Multan's Histroy
Multan is a city in south central Punjab
province. It is built just east of the Chenab River. About 966 km from Karachi and more or
less right in the center of the country lie the ancient city of Multan. Multan, the 'City
of Pirs and Shrines' is a prosperous city of bazaars, mosques, shrines and superbly
designed tombs.
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.
The Shams-e Tabriz shrine 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).
Mangoes of Shujabad district are the best
in the world. Multani khussa (shoes); embroidered clothes for ladies; embroidered cholas
for men; earthenware pottery, painted potter, camel skin ware (e.g. lamps); carpets wooden
products, especial lacquered wood.
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