| |
|
|
CALL:
+92 62 288 3192, +92 62 288 6283 |
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
About
Bahawalpur |
| |
 |
| |
 Elevation
: 23539 sq. km.
Language : Urdu,Saraiki
Phone Code : 062
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. |
| |
|
| |
PLACED
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. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
