The city is named after Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the leader of Bangladesh, Odisha, and Bihar, who moved his government from Dhaka to Maksudabad and renamed the city after his own name. The city is now famous for its tourist attractions and thriving cottage industry. Among the several historic buildings constructed during Mughal and British rule, the Hazarduari Palace, built by Duncan McLeod is one of the city's top attractions. It has now been converted into now a museum displaying Navab armory, paintings, and portraits. The palace boasts of  Pearl Lake (Moti Jhil)  to the south, and Murad Bagh Palace and Kush Bagh Cemetery, where the remains of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj ud Daula are buried. Bizamat Imambara built in 1847 is the largest in India and Bangladesh today. Katra Masjid is a mosque and mausoleum of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. Its importance lies not only in that as a great center of Islamic learning, but also because of the tomb of Murshid Quli Khan, which is buried under the entrance stairs. another attraction is the  Bacchawali Tope which is a weapon, not a barrel, that consists of two parts with different diameters. This cannon was probably manufactured by the Muslim rulers of Gore between the 12th and 14th centuries. Murshidabad has gained importance as one of the famous silk saree hubs of India. The ivory silk saree from Murshidabad and the shola brand are famous for their silk fabrics. The city also holds a strong cultural background with many festivals and fairs each year. The annual Bera Utsav Festival takes place in the month of Badra (mid-September) in Bengal on the Bajirati River near the Nawab Palace.