Noor
Mahal The Noor Mahal is a palace in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. It was built in 1872
like an Italian chateau on neoclassical lines, at a time when modernism had set
in. It belonged to the Nawab of Bahawalpur princely state, during British Raj.
Noor Mahal of
Bahawalpur cannot be related to Taj Mahal in any way but there is some little
resemblance, as both the monuments were built in honor of wives.
The palace is one
hundred and forty years old and was built by Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan the
Fourth for his wife Noor but she spend only one night in this awesome palace.
The exquisite palace
meant to be residence of the Nawab and his family but legend says they spend
only one night as they were cautioned against so because of the near proximity
of a graveyard Basti Muluk Shah.
History of Noor Mahal
Bahawalpur:
Although, there are
different stories famous in Bahalwalpur district regarding the construction of
Noor Mahal but among all, the famous legend is that Nawab of Bahawalpur Nawab
Subah Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV laid the foundation for constructing this palace in
honor of his wife Noor.
The design of this
building was curated by Mr. Hennan, who was an Englishman and a state engineer
and construction began in 1872. It’s been said that while foundation was
constructed a map and coin of the state were buried as good omen. It took three
years to build this building and construction work was completed in 1875 at a
cost of R.s 1.2 million.
Noor palace covers an
area of 44,600 square feet, it’s a double storey building with a basement as
well and contains 32 rooms having 14 in basement, 6 verandas and 5 domes.
Designer: Hennan
Construction Begins:
1872
Construction
Completed: 1875
Cost: Rs. 1.2 Million
Area: 44,600 Sq Feet
Building: Double
Storey
Rooms: 32
Verandas: 6
Domes: 5
Although Noor Mahal
did not serve the purpose of being the living place for Nawab and family but
rather it was used for occasional cabinet meetings and State Court for the
Nawab’s address to his courtiers and later it was used as a state guest house
and some of the guests name worth mentioning in here:
JAN 11, 1890: His
Highness Prince Albert Victor was there as a guest in Noor Mahal.
DEC 22, 1892: Sir
McOrth Beck CCIS Senior Financial Commissioner of Punjab with family stayed at
the palace for three days.
Also some other
functions celebrated:
MAY 11, 1897: The
court was held on the 60th Birthday of the Queen Victoria.
FEB 9, 1933: A
historical function was arranged because of the union of the Birtish Government
and the Bahawalpur State.
MARCH 8, 1934: The
Government of the State of Bahawalpur arranged a ten years jublie celebration
in the lawn of Noor Mahal.
Worth mentioning the
name of Nawab Bahawal Khan, who was the later ruler of the state of Bahawalpur
for adding a Masjid to the palace in 1906.
The state of
Bahalwapur was merged into Pakistan in 1956 and control of the palace was given
to Auqaf under the Antiquities Act.Completed in AD 1875, later Pakistan army
took responsibility of the palace in 1999 and help preserve the building to
it’s original shape.
Currently Department
of Archeology is responsible for the look after of the palace and they have
opened it to general public, students and other delegates.
Video of Noor Mahal:
It was locked under a judicial order but not before most of its rich belongings were smuggled out. Its furniture, carpets, paintings and crockery were sold almost all over the country.
Subsequent to the military takeover on Oct 12, 1999, the palace was used as an army club. The army took almost two years restoring some its past glory. It has now been protected under the Antiquities Act of 1975, the latest monument to be so preserved in the Punjab. The notification has, however failed to attract funds for its necessary conservation. The building is still in army's possession. The best use option being weighted for the nineteenth century monument include a hotel, a museum and public park.
NOOR MAHAL - SOME PRECIOUS MOMENTS OF THE PAST
JAN 11, 1890: His Highness Prince Albert Victor was there as a guest in Noor Mahal.
DEC 22, 1892: Sir McOrth Beck CCIS Senior Financial Comissioner of Punjab with family stayed at the palace for three days.
MAY 11, 1897: The court was held on the 60th Birthday of the Queen Vicotria.
FEB 9, 1933: A historical function was arranged because of the union of the Birtish Government and the Bahawalpur State.
MARCH 8, 1934: The Government of the State of Bahawalpur arranged a ten years jublie celebration in the lawn of Noor Mahal.
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