Sadiq Garh Palace Bahawalpur - All You Need to Know

Sadiq Garh Palace in Bahawalpur is renowned for its age-old beauty, grandeur, and historical significance. Built in the 19th century, it has stood the test of time and remains a marvel of its era, even today. With its 15 million rupees price tag and 1500 laborers employed for its construction, it is one of the most impressive monuments in Pakistan. Its unique architecture and design make it a popular tourist attraction, giving visitors a glimpse into the past. Despite its popularity, Sadiq Garh Palace remains a tragic tale of forgotten beauty and history.

History of Sadiq Garh Palace

The Sadiq Garh Palace is a historic palace in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. It was built in 1882 by the 5th Nawab, Sadiq Muhammad Khan, who was the former ruler of Bahawalpur state. It is known for its white exterior and took about 10 years and around 1,500 workers, architects, and artists to complete. The palace has welcomed many notable guests over the years, such as Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Lord Mountbatten, the former Governor of India. It is a testament to the rich history and culture of the area.

Pakistan’s Government took over the Nawab Palaces after Pakistan inherited Bahawalpur. The Supreme Court ordered the division of the Sadiq Garh Palace property after 40 years among 23 Nawab family hires, but the structure’s condition is deteriorating.

Structure of Sadiq Garh Palace

The Sadiq Garh Bahawalpur palace is truly a sight to behold. With its grand architecture, built by Italian architects, it is easy to see why it is so popular among tourists. The exterior of this palace is made of white marble, and its impressive domes, arched doorways, and secretariat add to its stately appeal. Inside, there is a majestic darbar and an exquisite dining hall that has hosted many foreign guests. In the middle of the main entrance stands the throne of Nawab Sadiq, a reminder of the grandeur of this incredible palace.

The Sadiq Garh Bahawalpur Palace is a three-story luxurious palace that features four buildings with a total of 120 rooms and 50 rooms in the basement. Each room has its kitchen and attached bathrooms, providing comfort and convenience to its residents. In addition, the palace boasts an underground bank, a power plant, a cinema, and a staff office.

Features of Sadiq Garh Palace

Sadiq Garh Palace in Bahawalpur is a sight to behold, with its majestic architecture and elegant interiors. This palace is renowned for its unique location, as well as its Dollhouse building, a playhouse that was constructed by Nawab Sadib himself for his daughter. The vehicle park near the palace adds to the charm of the place. Upon viewing the palace, visitors will be amazed by its beauty and grandeur no matter the direction they view it from.

1. Lush Green Lawns
2. Mosque
3. Nawab’s Court
4. Ghilaf e Kaaba
5. Cars used by the Shahi Family

1) Lush Green Lawns

The Palace is a magnificent sight to behold, with its lush green lawns and beautiful flowers of varying colors. The walkway connecting to the bottom floor provides an even more majestic atmosphere, and the presence of other palaces housing the Nawab Sahib family adds to the grandeur of this area. It truly is a breathtaking sight.

2) Mosque

The Al-Sadiq Mosque is an elegant and spectacular example of Islamic architecture built over 200 years ago by Sufi master Noor Muhammad Maharvi. It can accommodate up to 60,000 worshippers during congregational prayers and its grounds cover an area of 24 canals. It is a revered place of worship in the Bahawalpur region, named after the region’s former ruler Nawab Sadiq.

3) Nawab’s Court

The Sadiq Garh Palace was the site of the court of Nawab Sadiq, where he made decisions and resolutions for disputes that arose between people and parties. Saeed Kalachi's mother is reported to have made secret decisions when the young Nawab was crowned in 1903, with a young Nawab Sadiq listening from behind a curtain. These choices were made available to the public and then implemented on orders from the Nawab.

4) Ghilaf e Kaaba

Sadiq Garh Palace has a long history of serving as a center for governance and religious devotion. For over 150 years, the palace has been used to create the Ghilaf-e-Kaaba, as well as providing a space where government officials could meet to discuss important matters regarding their country. The palace's previous Khalifa has been believed to bring blessings and offer guidance, thus making it an invaluable part of national and religious life.

5) Cars used by the Shahi Family

The Royal Family of Bahawalpur and its Nawabs are known to possess an impressive collection of classic and valuable antique automobiles. Many of these vehicles were once driven by the Nawab of Bahawalpur, and the parking lot available for them is considered to be quite spacious. Additionally, two antique elevators can still be found on the premises. Although many vehicles have been taken over by the royal family’s heirs or sold at auction, the remaining cars still provide an impressive and unique display of royalty.

Present Condition of Sadiq Garh Palace

The seizure of the Nawab family's property by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was an unfortunate consequence of a personal dispute between him and Syed Ali Abbasi, son of the Nawab of Bahawalpur. This action has left the Sadiq Garh Palace barren and devoid of its furniture, weapons, antiques, chandeliers, paintings, and other valuables, with nothing remaining in the kitchens on its left side. It is a heartbreaking situation and one which should serve as a reminder of the potentially harmful effects of personal disputes.

The dismal state of the Sadiq Garh Palace is a testament to the neglect it has faced in recent years. Not only is the palace decaying, with its discolored walls and fractured flooring, but the gardens which inhabitants once found to be in excellent shape are now littered with broken lampposts and rusting metal gates. Additionally, the library that held up to 20,000 books is no longer in existence and the roads leading to the palace have not been fixed due to political issues. Sadly, this grand structure is no longer a landmark or masterpiece but instead a reminder of its former beauty and current disrepair.

Sadiq Garh Palace Timings & Ticket Price

The Sadiq Garh Palace in Bahawalpur is open for visitors daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Fridays, it opens from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There is a servant at the gate, who will demand an entrance fee of 150 rupees. We hope you have a great time visiting the palace!

Sadiq Garh Palace is strongly recommended for people engrossed in archaeology and history as this place has much to tell. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip by clicking on the following button and fill the form.

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