Article cover image

Multan the city of saints.

shahid

Tour Guide, Lahore, Pakistan

| 2 mins read

Multan the land of the mystics is probably the oldest surviving city in south west Asia.The history of Multan is the history of the sub-continent.every invader from Alexander,through the Moughals , right up to the British have fought for control of the city.Multan is located about one hundred km from Punjnad,where the five mighty rivers of Punjab meet.here in Multan,are more tombs of saints and Sufis gathered at one place than anywhere else in the world.The city is dominated by towering brick and marble shrines, in particular by its eleventh century patron saint shah Rukn-e-Alam, and Hazrat Bahauddin zikria with many others such as shah shams Tabrez.They are not only an object of veneration for the locals,but also for thousands of people who throng in massive numbers to these shrines, searching for spiritual enlightenment.in fact, the galaxy of mosques and mausoleums erected in Multan speak eloquently of the grandeur and sublimity of this great city.other remarkable sights in Multan include the fort standing majestically above the city ad the 18th century eidgah mosque.
Multan flourished in Mughal era,becoming famous for its musicians and for the skill of its craftsmen who perfected a special style of blue painting and glazed pottery.
Multan is a complex and multilayer city.its Hussain Agahi bazaar ranks amongst the most fascinating bazaars in the world.just off the main street of the bazaar,are tall houses with wooden balconies where one feels as though transported suddenly back in time.this is truly a place where the two worlds meet.