It is actually the tomb of Azimunnisa Begum, daughter of Nawab Murshid-Quli Khan. This tomb (also known as Zinda Kabar among the locals) was built in his memory.
About 5-6 from Hazarduari Palace. Kilometers away, this vast part of the architecture of the Bengal Nawabi era is located.
The place is adorned with a beautifully maintained garden and a resting place at the bottom of the stairs leading to the tomb of the princess.
There are also the remains of a mosque, but most of it was washed away by a small river a few hundred years ago. But looking at the ruins you can imagine how great the architecture was.
Tomb of Azimunnisa Begum
Azimunnisa Begum was the daughter of Murshid Quli Khan and the wife of the second Nawab of Bengal, Shuja-Ud-Din Muhammad Khan.
Azimunnisa Begum was buried in Azimnagar, the old city of Murshidabad. It is about 216 km from Kolkata, India. The tomb is also known as ‘Zinda Kabar’ (Live Tomb/Tomb of Azimunnisa Begum).
It is known that he was buried alive here. But what was the reason behind it being so important to him; Let me know
Myths – Tomb of Azimunnisa Begum
There is a legend that once Azimunnisa Begum felt seriously ill. Hekim (doctor) advised taking medicine prepared from the liver of a child. Then he started taking medicine.
The drug was secretly given to him. However, after recovering, he could not give up the drug. It became his addiction.
As a result, many children died silently at the time. She was then the richest and most powerful woman in her region.
So his clerks did not have the courage to disobey him. They killed a child every day to catch a liver.
Upon learning of the matter, her husband Nawab Shuja-Ud-Din accused her of giving her an innocent life and buried her alive under the stairs.
Read also: Best 7 Hooghly Imambara places you should go
So how many people come here (Tomb of Azimunnisa Begum) in the future and have to walk over the grave to atone for their sins? For such cruelty, Azimunnisa called Kalija-Khali means ‘Liver Eater’.
It is heard that the relationship between Shuja-Ud-Daulah and Azimunnisa was not good. That is why the Nawab did not hesitate to punish his wife mercilessly.
On the contrary, another statement was made that his father Murshid Quli Khan found out about his cruel behavior through investigation. And then he got upset about his daughter and ordered her to be buried alive.
However, the date of his death is a matter of controversy as there is no evidence that the incident took place. The majority of opinion is that it was 1730 AD.
A mosque was built in the area (Tomb of Azimunnisa Begum) in 1733 following the Mughal architectural style. The stairs to his tomb were used to enter the mosque.
Gateway – Masjid Remains And tomb of Azimunnisa Begum
There is an inscription slab at the east entrance of the mosque. There are many similarities with the design of the Katra Mosque. The place is adorned with well-maintained gardens.
But the mosque was destroyed by a huge earthquake and everything now is just a door to that great structure. However, looking at the ruins you can imagine how beautiful the total architectural building was.
There is also controversy over who made it, but many say it was made by Azimunnisa.
In 1985, the Archaeological Survey of India took over the maintenance of the ruined mosque.
Although nearly three hundred years have passed, much remains a mystery about the death of Azimunnisa. According to many, these are all rumors or folklore.
But Azimunnisa is present in history as an icon of a barbaric woman and as ‘Kalija-Khali’.