Bahawalpur Past and Present
Princely state was the beautiful addition in subcontinent and ruled by Nawaabs and Rajputs independently under the British rule. Princely States were famous with tradition, cultural heritage and rich with architectural legacy. Nawabs and Raja's of princely states keep the people in good condition and that time these states consider rich states with all basic needs of human life. The famous princely states of subcontinent are Bahawalpur, Kashmir, Hyderabad, Khairpur,Swat,Qallat and Rajistan etc.
Today we are going to discuss the former princely state of Bahawalpur. In the mirror of history Bahawalpur has known was the home of various ancient societies and part of the Indus valley civilization. According to the British archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham identified the Bahawalpur region as the home of the Yaudheya kingdoms of the Mahābhārata as researcher in British Raj. Bahawalpur with time to time built as a region in vernacular style and its main region was the holy city of Uch Sharif also considered the home of shrines dedicated to the Muslim mystics from the 12th to 17 th century. Bahawalpur officially found the princely state in in 1748 and rules by the Nawabs of Abbasi family until 1955.Bahawalpur located in Punjab.The Nawabs left a rich architectural legacy, and Bahawalpur is now known for its monuments dating from that period.The city also lies at the edge of the Cholistan Desert, and serves as the gateway to the nearby Lal Suhanra National Park.Nawab Bahawal khan I actually founded Bahawalpur when he migrated from Uch Sharif, near Shikarpur Sindh in 1748.Bahawalpur replaced drawer as the clan's capital city. Bahawalpur in past was the trading post routes between Afghanistan and central India. In past Warriors destroyed Bahawalpur many time in past from Afghanis in 1798, the Durrani commander Sardar Khan attacked Bahawalpur and captured Bahawalpur's ruling family, along with nobles from nearby Uch, were forced to take refuge in the Derawar Fort, where they successfully repulsed attacks.
The attacking Durrani force accepted 60,000 rupees as nazrana tribute, though Bahawal Khan later had to seek refuge in the Rajput states as the Afghan Durranis occupied Derawar Fort. Bahawal Khan returned to conquer the fort by way of Uch, and re-established control of Bahawalpur. In 1802 the second Nawab of Bahawal khan break up the Durrani empire and found Bahawalpur again and after 5 five captured by Ranjit Singh and laid it in Sikh empire and later Ranjit Singh eventually withdrew the forces and give behawalpur back to Nawab of Bahawalpur with some gifts.
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The period of the Mughals and British raj become the happiest for Bhawalpur State. In Mughal Rule Behavior offered an outpost of stability in the wake of crumbling Mughal rule and the declining power of Khorasan's monarchy. The city became a refuges for prominent families from affected regions, and also saw an influx of religious scholars escaping the consolidation of Sikh power in Punjab. In 1833, The Nawab of Bahawalpur made an agreement with the British and guaranteeing the independence of the Nawab and the autonomy of Bahawalpur as a princely state.The treaty guaranteed the British a friendly southern frontier during their invasion of the Sikh Empire.This treaty brought agricultural and economic development in region as Britisher use Bahawalpur as a trade route and In 1833, the Sultej and Indus Rivers were opened to navigation, allowing goods to reach Bahawalpur. Moreover, In 1845 the trade routes to Delhi re-established Bahawalpur as a commercial center and soon Bahawalpur state became a center for the production of silk goods, lungs, and cotton goods.During 19th century Bahawalpur influence by the British Raj and Bahawalpur was constituted as a municipality in 1874. The city's Noor Mahal Palace was completed in 1875.After that there were reformed, found in State in the education sector and Bahawalpur's Sadiq Egerton College was founded in 1886.Two hospitals were established in the city in 1898.Bahawalpur's Islamia University was founded as Jamia Abbas in 1925. and Nawab of Bahawalpur fully supported Crown in Worldwar Two.
Bahawalpur in Modern era
The Britsh Raj has ended in subcontinent and the new beginning was brought the message of darkness for different princely states as with the participation of India divided princely estates between Pakistan and India on the basis of religion majority. There was no chance of separation or independence of states. Bahawalpur came under the Pakistan territory. At last 1955 Princely state of Bahawalpur became the part of Pakistan in 1954.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 V, Bahawalpur State was merged with Pakistan in 1954 and Today Bahawalpur remain with its original name and government of Pakistan took the responsibility of state arts and culture assists. After mergers Bahawalpur was formerly the capital of the state and now is the District and Divisional Headquarters of Bahawalpur Division.It is an important marketing center 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. Bahawalpur is the 11th largest city in Pakistan with an estimated population of 800,000.Bahawalpur is the main center of south Punjab with Multan. After inclusion in Pakistan Bahawalpur progress in all fields of life.As the Cholistan is the closest desert in the region.There is a Bahawal Stadium or The Bahawalpur Dring Stadium is a multipurpose stadium, home to Bahawalpur Stags.It hosted a sole international match, a test match between Pakistan and India in 1955.Motiullah hockey stadium is in Bahawal Stadium which is used for various national and international hockey tournaments in country. Aside from the cricket ground, it has a gym and a pool facility for the citizens.
Bahawalpur as the state was completed with the basic needs of living. As there are were schools, colleges and universities at that time. Pakistan government gave proper attentions in Bahawalpur as there is one Islamia university and college is there. there are modern schools system works such as Bechonhouse schools there and also in medical sector there is Bahawal Victoria BV Hospital Bahawalpur. Moreover, Buhawalpur known as a tourism place where visitors can find many such places.
Lal Sohanra National Park, Sadiq Garh Palace, The Tomb of Bibi jawindi in Uch Sharif, Noor Mahal, Darbar Mahal, Darawar Fort, Abbasi Mosque, Farid Gate, the central library is an architectural marvel, Gulzar Mahal and Royal graveyard. Moreover, Bahawalpur is connected with modern ways of transportation, i.e. international airport, Railway Stations, Modern bus services such as Daweevo, uber, career car services and other local transportation is also available for touring.
There are 3 and 5 star hotel such as Hotel One Bahawalpur, New Premier Hotel, Qatar Banquet Hall & Hotel, 5th Avenue Hotel, Hotel Executive Lodges, Royal Mark Hotel Bahawalpur etc. are local and merit as the international chain serves for touring and there is menu restaurant for famous local and traditional food. Furthermore, Buhawalpur is also playing its role as an agricultural industry of Pakistan and produce cotton, sugarcane, wheat, sunflower seeds, rapes/mustard seed and rice. Bahawalpur mangoes, citrus, dates and guavas are some of the fruits exported out of the country. Vegetables include onions, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes and carrots. Being an expanding industrial city, the government has revolutionized and libertised various markets, allowing the caustic soda, cotton ginning and pressing, flour mills, fruit juices, general engineering, iron and steel re-rolling mills, looms, oil mills, poultry feed, sugar, textile spinning, textile weaving, vegetable ghee and cooking oil industries to flourish.
