Bahawalnagar is a town and a district headquarters for the Bahawalnagar district in the province of Punjab. Bahawalnagar is located to the East of Punjab province around 260 Km to the South of Lahore, the capital of Eastern province of Pakistan. Bahawalnagar is around 545 km via the Islamabad – Lahore main road M2 to the South of the Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad. Bahawalnagar district with its five administrative sub-divisions has an area of over 8800 Sq. Km with Punjabi and its variant dialects speaking population dominating the area. To the East of Bahawalnagar is the border of India and to the West is the city of Multan which is around 210 Km to the North is the Okara District and to the South is the Bahwalpur district.

History

Bahawalnagar originally known as Rojhanwali was a small settlement consisting of few huts and shacks. This village Rojhanwali is still in existence at a distance of about 1.5 miles north of the Railway Station. In the year 1895, a railway station was established and was named as Rojhanwali Railway Station. It was a junction between Bahawalnagar and Bhatinda at distance of 113 miles, now linking branch lines Amrooka and Fort Abbas. Before partition it was very busy junction. Trains used to run from Karachi to Delhi and vice versa via Bahawalnagar. Passenger trains also used to run from Bahawalnagar to Fazilka, Ferozpur. There was a loco shed and two institutes meant for recreation.

In 1904 when Nawab Mohammad Bahawal Khan Abbasi IV, who originally ruled over Bahawalpur State visited Rojhanwali the people asked that with His permission they want to rename the city on the name of Nawab, The Nawab allowed them with pleasure and since then the city is named as Bahawalnagar. With the advent of railways, 40–50 shops with a population of 100 dwelling units developed at existing railway bazar. Though this site was not fit for flourishing as the topographical features were not favorable and drinking water was unfit for health. With the introduction of canal system, it has become fertile area. The real achievement was Fordwah Canal which brought almost the entire district under the command of irrigation system. The town developed as colony town south of railway station.

In the year 1900–1901, first police station post was established and in 1902–1903 the first primary school was established. In the year 1906 a panchayat committee consisting of nominated members was composed. 1914 Bahawalnagar was recommended as Tehsil and the police post Jweka was shifted to Bahawalnagar. A regular municipal committee was constituted in year 1922 along with many members. The Assistant Commissioner and Tehsildar were then appointed as Mir Majlis and Naib Mir Majlis.

Education

The literacy rate of Bahawalnagar is less than 25% and unemployment rate is much higher than 25%. As the literacy rate of this city is not quite enough but the government owned institutions are offering their services to increase the literacy rate. The sub-Campus of Islamia University is also located in Bahawalnagar.

Sports Ground

Haider Stadium is the biggest stadium of Bahawalnagar City as well as Bahawalnagar District. Bahawalnagar Gymnasium is also established which include tennis court, and a beautiful Gym where citizen can obtain membership very easily.

Climate

District Bahawalnagar has a very hot and dry climate in summer. The maximum temperature touches 52Centigrate. The climate in winter is very dry and cold. The minimum temperature recorded was 6Centigrate. Wind and storms are quite common during the summer. The average annual rainfall in the district is 119 mm. The district may be divided into three parts. These are the riverain area, the canal irrigated plain and the desert area. The riverain area of the district lies close to the Satluj river which flows in the North-West along its border with Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal and Vehari districts. The land in this area is irrigated by non-perennial canals. During the summer monsoons, the area is generally in-undated by the river water. The canal irrigated area is a plain which has been brought under cultivation by the canals. The desert area of the district is called the Cholistan. The surface of this desert consists of a succession of sand dunes, rising in places to a height of 150 metres. It is covered with the vegetation peculiar to the sandy tracts.

Food and Culture in Bahawalnagar

Bahawalnagar is an agricultural area with the consumption of wheat products and drinks of Lassi which are popular among the population across the Punjab province. The Muslim majority population of Bahawalnagar follows the three Muslim festivals in full religious fervor though the language of Punjabi is spoken by most of the people with variation in dialects and the national language of Urdu is also spoken widely and English speaking limited to the educated group. Bahawalnagar has large Christian population and living around the railway colony in Bahawalnagar, celebrating Christian festivals. The minority Hindus also follow their traditional customs and festivities with taboos in celebrating the festivals openly.

