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Multan is being
described in an old Persian saying as the city of heat,
saints, dust, burial grounds and beggars. But today the
picture of Multan is changing. Multan is the main city of
Southern Central Punjab province. The city has an access
through thirteen gates, whose imposing structures are
still preserved. Multan has always enjoyed a great
importance in the past. Multan is known to be the oldest
living city and even became the abode of Sufism in South
East Asia. Today, Multan is a combination of the old and
new Pakistan culture. There is a big hustle-bustle in the
Old town and comfort of a five star hotel and sound
streets in the New city. There are many historic, cultural
and recreational places of interest in Multan.
The old
and new Multan
The Old
city has a very interesting bazaar full of local
handicrafts and many elaborately decorated Shrines of the
Sufi saints. The numerous shrines within the old city
offer impressive examples of workmanship and architecture.
These shrines are the foremost attractions for tourists.
Large, irregular suburbs have grown outside the old
walled-town, apart from this, two satellite towns have
also been set up. The new Multan is a commercial and
industrial center. Shrines,
Forts and Mosques
The Shams-e-Tabriz
shrine is built almost entirely of sky-blue engravings
with glazed bricks. The shrine of Shah Rukn-e Alam (Tughlaq
period) has one of the biggest domes in Asia while the
shrine of Sheikh Yousuf Gardez is considered to be a
masterpiece of the Multani style. Other shrines may
include the Pahladpuri Temple and the Idgah Mosque (1735).
Multan Fort is located on a mound separating it from the
city by the river Ravi. Its date cannot be fixed with
accuracy. This massive 6,600 ft. tall structure has 46
bastions. it has four gates i.e., Delhi Gate, Khizri Gate,
Sikhi Gate and Rehri Gate. The famous Qasim Bagh and a
stadium are located within the walls of the fort. Tourists
can have a panoramic view of Multan from the highest point
in the fort. Some of the famous mosques of Multan are Wali
Mohammad Mosque in Chowk Bazar built by Ali Muhammad
Khakwani in 1758 A.D., Baqarabadi Mosque built by Baqar
Khan in 1720 A.D., Mosque Phulhatt in Chowk Bazar built by
Emperor Farrukh Siyar, and the beautiful Eidgah Mosque
built by Nawab Abdul Samad Khan in 1735 A.D.
Handicrafts and bazaars
Tourists can buy various types of souvenirs, such as
Multani Khussa (shoes), embroidery work, thread and 'Aar'
work costumes for ladies, embroidered cloths cholas or
kurtas for men, painted and glazed earthen pottery. Camel
skin products, carpets and lacquered wooden products etc.
are available in the narrow colourful bazaars. In the
bazaars of the Old City one can still come across tiny
shops where craftsmen can be seen busily turning out
master-pieces in copper, brass, silver and textiles in
traditional fashion.
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