Bahawal Pur
Bahawal Pur (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. The city of Bahawalpur is famous for its kind-hearted people known as the Saraikis.
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 State of Bahawalpur was one of the largest states of British India, more than 450 kilometres long, and was ruled by General H.H. Jalalat ul-Mulk, Rukn ud-Daula, Saif ud-Daula, Hafiz ul-Mulk, Mukhlis ud-Daula wa Muin ud-Daula, Al-Haj Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V Bahadur, Nusrat Jung, Amir of the God gifted kingdom of Bahawalpur, GCSI (1.1.1941, KCSI 1.3.1929), GCIE (3.6.1931), KCVO who decided to join Pakistan at the time of independence in 1947. The state maintained its sovereignty until 1955.
The Royal House of Bahawalpur is said to be of Arabic origin and claim descent from Abbas, progenitor of the Abbasid Caliphs of Baghdad and Cairo. Sultan Ahmad II, son of Shah Muzammil of Egypt left that country and arrived in Sind with a large following of Arabs ca. 1370. 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. He conquered the bhangar territory from Raja Dallu, of Alor and Bhamanabad, 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 Scind where he had opposed the Afghan Governor of that province and was forced to flee. 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 state of West Pakistan on 14th October 1955.
Famous Families
There are so many famous and respectable families; including the Meer Family, Gardaizi Family, and Jalwanah Family.
Meer Family
Meer Family of Meer Syed Muhammad Hussain Esq. of Rahim Yar Khan.
Meer Syed Muhammad Hussain Esq. had eight sons in which his elder most son Meer Syed Ghulam Muhammad Shah Esq. selected this city for his residence and died in 1976. He served as a Deputy Collector in Irrigation Department of Bahawal Pur State. His elder son Meer Syed Akhter Hussain Bokhari Esq. was also a Deputy Superintendent Jail Bahawal Pur and he was died in 2001. His 3rd son Meer Syed Zafar Hussain Bokhari Esq. was Principal at Govt. College of Commerce, Bahawal Pur. Now he is running his own private college in the name of Islamiah College of Commerce. His 4th son Meer Syed Asghar Hussain Bokhari Esq. was a best cricket player. He had gone to UK in 1956 with Pakistan Eaglets team and stayed there. Now he is a Councilor at Birmingham. His 5th and younger most son Meer Syed Afzal Hussain Bokhari Esq. was an Advocate as well as Secretary, Divisional Cricket Association Bahawal Pur. He was also a very good player of cricket. He died in 2005. The 2nd elder son of Meer Syed Muhammad Hussain Esq. was Meer Syed Tassaduq Hussain Esq. He was a Police Inspector and died in 1953. His elder son Meer Syed Aftab Hussain was a Doctor and he was migrated to UK and died there in 2004. The 4th son of Meer Syed Muhammad Hussain Esq. was Meer Syed Tajammul Hussain Esq. who was a Secretary of Rahim Yar Khan Municipal Committee. Then he was transferred to Bahawal Pur in the same capacity. The 7th son of Meer Syed Muhammad Hussain Esq. is Meer Syed Inayat Hussain Shah Esq. had served as Extra Additional Commissioner. He is still living there. His elder son Meer Syed Mujahid Hussain Shah is a Divisional Statical Officer. His younger son Meer Syed Shujaat Hussain is an Orthopedic Surgeon at B.V. Hospital.
Education
It 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 and whole of Asia. The weather is hot and dry. Summer temperatures reach high forties degrees Celsius. There is very little rainfall.
There are many colleges some are given below;
- Government SE college
- Post Grduate college baghdad road
- Technology college
- Vocational colleges
- Four degree colleges
- Commerece college
- Tebiya Colleges
- Four elementary colleges for teaching training
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, 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 rhinoceres.
Sites of interest
- Gerenal
- Noor Mahal (House of the Royal Family)
- Farid Gate
- Bahawlpur Museum
- Bahawlpur National Library
- Bahawalpur Zoo
- Mausoleums
- Channen Peer Tomb
- Mausoleums of Haugha Sahib
Fort of Munde Shahid
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 in Pakistan.
The Lal Sohanra National Park is also located close to the city. Architectural monuments include the former royal family's palaces namely Darbar Mahal, Gulzar Mahal and Noor Mahal. All Mahals are now under military control.
Economy
Bahawalpur has only one railroad bridge over the Sutlej River, making it an important rail centre. The surrounding area is mostly agricultural, which allows agricultrual 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. Bahwalpur has also sugar mill near a drive of 40 mins.
Specialities of Bahawalpur
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.
Gindi or Rilli
It is made of small pieces of many colors of cotton cloth and needle work. It can be used as wall hangings, bed covers, carpets and blankets.
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.
Khalti
It is like a purse embroidered on top with multi colored threads.
Aart Work
It is an attractive type of embroidery done on dupatta, kurta and chaddar etc.
Bazaars of Bahawalpur
The main shopping centers of Bahawalpur are Shahi Bazaar, Machli Bazaar, Farid Gate and the Mall.
See also
- State of Bahawalpur
- Bahawalpur Airport
- Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur
- Sadiq Egerton College, Bahawalpur
- Gujjar
- Nawab