June 26, 2023
Famous Places to Visit in Multan:
Multan is the 7th largest city of Pakistan, known for its historical places and beautiful architecture. Due to an abundance of tombs in the city, Multan is also known as the ‘city of saints’ among the masses.
Some historians suggest that Multan is around 2000 years old and it has been a center for Sufi activities. This fact makes the city even more interesting.
If you are interested in exploring different architectural designs in Pakistan and have a knack for history, Multan is the perfect place for you to be. To ensure good construction and designing make sure you hire the right architects.
Here, in this blog, we bring you a concise yet very informative list of places to visit in Multan.
So, sit back and enjoy the virtual tour to Multan.
Tomb of Shah Rukn e Alam
Tomb of Shah Gardez
Multan Fort
Ghanta Ghar, Multan
Bibi Pak Daman Mausoleum
Patrick Alexander Vans Agnew Monument
Multan Art Council
Shrine of Baha-ud-Din Zakariya
Tomb of Shah Rukn e Alam
Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fateh, also known as Shah Rukn-e-Alam is one of the most famous Sufi saints of Multan. He was a mystic who belonged to the Suhrawardiyya Sufi order.
Every year, over 100,000 pilgrims from all over the world visit the shrine.Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the foreign minister of the recent government is the current Sajjada Nashin and custodian of the shrine.The tomb is situated at the heart of Multan. It was constructed between 1320-1324 CE. Historians suggest that the tomb was built by the famous Ghias-ud-Din Tughlak, Governor of Depalpur.
In the 1970s the tomb was renovated by the department of Auqaf. The tomb received a fresh makeover by the Kashigars of Multan. The brown historical building decorated with blue stones is the epitome of ancient Mughal architecture.
Tomb of Shah Gardez
Another famous Sufi mystic who is buried in Multan is Shah Yousuf Gardezi. His tomb is situated about 600 meters southwest of the former fort of Multan. The tomb consists of a small cubical building with a flat roof, decorated on all sides with blue and white glazed tiles embellished with floral patterns and aina-Kari mirror-work on the interior.Yousaf Gardezi is known for his immense work for the revival of Islam in the subcontinent.
Multan Fort
The Multan Fort is an ancient landmark of South Asian Defence and Architecture. Some historians suggest that the fort was built between 800 to 1000 BC. The fort was constructed by the Katoch Dynasty but the fort received grave destruction by the British Empire during colonial rule.
The gigantic fort is truly a work of art. It has huge walls that are 40 to 70 feet (21 m) high and 6,800 feet (2 km) in circumference. The fort’s 46 bastions included two flanking towers at each of the four gates.Within the fort, there are 30 towers, a mosque, a Hindu temple, and a palace.
There were 8 gates in the fort but over time, four gates deteriorated and now the fort has four gates only which are:
- Qasim Gate
- Khatri Gate
- Sikhi Gate
- Hariri Gate
Ghanta Ghar, Multan
The famous clock tower of Multan, also known as the Ghanta Ghar is one of the main tourist attractions in Pakistan. It was built around 1884 AD during the British Raj. The construction of the Ghanta Ghar started in February 1884 and it took four years to complete the construction.
Interestingly, the foundation of the Ghanta Ghar is based on the ruins of Haveli of Ahmad Khan Sadozai which was destroyed during the Siege of Multan.The hall and the building were called Ripon Hall and Building but after independence, the place was named “Jinnah Hall’. Initially, the building was used for office meetings and cultural programs.
Bibi Pak Daman Mausoleum
Bibi Pak Daman, famously known as Bibi Rasti was the mother of the renowned Rukn-i-Alam. She was also a student of Bahauddin Zakariya and did a lot of work for the revival of Islam in Multan. She was buried near the ancient temple of Mai Totla. The tomb is rectangular in shape and is heavily decorated with the blue and white stonework, a signature style of Multan’s architecture.
The east facade is decorated with a set of triple arches resting upon double columns, providing access to a deep portico that shelters several graves.The tomb stands at the center of a compound made up of thick walls. The tomb also includes a domed gatehouse.
Many people from Multan and its adjacent areas come and pay their respect at the tomb.
Patrick Alexander Vans Agnew Monument
A gigantic tower stands at the heart of Multan near Ibne-Qasim Bagh. It is a monument that was made in the honor of a British Civil Servant of the East India Company. Patrick Alexander was assassinated by the retainers of Dewan Mulraj which also led to the Second Sikh War and the British annexation of the Punjab region.
Multan Art Council
If you are an art enthusiast and want to devour different colors of arts and crafts in Multan, you need to visit Multan Art Council. The center was established in 1975 and was founded by the statutory provisions of the Punjab Council of Arts (PUCAR) Lahore.The center is built on spacious grounds and comprises a hall, art gallery, stage, and a garden.
Art exhibitions and performing arts are regular at the council. The council also holds puppet shows, painting exhibitions, sculptures, and other activities for the people of Multan and its adjacent areas.Some of the major events held at the council are: 1st Sufi Festival, Sculptures of Sadiq Ali Shehzad exhibition, International Women Day 2009, Japanese Calendar Show, Lok Mela, and Fine Arts Classes Work Thesis.
Shrine of Baha-ud-Din Zakariya
Baha-ud-Din Zakariya was one of the most prominent Sufi mystics, poets, and teachers who also established the Suhrawardiyya order of Baghdad in medieval South Asia. He died in 1268 and his Darbar was built in Multan. The mausoleum is a square of 51 ft 9 in (15.77 m), measured internally. Above this is an octagon, about half the height of the square, which is surmounted by a hemispherical dome. It is one of the most visited places in Multan City.
