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Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam |
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| The Mausoleum of
Shah Rukn-i-Alam is the
glory of Multan. When the city is approached from any
side the most prominent thing which can be seen from
miles all around is a huge dome. This dome is the
Shrine of Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fath commonly known
by the title Rukn-i-Alam (pillar of the world). The
tomb is located on the south-West side of the Fort
premises. In beauty and grandeur so other dome perhaps
equals it This elegant building is an octagon, 51 feet
9 inches in diameter internally, with walls 41 feet 4
inches high and 13 feet 3 inches thick, supported at
the angles by sloping towers. Over this is a smaller
octagon 25 feet 8 inches, on the exterior side, and 26
feet 1 0 inches high, leaving a narrow passage all
round the top of the lower story for the Moazzan, or
public caller to prayers. |
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The whole is surmounted by
hemispherical dome of 58 feet external diameter. The
total height of the building, including a plinth of 3
feet, is 100 feet. As it stands on the high ground,
the total height above the road level is 150 feet.
This contributes materially to the majestic and
colossal appearance of the tomb, making it the most
prominent object of view to the visitors. Besides its
religious importance, the mausoleum is also of
considerable archaeological value as its dome is
reputed to be the second largest in the world after 'Gol
Gumbad' of Bijapur (India), which is the largest.
The mausoleum is built entirely of red brick, bounded
with beams of Shisham wood, which have now turned
black after so many centuries. The whole of the
exterior is elaborately ornamented with glazed tile
panels, string courses and battlements. Colors used
are dark blue, azure, and white, but these are
contrasted with the deep red of the finely polished
bricks, while the result is both effective and
pleasing. These mosaics are not like those of later
day's plane surfaces, but the patterns are raised from
half an inch to two inches above the background. This
mode of construction must have been very difficult but
its increased effect is undeniable, as it unites all
the beauty and variety of colors with the light and
shade of a raised pattern.
The grave of Hazrat Shah Rukn-i-Alam is of plain brick work
covered with plaster. The tomb was said to have been
built by Ghias-ud-Din Tughlak for himself, but was
given up by his son Muhammad Tughlak in favor of
Rukn-i-Aiam, when he passed away from this world
during 1 330 AD at the age of 88. It is generally
believed that Sh. Rukn-i-Alam was not. Equal in piety
and sanctity to his illustrious grandfather Bahawal
Haq, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most
accomplished men of his age. He taught his disciples a
modified form of metempsychosis, and discoursed with
the people on metaphysical subjects.
He was on friendly terms with the saint Nizam-ud-Din
of Dehli and was visited by the emperors of Dehli more
than once. The hereditary guardians of the Shrine of
Bahawal Haq and Rukn-i-Alam are called the Mukhdums of
Multan, and they have thousands of disciples in
southern Punjab and Sindh. Qureshi family. Makhdoom
Shah Mahmood Hussian Qureshi is current custodian (
sajjada Nasheen ) of Darbar Hazrat Shah Rukan-e-Alam .
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