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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.
History
There are various stories regarding its construction. According to one
legend, Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV had the palace made for his wife;
however, she was only there for one night, as she happened to see the
adjoining graveyard from her balcony, and refused to spend another night
there, and so it remained unused during his reign.
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Noor Mehal is one of the hidden gems of Bahawalpur, since not many know
about it.The palace is open to public. It is currently in possession of
the army and is used as state guest house and for holding state durbars
and meetings with foreign delegations.
Architecture
The construction of Noor palace was undertaken by Nawab Subah Sadiq the
fourth, who was also known as the Shan Jahan of Bahawalpur for his
passion of constructing beautiful buildings. Mr. Hennan, an Englishman
who was the state engineer, designed the building. The foundation of
Noor Palace was laid in 1872. A map and coins of the state were buried
in its foundation as a good omen. Most of the palace's materials and
furniture were imported from England and Italy. The construction of the
palace was completed in 1875 at a cost of Rs. 1.2 million. Noor Palace
covers an area of 44,600 square feet (4,140 m2). It has 32 rooms
including 14 in the basement, 6 verandas and 5 domes.
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The design encompasses features of Corinthian and Islamic styles of
architecture with a tinge of subcontinental style. The Corinthian touch
is visible in the columns, balustrade, pediments and the vaulted ceiling
of Durbar Hall. The Islamic style is evident in the five domes, whereas
the angular elliptical shapes are a stroke of subcontinent style. Nawab
Muhammad Behawal Khan the fifth added a mosque to the palace in 1906 at
the cost of Rs. 20,000. The design is based on the mosque of Aitchison
College.
In 1956, when Bahawalpur State was merged into Pakistan, the building
was taken over by the Auqaf department. The palace was leased to the
army in 1971; in 1997 the army purchased it for the sum of 119 million.
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The building was declared a “protected monument” in September 2001 by
the Government of Pakistan's Department of Archeology, and it is now
open for general visitors, students trips and other interested persons.
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