Burh Bangla, Nawab of Kalabagh Palace

 February 24, 2018

At Kalabagh on the bank of River Sindh, an elegant white palace stands, locals called it Burh Bangla. It was the residence of the former chief of the Awan tribe also known as Nawab of Kalabagh. It now serves as the rest house for the guests.

Malik Amir Mohammad Khan was a Pakistani politician and the Nawab of Kalabagh. He was born on December 12, 1912, in Kalabagh, a town in the Mianwali district of Punjab, British India. He belonged to the Muslim Rajput clan of Bakhral, which had been granted the title of Nawab by the British Raj.

After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan served as a member of the Constituent Assembly and later as a member of the National Assembly. He was also appointed as the Governor of West Pakistan in 1955.

Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan was known for his contributions to the development of Kalabagh, including the construction of a hydroelectric power station and a network of canals. He was also a strong advocate for the rights of the people of Kalabagh and was involved in several campaigns to secure their rights.

Malik Amir Mohammad Khan was a politician and served as a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan several times. He was also the Chief Minister of West Pakistan from 1958 to 1962. He was known for his strong stance on the issues of national sovereignty and territorial integrity and for his advocacy of the "One Unit" system, which aimed to merge the four provinces of West Pakistan into a single unit.

He was a controversial figure due to his actions during the British colonial era and his treatment of the local population.

During the colonial era, Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan was known to have close ties with the British authorities and was appointed as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British India. He was also granted various privileges and land grants by the British government.

However, his actions toward the local population were controversial. He was accused of forcibly acquiring land from farmers and locals, and of exploiting and mistreating his tenants. He was also known to have used violence and intimidation tactics against those who opposed him.

Additionally, he played a role in the formation of the All-India Muslim League, a political party that advocated for the creation of a separate Muslim state in the Indian subcontinent, which eventually led to the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.

Overall, Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan's legacy is a complex one, with both positive and negative aspects. While he played a role in the formation of Pakistan and was a prominent figure in the colonial era, his treatment of the local population has been criticized by many as his alleged involvement in the murder of former Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. He was accused of being part of a conspiracy to assassinate Liaquat Ali Khan in 1951. Although he was acquitted of the charges, his reputation suffered as a result of the controversy.

In addition to his political career, Malik Amir Mohammad Khan was also known for his philanthropic activities, including the establishment of hospitals and schools in his hometown of Kalabagh. He died in 1967 at the age of 57. Despite his controversial legacy, he is still remembered as a prominent political figure in the history of Pakistan.