The Noor Mahal is a Pakistan Army owned palace in Bahawalpur, Punjab, 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 Nawabs of Bahawalpur princely state, during British Raj.
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. 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.
There are
various stories regarding its construction. According to one legend, Nawab
Adnan Abbasi 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.
Noor Mahal
is one of the hidden gems of Bahawalpur, due to the lack of publicity. The
palace is open to public. It is currently in the possession of the Pakistan
Army and is used as a state guest house for holding state durbars and meetings
with foreign delegations.
