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Elevation : 23539 sq. km.
Language : Urdu,Saraiki
Phone Code : 0621
Shrines : Muluk Shah
Best Time to Visit : October to March
The founder of the state of Bahawalpur was Nawab Bahawal Khan Abbasi.
The Abbasi family ruled over the State for more than 200 years (1748
to 1954). During the rule of the last Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan
Abbasi. Bahawalpur State was merged with Pakistan in 1954. Bahawalpur
was formerly the capital of the state and now is the District and
Divisional Headquarters of Bahawalpur Division. It is an important
marketing centre for the surrounding areas and is located on the
crossroads between Peshawar, Lahore, Quetta and Karachi. Saraiki is
the local language of the area. Urdu, Punjabi and English are also
spoken and understood by most of the people.
Central Library: It is housed in a
building having fine architectural value. The foundation stone of this
building was laid by the then Governor and Viceroy of India Sir Rufus
Daniel Issacs on 8 March, 1924 to mark the installation of late Nawab
of Bahawalpur Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi. The Central Library was
established in 1947 in this building. It has a vast collection of
books and rare manuscripts. It is one of the best libraries in
Pakistan and visited by students and scholars from within the country
and abroad.
Bahawalpur Museum: Bahawalpur has a modest museum with a fine
collection of coins, medals, postage stamps of former State of
Bahawalpur, manuscripts documents, inscriptions, wood carvings, camel
skin paintings, historical models and stone carvings etc. of Islamic
and pre-Islamic period. There is a complete set of medals of all
classes issued by the ex-state to its military officers/civilians and
to other important citizens of the ex-state.
Zoological Garden: The Zoological Garden of Bahawalpur is considered
to be one of the best in the country. Spread over an area of 25 acres
of land, it has an interesting collection of 120 animals and 750 birds
of tropical areas, particularly those found in this region. The zoo
has the distinction of occasional breeding of lions and supply of
beasts to other zoos in the country. It also has an aquarium and
zoological museum with stuffed rare birds and animals.
Dring Stadium: Bahawalpur has one of the finest Stadiums in the
country having fine cricket grounds, two football grounds, one
basketball court and six lawn tennis courts and a covered swimming
pool. There is also a hockey stadium, which is considered to be the
second best in the country after Karachi stadium. It can accommodate
13,000 people at a time.
Shrine of Muluk Shah: The Shrine of Muluk Shah, a popular saint of his
time, is located in the city and visited by devotees on every
Thursday, Ashura and Eid days. A small fair is also held here
annually.
Jamia Masjid Al-Sadiq: It was made by the Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad
Khan Abbasi V at the elevation of more than 12 feet from earth. It can
house 50,000 to 60,000 people at a time, during the Eid Festivals. It
is a well-reputed Mosque in Pakistan like other prominent Mosques of
Pakistan.
How To Get There
By Air: Bahawalpur is connected by air from Karachi and Islamabad.
By Rail / Road: There are daily train and bus services from Multan,
Lahore, Sukkur, Karachi, Dera Ghazi Khan, etc. to Bahawalpur.
Internal Transport: Horse drawn vehicles (tongas), and rickshaws ply
in the city. Cars are also available for hire.
PLACES AROUND BAHAWALPUR
Lal Suhanra National Park: This park is
ideal for recreation, education or research but shooting is forbidden.
This park, 36 Km to the east of Bahawalpur, is a combination of a
natural lake and forest on 77,480 acres of land and spread over on
both sides of the Bahawal canal. It has watchtowers, catching ground,
tourist huts, rest houses, camping grounds and treks for the visitors
and lovers of nature. Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP)
owns and operates a Motel with six double rooms (A.C.) near the park
(Ph. No. 0621-871144).
Wild Life: Hog deer, ravine deer, black buck and blue bull are common.
Fox, Jackals, hares, porcupines, mongoose, arks, owls and hawks are
also found. Wild boars are also found in large numbers in the forest
areas.
Panjnad Head: The Punjnad Head Works is located 12 Km away from Uch
Sharif where all the five rivers of Punjab meet. It is a nice picnic
spot with scenic beauty.
Dera Nawab Sahib: It is 55 Km from
Bahawalpur and the residential headquarters of the Nawabs of
Bahawalpur. Almost every Nawab has built a palace for himself at this
place. Sadiq Gargh palace built during the rule of Nawab Sir Sadiq
Muhammad Khan IV between 1882-1885 is the finest building there.
Forts: The old fort of Munde Shahid, 50
Km from Bahawalpur and Marot Fort are considered to be antiquities. A
place outside the Marot Fort is known as 'Baithak Maula Ali'. The tomb
of Naugaza is located in the Munde Sharif Fort.
Musafir Khana: It is 30 Km from
Bahawalpur. It is said that there are seven tombs known as 'Ali Ashab'.
These tombs are said to be of the companions of Holy Prophet (peace be
upon him). A fair is held in the village, in the month of Jeth (May)
on Fridays in the month of 'Har' (June).
