BAHAWALPUR or BHAWALPUR, an Indian State, within the Punjab, stretching more than 3oom. along the left bank of the Sutlej, Punjnud and Indus, the chief Mohammedan state in the Punjab. Area 15,003sq.m. ; pop. (1931) 984,612; estimated gross revenue £375,000. The chief, whose title is Nawab, is a Mohammedan of the Daudputra family from Sind, and claims descent from Abbas, uncle of the Prophet. The dynasty estab lished its independence of the Afghans towards the end of the 18th century, and made a treaty with the British in 1838. The territory is traversed throughout its length by the North Western and Southern Punjab railways. The State gave valuable help during the World War, its Camel Corps being especially useful.
The town of Bahawalpur lies near the left bank of the Sutlej.
Pop. 20,943. Except along the banks of the river the whole area of the State is a wilderness. Part has been reclaimed by canals which run during the summer floods. The Sutlej Irri gation Project now under construction will improve and extend existing cultivation.