The Nawabs of Kala Bagh, whose articles of use are preserved even today

Nawab of Kala Bagh Fort is a masterpiece of architecture located in Kala Bagh town of Mianwali district of Punjab province.

In 1911, Malik Atta Muhammad Khan, the father of Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan, the former governor of West Pakistan, built this fort covering an area of ​​more than 100 kanals near the railway bridge for defense purposes and to fight external invaders outside the city so that the citizens Can be protected from attackers.

After crossing the main gate of this fort, one can see the horse stable on the right and the flour mill and the employees’ residential colony on the left and it feels like entering the palace of a king.

In front is a catapult, which was installed to protect the city from outside invaders.

On the thick wall of the veranda is a plaque with the name of Khan Bahadur Malik Atta Muhammad Khan, on which the year of construction of the fort (1911) is recorded. The deer heads on the walls in the porch and the two to three feet thick walls of ancient times create a strange atmosphere.

Adjacent to the guest room is the place where Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan’s used rooms are.

Upon entering the first room, there are pictures of Malik Atta Muhammad Khan, the father of the Governor of West Pakistan, Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan of Kalabagh, pictures of Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan’s student days, an ancient copy of the Holy Quran and his sons Nawab Malik Muzaffar Khan. , the pictures of Nawab Malik Allah Yar Khan, Nawab Malik Asad Khan and Nawab Malik Azam Khan are shown.

Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan of Kalabagh was born on 20 June 1910 in a feudal family of Kalabagh.

After studying at Acheson College, he went on to Oxford University for higher education, where he obtained a degree in modern agriculture.

Administrator of this fort Abdul Rahman told Independent Urdu that the personal belongings rooms used by Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan are taken care of by his grandsons Nawabzada Malik Fawad Khan and Nawabzada Malik Imad Khan.

‘There is a special instruction from him that whoever wants to see these memorabilia, he should be shown these rare items without interruption and special care should be taken for their sake.’

Abdul Rehman explains that the people who come to see these memorabilia include officers, landlords, businessmen, students and all kinds of people.

‘They come and see these things and we treat them with tea, water and food.’

In these special rooms there are passports of Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan, the Queen of Great Britain, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the wife of American President John F. Kennedy, India’s Jawaharlal Nehru and many other heads of state.

According to Abdul Rahman: ‘These include gifts and valuables given by German and other rulers. In these rooms, there are valuable teak wood tables, chairs, cabinets, awards given to him and many other items made by Nawab Sahib, which are still in original condition and have been polished with special care. Is.’

Regarding the old-fashioned dining arrangements, Abdul Rehman told Independent Urdu that ‘there are British-style dishes and other items in the dining room at this place. In this fort, Nawab had specially constructed a glass room, in which he used to sit and drink coffee and keep an eye on the fort. In the same room, deer skin is also used as a foot mat on the carpet.’

He said that the guest house is open for everyone, while the study room of Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan is also in its original condition and all the books are also in the same condition.

‘These rooms also contain swords and armor used in ancient wars, which were worn by their ancestors to fight wars. There is also a room used by the Shah of Iran where he often visited.

About the personal and important place of the Nawab of Kala Bagh, Abdul Rehman said that the most valuable thing here is the Kaaba cover, which was given to the Nawab by the ruler of Saudi Arabia, Shah Faisal.

Abdul Rehman explains that ‘Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan took over the post of Governor of West Pakistan on 1st June 1960 and he remained in this position till 18th September 1966.

‘His tenure is remembered in terms of administrative affairs. His fort also has many rare images. There are also hand-made works of art by Mr. Kilburn, a British officer posted here, which he gifted to Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan.

Abdul Rehman, the supervisor of the Qila Bagh, further said that many domestic and foreign personalities have stayed here, including Saudi princes, the Queen of Great Britain, the Shah of Iran, General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Former President Asif Ali Zardari, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, several chief ministers, diplomats and others are included.

According to Abdul Rahman, wheat is also provided to the employees here every month in addition to their salary. The food, electricity bills, medicines and accommodation of their employees are the responsibility of the Nawab Sahibs here, which are provided regularly every month, while if the husband of a female employee dies here, the widow is also given a lifetime pension by Kalabagh State. It is paid from the treasury.

Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan was friendly with President Sikandar Mirza, from whom Nawab Malik Amir Muhammad Khan approved four factories in his area at Dawood Khel, including cement and fertilizer factories. The establishment of the industry in this area has given employment to thousands of people.