Bahawalpur
is a city located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is the 11th
largest city in Pakistan by population as per the census of 2017. It was
founded in 1748. Right now it is the most peaceful place on planet earth. It
was a princely state established by Abbasies. They ruled it for over 200 years.
Later it was considered one of the richest states. The people of the state are
welcoming, humble, and courageous. This was the largest state in India after
Hyderabad Deccan. This state has a rich culture. The city lied at the edge of the
Cholistan desert. It serves as the gateway to the nearby Lal Suhanra National
Park.
This
city is an important hotspot for historians, as well as archeologists. It is
known for cotton, silk, embroidery, carpets, and extraordinary delicate poetry.
The main shopping centers of Bahawalpur are Shahi Bazaar, Machli Bazaar, Farid
Gate, and the Mall. The commercial area in Satellite town is a newly developed
area that is gaining popularity. There are more shopping malls like Bobby
Plaza, Takbeer Shopping Mall, Time, and Prince, meet your all kind of needs. Shopping
is the major attraction in the city. The city is full of traders and craftsmen
selling all sorts of artwork for travelers and tourists.
East
of Bahawalpur is the Cholistan desert, it covers an area of about 15,000 km and
extends into the Thar Desert of India. The region was once watered by the Hakra
River. There were 400 forts in the area.
The average annual rainfall is 12cm. Urdu is widely spoken and understood by a
significant number of people. They speak many Punjabi dialects, Saraiki is one
of them. The city consists of many different people from different cultures. Other
languages that are spoken there are Riyasti, Majhi, Bagri, and Haryanvi. In
desert areas, people speak Punjabi and Rajhistani mix.
The
people of Bahawalpur resemble the Punjabis of Rajasthan. They have a tall and
muscular body with sharp facial features. Bahawalpur is also famous for its
carpets, embroidery, and pottery. The list of things that are manufactured in
the city is
1.
Flassi
2.
Gindi
3.
Changaries
4.
Khalti
5.
Artwork
The Desert of Cholistan is on the east side of the city. It also extends into the Indian Thar desert. There were four hundred forts here once upon a time. The Derawar Fort was the only fort with a permanent waterhole which says that it is from the time of Indus Valley civilization. There used to be less rainfall as a result of which underground wells were made to maximize cultivation. The water was drawn up by camels. Some of the forts were made in 1000 BC with gypsum blocks and mud. They were rebuilt and destroyed many times. Before Pakistan’s creation, Bawalpur had its separate identity as an Islamic state. The people of the region were strong followers of religious principles. The natives of Bahawalpur consider guests as a blessing. The guests are eagerly awaited there. If you look at their food, the people of Bahawalpur eat mutton, meat, and beef with great interest. Curry is eaten by people of Bahawalpur in the early morning sometimes named as Nihari. The traditional dress mostly worn by the people includes plain shirt (Kurta) embroidered shirt cloth, sheet, turban, cap, shawl, and crested turban. A Khussa is worn as footwear. While women wear a Shirt, Shakwar, and Scarf or a Shawl. In handicrafts, the beautiful-looking embroidered footwear is worn. Gold and bronze utensils and a cut of pottery are also used. Due to spending more time with Hindus, superstitious beliefs have also become a part of Bahawalpur. The people are extremely sincere, friendly, and loving. In sports, they like Wrestling, Kabaddi, Malhan, Chess, Playing cards, Pigeon flying, hunting wild boons, deer, Tube hiding, Rod holding, First Seizure and Horse Racing, etc. are very popular.
