Bahawalpur – 12th largest city of Pakistan

Bahawalpur is said to be the 12th largest city of Pakistan and is situated in Punjab. It was recognized as the capital of a princely state after the Durrani Empire declined. This princely state was founded by Nawab Muhammad Bahawal Khan-II in the early nineteenth century. Later on, Bahawalpur was also given the status of a province. Bahawalpur city used has been historically the hometown and hub of various different Nawabs and rulers of their times. In the United India, Bahawalpur was called the Rajputana State which is now now Rajhistan in India.

The city is renowned for its many famous palaces which include the like of Noor Mahal, Darbar Mahal Sadiq Ghar Palace, as well as some more ancient fort of Derawar located in the Cholistan Desert and bordering India. The city’s location itself has historical significance as it is situated near the historical and ancient city of Uch as well as close to Harappa, both of which used to be a stronghold of the Delhi Sultanate and Indus Valley Civilisation respectively. The Bahawalpur city also boasts of the one of the very few natural safari parks hat exist in Pakistan, the Lal Suhanra National Park.

Historical places

A major portion of Bahawalpur comprises of the Cholistan Desert i.e. around 15000 km2. It is located on the East of the city and extends into the Indian Thar Desert. There was a time when this area consisted of around four hundred forts. The Derawar Fort was the only fort with a permanent waterhole which indicates that it is from the time period of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Due to less rainfall at that time, underground wells were made in order to maximize cultivation in the area. The water was drawn up by camels. And to protect these camel routes, three rows of forts were built starting from Phulra to Lera, from Rukhanpur to Islamgarh and from Bilcaner to Kapoo. Some of these forts were built in 1000 BC with walls of gypsum blocks and mud and have been destroyed and rebuilt many times.