Shopping and Things to do in Bahawalnagar

Shopping in Bahawalnagar is mainly done for the local artifacts that are available in various markets and stores. One can visit the local Zoo and Fort Abbas and the best season to visit Bahawalnagar is around the season of winter starting from November to the end of February.

Tourist Attractions in Bahawalnagar

Bahawalnagar is not a tourist destination and the tourist attractions are mainly in the city of Lahore at a distance of 260 Km from Bahawalnagar. The local tourist attractions in Bahawalnagar are:

Fort Abbas

Bahawalnagar Zoo

Govt post graduate college for boys Bahawalnagar

Shrine of Tajuddin Chishti

Shaikh Khawaja Tajuddin Chishti also known as Taj Sarwar Chishti was a Sufi saint of Chishti Order. He was a grandson Shaikh Farid-ud-din Ganjshakar of Pakpattan and his descendants founded the village of Chishtian around 1265 CE (574 Hijri, Islamic calendar). Many native tribes in Punjab region accepted Islam due to his missionary Daawah. Shaikh Khawaja Tajuddin Chishti faced hostility from tribes that opposed his Muslim missionary Daawah and he was martyred in a battle and was buried in Chishtian. Shrine of Sufi saint Shaikh Khawaja Tajuddin Chishti, located at the city of Chishtian. The dargah of Shaikh Taj-ud-din Chishti is called Roza Taj Sarwar.

Connectivity to Bahawalnagar

Bahawalnagar is connected by the network of roads connecting the main road N5 from Lahore at a distance of 260 Km and Bahawalpur at a distance of 175 Km is to the Southwest. The city of Multan to the West is connected by Vehari road at a distance of 200 Km from Bahawalnagar. The Railway Station is located on Circular Road around 2 Km to the South of Bahawalnagar with trains from Multan and Lahore stopping in Bahawalnagar. Bahawalnagar has a heliport for those traveling by helicopters to land and the nearest airport for reaching of Bahawalnagar is at Lahore.

Tribes and Clans

People living here are settled since ages with rich culture and heritage. Basically people are agriculturists and during Nawab Bahawalpur rule the irrigation system was one of the largest fed by River Sutluj. Main tribes with various subtribes are; WattooKhokhar,’, Malik, MUSLAH (BRAVE TRIBE IN BWN )’Bhatti’ Mahar,Lodhi(Pathan),Rajput, Arain, and Mohal, Gorgani, Joyias, Sukheras, Khakwani, Chishti and many other small clans. Most progressive are Arain, Jatt, Wattoo and Gorgani.

Main Towns: Mecload Gunj ,Ratteka, shah kram ,Neza Jodheka, 240khokran wali, Kharajpura, Donga Bonga, Takhat Mehal, Mandi Sadiq Gunj, Mandi Gorgan, Faqirwali, Madrisa, Dahranwala, Yateemwala, Maroot, Qaziwala and Bukhshan Khan, Bala Arain, Fateh Kot, Maharwali, Jenjeranwali and madina town.

Main Crops:

• Sugarcane
• Cotton
• Wheat
• Rice
• Tobacco
• Mustard Seed

Main Fruits

• Citrus
• Guavas
• Mangoes
• Dates

Main Vegetables

• Cauliflower
• Onion
• Turnip
• Carrot
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes

Forest Area in Acres: 24,195

Major Industries

• Cotton Ginning & Pressing
• Flour Mills
• Marble Industry
• Oil Mills
• Paper & Paper Board
• Rice Mills
• Sugar
• Tea Blending
• Textile Spinning

In The Bahwalnagar New fm Channel Super fm90.Its Working So Heard For Civlisation Of city. Town Meclod Gunj is very progressive city of the BWN. There are lot of Educational Institution such as The , Pakistan public school and Kargel public school.

Enjoyment Places

There are many enjoyment places in this city. For teenager boys most popular amongst them are KASHIF FAMILY PARK and the road of EDUCARE SCIENCE ACADMEY where they enjoy feminine beauty sitting on their bikes and showing off trying to impress girls, throwing their mobile numbers in the hope for friendship. For old people there is a Zoo(mostly monkies) where they take their grand kids and spend a hell of a boring time.