Surrounded by a manicured formal garden, Darbar Mahal in Bahawalpur is one of the most beautiful architectures constructed by Nawab Bahawal Khan-V in 1904 which he dedicated to one of his wives. Initially, the palace was known as the Mubarak Mahal. Once the home of Nawabs, this opulent royal residency provides an opportunity to soak in its architectural splendor and rich history. The Palace offers the tourists a glimpse into the past due to which it becomes a popular destination among the tourists.

The architectural beauty of the Darbar Mahal is beyond the adequate description. The unique architecture of the Darbar Mahal reflects an elegant blend of both local and foreign influences. The architecture of the Darbar Mahal is very much similar to Lahore Fort. The magic lies within the lavish hallways and courtyards of the palace. It was built out of red brick and is built in the style of the Lahore Fort. The palace contains four domes that are connected via short corridors. The ancient Arab, local, and European style construction theme can be observed throughout the palace, with a spacious building adorned with more than 80 windows that have been styled in the old Islamic traditions.

The interior of the royal residence is one that exudes elegance and class; the walls of the palace have been decorated with a unique light gold-tan color that are quite attractive and eye catching as well as it gives the rooms a feeling of robustness and space. There are some traditional Indian style ornaments and sword along with some valuable paintings displayed on the walls too, which date back to the mid-1800s

The interior of the palace has been decorated with fabulous furniture, which is among the premium and finest local varieties of the day, and the rugs are similarly rich and spectacular. The lush maroon velvet curtains hang on the doors complimenting the surrounding walls and adds to the effect of royalty. The archways have been embellished with ceramic tiles that glitter under the light of expensive chandeliers. The main hall of the palace was once reserved as an art gallery, which housed some of the most priceless and rare art relics and family legacies.

The lush green ground around the palace spread over an area of 75 acres, which makes it one of the largest properties in the immediate area, and also an adequate place for numerous plants to flourish. The grounds contain beautiful foundations and are always maintained in impeccable order. Darbar Mahal was under the control of the military and has been housing government offices since 1971. It also served as the sitting bench for the Regional Court of Bahawalpur State. For a long time, it was the residency of Nawab Abbas Abbasi but for the last three decades, it has been used as an army office