BAHAWALPUR is famous around the world for its beauty, especially its desert, Cholistan. Bahawalpur was amongst the princely states of the subcontinent. Being a princely state, it was to determine its status at the time of partition whether it wanted to accede to Pakistan or India. As it was a Muslim majority state and geographically linked with Pakistan, its then ruler Nawab Sadiq Khan-V rightly decided to join Pakistan and acceded his state to Pakistan on Ocy 7, 1947. The Quaid-i-Azam and the ruler of Bahawalpur state Nawab Sadiq-V signed on the document of accession.
PRINCELY STATE OF BAHAWALPUR
Bahawalpur lying between the Punjab and Sindh is bordered by Indian States of Bikaneer and Jaisalmeer to its south and southeast. Bahawalnagar to its northeast, Vehari, Lodhran and Multan to its north, Rahimyar Khan to its west, and Muzaffargarh to its northwest. The Bahawalpur region contains ruins from the Indus Valley Civilisation, and ancient Buddhist sites such as Pattan Minara. The city lies at the edge of the majestic Cholistan Desert having Hakra River (now dried) fed by meltwater from the Himalayas. The region later became a center for caravan trade, leading to the construction of numerous forts including Derawer Fort to protect trade routes. Founded in 1748, Bahawalpur was the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur, ruled by the Abbasi family of Nawabs until 1955. The Nawabs left a rich architectural legacy, and Bahawalpur is now known for its monuments dating from that period. Once you enter in Bahawalpur, you will fall in love with the palaces, and majestic Cholistan desert where Pakistan biggest Motor Sports event held every year by TDCP
Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan V, A great reformer and Mohsin-e-Pakistan was born in 1904. He died in London on 24 May 1966 when he was only 61years old. He ruled over Bahawalpur for 59 years.
PRINCELY STATE OF BAHAWALPUR
Bahawalpur lying between the Punjab and Sindh is bordered by Indian States of Bikaneer and Jaisalmeer to its south and southeast. Bahawalnagar to its northeast, Vehari, Lodhran and Multan to its north, Rahimyar Khan to its west, and Muzaffargarh to its northwest. The Bahawalpur region contains ruins from the Indus Valley Civilisation, and ancient Buddhist sites such as Pattan Minara. The city lies at the edge of the majestic Cholistan Desert having Hakra River (now dried) fed by meltwater from the Himalayas.Â
The region later became a center for caravan trade, leading to the construction of numerous forts including Derawer Fort to protect trade routes. Founded in 1748, Bahawalpur was the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur, ruled by the Abbasi family of Nawabs until 1955. The Nawabs left a rich architectural legacy, and Bahawalpur is now known for its monuments dating from that period. Once you enter in Bahawalpur, you will fall in love with the palaces, and majestic Cholistan desert where Pakistan biggest Motor Sports event held every year by TDCP
Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan V, A great reformer and Mohsin-e-Pakistan was born in 1904. He died in London on 24 May 1966 when he was only 61years old. He ruled over Bahawalpur for 59 years.
EXPLORE THE ROYAL DESTINATION OF PUNJAB
EXPLORE THE MAJESTIC DERAWER FORT
The Cholistan Desert is the western part of the Thar desert in Bahawalpur. The area was once watered by the Hakra river and was home to an Indus Valley Civilization which supported settlements from ca.4000BC untill around 600BC. There are dozens of forts in Cholistan, desert, most of these deteriorated. Derawer Fort which was built in the 9th C. by Rai Jajja Bhatti is the best surviving example. The was taken over by the Nawab of Bahawalpur Sadiq Muhammad Khan-I in 1733 and lost control in 1747 but took the stronghold back in 1804 and it remained as the desert adobe of Nawabs of Bahawalpur. The fort is massive stunning square having walls of 1500 meters and thirty meter high. Forty circular bastions decorated with intricate patterns in cut brick work are visible from many miles. Inside the fort is tile and fresco work.Â
The fort is a massive and visually stunning square structure built of clay bricks
The most remarkable feature of Derawar’s structure is its high bastions rising into the sky from sands of Cholistan, like forty formidable knights guarding the great fort
Derawar Fort – Living to tell the tale
Derawar fort is the best surviving example which was built in the 9th c. by Rai Jajja Bhatti. The fort was taken over by the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Sadeq Mohammad Khan I, in 1733 .
Abbasi Mosque Cholistan
The white marble mosque standing in front of the Derawar Fort was built in 1849. The Abbasi Mosque is an exact replica of the Moti Masjid at the Red Fort in Delhi, India.
The Royal Necropolis of Derawar
Royal cemetery of Derawar is an eternal resting place of the ruling family of former Muslim princely state Bahawalpur.
Graves of Prophet's (P.B.U.H.) Companions ...
If you’re visiting Derawar Fort, this is a must stop for visiting and praying for their souls.
Nearby Top Attractions
Color, Camels and Celebrations at Channan Pir
No other activity in the desert attracts masses in greater numbers than this festival, which begins in mid February and sustains for seven Thursdays continuously.
