Bahawalpur
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Bahawalpur (also Bhawalpur, Bhawulpore) (Urdu: بہاولپور ) is a city of (1998 pop. 403,408) located in Punjab Pakistan. Bahawalpur is located south of the Sutlej River and it lies in the Cholistan region. It was the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur.
History
The city was founded in 1748 by Muhammad Bahawal Khan Abbasi I, whose descendants ruled the area until it joined Pakistan in 1947. The State of Bahawalpur was one of the largest states of British India, more than 450 kilometres long, and was ruled by a Muslim ruler who decided to join Pakistan at the time of independence in 1947, but the state maintained its sovereignty until 1955.General Features
Bahawalpur has the only railroad bridge over the Sutlej River, making it an important rail centre. The surrounding area is mostly agricultural, and the city is a market town for mangoes, dates, wheat, sugarcane, and cotton. In addition, it has soap making and cotton spinning factories, as well as enterprises producing silk and cotton textiles, carpets, and pottery.Bahawalpur also boasts a number of reputable educational establishments namely The Islamia University, [Quaid-e-Azam Medical College] and the Sadiq Public School.
State of Bahawalpur
The famous fort of Derawar is located near the city, being the private fort of the former royal family who continue to be major political players in Pakistan. The Lal Sohanra National Park is also located close to the city. Architectural monuments include the former royal family's palaces namely Darbar Mahal and Noor Mahal.
Bahawalpur District
Bahawalpur district covers 24,830 km² and comprises six tehsils - Ahmadpur East, Bahawalpur, Hasilpur, Khairpur Tamewali and Yazman with a total population of about 2.5 million. Approximately two-thirds of the district (16,000 km²) is covered by the Cholistan desert, which extends into the Thar desert of India. The district is a major producer of cotton.See also
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