Bahawalpur: Palaces, History and Collections

Bahawalpur can be explored through several historical themes: palace architecture, a preserved city gate and collections connected to the history of the former state, as well as to the Islamic and pre-Islamic periods. These themes offer different perspectives on the city to help you decide whether Bahawalpur suits your reason for traveling.

Palaces and architecture in Bahawalpur

In Bahawalpur, palaces are locally called mahals. Well-known examples include Noor Mahal, Gulzar Mahal, Shimla Khoti and Darbar Mahal. Noor Mahal was built in 1872. Its architecture resembles an Italian château, while the palace is also built in the Neoclassical style. Noor Mahal is therefore notable both for its architectural style and for the period in which it was built. During British rule, the palace belonged to the Nawabs of the princely state of Bahawalpur. It is protected under the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance of 1985.

Darbar Mahal is located in Bahawalpur Cantonment and was built in 1905 by Nawab Bahawal Khan V as his residence. Its design combines local, Arab and European architectural influences. The exterior facade features elaborate carvings, tracery and stucco work. Compared with Noor Mahal, Darbar Mahal is notable not only for its construction date but also for its combination of different influences and its finely detailed facade.

Farid Gate and the city’s history

Farid Gate offers another perspective on Bahawalpur. Historically, it was the only entrance through which the rulers entered the city. The gate is preserved amid a busy market. Its former role as the rulers’ entrance and its present-day setting within the marketplace represent two different aspects of the city’s history.

Collections and written records

The Bahawalpur Museum and Bahawalpur Library house medals, stamps and coins from the former state of Bahawalpur, as well as manuscripts, wood carvings, paintings on camel skin and stone carvings from the Islamic and pre-Islamic periods. The Bahawalpur Museum also includes objects made from date palm leaves and examples of Gandhara art. The exhibits on display may change. Together, these collections offer different points of entry, from historical objects and documents to materials and works of art.

The Bahawalpur Central Library, also known as the Sadiq Reading Room, offers another perspective. It was founded in 1924 during the rule of Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi. Its holdings include more than 150,000 books, rare Quran manuscripts and thousands of newspaper files. These include editions from the period of the former state of Bahawalpur; many of these files are now closed. The library thus brings together its founding history, an extensive book collection and historical newspaper records, although some of the files are no longer accessible.

Planning a visit and regional context

The entire Bahawalgarh Palaces Complex has been leased to the armed forces since 1966 and houses government and military facilities. It is not open to the general public. Confirm visit arrangements before planning a visit.

The tomb of Bibi Jawindi is part of the wider Bahawalpur destination; there, it is an architectural attraction. It is octagonal, stands on a mound several metres high and consists of brick masonry with glazed tile facing. Its approximate date range is 1206 to 1526 AD. The tomb is protected under the Antiquities Act of 1975, as amended in 1992.

For the wider travel overview: Bahawalpur.