Multan facts for kids
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.
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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
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The Mausoleum of Shah Ali Akbar dating from the 1580s was built in the regional style that is typical of Multan's shrines.
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Multan's Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam is considered to be the earliest Tughluq era monument.
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The 15th century Multani Caravanserai in Baku, Azerbaijan, was built to house visiting Multani merchants in the city.
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Multan's Shahi Eid Gah Mosque dates from 1735 and is decorated with elaborate and intricate Mughal era frescoes.
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Multan's "Bloody Bastion" was the site of fierce fighting during the Siege of Multan in 1848–49.
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Multan's Ghanta Ghar dates from the British colonial period, and was built in the Indo-Saracenic style.
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Shrine of Hazrat Baha-ud-din Zakariya
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Multan's is home to a significant Christian minority.
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Multan's Sufi shrines are often decorated during annual Urs festivals. Pictured is the Wali Muhammad Shah shrine.
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Multan Cantonment railway station serves as the city's main railway station.
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Multan International Airport offers flights throughout Pakistan, and direct flights to Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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The tomb of Khawaja Awais Kagha displays use of traditional Multan tile-work on both its exterior and interior.
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The shrine of Pir Adil Shah.
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Multan Cricket Stadium from outside.
