Cholistan Desert ( also locally known as Rohi) sprawls thirty kilometers from Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan and covers an area of 16,000 km². It adjoins the Thar desert extending over to Sindh and into India.

The word Cholistan is derived from Cholna which means "moving". The people of Cholistan lead a semi-nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of water and fodder for their animals. The dry bed of the Hakra River runs through the area, along which many settlements of the Indus Valley Civilisation have been found.

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TDCP 5th Cholistan Jeep Rally will be held on 26th, 27th, 28th Feburary and 1st March, 2009.

218-km route final for desert jeep rally       
MULTAN, Feb 29 (APP): Over 80 jeep/cars will join Cholistan desert rally on March 9 to cover a 218-kilometre loop-shaped route around historical Derawar Fort in Bahawalpur district.  Organizers of fourth desert jeep rally said here on Friday.
Twelve check posts (CPs) have been set up on the sandy route, also having sand dunes. The fuel re-filling facility will be available at seventh CP at Rasool, some 132 kilometres away from the opening point of the race.

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Petrol Category

( A ): 2501 CC and above
1. Mir Nadir Magsi - Land Cruiser 80 series, specially tuned

2. Roni Patel - Pajero Evolution

3. M Ashraf - Pajero Evolution

( B ): 1501 – 2500 CC
1. Asad Khoro
2. Amir Magsi
3. Raheel Aslam

( C ): Up to 1500 CC
1. Zain Irani
2. Sarfraz Dhanji
3. Umer Hayat Khan

Cholistan Rally prize distribution delayed 

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Derawar Mosque

Nawab Bahawal Khan constructed a mosque with cupolas and domes of exquisite marble in 1849. It is a replica of Moti Mosque, Delhi.

Derawar Fort

One of the oldest forts in this part of the former British India Empire, the Derawar Fort history goes back to almost 800 years (this age is disputed though).

The imposing stucture is situated on the edge Cholistan desert on the top of the ruins of ancient Harappan civilization. It has been the ancestral seat of the rulers of Bahawalpur for decades.   The present building was built by Abbasi family or the Nawabs in 1733. Its walls are 30m high and there are 40 bastions, 10 on each side. The front area is guarded by a huge defensive tower at the main entrance. The boundaries were constructed from gypsum blocks transported from Uch some 65 kilometers away. The walls are built in mud tiles plastered and fresco painted.  

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BAHAWALPUR, Jan 27: The Tourism Development Corporation Punjab has announced holding the annual fixture of Cholistan jeep rally from March 7 to March 9.

The motorists of petrol and diesel vehicles of prescribed categories have been invited to take part in the Pakistan’s biggest motor sports event to be originated from historic Derawar Fort and registration of the aspirants will start from Feb 6.

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LAHORE, March 20: The Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) last week organized the first-ever adventurous desert jeep rally in the sandy terrain of Cholistan desert. The event proved to be a great success as it not only tested the skills of 76 drivers but also promoted the Cholistani culture and history. Set in the backdrop of Derawar Fort, the rally venue attracted a large number of visitors from surrounding areas as well as from other parts of the country. Besides the jeep rally, the visitors also enjoyed Cholistani music, fireworks and stay in a tent village, especially set up to greet them.

Source: www.dawn.com/2005/03/21/nat15.htm

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Sunday, March 05, 2006
Cholistan Jeep Rally from 10th to 12th

www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp

LAHORE: The second Cholistan Jeep Rally will be held from March 10 to 12 to highlight Cholistan’s cultural assets, said TDCP Managing Director Irfan Ali at a press conference at the Punjab Civil Services Mess on Saturday. The rally has been organised by the Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) and a cellular company. Irfan said the Houbara Foundation (the major sponsor), Bhawalpur district government and TDCP organised the rally for the first time in 2005, which was attended by thousands of people.

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Multan—Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) will try to attract international racers for participation in its third annual Cholistan desert jeep rally expected to be held in March 2007 at Bahawalpur.

TDCP has decided in a meeting to contact ambassadors of foreign countries, particularly the Arab countries, to come to Cholistan desert to watch the rally.

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