In my previous blog I have covered Murshidabad so continuing with that series in this blog I am going to cover places to visit around Cossimbazar. Cossimbazar or Kasim Bazar is very near to Murshidabad town and it can be covered within a day along with places to visit around Murshidabad. Cossimbazar mainly covers cemeteries, palaces, rajbari, and churches.
How to Visit Cossimbazar
Most tourist stays at Murshidabad or Berhampore so the best way to visit would be in a Toto (e-rickshaw) or you can come by your vehicle also. A toto would charge somewhere between 500 – 600 Rupees for a round trip from Murshidabad. Usually, there is a fixed syndicate rate but slight negotiations can be done.
The number of tourist spots in Cossimbazar is less thus you can easily combine it with your day trip around Murshidabad.
Where to stay in Cossimbazar
If you are looking for a luxurious experience then do check out the Cossimbazar Choto Rajbari (Palace of the Roys) which has been converted into a luxurious hotel and one can experience both luxury and royalty.
Places to visit around Cossimbazar:-
Armenian Church
This is the only Armenian Church in West Bengal outside of Kolkata. You must be wondering why an Armenian church that too in Cossimbazar? Back then I mean during the Cossimbazar was a hub for European traders and that is the reason why you had the Dutch, Armenian, and English all set up shops here for trade.
Just like in Calcutta the Armenians were traders and merchants and were eager to trade in Bengal with the support of the Nawabs and Cossimbazar being the next town to Murshidabad became their hub.
The actual name of the church is The Holy Virgin Mary Armenian Church of Saidabad. This church was built around 1757 – 1758 by Khoja Petros Arathoon. There is no regular church service out here since there are no Armenians in this part of Bengal anymore. Their population even in Kolkata is dwindling. Service only happens on a rare occasion when members of the Armenian community travel to Murshidabad, especially during the Armenian Christmas that takes place around the 6th of January.
Vlog on Armenian Church
Dutch Cemetery
Similar to the Armenians the Dutch merchants were also active out here. It was easier for them to get direct access to the Nawabs instead of waiting for communication to happen from Calcutta. This small cemetery has around 47 tombs.
The most attractive is the white tomb of Tammerus Canter Visscher which when one compares is a replica of the Tomb of Susanna Anna Maria in Bandel. In reality, it’s the other way round the one in Cossimbazar was built much before the one in Bandel it is believed that Susanna Anna Maria choose this design for herself. Her first husband was the Chief Administrator of Cossimbazar and during that time she had seen this and wanted something similar for herself but on a grander scale.
Vlog on Dutch Cemetery
Cossimbazar Choto Rajbari (Palace of the Roys)
This is also known as the Palace of the Roys and now functions as a museum for tourists as well as a heritage hotel. So, if you want to experience luxury and heritage then this place is very much recommended. The front portion of the palace has been renovated and the front façade is beautifully maintained in pristine white color.
You need to buy a ticket to visit the museum and the guide cost is included in the building. Photography is only allowed outside the building from the front side. However, limited mobile photography is allowed in the back section. No photography is allowed inside the museum.
The museum consists of rooms that have been decorated to what they would have been during the zamindari era. Furniture, bed, porcelain, dress, etc. are all on display. You will be taken on a tour of the back section showing you the temple and the Thakur Dalan.
Vlog on Cossimbazar Choto Rajbari
Old English Cemetery (Residency Cemetery)
This place is also referred to as the Residency Cemetery since during the East India Company days and even after that during the Crown era, there was a huge number of Englishmen living here in Cossimbazar. They had the same motive as the Armenians and the Dutch that is to ensure trade and a quick direct link with the Nawabs.
Especially after the Battle of Plassey a lot of English soldiers and officers were stationed here so at to keep a check on the activities of the Nawabs and to prevent a repeat of what Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah did by marching to Calcutta unchallenged.
These English men were buried out here along with some of their family members. One of the most prominent amongst them is the first wife and daughter of Warren Hastings who back then a British Resident of Murshidabad (back then the capital of Bengal) and later rose to the ranks of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William.
Vlog on Old English Cemetery
Cossimbazar Boro Rajbari (Sripur Palace)
The history of this house and the family also has a direct connection with Siraj ud-Daulah. When Siraj ud-Daulah decided to attack Calcutta his first wave consisted of taking over possessions from the English starting from Cossimbazar. Warren Hastings used to work as a clerk at the Cossimbazar factory. During the first wave of attack, Warren Hastings hid in this very place and was sheltered by Krishna Kanta Nandy. He was the grandson of Kali Nath Nandy who had settled here in Cossimbazar. Due to this favor, he was later made Diwan and had given the charge of many Zamindari. This led to the prosperity of the family for generations.
This is also the very building that had hosted the first Bangiya Sahitya Sammelan in 1907 which was attended by Rabindranath Tagore.
Unfortunately, this place is not accessible to tourists and one can only see it from the outside.
Vlog on Cossimbazar Boro Rajbari
Residency Cemetery of Babulbona
This is another cemetery that I recommend one should visit during a trip to Cossimbazar. Geographically this place is located at Berhampore but very near to Cossimbazar and can be easily reached in a toto.
This is a very large cemetery when compared to the Dutch and the Old English Cemetery. This cemetery again has a connection with the Battle of Plassey as after that the East India Company had established a cantonment and apart from Cossimbazar many of them had residence around Berhampore.
This cemetery had tombs of soldiers, officers as well as high-ranking officials. This cemetery was also used for their family members, especially children who had high mortality due to the weather and health conditions.
Some of the most prominent people buried out here in this cemetery are Captain James Skinner (1773), George Thomas (1802), and Henry Creighton (1807). This cemetery has some tall memorial pillars and columns which is very unique and easily stand out. Unfortunately, only a couple of the tombs have tombstones so it’s very difficult to identify the tombs of the three. All of the tombs are numbered so I assume some records can help in associating the names with the tombs.
Vlog on Residency Cemetery of Babulbona
Location Of These Places on Map
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