Bahawalpur

Bahawalpur is an administrative city in Punjab province, Pakistan, located at the edge of the Cholistan Desert near Lal Suhanra National Park. The settlement sits at an elevation of 461 meters and connects urban neighborhoods with the dry desert landscape surrounding it.

The Daudpotra family established the settlement in 1748 and developed it into the capital of a self-governing princely state. This status ended in 1955 when the territory merged into Pakistan as part of Punjab province.

Local artisans produce carpets, pottery, and traditional embroidery in workshops scattered across the region. These crafts continue to be made using techniques and patterns passed down through generations of Cholistan families.

The settlement lies on the N-5 highway connecting Lahore and Karachi, with regular bus services running between the major centers. Access to Lal Suhanra National Park and other destinations in the Cholistan area is possible from here.

More than 400 ancient forts scatter across the Cholistan Desert around the urban area, including Derawar Fort. This fortress still maintains a permanent water source that has served travelers for centuries.

Location: Bahawalpur Tehsil

Inception: 1748

Elevation above the sea: 461 m

Website: http://bahawalpur.gov.pk/history.htm

GPS coordinates: 29.39464,71.66387

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:01