Multan history

Multan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history spanning several millennia. Located in the very heart of Pakistan, it has witnessed the rise and fall of great civilizations, remaining an important centre at the crossroads of cultures and trade routes.

Foundation and First Mentions

The exact date of Multan's foundation is lost in the mists of time, however, archaeological findings indicate the existence of settlements here around 5,000 years ago. In ancient times, the city was known by various names, including Mulasthana-pura. One of the first documented events in the city's history was its conquest by the forces of Alexander the Great in 326 BC. Later, in the 7th century, the Chinese traveller Xuanzang described the city and its famous Sun Temple.

Key Factors of Development

Multan owes its growth and prosperity to several key factors:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated on the left bank of the Chenab River, at the intersection of vital trade routes linking India with Persia and Central Asia, including the Great Silk Road.
• Trade Centre: For centuries, Multan was a major transit point and trade emporium where commerce flourished.
• Political Influence: The city was part of numerous empires, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, often playing the role of a crucial administrative and military outpost on the western frontiers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the pre-Islamic period, Multan was famous for its majestic Sun Temple (Aditya), which attracted pilgrims from across the subcontinent. Following the arrival of Islam in the 8th century, the city gradually transformed into one of the principal centres of Sufism in South Asia, earning the moniker "City of Saints". Many renowned Sufi Sheikhs lived and preached here, and their shrines remain sites of pilgrimage to this day. The city's economy was based not only on trade but also on craftsmanship—Multan has long been renowned for its unique blue pottery, textiles, and leather goods.

Key Dates in Multan's History

The history of Multan is a kaleidoscope of eras and civilizations that have left their mark on the culture and architecture of this ancient city. Below are some of the most significant events that shaped its identity.

• 326 BC — The city was conquered by the troops of Alexander the Great during his Indian campaign.
• 712 AD — The Arab commander Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Multan, marking the beginning of the Islamic period in the region's history.
• 1005 — Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni captured the city, incorporating it into the vast Ghaznavid Empire.
• 1206 — Multan became part of the Delhi Sultanate, serving as a vital frontier and administrative centre for many centuries.
• 1398 — The forces of Tamerlane (Timur) captured and plundered the city during his massive campaign into India.
• 1528 — The city was incorporated into the Mughal Empire, ushering in a period of peace and prosperity that lasted about 200 years.
• 1752 — Following the decline of Mughal power, Multan came under the control of the Afghan Durrani Empire.
• 1818 — After a prolonged siege, the city was captured by the army of the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh and became part of the Sikh Empire.
• 1849 — British troops took Multan by storm during the Second Anglo-Sikh War, after which the city became part of British India.
• 1947 — As a result of the partition of British India, Multan became one of the key cities of the newly independent state of Pakistan.

Developmental Milestones: From Antiquity to Modernity

The evolution of the city of Multan is the story of an ancient fortified settlement transforming into a modern metropolis. Below are the key stages that defined the economic, cultural, and architectural character of this important centre in Pakistan.

• Establishment as a Trade Hub on the Silk Road. Thanks to its advantageous geographical position, the city became the "gateway" between South and Central Asia.
  Significance: This laid the economic foundation of the city as a thriving trade emporium specializing in the exchange of gold, spices, and textiles.
• Consolidation of the "City of Saints" Status (11th–14th centuries). Massive construction of Sufi khanqahs and majestic mausoleums, such as the Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam.
  Significance: A radical change in the urban landscape and the formation of a unique architectural style using blue glazed tiles, making the city a centre for religious tourism.
• Flourishing of Craftsmanship (Mughal Era). Political stability in the 16th–17th centuries fostered the arts, especially the production of ceramics (kashi-gari) and enamel work.
  Significance: Formation of a recognizable cultural brand and the creation of a powerful guild of artisans whose products remain a major export item.
• Colonial Modernisation and Railways (19th century). The British administration built a railway line to the port of Karachi and created the Cantonment area with a regular layout.
  Significance: The city gained access to maritime trade, and its structure became divided into the densely built historical centre and spacious administrative quarters.
• Post-Independence Industrialisation (from 1947). The launch of major industrial facilities, including fertiliser plants, textile mills, and cotton ginning enterprises.
  Significance: Transformation of the economy from agrarian-trading to industrial, ensuring explosive population growth and the expansion of city boundaries.
• Launch of the Multan Metrobus System. Implementation of a large-scale transport project in 2017, connecting key districts of the city with a dedicated rapid transit bus line.
  Significance: Solving transport accessibility issues, stimulating commercial activity along the route, and modernising urban infrastructure to global standards.

