Sunday, April 6, 2014

Hamara Multan

Multan City History
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.
Detailed History Of Multan 
200-BCThe earliest history of Multan fades away in the mists of mystery and mythology. Most of the historians, however agree that Multan beyond any doubt, is the same Maii-us-than which was conquered by Alexander who faced here tremendous resistance. He was fatally wounded while fighting to capture the citadel. For the first time his sacred shield, which he had taken from the temple of Illion, Athena, and which he used always to be carried before him in all his battles, rolled in dust while he fell unconscious on the ground with blood gushing out from his wounds. But that was the scene which inspired the Macedonians and seeing their king in that state they launched a lightening attack and captured the citadel without any further harm to Alexander. Alexander, however, never recovered fully well after this battle and died, on his way back, at Babylon.
400-600 ADHistory is silent for more than six centuries that is until 454 A.D. when White Huns, the barbarous nomads, stormed Multan under the banner of their leader Torman. After a fierce fight they conquered but did not stay for long and Hindu rule continued once again for about two hundred years.
600-700 ADSubsequent history of Multan is well established and more than sufficient light has been  thrown   on  the  cross  section  by  world  famous travellers,  writers  and historians who  visited Multan including the Chinese historian Hiuen Tsang in 641 A. D. The Chinese traveller found the circuit of the city about 30 li which is equal to five miles. He described,  "the  soil  rich and fertile and mentioned about eight Deva  temples. He also mentioned that people do not believe in Buddha rule. The city  is  thickly   populated-the   grand   temple  dedicated   to   the  Sun is  very magnificent and profusely decorated-The  image  of  Sun  Deva also  known  as "Mitra" is cast in yellow gold and ornamented with rare gems.  Its  divine  insight mysteriously manifested and its spiritual powers made plain  to  all  and  so  on". 
Multan was first visited by the Muslim arms during the reign of  the Khalifa  Abu Bekr, in 44 Hijri (664 A.D.), when Mohalib, the Arab General, afterwards an eminent commander in Persia and Arabia, penetrated to the ancient capital of the Maili. He returned with many prisoners of war. The expedition, however, seems to have been directed towards exploration of the country as no attempt was apparently made to retain the conquest. 
700-800ADMohammad Bin Qasim, the great Muslim general invaded this subcontinent in 712 A. D., and conquered Sind and Multan. The city was conquered after a fierce and long battle which lasted for seven days. Many distinguished officers of the Muslim army sacrificed their lives in the battle, but the Hindu army was defeated. 
The author of 'Jawahar-al-Bahoor' ( the famous Arabic History) writes in his book "that Multan at that time was known as the House of Gold. There was a great Mandir which was also called as the Sun Mandir. It was so big that six thousand resident worshippers were housed therein.  Thousands of people from every corner of the country used to visit this place to perfom their Haj (Pilgrimage). They used to circle round it and get their beards and heads shaved off as a mark of respect.
800-900 ADIn the periods, of Caliph Mansoor, and Mostasim Bilia, Multan was attacked by Arabs several times.
900-1000ADIbn Khurdaba described in his book, "The book of Roads and Kingdoms", "Multan being two months journey from Zarani the capital of Sijistan, by the name of  Farj  because  Mohammad, Son of Qasim,  Lieutenant  of  At-Hajjaj,  found  vast  quantities of gold in the city, which was forwarded to the Caliph's treasury so it was called by the  Arabs  the House  of  Gold". 
Al-Masudi of Baghdad who  visited the valley of the Indus in 303 A.H. (915 A.D.) mentioned about Multan in his book, "The  Meadows  of Gold",  that  "Multan  is  seventy  five  Sindhian Farsangs from Mansura. It is one   of  the  strongest frontier places of the Musulmans and in its neighbourhood there are a hundred and twenty  thousand towns and villages", Al-Masudi also mentioned about the idol and  explained as to how people  living  in  the distant parts of country travel to Multan to perform pilgrimage and in fulfilment of their woes  and religious obligations, they make offerings of money, precious stones, perfumes of every kind and  aloe wood before it. Both tstakhari of Istakhar, or Persepolis, who wrote about the middle of  the  tenth century 340 A.H. (951 A.D.) and Ibn Haukal of Baghdad who based his  work  on  that  of  Istakhari, give glowing accounts of Multan which they described as  a  large,  fortif ied and impregnable city, about half the size of Mansura, the ancient Muslim capital of Sind.  They  also mentioned about the idol of Multan as being held in great veneration by Hindus who flocked to  it from all parts of India.