Other Shrines: Other shrines of Bahawalpur Division are that of
Khawaja Noor Muhammad known as Qibla-e-Alam at Chishtian, Shrine of
another saint at Chachran and the shrine of Hazrat Mohkam Din known as
'Sahib-us-Sair' (great traveller) at Khanqah Sharif, 20 Km from
Bahawalpur.
Pattan Minara: Pattan Minara, eight
kilometres east of Rahim Yar Khan railway station is an extensive site
of ruins in the division. There is a tower in the centre of four
similar smaller towers at this place, which are believed to form a
Buddhist monastery.
Bhutta Wahan: Bhutta Wahan is 15 Km from
Rahim Yar Khan. It is believed to be the birthplace of 'Sassi', one of
the legendary lovers "Sassi and Punnu". It is also believed to be the
birthplace of "Abu-al-Fazal and Faizi," the sons of Mullah Mubarak and
famous courtiers of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great. The legend has it,
that if a women gives birth to a child at this place, the child is
sure to get the fame of a statesman like Abu-al-Fazal, scholar like
Faizi or a lover like "Sassi". But nobody knows the sacred place
precisely!
UCH SHARIF
Uch, 75 km from Bahawalpur, is a very old town. It is believed that it
existed even in 500 B.C. Some historians believe that Uch was there
even before the advent of Bikramajit when Jains and Buddhists ruled
over the sub-continent. At the time of the invasion by Alexander the
Great, Uch was under Hindu rule. Some historians say that Alexander
came to Uch after conquering northern parts of India and spent over a
fortnight in the city and renamed it Alexandria. Some have mentioned
Uch by the name of Sikandara or Iskalanda. They have described it as
the most flourishing and beautiful town perched upon the plateau near
the confluence of the Chenab and Ravi rivers. Famous shrines existing
at Uch include those of Hazrat Bahawal Haleem, Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh
Bukhari, Makhdoom Jahanian Jehangasht, Bibi Jawandi and Shaikh
Saifuddin Ghazrooni etc.
CHOLISTAN
Cholistan is locally known as Rohi. This famous desert is 30 Km from
Bahawalpur and comprises of an area of 16,000 sq.km. which extends
upto the Thar desert extending over to Sindh. The word Cholistan is
derived from 'Cholna' which means moving. The people of Cholistan lead
a semi-nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of
water and fodder for their animals.
PLACES OF INTEREST IN CHOLISTAN
Derawar Fort: Derawar Fort is located 48 Km from Dera Nawab Sahib. It
is still in a good condition. The rampart walls are intact and still
guarded by the personal guards of the Amir of Bahawalpur. The tombs of
the ex-rulers of Bahawalpur and their families are located in this
fort. The tombs have nice glazed blue tile work. Prior permission of
the senior Amir of Bahawalpur is required to enter the fort.
Shrines of Channan Pir: The Shrine of Channan Pir is located 45 Km
from Derawar Fort. Channan Pir was a disciple of Makhdoom Jahanian
Jahangasht. The annual Urs is held at the beginning of March. A
colourful fair known as 'Mela Channan Pir' is held here. Devotees
gather on the night of full moon to offer "Fateha" at the tomb of the
saint.
PEOPLE AND COSTUMES
People: The people of Bahawalpur are very simple and loving, have
great faith in religion, Pirs, Saints and Shrines. They love music and
singing. In the absence of other musical instruments even a 'Ghara'
(Pitcher) would keep the concert going. The Cholistan people tend to
preserve their primitive customs and traditions.
Costumes: The costumes of women in Cholistan are embroidered and
printed colourful 'Cholid', ordinary and long embroidered shirt, baggy
shalwars, dupattas and 'Chunries', Ghagras which are prepared
beautifully in strong contrast. Village women still wear heavy skirts
made of 40 yards of cloth known as Cholas Hath Ghagra. Men wear
embroidered and colourful Cholas (long shirts). Balaposh (robe like
coat), heavy baggy shalwars, Turkish caps, Turbans and Zari shoes have
a liking for a plain and embroidered colourful Cholas, Bangis,
Turbans, and Balaposh. Men in the Urban area wear Shalwar, Kameez and
Coat, & some people also wear Trouser.
HANDICRAFTS
The Punjab Small Industries Corporation has established a Craft
Development Centre for Cholistan Area, outside Farid Gate, Bahawalpur
from where handicrafts manufactured in Cholistan can be purchased.
Flassi: It is a place of 4-ft x 7-ft size, made of camel hair and
cotton yarn. It is used for wall hanging, as a decoration piece and a
carpet.
Gindi or Rill: It is made of small pieces of different colours of
cotton cloth and needlework. It can be used as wall hanging, bed
covers, carpets and blankets etc.
Changaries: Like big plaques, these are made of palm leaves in
different bright colours with beautiful patterns and geometric
designs. These are used for keeping the 'Chapatis' (bread) and also as
a wall decoration.
Khalti: It is like a purse embroidered on top with multi-coloured
threads.
Aar Work: It is an attractive kind of embroidery work done on Duppata,
Kurta and Chaddar etc.
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