Multan facts for kids

Side view of the Shah Rukn-I-Alam mausoleum

Multan is famous for its large number of Sufi shrines, including the unique rectangular tomb of Shah Gardez that dates from the 1150s and is covered in blue enameled tiles typical of Multan.

The shrine of Shamsuddin Sabzwari dates from 1330, and has a unique green dome.

The Mausoleum of Shah Ali Akbar dating from the 1580s was built in the regional style that is typical of Multan's shrines.

Multan is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is the capital of the Multan District. Called the "City of the Saints", the history of the city goes back more than 5,000 years.

Etymology

Multan is Moolastan which means the Place of origin (Moolam is source or origin).

History

The old city of Multan is a Walled city which is built on an ancient mound. Archaeologists believe the mound is made up of earlier cities going back to the Bronze Age. There were six gates into the old city but these have been destroyed over time. Three gates were rebuilt by the British when they governed the country. Inside the wall is a circular road, called the alang. The old city has narrow and winding streets, with houses crowded close together.

Political importance

Multan is the main center of the South Punjab, Seraiki speaking region. The people here think their language is separate from the majority Punjabi language of Punjab and want to create a separate province of their own, called Seraikistan.

Famous Places in Multan

Ghanta Ghar
Lohari Gate
Haram Gate
The old Qasim Bagh
Shrine of Sufi saint Shah Rukn-i-Alam
Shrine of Sufi saint Bahauddin Zakriya
Shrine of Sufi saint Shamsuddin Sabzwari
Shrine of Sufi saint Sakhi Ali Akbar
Lahore Road
The Van Agnews Monument dating from British Raj times.

Neighbour cities and towns

Khanewal
Vihari
Bahawalpur
Muzaffargarh
Rahim Yar Khan
Lodhran
Shujabad

Images for kids

The 15th century Multani caravanserai in Baku, Azerbaijan, was built to house visiting Multani merchants in the city.
Multan's Shahi Eid Gah Mosque dates from 1735 and is decorated with elaborate and intricate Mughal-era frescoes.
Multan's "Bloody Bastion" was the site of fierce fighting during the Siege of Multan in 1848-49.
The Multan Garrison Club was built in a 19th-century British-colonial style.
Administrative divisions of Multan District
Aerial view of Multan Old city near Lohari Gate.
Multan's is home to a significant Christian minority.
Multan's Sufi shrines are often decorated during annual Urs festivals. Pictured is the Wali Muhammad Shah shrine.
Multan International Airport offers flights throughout Pakistan, and direct flights to Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Nishtar Medical College
Nishtar Hospital
Multan is known for its distinctive and blue-toned tile-work.
Multan is known for its high-quality ceramic ware, including this 19th century piece at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
The tomb of Khawaja Awais Kagha displays use of traditional Multan tile-work on both its exterior and interior.
The shrine of Pir Adil Shah.
A view of the Shams Tabriz shrine.