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99 responses to “The Architectural Heritage of Bahawalpur”

1. Pervaiz Munir Alvi says:

   November 7, 2006 at 3:33 pm

   Gulzar Mahal—Nawab’s residence in Bahawalpur. Now in army control. No public access.
   Darbar Mahal-Nawab’s court in Bahawalpur. No public access.
   Noor Mahal–Now in Army control. No public access.
   Nawab’s Multan Residence—Services Club House. No public access.
   Sadiq Garh Palace—-???
   Fort Dera War—-???

   In developed countries like England the old palaces are maintained either by the original or the new owners and then opened up to the public. In Pakistan army keeps it for its brass. Damn the public. We hope Roshan Malik takes us further and keeps up informed about the fate and conditions of our national heritage in the former Bahawalpur State.

2. Owais Mughal says:

   November 7, 2006 at 3:15 pm

   There are quite a few buildings which are out of bound for civilians despite their tourism value. Attock fort and qila Bala-hisar of Peshawar come to mind right away.

3. aliraza says:

   November 7, 2006 at 3:03 pm

   Roshan, thanks for this informative piece. I have fond childhood memories of Bahawalpur, and Ahmedpur Sharqia. Lived there during two postings while my father served in the Army.

4. Roshan Malik says:

   November 7, 2006 at 1:19 pm

   @Pervaiz Munir Alvi
   There are a number of books in Central Library Bahawalpur about the history and architecture of the State. No doubt we need to have more research on its architects and architecture of these buildings.

   @zamanov
   The army is in the possession of Gulzar Mahal where the Nawab used to live during his visit to Bahawalpur as it is adjacent to Darbar Mahal where he used to hold his court. Now there is no public access to both Gulzar Mahal and Darbar Mahal.
   Regarding Noor Mahal, I think recently it has been transformed into an army mess so no public access again. Regarding Services Club Multan (Pic 5) used to be Nawab’s rest house in Multan is now a Club of civilians and army elite similar to Islamabad club or Lahore gymkhana club.

   I wish that the public should have access to our cultural heritage and it would have been a great attraction for the tourists to visit Bahawalpur.

5. Bilal Zuberi says:

   November 7, 2006 at 1:03 pm

   Fascinating. Never been to Bahawalpur but am amazed at the pictures. They look stunning.
   Given that the government is not exactly up to the task of maintaining these architectural masterpieces, is there another way of approaching this problem? Could corporations be involved in such an undertaking? Could schools of architecture be motivated to take scholarly interest in not just the history but preservation of such heritage?

6. zamanov says:

   November 7, 2006 at 12:58 pm

   “Noor Mahal and Gulzar Mahal are the most elegant buildings in Bahawalpur built in the Italian style. Both the buildings are now under the control of Army. However, the army purchased the Noor Mahal some years back by paying Rs. 120 million to the heirs.”

   What role does the army have in preserving the historical heritage of the country? Which fund did the Rs. 120 million, to pay the heirs of the Noor Mahal, come out of? Is there no other organization or government entity left in Pakistan to purchase, maintain and upkeep these priceless architectural masterpieces? Will the military owners now allow the public to visit and enjoy our own cultural heritage for a nominal fee?

   Mr Malik thank you for writing about this amazing piece of history in our own backyard.

7. Daktar says:

   November 7, 2006 at 12:26 pm

   Nice posts and great selection of pictures. Ashamed to say I have never been to Bahawalpur and never thought of going there. Now certainly will. Any information on the architects of these buildings.

8. Pervaiz Munir Alvi says:

   November 7, 2006 at 12:12 pm

   “a unique architecture blended with Italian style.”

   “Noor Mahal and Gulzar Mahal are the most elegant buildings in Bahawalpur built in the Italian style.”

   Thank you Roshan Malik for treating us with this beautiful posting. More needs to be said about Bahawalpur and its history. These buildings are good examples of ‘British Period Architecture in Pakistan’. One could find structures similar to these in Imperial France of seventeen and eighteen century. French palaces in Versailles, Paris, and even many structures in Victorian England were inspired by these styles. I for one would be interested in learning names of the architects behind these structures. I have feeling they were British in their origin. These, like other British period structures in Pakistan are architecturally ‘hybrid’ and there fore hard to pin down as Italian, or French, or British for say. But that is what is interesting about them anyway. These are Pakistani structures and should be viewed as such. It is sad that we Pakistanis are unable to save our fabulous heritage. Sad indeed.