Magnification of Bahawalpur State Through Development of Noor mahal Museum

The region of south Punjab, Pakistan own a rich Socio-cultural History. The Archaeological remains, Buddhist sites, Forts, Temples Sufi Shrines and Palaces situated in the regions are constant reminder of the glory of Region. Abbasid’s Dynasty of Princely State of Bahawalpur has its unique socio-cultural significance. It was the state that historically safeguarded its citizens from invaders, through successful strategy of military alliances, and pacts with powerful neighbouring state. They have constantly developed their own architectural marvellous, like, Noor Mahal, Sadiq Garth Palace Darbar Mahal, Gulzar Mahal, Rahat Mahal, Farukh Mahal etc.

H.H. Nawab Bahawal Khan IV mainly established educational and health infrastructure not only in Bahawalpur but also, he contributed for the rest of the sub-continent. H. H. Nawab Sadiq Muhmmad Khan IV of Bahawalpur majorly contributed in the construction of means of transportation through railway rivers and roads to link the State with rest of the region. H.H. Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhmmad Khan planned and executed a sustainable economic growth model, through Sutlej Valley Canal Project and contributed to the world food basket. He was a time-tested friend of Great Britain throughout the reign, both in war and peace.  H.H. was the first ruler of the State who Annexed his state with Pakistan and contributed generously to newly established state of Pakistan. State of Bahawalpur had taken responsibility to look after and rehabilitate Twenty Million migrant from India to Pakistan. Bank of Bahawalpur played role as central bank of Pakistan and distributed salaries to the civil Servants of newly established state of Pakistan for more than six months.

Annexation of Bahawalpur State into Pakistan and then merger into Punjab somewhat overshadowed its Historical value. To fill this gap and to revitalize the monumental value of the region a museum was proposed in 2015. Proposed objective was achieved through development of Museum at famous Noor Mahal of Bahawalpur, under the supervision of the current administration of the Palace initially in the year 2018 and then renovated in 2020, and still new values are incorporated time to time. The aim of development is to magnify historical value of the Bahawalpur State, which was fading away. In this process Noor Mahal Building is conserved and preserved according to its initial blue print of 1872. The galleries are developed to display artefacts, Personal Belongings, Pictorial History, weapons, Military badges, Medals, Postal stamps, coins, Uniforms, utensils, Printing Machines, and much more is there to increase the foot fall of the visitors., Now, Noor Mahal attracts around 10,000 tourist a week in the winter season and playing its role to re-construct the glorious past of Bahawalpur State.

Moazzam Khan Durrani is an anthropologist with a special focus on the material culture of Bahawalpur state. He is associated with the development of the Noor Mahal Museum and is a faculty member of the Department of Anthropology at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Moazzam is currently working on his PhD  with Professor Cameron Petrie  at the University of Cambridge.

13:00 - 14:00 GMT

Meeting ID: 968 4888 9276; Passcode: 436792