Murshidabad or Bengal came into the focus from the very ancient time of Indian History. Though always they didn't carry the same name.

MURSHIDABAD IN MOURYA AGE :
According to Ptolemy's literature there was a race, Gangaridai became very powerful in first and second century A.D. They lived at the lower part of river Ganges (i.e., Murshidabad) and Gange was their capital.

MURSHIDABAD IN BUDDHIST AGE :
Buddhism was established at Farakka during the time of Goutama Buddha. From Hsuan Tsang's famous book SIOKI it is known that Emperor Ashoka built four stupas in Karnasubarna, the then capital of Bengal.

THE GLORY OF KARNASUBARNA :
Sasanka was the ruler of Banga (Bengal) during the end of the sixth century A.D. His capital was Karnasubarna which is situated 10 kilometre south- west away from today's divisional town of Murshidabad, Berhampore. Sasanka was a very powerful king and the Gouda Banga was raised to the status of an Empire. 

MURSHIDABAD IN MEDIEVAL AGE OR MUSLIM AGE :
At the beginning of thirteenth century A.D. Bakhtyer Khaljee captured Laxanabati or Gouda, the capital of Bengal, from that time Murshidabad was under Muslim rule. From this time Goudia Vaishnava religion was spread over here under the influence of Lord Sri Chaitanyadeva.

MURSHIDABAD IN MUGHAL AGE :
Akbar occupied Bengal defeating Pathan General Osman Khan in 1600 A.D. The battle was held at the Atai- Nagar- Murcha area of Kandi subdivision.
During the last part of the reign of Shahjahan, his second son Suja was the Subedar of Bengal.
In the period of Aurangzeb, diwan Murshid Quli Khan shifted the capital from Dacca to Mukshudabad and afterwards it was named - Murshidabad. 

MURSHIDABAD IN BRITISH AGE :
After the battle of Plassey (1757 A.D.) British reign started. In 1767 A.D. Berhampore Cantonment was established. Robert Clive and Warren Hestings lived in the Circuit House, today's residence of District Magistrate of Murshidabad.