Bahawalpur is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan – specifically in South Punjab. It is the district and divisional headquarters of the Bahawalpur Division. It is considered the 12th largest city in Pakistan. In terms of population, it is considered the 11th largest city in the country. The city is dry in terms of climate. Extremely hot in summers, reaching up to 48°C, and relatively cold in winters, it stays dry throughout the year—with an annual rain of 143mm. The average temperature in the city stays around 25°C.
Bahawalpur in Pakistan History
It is also called the “City of Nawabs,” owing to its history as a princely state. The city’s rich historical heritage is one of the reasons that it is known throughout the country. Several monuments in the city are signs of this historic past – more on that later.
Bahawalpur is said to have been established in 1748 by Nawab Bahawal Khan, although other sources trace its origins to the descendants of Amir Daud Khan, the son of Amir Chawani Khan, a commander of the Abbasi dynasty. In 1785, after a series of conquests and battles, peace was restored in the region.
Bahawalpur Historical Places
The Noor Mahal
One of the most popular places to visit in Bahawalpur is the Noor Mahal. It was built in 1872. Nawab Sadiq Khan IV commissioned it for his wife, although she did not stay there more than a night. It was later used as a guest house for noble families. The palace’s architecture is inspired by neoclassical architecture – it was built in the style of an Italian Chateau.
The Noor Mahal was cared for by the Auqaf Department in 1959. In 1997, the Pakistani military purchased it for 119 million PKR. The Noor Mahal is a history repository – this is why it is now in the patronage of the Department of Archeology as a protected monument. As you enter, you first step into the Darbar Hall. It was meant for events held by the state. It is a rectangular room surrounded on both sides by suites of rooms. The roof of the Darbar Hall is an elegant element in the Mahal. It is a barrel-shaped roof decorated by alcoves with colorful mandalas and floral patterns. There are also some Islamic-inspired design features. There are also plaques with historical references in the Mahal. The terracotta tiles and plaques make one feel almost surreal walking through the Mahal.
Apart from this, there are other interesting relics in the Mahal. One was a piano imported from Germany by the Nawab for his wife. There is also a pool table in the palace. It was gifted to the Nawab by Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. A painting in the palace depicts the Quaid playing pool on the table.
Bahawalpur Central Library
Another place to visit in the Bahawalpur state is its central library. It was built in 1924 by the then-Viceroy and Governor General of India, Sir Rufus Daniel Isaacs. It was opened on the coronation of the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Khamis Abbasi.
It is considered to be the second-largest library in Punjab. The library contains well over 150,000 – according to some sources, 300,000 books. Numerous manuscripts, magazines, and newspapers are also available in the library. Many of the documents are of great historical importance. The Bahawalpur Central Library is worth visiting – if not for its dazzling body of knowledge contained within, at least for its historical importance.
Popular Places to Visit in Bahawalpur in Pakistan
Lal Suhanra National Park
There is also the beautiful Lal Suhanra National Park. Although not in the city – as it is a national park, it is around a 40-minute drive from the city. The Lal Suhanra National Park stretches more than 162,000 acres of land, with varying ecological regions. The park has numerous species, including wildcats, rabbits, Russell’s viper, wolf snake, Indian sparrow hawk, and many more, including ducks in the winter. The park is also home to species once nearing extinction in the Cholistan Desert area. It has successfully preserved them. It is also a great place for those interested in bird-watching – the park has over 100 species of birds.
If one is willing to travel 50 km, other places to visit include the Derawar Fort, Darbar Mahal, the Bahawalpur Zoo, and the Uch Sharif for its tombs.
The Sadiq Public School
Bahawalpur is also home to some well-known educational institutions. The Sadiq Public School is one. It was inaugurated by Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V in 1954. The school has long served as the most elite school in the Bahawalpur district.
Islamia University Bahawalpur
The other institution is the Islamia University Bahawalpur. It is home to many students from the country, especially from the surrounding regions. The city’s huge library and fine educational institutions say much about the city – its historical focus on education.
Food Choices Available in the Bahawalpur District
When it comes to food, there are many diverse options available in Bahawalpur. One of the most famous delicacies of the city is Sohan Halwa. It is available to purchase from various sweet places throughout the city. The most well-known variant of it is the Nawabi Sohan Halwa. The most popular shop for it being Haji Rasheed Sohan Halwa. There is also the Pappu Bhai Anda Shami near Fareed Gate. You might not be able to find it on any lists, but it is very popular by word of mouth in the city. The famous anda shami, which is also a fan-favourite, is a dish made of beef shami kebab and omelette.
Regarding fast food, some of the oldest restaurants in the city are Al-Maida, Pizza Garden, and Zanzibar. However, in recent years, many nationwide and international restaurant chains, such as KFC, Domino’s, 14th Street Pizza, etc, have taken over many older staples of the city.
Bahawalpur is a city worth visiting. It is an important page in Pakistan’s history, and its many monuments speak to this fact. Recently, a lot of development has started taking place in the city, including work on newer roads. It might be a great time to visit the city in the near future.
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Shahalam Tariq is based in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. His writings on history, theory and literature have appeared in The Friday Times and Bazm e Dana. His poems have appeared in The Writers Sanctuary, Borderless Journal and Gentle Visitations.