Sultan Sabuktageen, the Afghan King conquered Multan, but after four years, that  is,  in  980 A.D. it was conquered by a Sardar of the Karamti Tribe who ruled it  for  some  time. 
1000-1100AD Mahmood Ghaznavi attacked Multan for the first time - conquered it  and demolished many Hindu temples. He demolished the famous 'Sun Mandir' also. Mahmood Ghaznavi attacked Multan for the second time during 1010 A.D. and conquered it but did not stay for long. 
1100-1200AD Sultan Shahab-ud-din, who is also known as Mohammad Gbory, finally defeated Pirthvi Raj and conquered India. After consolidating his position in Dehli, the capital of India, led an army attack, against Multan and conquered it. As such, Multan, which had remained almost independent under the Arab rulers became a dependency of the house of Ghaznavi. Sultan Mohammad Ghory appointed Aii Karmani as his Governor of Multan and Uch.
1200-1300AD In 1218 A.D. Changez Khan invaded Western Turkistan and for the next three centuries history of Multan is practically the history of incursions from Western and Central Asia to which the invasion of Changez gave rise. During this period Multan was nominally subject to the Delhi Empire. There were, however, two periods when Multan was practically a separate Kingdom independent of Delhi. At times the province was held by powerful governors who, though, unable to secure independence, were powerful factors in the dynastic changes of the time. 
The Administration of Multan suffered due to preoccupation of Delhi Empire in repelling the repeated raids of Mughals from Khurasan and Central Asia. In 1 284 A.D. the Mughals under Taimur Khan, defeated and killed prince Muhammad, known as the Martyr Prince who then ruled Multan. In 1305 A.D. an invasion under Aibak Khan was repelled by the redoubtable warrior Ghazi Beg Tughlak, who is said to have 29 times defeated the invading hordes. In 1 327 A.D. a force under Turmsharin Khan over-ran the distt. and retreated on payment of bribe. 
1300-1400AD After the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, Multan became its western frontier. In the beginning it was governed by Nasir-ud-Din Qabacha, then captured by jaial-al-Din Manakabarni and finally annexed by Shams-AI-Din Altamash. When Balban strengthened his frontier guard he posted his eldest son Sultan Muhammad
Khan-i-Shahid here and made him responsible for the defence. It was under his patronage that Amir Khusrau and Hasan Dehiavi lived in Multan and composed their poems. Multan, however, continuously suffered from Mongol invasions. In
order to meet these Mongol pressures Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq was appointed as a warden of the Frontier Marches. From Multan he rose to be the Sultan of Delhi - Multan remained under the Tughlaqs until it was conquered by Amir Taimur in 1 397 A.D.
During this long period the prosperity of Muitan grew unabated. It was during this period that the city was adorned by important monuments that established a particular school of Muitani Architecture. The Tombs of Baha-AI-Din Zakariya, Shah Rukn-AI-Din, Rukn-e-Alam and Shamas Sabzwari have given to Multan a unique place in the indo-Muslim Architecture. The presence of these tombs of the saints mentioned above have also added a religious tone  to the city.
In 1 397 A.D., came the invasion of Taimur whose troops occupied Uch and Multan, sacked Tiamba, raided the Khokhars of Ravi and passed across Beas to Pakpattan and Delhi. 
1400-1500ADFor about forty years after the departure of Taimur there was no government in India in reality. Khizer Khan Syed governed the Kingdom in the name of Taimur but without any sovereign title or royal honours. During the troubled reign of his grand son Syed Mohammad, an insurrection broke out in Multan among the Afghans called Langas. Finally one of the Langa chiefs proclaimed himself as the king of Multan under the title of Sultan Kutab-ud-din Langa. 
During the eighty years that Multan was held by Langa Dynasty, it became the principal caravan route between India and Kandhar. Commerce and agriculture flourished. All the lands along the banks of the Chenab and the Ghagra as well as some on the Indus were cultivated and prosperity flourished once again. 