The Tomb of Bibi jawindi - Uch Sharif
The most elegant building and the prime attraction in Uch is the tomb of Bibi Jawandi. It is on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Bhong Mosque the hidden gem of Rahim Yar Khan
The Bhong Mosque is all the more remarkable for its anonymity; while anyone with an interest in Islamic architecture or Seraiki folk culture may have heard of it, the building is all the more remarkable for how unknown it is among mainstream Pakistani society.
Pattan Minara-ancient archaeological sites in RYK
The most elegant building and the prime attraction in Uch is the tomb of Bibi Jawandi. It is on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
300 years old Kaala Dhari Mandir, Bahawalpur
TThe 300-year-old Shiri Nani Dev Kaala Dhari Jee Maharaaj Mandir, is the oldest and one of the most beautiful temples in Bahawalpur
Fareed Gate Bahawalpur
The Name Fareed Gate was Given due to The eminent Sufi poet Khwaja Ghulam Farid as he spent 18 years in the desert of Cholistan
Color, Camels and Celebrations at Channan Pir
Never Miss ride of TDCP Sightseeing Bus Bahawalpur. Visit TDCP office Bahawalpur for further information.
Pakistan Biggest Motor Sports Event at Cholistan
TDCP organizes each year in the month of Feb Pakistan biggest Motor Sports event at Cholistan desert.
Welcome to the city of Palaces
COLOURFUL culture of Cholistan
The cultural heritage of this area is of no less importance than the culture of the other areas of the Punjab as far as the poetry, calligraphy, embroidery motifs, music, paintings, architecture, or various games, are concerned. The Culture of this place is a combination of Islamic religious norms and regional mores of Sind and Punjab. The towns of Bahawalpur are internationally considered to specialize in extremely fine, light, and elegantly designed pottery which is sometimes called “paper pottery”.
Book Sightseeing Tour of Bahawalpur
Do not miss to witness the attractions of Bahawalpur from the top of our double décor sightseeing Bus. We will show you the beautiful palaces of Nawabs legacy.
Bahawalpur and Cholistan Tour
We have our own office at Bahawalpur so book your tour to see the majestic desert of Cholistan, Bahawalpur palaces and thrilling Jeep Rally.
- Derawar Fort: Cholistan’s iconic structure crumbling away, Tribune, Fahad Zulfikar February 14, 2017
- An architectural marvel, the Bhong Mosque is the most visually stunning place I have visited in Pakistan, Tim Blight dated 21 Feb, 2018
- A journey to Bahawalpur and beyond, on the road of self-discovery, DAWN, Huda Ahmed 02 May, 2019
- Bhong Mosque – the hidden gem of Rahim Yar Khan, Geo News
Nawab of Bahawalpur remembered on his death anniversary, The NEWS, 26th March 2021
Bahawalpur for its separate status published in DAWN on Published May 8, 2011
A tale of two palaces by Zainab Altaf April 11, 2021 News on Sunday
- The mystique of Derawar by Haroon Ashraf published in THE NATION on February 28, 2017
- The legend of Rohi – I, published in DAWN by Muhammad Hassan Miraj on January 27, 2014
- The legend of Rohi – II, published in DAWN by Muhammad Hassan Miraj on Feb 17, 2014
Listen to this blog, Rohi ki Kahani-I by Muhammad Hassan Miraj DAWN Urdu 4
Listen to this blog, Rohi ki Kahani-II by Muhammad Hassan Miraj DAWN Urdu 4
Steam engine at museum by Majeed Gill Published in DAWN on April 6, 2007
Heritage: Bahawalpur’s Best Kept Secrets by Sumaira Jajja Published in DAWN on June 11, 2017F
- Pattan Minara in Urdu by Prof Shahid
- The 300-year-old Shiri Nani Dev Kaala Dhari Jee Maharaaj Mandir, Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2015.
- BAHAWALPUR: A NECESSARY HEARTACHE , Destinations
- Cultural Expression of South Punjab by UNESCO
- Pattan Minar
- The mystery of Pattan Minara published in Tribune by Akhtar Shaheen Rind.
- In memoriam: The last Ruler of Bahawalpur published in DAWN on May 29, 2011
- Noor Mahal – Resplendent in its glory Published in DAWN on June 15, 2011
- Darbar Mahal Bahawalpur -An Architectural Masterpiece by Huda Ayaz
- A century later, Bahawalpur’s Darbar Mahal stands tall published in Tribune by Kashif Zafar on April 21, 2017
- A treat for privileged eyes by Zainab Altaf March 21, 2021 News on Sunday
Derawar Fort – Living to tell the tale, Published June 20, 2011
- Cultural Expressions of South Punjab UNESCO
- Uch Sharif: where the shrine culture began published in DAWN
- Uch Sharif: where the shrine culture began by  Kashif Zafar published in Tribune on February 06, 2017
In the shadows: Historical mandir crumbling to pieces published in Tribune dated September 05, 2015
Channan Pir, Muhammad Hassan Miraj Published in DAWN on December 27, 2013
- Tower on the Ford.by Salman Rashid
- An architectural marvel, the Bhong Mosque is the most visually stunning place I have visited in Pakistan by Tim Blight published in DAWN Feb, 2018Â
