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ISLAMIC CITIES
MULTAN
by Nasir Shamsi
The Qasim Bagh, a garden around the ancient Royal Fort attracts
the inhabitants of Multan in good numbers in summer. The late
Mian Muhammad Shafi, a great visionary and a City Administrator
in the early 50's in the last century had launched a campaign to
beautify Multan. Among other constructive measures, he helped
develop a lush green garden on and around the ancient Fort. It
was named after Muhammad bin Qasim, the 18 years old Muslim
General who had first entered India through Sind (711A.D.).
After subduing Makran, Daibal and al Nirun (now Hyderabd),
Muhammad bin Qasim crossed over to the Punjab and conquered
Multan in 713 AD and a greater part of what is now Pakistan came
under Muslim rule in the early 8th century.
In the Old 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. 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. The numerous shrines
within the old city offer impressive examples of workmanship and
architecture.
Multan was the abode of several renowned Mystics in the 13th
century AD that included Syed Yusuf Gardezi, Bahaul Haq Zikria,
Shams-e Tabriz, and Rukn-e Alam. The Shrines of these Saints
attract thousands of people to visit visit Multan, particularly
to attend the annaul Urs of these Spiritual leaders who helped
spread the message of Islam in the surrounding areas. The Shrine
of Shams-e Tabriz located on the side of the Fort 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 style. Other shrines include the Pahladpuri Temple and
the Idgah Mosque (1735).
People of Multan are hard working, polite and hospitable. They
generally speak 'Saraiki', a Punjabi dialect, very sweet and
mellow and pretty close to the Sindhi. Multan is known for high
tempratures in summer. There is a popular legend that attributes
Multan's extra ordinary heat to a 'Karamat' ( miracle) of the
Baba Shah Shams Tabriz (as he is generally known as in Multan).
It is said that the sun descended on Multan on his orders to
teach a leson to its residents for their hostile treatment at
his arrival from Iraq.
The story of Multan will not be complete unless we talk of the
city's special and delicious gift; multani mangoes, particularly
the Shujabad variety are the best in the world for their unique
flavor and sweetness. Other culinary delights of Multan are its
dates and Sohan Halwa. Multani khussa (shoes), Ladies
embroidered clothes for men and women and children, earthenware
painted pottery, the blue Multani ceramic tiles, camel skin lamp
shades and lacquered wood decorative are among some of Multan's
unique artifacts and
collectibles.
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