1500-1600ADIn 1526 A.D. Shah Hussain Arghun, at that time the ruler of Sind, seized Muitan on behalf of Baber, the Mughal emperor. He bestowed it on his son Mirza Askari. The Mirza, assisted by Langar Khan, one of the powerful amirs of Sultan Mahmud Langa, held possession of Multan during the rest of the Baber's reign.  After the death of Baber, Humayun found himself compelled to surrender Multan, in fact the
whole of Punjab, to his eldest brother, Kamran Mirza. The prince established his court at Lahore and deputed one of his arnirs to take care of Multan.
During the confusion that followed the flight of Humayun to Persia the Kingdom of Multan was captured by Baluchies under their chieftain Fatteh Khan who surrendered it to Hebat Khan, one of the commanders of Sher Shah Suri. Pleased with his services, Sher Shah Suri bestowed the Kigndom of Multan on Hebat Khan.
1600-1700 ADWhen Humayun recaptured the Indian throne in 1555 A. D. Multan was also amalgamated in the Mughal Empire, Abul Fazal mentions in "Ain-c- Akbari" that: "Multan was one of the largest provinces of the empire, extending to the frontiers of Persia including within its limits the modern countries of Baluchistan, Sindh, Shikarpore and Thatta, besides a portion of Doabas now attached to Lahore. A royal mint for silver and copper coins was established at Multan alongwith the mints at Delhi, Agra and a few other places".  Under the Mughal Emperors, Multan enjoyed a long period of peace and was known as Dar-ul-Aman (city of peace). For more than two hundred years that is from 1548 to 1748 there was no warfare in this part of the Punjab. As a result of these peaceful conditions, cultivation increased, particularly in the riverain areas and commerce flourished. Multan thus became an emporium for trade. The city became the headquarter of a province which covered the whole of the South Western Punjab and, at times, included Sind also. 
1700-1800 ADAt the decline of the Mughal Empire Multan had, at first escaped devastation which was experienced by other parts of the subcontinent. The main reason was the change in the route of the invaders from Afghanistan to India as it lay through Lahore. So the armies of Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abdali left Multan unscathed.  After having been a part of the Dehii empire, Multan in 1752, became a province owing allegiance to the Afghan kings of Kabul. During this period the country was ruled by Governors of Pathan extraction and under the rule of the Saddozais of Kabul. The Saddozais governed Multan for more than sixty six years but general conditions remained turbulent.
After consolidating their position at Lahore, the Sikhs marched to the south-west for over two hundred and fifty miles. They crossed the indus and penetrating into the Deras' under their Commanders Sardar Hari Singh Bhangi and his sons, jhanda Singh and Ganda Singh along with Hira Singh, the Sikhs destoryed everything, plundered many villages and killed the people mercilessly, set the houses of the Muslims on fire and demolished many mosques. Ultimately, under the command of jhanda Sing and Ganda Sing, they appeared before Multan on March 9 1764 A.D. (21 Ramazan 11 78 A. H.) looted its suburbs but after collecting millions of rupees they returned.
1800-1900 ADBy the beginning of 1818 Ranjit Singh succeeded to raise a big army consisting of 25,000 soldiers equipped with necessary provisions which he placed under Diwan Misr Chand, his most trusted General. The over all charge of the campaign wasentrusted tohiselderson Khark Singh and the contingent set out for Multan
with great pomp and show. The famous Zamzama Gun was also transported to Multan. Nawab Muzaffar Khan Saddozai who was  the Governor of Multan for the past thirty nine years fought courageously but failed to save Multan from the clutches of Sikhs.  The death of Muzaffar Khan was in fact the death of the Muslim rule in Multan. After capturing the Fort the Sikh soldiers were let loose to arson and debauchery and Latif recorded as under : 
"The city and Fort were now given up to be plundered by the sikh troops. Great were the ravages committed by the sikhs on this occasion. About 400 to 500 houses in the Fort were razed to the ground and their owners deprived of all they had. The precious stones, jewellery, Shawls and other valuables belonging to the
Nawab were confiscated to the state and kept carefully packed by Diwan Ram Diyal for inspection of the Maharaja. In the town many houses were set on fire and nothing was left with the inhabitants that was worth having. Hundreds were killed in city sack, and indeed there was hardly a soul who escaped both loss and violence"
The Sikh rule continued in the Punjab and Multan unchecked but thinking themselves very powerful, the sikhs crossed the Sutlej and entered into the British Territory. They looted some of' the villages also. This happened on December 8, 1845 A.D. The outcome of this adventure was a fierce battle and a disastrous and
ignominious defeat of the Sikh Army. Thereafter a treaty was signed between the British and the Sikhs. Under the new treaty a Council nf Regency was established at Lahore which empowered the British to intervene into many administrative matters. Keeping in view the provisions of the treaty the British Resident introduced several measures in order to regulate the ad 'Ministration throughout the Sikh territories. These measures were to be implemented by Diwan Mul Raj also, who was the Sikh Governor of Multan. The changes were, however, detrimental to the over all interests of the Diwan as they affected his tight control over the traders and businessmen. The other decision of the Resident which brought a blow to Diwan Mui Raj was the introduction of appeals against the decisions of the district officers. such appeals were to be heard by the Lahore Darbar. These measures infuriated the Diwan, as he considered it as an infringement of his rights.
