Bahawalpur, the most southerly town in the Punjab, is situated at a distance of about 93 km from Multan. It was formerly the capital of Bahawalpur State, which has now integrated with Pakistan. Bahawalpur derives its name from Nawab Bahawal Khan, who founded the state in 1748 A.D. by raising a wall around a villa.

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.

History shows evidences that the founder of the state of Bahawalpur was Nawab Bahawal Khan Abbasi I. 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. Bahawalpur was formerly the capital of the state and now is the District and Divisional Headquarters of Bahawalpur Division. Bahawalpur is noted for its delicate pottery and exquisite embroidery.

Places to see in Bhawalpur :

Central Library housed in a beautiful architecture building has a vast collection of books and rare manuscripts. It is regarded as one of the best libraries in Pakistan and visited by both native and foreign students and scholars. The foundation stone of this building was laid in 1924 to mark the installation of late Nawab of Bahawalpur Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V.

Bahawalpur Museum is a modest edifice 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.

The Zoological Garden of Bahawalpur is considered to be one of the best in the country, with an interesting collection of 120 animals and 750 birds of tropical areas, particularly those found in this region.

The Dring Stadium is 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.

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. The Jamia Masjid Al-Sadiq is a well-reputed Mosque in Pakistan. 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.

Excursions around Bhawalpur :

From Bahawalpur, the tourists can journey into Cholistan, a sandy wasteland dotted with nomadic communities and wind-swept forts. You can also visit the Lal Suhanra National Park, 36 Km to the east of Bahawalpur, an important wildlife reserve. Further north is Harappa, which is after Moenjodaro, the second most important site of the Indus Valley civilisation. Among the places to visit are Sadiq Garh Palace and mighty Noor Mahal, which was once the State House.