Bahawalpur

Bahawalpur (also Bhawalpur or Bhawulpore) (Urdu: بہاولپور ) is a city of (1998 pop. 403,408) located in Bahawalpur District, Punjab Pakistan. Bahawalpur is located south of the Sutlej River and it lies in the Cholistan region. It is situated 90 km from Multan, 420 km from Lahore and about 700 km from the national capital Islamabad. It was the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur.

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Education
3 Climate
4 Wildlife
5 Sites of interest
5.1 Environs
6 Economy
7 Specialities of Bahawalpur
8 Bazaars of Bahawalpur
9 See also
10 External links
11 References



[edit] History
The city was founded in 1748 by Nawab Muhammad Bahawal Khan Abbasi I, whose descendants ruled the area until it joined Pakistan in 1947. The Bahawalpur (princely state) was one of the largest states of British India, more than 450 kilometres long, and was ruled by Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V Bahadur,[2] who decided to join Pakistan at the time of independence in 1947.

The Royal House of Bahawalpur is said to be of Arabic origin[citation needed] and claim descent from Abbas, progenitor of the Abbasid Caliphs of Baghdad and Cairo. [citation needed] Sultan Ahmad II, son of Shah Muzammil of Egypt left that country and arrived in Sind with a large following of Arabs ca. 1370. [citation needed] He married a daughter of Raja Rai Dhorang Sahta, receiving a third of the country I dowry. Amir Fathu'llah Khan Abbasi, is the recognized ancestor of the dynasty. [citation needed] He conquered the bhangar territory from Raja Dallu, of Alor and Bahmanabad, renaming it Qahir Bela. Amir Muhammad Chani Khan Abbasi entered the imperial service and gained appointment as a Panchhazari in 1583. At his death, the leadership of the tribe was contested between two branches of the family, the Daudputras and the Kalhoras. Amir Bahadur Khan Abbasi abandoned Tarai and settled near Bhakkar, founding the town of Shikarpur in 1690. Daud Khan, the first of his family to rule Bahawalpur, originated from Sind where he had opposed the Afghan Governor of that province and was forced to flee.[citation needed] The Nawab entered into Treaty relations with the HEIC, 22nd February 1833. The state acceded to the Dominion of Pakistan on 7th October 1947 and was merged into the province of West Pakistan on 14th October 1955.


[edit] Education

Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur
Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur designed by A. R. HyeIt also boasts a number of reputable educational establishments namely the Islamia University, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College and the Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur, which is one of the biggest schools in Pakistan[citation needed] and whole of Asia.[citation needed]


[edit] Climate
This short section requires expansion.

The weather is hot and dry. Summer temperatures reach high forties degrees Celsius. [citation needed] There is very little rainfall.


[edit] Wildlife
One of the few zoos in Pakistan is located in Bahawalpur. Located over an area of several acres inside the city, it contains a variety of animal species including Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, hyenas, leopards, and peacocks alongside a variety of other animals. Located near the city is the Lal Sohanra National Park, one of the few safaris in the country housing large animals including lions and rhinoceros.


[edit] Sites of interest

Bahawalpur LibraryGeneral
Noor Mahal (House of the Royal Family)
Farid Gate
Bahawalpur Museum
Bahawalpur National Library
Bahawalpur Zoo
National Wildlife Park, Lal Sohanra

Noor Palace)Mausoleums
Channen Peer Tomb Yazman
Mausoleums of Haugha Sahib

[edit] Environs

Derawar Fortress near Bahawalpur.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.

The famous fort of Derawar is located near the city, being the private fort of the former royal family who continue to be major political players[citation needed] in Pakistan.

Architectural monuments include the former royal family's palaces namely Darbar Mahal, Gulzar Mahal and Noor Mahal. All Mahals are now under military control. [citation needed]


[edit] Economy

A royal Palace.Bahawalpur has only one railroad bridge over the Sutlej River, making it an important rail centre. The surrounding area is mostly agricultural, which allows agricultural exports to many parts of the world. There is also a large market town for mangoes, dates, wheat, sugarcane, and cotton that bring in continuous demand all year round. In addition, it has soap making and cotton spinning factories, as well as enterprises producing silk and cotton textiles, carpets, and pottery. Bahawalpur has also sugar mill nearby.


[edit] Specialities of Bahawalpur

Uch Sharif Shrine.Bahawalpur is known for its cotton, silk, embroidery, carpets, and extraordinarily delicate pottery, which is produced here.

The Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) has established a Craft Development Center for Cholistan area, outside Farid Gate, Bahawalpur from where handicrafts manufactured in Cholistan can be purchased.

Flassi - It is a piece of 4-ft * 7-ftsize, made of camel hair and cotton yarn. It is used for wall hanging, as a decoration piece and a carpet. [citation needed]
Gindi or Rilli - It is made of small pieces of many colors of cotton cloth and needlework. It can be used as wall hangings, bed covers, carpets and blankets. [citation needed]
Changaries - Like big plaques, these are made of palm leaves in different bright colors with beautiful patterns and geometric designs. These are used for keeping the 'chapattis' and also as a wall decoration. [citation needed]
Khalti - It is like a purse embroidered on top with multi colored threads. [citation needed]
Artwork - It is an attractive type of embroidery done on dupatta, kurta and chaddar etc.

[edit] Bazaars of Bahawalpur
The main shopping centers of Bahawalpur are Shahi Bazaar, Machli Bazaar, Farid Gate and the Mall. Commercial area in Satellite Town is a newly developed center that is gaining popularity rapidly. A few shopping malls including Takbeer Shopping mall, Time, Prince etc cater for all kinds of needs.











[edit] See also
Bahawalpur (princely state)
Noor Mahal
Bahawalpur Airport
Islamia university, Bahawalpur
Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur
Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
Sadiq Egerton College, Bahawalpur
Gujjar
Nawab