Bahawalpur

Bahawalpur (Punjabi and Urdu: بہاول پور, romanised: Bahāwalpūr, .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}pronounced [bəɦɑːʋəlpuːɾ]) is a city in Punjab, Pakistan. It is one of the ten largest cities of Pakistan and 6th most populous city of Punjab.[6] Bahawalpur is the capital of Bahawalpur Division. Founded in 1748 by the Daudpotra family of Sindh, Bahawalpur was the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur,[7] ruled by the Nawabs of Bahawalpur until 1955. The Nawabs left a rich architectural legacy, and Bahawalpur is known for its monuments dating from that period.[8] The city lies at the edge of the Cholistan Desert, and serves as the gateway to the nearby Lal Suhanra National Park.