A library is one of the most important civic buildings in a city. It has a collection of informative material such as books, newspapers, published articles, digital data, and much more. Moreover, a library’s collection can include other physical resources in many formats such as DVD, CD, and cassette as well as access to information, music, or other content held on bibliographic databases. Sadiq Reading Library is located in the city of Nawabs, Bahawalpur which is the second largest library in the province of Punjab. It is famous for its treasury of books. It contains a whole array of subjects and thousands of documents including rare manuscripts of historical importance.

The foundation stone of the Sadiq Reading library was laid on March 8, 1924, by two men: Sir Rufus Daniel Issacs, the Earl of Reading, who was also the viceroy and governor-general of India, and the Amir of Bahawalpur during the coronation year of Sadiq Mohammad Khan V. The construction was the cost of the building was 100,000 Rupees funded by the Bahawalpur State. Currently, the library is under the care of the Punjab Government.

The building is one of the architectural marvels you can visit in Bahawalpur besides the Noor Mahal and Darbar Mahal. Having the influence of the Brish Raj, the library is one of the buildings designed in a hybrid Neo-Gothic – Victorian style. The building has two floors along with multiple levels in roofs and terraces for natural light sources and ventilation. The main entrance is approachable through a porch designed with a verandah having arcades with decorative columns wrapping all sides of the building. The porch has an octagonal tower with Jali work on its arches and stylized in Victorian scrolls at its base. The exotic exterior finish of the building in white has been enhanced by the lush green landscape having lawns around the building for reading and absorbing the quiet environment. Bahawalpur history museum is located on the right side of the building with the same premises which has been constructed later on modern lines.

Upon entering the library, it grasps the gaze of the visitor and is automatically forced to look up high enough in order to hold the massive size of the interior hall, the reading space. As someone cruises around within the space, one could get drawn into a wave of history, followed by the classic portraits of all the Nawabs of Bahawalpur and other major figures of the Pakistan Movement. Each portrait is accompanied by a brief biography of the worthy individual. The main hall is a double-height space having side galleries. It has classic antique furniture, lamps, bookshelves, and newspaper racks. The central reading table is oval shaped and other tables are randomly placed with wooden and cane chairs. The ceiling of the main hall is decorated with lotus flowers designed in a series of three. The space is well-lit, quiet, and airy.

Overall, the Sadiq Reading Library is one of the biggest treasures of knowledge in Pakistan and it is a worth visiting place. Unlike many libraries in Pakistan it is open to all and welcomes everyone just like a Nawab himself.