and the interiors are not accessible.
- 3 Old English Cemetery, Cossimbazar. The Old English Cemetery contains several tombs and graves, including the tomb of Mary Hastings, wife of Warren Hastings and that of her infant daughter. There are several other graves in the cemetery, but most of them are unmarked.
- 4 Dutch Cemetery, Cossimbazar. The Dutch Cemetery of Cossimbazar dates back to the early 18th century. The oldest grave is of Daniel Van der Muyl, who died in 1721. The cemetery has 47 tombs, most of them obelisks. The cemetery houses a white temple-like tomb housing the mortal remains of a Dutch East India Company official, Tammerus Canter Visscher. Incidentally, there is a similar grave in Chinsurah.
- 5 Residency Cemetery (Station Burial Ground, Babulbona Cemetery), Babulbona. A heritage Christian cemetery protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Many important British residents and military personnel lived in Berhampore were buried in this cemetery.
- 6 St. Mary Armenian Church, Saidabad, Cossimbazar. It was constructed in 1758 by Khoja Petros Arathoon. The church closed down after its last sermon in 1860, but was reopened in 2005. Although not a functioning church, it is well maintained and is housed in a large compound complete with a landscaped garden. It is a small church and there are several graves inside the church.
- 7 Byaspur Shiva Temple. A Shiva temple with terracotta works. It was built in 1811 by Pandit Ramkeshava Devasharman, and is said to have been inspired by the temple in Baranagar (near Azimganj) built by Rani Bhabani.
- 8 Murshidabad Maharaja Krishnanath University. A public state university in Berhampore with Oxford-inspired architecture. It was established in 1853 as a liberal arts college by Maharani Swarnamoyee Devi. She named it after the demise of her her husband Krishnath Roy, who dreamt of establishing an academic institution. Author Brajendranath Seal developed the college infrastructure further.
- 9 Saidabad Rajbari. Built by Maharaja Nandakumar Roy's son-in-law, the palace was later converted into a museum and district library.
Do
[edit | edit source]Hang around in the riverbank in the afternoon and go for drive on riverside road.
Berhampore hosts an International Theater Festival every year between October and December.
- 1 Laldighi Park. A great place to (re)discover love.
- 2 Rabindra Sadan. Watch theatre.
- 3 Ritwik Sadan. Watch documentary films.
- 4 Barrack Square (Square Field). The 40 acres (16 hectares) central ground of Berhampore, as part of the fortified British cantonment. It is surrounded by various bungalows and barracks, all of which are now used as government offices.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- Kitchen utensils and homewares made of Kansa (a copper alloy). Khagrai Kansa is said to be the best in India.
- Snake Charmer's flutes.
- Murshidabad Silk.
- Cossimbazar Muslin.
Also, lots of cottage industry can be observed, which make lot of hand crafts items.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- Chhanabora is a delicious dairy-based sweet made of deep fried chhana (uncompressed panir) and dipped in sugar syrup
- A great variety of mangoes are available. This is because they were specially planted by the Nababs (Muslim emperors of Murshidabad) from different areas in India and beyond. Among the most delicious varieties in town are Kohinoor, Rani and Khosba.
- A sweet called khaza, made from sesame, is also very popular.
Drink
[edit | edit source]There are a number of liquor bars on the outskirts of the city.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Bohor Tourism Property (Berhampore Tourist Lodge), 48, K.N. Rd, ☏ +91 97325 10031, berhampore12@gmail.com. Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹1,800–3,400.
- 2 Cossimbazar Palace of the Roys, ☏ +91 9831031108, roopkathabookings@gmail.com. The property is managed by the royal family under the banner of Roopkatha Hotels and Resorts. It houses 14 air-conditioned double bed rooms and two suites. The hotel has a restaurant serving Bengali cuisine. There is a heritage tour of the hotel, which is free for hotel guests and outsiders have to pay ₹ 30 per head for the tour.
- 3 Hotel Lake View, 116, R.N. Tagore Rd, ☏ +91-9332701545, +91-9332701546, +91-9332701547, info@lakeviewhotel.co.in. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11:00 AM. Rooftop pool, lounge, cafe, restaurant, ceremony hall. ₹2000-₹5000.
- 4 Samriddhi Banquet Garden and Resorts.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Murshidabad — About 24 km from Berhampore
- Jiaganj Azimganj
- Tarapith — A Hindu pilgrimage site. Best known for the Maa Tara Temple built by Sadhak Bamakshyapa. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre, and several thousand devotees visit the temple every day.
- Palashi - The famous Battle of Plassey was fought here on 23 June 1757 between the last independent ruler of Bengal, Nawab Siraj ud-Daula (1756-1757) and the British forces under the command of Lord Clive. This battle marked the advent of the British rule in the erstwhile Bengal and in India as a whole. A memorial stone to mark the victory of the British was erected here in 1883.
| Routes through Berhampore |
| Raiganj ← Malda ← | N  S | → Palashi → Krishnanagar |