Travelogue: Breathtaking Architectural Riches Of Bahawalpur

Ishtiaq Ahmed

Bahawalpur: Noor Mahal, for its architectural beauty, crowns all the others. Sitting on expansive, lush grounds, its majesty is both daunting and exhilarating. One can’t help but be overwhelmed by this historical wonder.

 The others are Darbar Mahal, Gulzar Mahal, Abbasi Mosque, and Bahawalpur Central Library.

Bahawalpur was formerly founded in 1748 but British historian Sir Alexandra Cunningham identified the Bahawalpur region as the home of the ancient Hindu Yaudhheya kingdoms of the Mahabharata. However, since its constitution, it had been ruled by the Abbasi family until 1955.The Bahawalpur region, once part of the Multan province of the Mughal Empire, contains ruins from the Indus Valley Civilization and ancient Buddhist sites such as PattanMinara. Bahawalpur city is situated at the edge of the Cholistan Desert and serves as the gateway to the Lal.Suhanara National Park. It is also only 84 kilometres from UchShareef which dates back to the Alexandrian period and is home to the shrines of many Muslim sufis from the 10 to 15th centuries. As soon as one steps into the principal hall which is immensely beautiful with high, colourful and tastefully decorated ceilings with massive chandeliers, aesthetically marbled and tiled floors, and spacious halls, it’s a majestic work of architecture that would attract any history-loving traveller to it.The Noor Mahal is spread over 4140 sq. metres and was designed by the state engineer, an Englishman, namely Heennan, in 1872 and completed in 1875. The cost of the building was Rs1.2 million and most of the items was imported from England and Italy.Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi-V was a loyal friend of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and extended all-out support during the creation of Pakistan. In the snooker room of the palace hangs a large portrait of Qaid-e-Azam playing snooker.The palace is surrounded by lush green grounds that are beautifully manicured and maintained and have become a hub for cultural heritage and other entertainment performances. On the substantial foundations of the palace are also displayed three notable vehicles: the royal carriage, the caravan and the vehicle that travelled long distances.One needs a few days to get around taking in the richness of this beauty but sadly, due to other commitments; I had to cut my visit short. Insha’Allah, I will return to the city I have fallen in love with for its grandeur and magnificence.

Photo Credit: Ishtiaq Ahmed