PAKLINKS BANNER EXCHANGE
Cholistan is in tact the biggest desert in Pakistan covering an area of 26.000 Sq.-Km. Its dunes as the name Cholistan signifies (Cholistan -derived from Cholna or walking) as they go on shifting with the tune of time and meteorology. The fascinating barren landscapes of the Cholistan desert covers 26.000 sq. km and extends into the Thar Desert in India. The whole area was once well watered by the river Ghaggar now called the Hakra in Pakistan and known in Vedic times as the Sarasvati. All along the 500-km of dried up river are over 400 archaeological sites, which date back to the Indus civilization 4500 years ago and are clustered around Derawar Fort. The only perennial water hole in the desert. The desert has an average rainfall of 5 inches a year and there is very little cultivation. The underground water is brackish. The few people of the desert dig artificial wells in the troughs between the sand hills and use camels to draw the water up and when these dry up they move out of the desert due to the high temperature. Cholistan desert is a favorite hunting ground for deer hunting but an alarming species of snake Sah Pina (breath drinking) also thrives in this desert, which crawls in a sleeping person's breast and poisons his breath. As a precaution people usually sleep with a lamp or strings of garlic and onion tied to their beds to ward them off. Walls of the Fort are built in mud tiles plastered and fresco painted. Its underground chambers give access for trolley passages and other utilitarian concepts. Next to the fort is the royal cemetery, the tombs there have been extra-ordinarily and most lavishly painted in blue, green and yellow mosaics and provide another attraction to a visitor to this complex in the desert.
The history of Bahawalpur is no doubt pre Islamic, but few records exist. Following the Arab conquest it was ruled by local-governors appointed by the Caliphates in Damascus and Baghdad. The former rulers claim descent from Hazrat-i-Abbas. An uncle of the Prophet (Peace be upon Him). Following a treaty with British in 1833 they ruled Bahawalpur until independence.
Uch Sharif:
85 km from Bahawalpur and about 18 km North West of Head Punjad.
Daulat Khana:
To the East of the town
Noor Mahal:
In daulat Khana
Gulzaar Mahal:
Baghdad Railway Station
Sadiq Garh Palace:
50 Km away from Bahawalpur in Dera Nawab
Cholistan Desert:
35 Miles away from Bahawalpur
Central Library:
In main city
Lal Sohanra Park:
Through Baghdad Rail-way Road, 36 Km North East of Bahawalpur
Bhong Mosque:
25 Km Southwest of Sadiqabad District Rahim Yar Khan.