Multan To Day

the city of shrines

The city (740 ft above the sea level) is located almost in the center of Pakistan

. The vast plain of Multan Division is dissected by rivers, canals and narrow water channels, forming an ideal agricultural base for the economic development of the region.

Multan is near Chenab Rever. in the Punjab. The leading manufactures are silk, cotton, carpets, glazed pottery, and enamel work. Multan is an important center of trade where the products of the division, chiefly cotton, wheat, wool, sugar, indigo, oil seeds,

Multan  is  a  city  rich  in  architecture.  With  the  beautiful  mosques  and  mausoleums it is almost unrivalled by  any  other  Pakistani  cities.  This  and  its  historical  value  are  the  reasons  it  is  so swamped with  tourists. Winter is the best time to visit  Multan  and its huge exotic bazaars.The old town surrounded by a high wall and packed with tall, narrow Anglo-Hindu style houses remains in a time warp. Its great covered bazaar, crowded with veiled women shoppers is redolent with a pungent aroma of spices

A panoramic view of Multan city can be had from the highest point in the fort. Shrines The devastation of Khorasan and Western Iran was to the benefit of this part of Pakistan, for it led to the settling in this city of a large number of pious and learned men and noble families like Gardezi Syeds and Qureshis from Khawarizm, amongst whom Sheikh Bahauddin Zakaria is a famous saint. About the same time Pir Shams Tabrez from Sabzwar and Kazi Qutubuddin from Kashan came to Multan. Baba Farid Shakar Ganj settled in Pakpattan. Khawaja Qutubaddin Bakhatair Kaki passed through to Delhi and Syed Jalal, the spiritual leader of many family in Multan, Muzafargarh and Bahawalpur, came to Uch, Sultan Sakhi Sarwar's father also emigrated from Bokhara to Sakot in Multan district. These venerable men contributed greatly to spreading Islam in this area. the saints and shrines of Multan have been attracting a large number of devotees all the year round. The shrines of one of the foremost scholars of Islam, Shaikh Bahauddin Zakaria is located in the fort.   The Mausoleum was built by the saint himself. It has a unique style of architecture of that period, the mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, the grandson of Sahikh Bahauddin Zakaria, is also located near the main gate of the Multan Fort. He was also a man of great religious and political influence.

Besides its religious importance, the Mausoleum has a unique architectural value. Its dome is considered to be the second largest in the world after "Gol Gumbad" of Bijapur, India. the mausoleum has very rich geometrical patterns, calligraphy and colourful floral, mosaic and glazed tile work. The mausoleum has recently been given the Agha Khan Award for the best Muslim Architecture. The shrine is visited by devotees all the year round. The shrine of Hazrat Shams Sabzwari is located near Aamkhas Garden. Other shrines in Multan include that of Muhammad Yousaf Fardezi near Bohar Gate, Musa Pak. Shaheed inside the Pak. Gate, Total Mai near Haram Gate, Shah Ali Akbar, a descendant of Shah Shams Sabzwari, in Suramiani and Bab Sarfa near Eidgah.

Alam built during 1320-24. It is a massive octagonal structure, 25.5 meters in diameter and 35 meters high. A striking feature of its elevation is the effect of its sloping sides, which have been emphasised by addition of turrets or minarets at each angle of the building. The hemispherical dome at the roof of the mausoleum is a superstructure about 18 meters in diameter. Although of bricks foundation, the building has been elaborately ornamented in dark blue, white and azure tiles. Bands of carved timbering have also been sunk into the walls at appropriate intervals to enhance the beauty.

Three changes a huge new State Bank of Pakistan and a Holiday Inn, Fly over bridge over kachire chowck and new market built in the cantonment area.

A good place for shopping, Multan has a modem shopping mall and also some grand markets around the British clock tower. Here the business of the day goes on; men buying oil to beautify themselves; men gossiping; roadside false teeth manufacturers; a man embroidering a fine chunni (the gauzy veil worn by Panjabi women) on a frame. The area is famed for came] skin work, pottery, and cotton fabrics. Perhaps the name of Multan will mean history to many people, but he warned - Multan is still very much a going concern and there is considerable industrial development

The city of Multan possesses the finest collection of mausoleums. The earliest of these, the mausoleum of Shah Yusuf Gardezi (1152), with a simple rectangular shape, appears to have been an initial effort. It relies wholly on the brilliant play of colour produced by its surface ornamentation of encaustic tiles which encase of these tiles are merely painted, some are moulded into a form of low relief decoration

Research articles related to history and heritage of Multan  To Day have been web posted on this site. More information, photographs and articles will be web posted from time to time, as and when available.

One can reach there by clicking on the link above or by following the shortcut URL http://geocities.com/irshadgardezi/today.html

MULTAN,

Located at about 30.20°N 71.43°E. Height about 123m / 403 feet above sea level.( 30.12N 71.26E )  Satellite Pictures Received by HRPT Weather Satellites  NOAA-12, NOAA-14 NOAA-15

1.   Average Temperature

2.   SouAverage Maximum Temperature

3.    Average Minimum Temperature

554 months between 1931 and 1978

4.    Average Temperature

5.    Average Sea-Level Pressure

 

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