The architectural landscape of Multan is a unique blend of the monumental heritage of the Sultanate era, the elegance of the Mughals, and colonial urban planning. Unlike many European cities, it is not Gothic or Renaissance styles that dominate here, but distinctive Indo-Islamic styles that have evolved over centuries.

Sultanate Era Architecture (Tughlaq Style)

Most iconic for Multan is the architectural style of the Tughlaq dynasty (14th century), which manifested vividly in the construction of Sufi mausoleums. This style is characterised by massive, slightly sloping walls, minimalist decor, and the use of red brick combined with blue and white glazed tiles. The crown jewel of this period and the entire city is the Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam. Its octagonal base, powerful walls, and enormous hemispherical dome—the second largest in the subcontinent—create a majestic and memorable image. Another important monument is the Mausoleum of Bahauddin Zakariya, which also reflects the key features of this monumental style.

The Mughal Era

During the reign of the Great Mughals (16th-18th centuries), urban planning focused on strengthening defences and building religious structures. The Multan Fort (Qila Kohna) was significantly rebuilt and reinforced, becoming a vital military outpost of the empire. Within the fort and the city itself, mosques were erected, distinguished by characteristic Mughal elegance, symmetry, and the use of decorative elements such as multi-foiled arches and chhatri pavilions. Although many structures from that time were destroyed during subsequent sieges, their influence can still be traced in the layout of the old city.

British Colonial Period and Modernity

With the arrival of the British in the mid-19th century, the approach to urban planning changed radically. Adjacent to the old, densely built city, a so-called "cantonment" was founded—a military and administrative district with a completely different layout. It was characterised by wide straight streets, spacious bungalows with verandas for officers and officials, administrative buildings in the neoclassical style, and the creation of extensive railway infrastructure. This contrast between the chaotic structure of the ancient city and the orderly cantonment still defines the urban fabric of Multan. In the modern period, the city continues to expand with new residential areas and commercial complexes, yet the historical centre with its mausoleums and ancient bazaars remains the heart and soul of Multan.

Prominent Figures Associated with Multan

Throughout the centuries, Multan has been the home and centre of activity for many distinguished Sufis, rulers, politicians, and cultural figures. Their legacy continues to define the historical and cultural significance of the city today.

• Bahauddin Zakariya (c. 1170–1262) — A prominent Sufi saint, scholar, and poet who established the Suhrawardiyya order in South Asia. His teachings had a tremendous impact on the spread of Islam in the region, and his mausoleum in Multan is one of the main pilgrimage centres in Pakistan.
• Shah Rukn-e-Alam (1251–1335) — The grandson of Bahauddin Zakariya and one of the most revered Sufi saints. His majestic mausoleum, built in the 14th century, is considered a masterpiece of Tughlaq architecture and serves as the primary symbol of Multan.
• Khizr Khan (died 1421) — The founder of the Sayyid dynasty, which ruled the Delhi Sultanate in the 15th century. Before ascending the throne in Delhi, he served for a long time as the governor of Multan, which served as his base and launchpad for seizing power.
• Fariduddin Ganjshakar (c. 1178–1266) — One of the first major poets in the Punjabi language and an influential Sufi saint of the Chishti order. Born in Multan, he played a key role in shaping the spiritual landscape of medieval India.
• Yousaf Raza Gillani (born 1952) — A prominent Pakistani politician who served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2008 to 2012. He represents one of the most influential political clans of Multan, which plays a significant role in the country's life.
• Shah Mahmood Qureshi (born 1956) — A Pakistani politician who has repeatedly served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. His family serves as the custodian (Sajjada Nashin) of the mausoleums of Bahauddin Zakariya and Shah Rukn-e-Alam, underscoring his deep ties to the spiritual heritage of Multan.
• Inzamam-ul-Haq (born 1970) — One of the most famous cricket players in Pakistan's history and a former captain of the national team. Born in Multan, he is considered a national hero and one of the best batsmen of his generation.
• Hina Rabbani Khar (born 1977) — A Pakistani politician who became the first woman and the youngest Minister of Foreign Affairs in the country's history (2011–2013). She hails from an influential political family in Multan.