Bahawalpur

Bahawalpur was a princely state, stretching along the southern bank of the
Sutlej and Indus Rivers, with its capital city at Bahawalpur. The state was
counted amongst the Rajputana states. After one century of British rule, the state
opted to become a part of Pakistan in 1947 at freedom. In 1941, the state had a
population of 1,341,209 living in an area of 45,911 km² (17,494 sq mi).

The state was founded in 1802 by Nawab Mohammad Bahawal Khan II after the
break up of the Durrani Empire. Nawab Mohammad Bahawal Khan III signed the
state's first treaty with the British on 22 February 1833, guaranteeing the semi
autonomous rule of the Nawab under British Raj. The state acceded to
Pakistan on 7 October 1947. It was merged into the province of West
Pakistan on 14 October 1955.

History

he Abbasi tribe from whom the ruling family of Bahawalpur belong, claim descent
from the Abbasid Caliphs. The tribe came from Sindh to Bahawalpur and
assumed independence during the decline of the Durrani Empire. The mint at
Bahawalpur was opened in 1802 by Nawab Muhammad Bahawal Khan II with
the permission of Shah Mahmud of Kabul. Upon the rise of Ranjit Singh, the
Nawab, Muhammad Bahawal Khan III, made several unsuccessful appeals to the
British for protection. However as part of the 1809 Treaty of Lahore, Ranjit Singh
was confined to the right bank of the Sutlej. The first treaty with Bahawalpur was
negotiated in 1833, the year after the treaty with Ranjit Singh for regulating traffic
on the Indus. It secured the independence of the Nawab within his own
territories, and opened up the traffic on the Indus and Sutlej. The political
relations of Bahawalpur with the paramount power, as at present existing, are
regulated by a treaty made in October, 1838, when arrangements were in
progress for the restoration of Shah Shuja to the Kabul throne.
During the first Afghan War, the Nawab assisted the British with supplies and
allowing passage and in 1847-8 he co-operated actively with Sir Herbert
Edwardes in the expedition against Multan. For these services he was rewarded
by the grant of the districts of Sabzalkot and Bhung, together with a life-pension
of a lakh. On his death a dispute arose regarding succession. He was succeeded
by his third son, whom he had nominated in place of his eldest son. The new
ruler was, however, deposed by his elder brother, and obtained asylum in British
territory, with a pension from the Bahawalpur revenues; he broke his promise to
abandon his claims, and was confined in the Lahore fort, where he died in 1862.

In 1863 and 1866 insurrections broke out against the Nawab who successfully
crushed the rebellions; but in March, 1866, the Nawab died suddenly, not without
suspicion of having been poisoned, and was succeeded by his son, Nawab
Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV, a boy of four. After several endeavours to arrange
for the administration of the country without active interference on the part of the
Government, it was found necessary, on account of disorganization and
disaffection, to place the principality in British hands. In 1879, the Nawab was
invested with full powers, with the advice and assistance of a council of six
members. During the Afghan campaigns (1878–80) the Nawab placed the entire
resources of his State at the disposal of the British Indian Government, and a
contingent of his troops was employed in keeping open communications, and in
guarding the Dera Ghazi Khan frontier. On his death in 1899 he was succeeded
by Muhammad Bahawal Khan V, who attained his majority in 1900, and was
invested with full powers in 1903. The Nawab of Bahawalpur was entitled to a
salute of 17 guns.[1]

Bahawalpur House in Delhi is now home to the National School of Drama.

Languages

Saraiki was the most commonly spoken language of the state. English was the
official language whereas Urdu was widely understood/spoken.
Rulers of Bahawalpur

The rulers of Bahawalpur were Abbasids who came from Shikarpur and Sukkur
and captured the areas that became Bahawalpur State. They took the title of
Amir until 1740, when the title changed to Nawab Amir. Although the title was
abolished in 1955 by the Government of Pakistan, the current head of the House
of Bahawalpur (Salah ud-Din Muhammad Khan) is referred to as the Amir.

From 1942, the Nawabs were assisted by Prime Ministers.

Tenure Nawab Amir of Bahawalpur[2]

1690 - 1702
1702 - 1723
1723 - 11 April 1746
11 April 1746 - 12 June 1750
12 June 1750 - 4 June 1772
4 June 1772 - 13 August 1809
13 August 1809 - 17 April 1826
17 April 1826 - 19 October 1852
19 October 1852 - 20 February 1853
20 February 1853 - 3 October 1858
3 October 1858 - 25 March 1866
25 March 1866 - 14 February 1899
14 February 1899 - 15 February 1907
15 February 1907 - 14 October 1955
14 October 1955
Bahadur Khan II
Mobarak Khan I
Sadeq Mohammad Khan I
Mohammad Bahawal Khan I
Mobarak Khan II
Mohammad Bahawal Khan II
Sadeq Mohammad Khan II
Mohammad Bahawal Khan III
Sadeq Mohammad Khan III
Fath Mohammad Khan
Mohammad Bahawal Khan IV
Sadeq Mohammad Khan IV
Mohammad Bahawal Khan V
Sadeq Mohammad Khan V
State of Bahawalpur abolished

Tenure Prime Minister of Bahawalpur[2]

1942 - 1947 Sir Richard Marsh Crofton
1948 - 1952 John Dring
1952 - 14 October 1955 A.R. Khan
14 October 1955 State of Bahawalpur abolished

References

 1 ^ Bahawalpur State - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 6, p. 197

 2 ^ a b
Ben Cahoon, WorldStatesmen.org. "Pakistan Princely States".
http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Pakistan_princes.html#Bahawalpur. Retrieved
2007-10-03.