Comprehensive information and links about Pakistan Multan

Multan is a city in south central Punjab province, in Pakistan and capital of Multan District in the Punjab Province. It is located in the southern part of the province, and is a very historic city. It has a population of over about 3.83 Million (according to 1998 census), making it the sixth largest city in Pakistan. It is built just east of the Chenab River. About 966 km from Karachi and more or less right in the center of the country lie the ancient city of Multan. Multan, the 'City of Pirs and Shrines' is a prosperous city of bazaars, mosques, shrines and superbly designed tombs.

table is an extremely old city, famous for its sufi shrines, which has seen a lot of warfare, because of its location on a major invasion route of India from Central Asia.

The history of Multan dates back to the time of Alexander the Great. It is believed to be the same city as b where Alexander's forces stormed the citadel after seeing their king injured and unconscious on the field of battle. In the mid 5th century, the city was attacked by a group of nomads led by Torman. These nomads were successful in taking the city, but did not stay, and the long-standing Hindu rule over the city was reestablished.

In the 7th century, Multan had its first experience with Muslim armies. Armies led by Muhalib launched numerous raids from Persia into India. However, they did not come to conquer, and seemed only to be exploring the area. However, only a few decades later, Muhammad bin Qasim would come on behalf of the Arabs, and take Multan along with Sind. The city at that time was known as the "city of gold" and numerous historians have written about an extremely large Hindu temple that housed over 6,000 people within it, known as the Sun Mandir. Following bin Qasim's conquest, the city was securely under Muslim rule, although it was in effect an independent state.

With the turn of the millennium, the city was attacked twice by Mahmud of Ghazni who destroyed the Sun Mandir, but he did not stay. After Muhammad Ghuri's victories in India, and his establishment of a capital in Delhi, Multan was made a part of his empire. However, the rise of the Mongols would again give it some independence, albeit requiring it to be vigilant against Mongol raids from Central Asia.

Under the Mughal Empire, Multan enjoyed over 200 years of peace, and became known as i (Abode of Peace). It was at this time that Multan was ruled by Nawab Ali Mohammad Khan Khakwani. As governor of Multan, he built the famous Mosque Wali Mohammad Khan in 1757 which remains to this day. Many buildings were constructed in this time, and agricultural production grew rapidly. The decline of the Mughal Empire was not as devastating for Multan as it was for other cities. The city escaped the destruction brought upon India by the armies of Nadir Shah, but it was ruled from Kabul by numerous Afghan dynasties for a while.

In the 19th century, the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh conquered Multan. Sikh rule would not last long, as the British were eventually provoked into checking the Sikh strength in Punjab. After a long and bloody battle, Multan was made part of the British Raj. This also signalled a decline in the city. The British built some railways to the city, but its industrial capacity was never developed.

Upon Pakistan's independence in 1947, Multan was in a very bad state.It was lacking industry, hospitals, and even places of higher education. Since then, there has been some industrial growth, and the city's population is continually growing. But the old city continues to be in a dilapidated state, and many monuments wear the effects of the warfare that has visited the city.

Location

The city of Multan is located in southern Punjab province and almost at exact center of Paistan. The area around the city is a flat plain and is ideal for agriculture. There are many canals that cut across the Multan district that provide water from nearby rivers. It is extremely hot in the summer.

Multan District

District Multan is surrounded by the district of Khanewal on the North and North East, Vehari district on East and Lodhran district on South. The river Chenab passes on its Western side and across which lies district Muzaffargarh.

District Multan is spread over an area of 3,721 square Kilometres, comprising of the following towns.

1.Bosan Town

2.Shah Rukn-e-alam Town

3.Mumtazabad Town

4.Sher Shah Town

5.Sujaabad Town

6.Jalapur Pirwala Town

Literature

Being in Punjab, the majority of Multan's residents are Siraiki, and an overwhelming majority of the people are Muslim. Most of the people speak Siraiki language with a good portion of the people knowing Urdu. English is understood by the educated. Multan is also rich in literature, there are many poets who are known country wide. In Urdu poetry Haider Gardezi, Aasi Karnali, Aslam Ansari, Arsh Siddiqi, Iqbal Arshad, Arshad Multani, Hazeen Sidiqi, Anwar Jamal, Raziuddin Razi, Ghazala Khakwani,kashif Baloch and Riffat Abbass are popular poets of this city.

A circular road around the rampart gave access to the city through thirteen gates. Some of the imposing structures of these gates are still preserved. In the bazaars of the Old City one still comes across tiny shops where craftsmen can be seen busy turning out master-pieces in copper, brass, silver as well as textiles in the traditional fashion.

The old city has narrow colorful bazaars full of local handicrafts and narrow winding lanes. There are many places of historical, cultural and recreational interest in the city.

The numerous shrines within the old city offer impressive examples of workmanship and architecture. The Shams-e Tabriz shrine is built almost entirely of sky-blue engraved glazed bricks. That of Shah Rukn-e Alam (Tughlaq period) has one of the biggest domes in Asia. The shrine of Sheikh Yusuf Gardez is masterpiece of the Multani

Multan is rich as far as schools and educational campuses are concerned. In last few years, mushroom growth of quality educational institution is observed in this neglected region. Bahauddin Zakariya University بہاؤالدین زکریا یونیورسٹی , formely known as Multan University, is the main source of higher education for this region. There are many colleges involved in the grooming of students and fulfilling desire of acquiring and distribution of knowledge and education. Govt. College Bosan Road, Govt. College Science are widely hailed colleges.

Multan is a commercial and industrial center, it is connected by road a rail with Lahore and Karachi and by air with Karachi, Quetta, and Faisalabad. Industries include fertilizer, soap, and glass factories; foundries; cotton, woolen and silk textile mills; flour, sugar and oil mills; and a large thermal-power station. It is famous for its handicrafts (ceramics and camel-skin work) and cottage industries. There are hospitals, public gardens, and several colleges affiliated with the University of the Punjab. The University of Multan was established in 1975. Large, irregular suburbs have grown outside the old walled town, and two satellite towns have been set up. Mangoes of Shujabad district are the best in the world. Multani khussa (shoes); embroidered clothes for ladies; embroidered cholas for men; earthenware pottery, painted potter, camel skin ware (e.g. lamps); carpets wooden products, especial lacquered wood.

Multan is an important agricultural, industrial and tourist region. Wheat, Cotton and Sugarcane are the main crops grown in the district. Besides, Rice, Maize, Tobacco, Bajra, Moong, Mash, Masoor and Oil Seed such as Rape

Mangoes, Citrus, Guavas and Pomegranate are main fruits grown in the Multan district. Besides, Dates, Jaman, Pears, Phalsa and Banana are also grown in minor quantities in the district.