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Ahsan Manzil is located on the bank of the Buriganga river in Old Dhaka, Islampur. It was earlier the palace of Nawabs of Dhaka. Currently it is used as a museum. Its founder
Nawab Abdul Ghani. He named it after his son Khwaja Ahsanullah. Construction of Ahsan Manzil began in 189 AD and ended in 1872. In 1906, a decision was taken to establish a Muslim League. Ahsan Manzil was reformed several times. The latest reform has been recently done. now
A museum run by Bangladesh National Museum
History
In the middle of the eighteenth century, the landlord of Jalalpur Pargana Sheikh Enayetullah Ahsan Manzil, a place named 'Rangmahal', was created in the present place. Later, his son Rang Mahal sold it to a French merchant. It was long known as the trade cottage. Later, in 1835, Khwaja Alimullah, father of Nawab Abdul Ghani, living in Begum Bazar, started buying it. Nawab Abdul Ghani renovated the palace in 1872. After the construction of the new building, he named it Ahsan Manzil after the name of his beloved son Khwaja Ahsanullah. In 1897, on 12th June the earthquake hit Dhaka due to heavy losses of Ahsan Manzil. Nahabat Khan adjacent to Islampur Road along Barandas south of Ahsan Manzil is completely broken. Later, Nawab Ahsanullah rebuilt it.
Architecture
There is a nice dome on the roof of this palace. Once upon a time this dome was the highest in Dhaka city. Outside the main building, the tri-arcade entrance is also beautiful to look at. Likewise, the steps leading up to attract the attention of everyone. There are two beautiful arches in the eastern and western edges which are the most beautiful There are two parts inside the Ahsan Manzil. There are salon and libraries in the eastern part. In the western part there are nightshouses and other residential rooms. There are dormitory hall and banquet rooms.