So keeping in view the insulting attitude of the British Diwan Mul Raj first resigned, then changed his mind and agreed to continue for some time. Later his resignation was accepted on March 24, 1848 and Sardar Khan Singh was appointed as the new Diwan of Multan while two British officers, Mr. P. A. Vans Agnew and Lt. W. A. Anderson were appointed to take care of the administration. When these officers reached Multan they were received by Diwan Mul Raj but his advisers forced him to change his mind. In the meanwhile commotion and agitation spread into the city. As such the helpless Diwan became a tool in the hands of the Sikh Army which rebel.led and the two British off icers were mu rdered. The rebelling soldiers gathered around Mul Raj and declared him as their leader.
This open rebellion infuriated the British Government at Lahore and they decided that Multan should be captured and amalgamated into the British Territory. So the British Government collected forces right from Bannu to Bombay on top priority basis in order to capture Multan and by the end of the year Multan was surrounded from all sides. On December 21) 1848 the Bombay Division commanded by Brigadier Dundas also reached Multan. On December 27, one British column launched an attack on the suburbs and the residence of Mul Raj, the "Aam Khas", was bombarded while three other columns were ordered to make diversion to distract the enemy. The irregular forces commenced the diversion at noon and by 4 p.m. the whole line of the suburbs including the tomb of Sawan Mal, the blue Mosque of Shams Sabzwari and the cantonments of the 'Aam Khas' were in possession of the British. The Bombay Native Rifles actually
entered one of the city gates. Meanwhile, a shell from a mortar blew up the magazine located within the fort. containing 5,000 maunds of powder. The explosion destroyed the great Mosque and the lofty dome of Baha-ud-Din Zakariya's Tomb.
On January 2, 1849, breaches in the Khuni Burj and the Dehii Gate were reported, and storming parties advanced and crossed the intervening ditch, but the city wall was found intact with a height of 30 feet, totally impregnable. A most bloody struggle ensued and the English became masters of the town. Again, to
quote Latif: "Terrible had been the carnage during the siege and frightful the effect of the British Ordnance. The battered town of Multan presented the appearance of a vessel wrecked and broken by a tremendous storm which had driven it to an
inhospitable shore. The streets were strewn with slain Sikhs, whose long locks, matted with gore, and beards, blown about by the wind, gave the dead a demoniacal appearance. Not a house or wall had escaped the effects of the English shells. All had been scorched and blackened by the bombardment. Mul Raj retired to the citadel with more than 3,000 picked men, the rest all dispersed and fled. In vain did the Diwan make an endeavour to rally them. They were dispirited, and nothing was left for the garrison but to sally or. surrender. Mul Raj was now reduced to the last extremity. A constant storm of shell had reduced the
interior of the fortress to a wreck. Ail the flour having been blown up in the explosion of the grand mosque, every soldier of the garrison was obliged to grind the wheat for his own food. Mul Raj's chief advisers urgently pressed him to surrender, and he promised either to do this or take poison. He was finally arrested by the British and that was the end of the Sikh rule over Multan as well as the end of loot and plunder which was the main characteristic of the Sikh rule.
As stated above the residents of Multan suffered extensively during this battle. It was another addition to the history of the power game and bloodshed witnessed by the streets of Multan but life returned to normal with the passage of time. 
1900-2003 ADMultan, however, lost its very important position as soon as the British stronghold over the sub-continent grew stronger and stronger. Although peace prevailed in the region but no real progress was made. When independence was achieved in 1947 Multan was a forgotten region. There was no industry; no higher and professional educational Institutions, no high standard hospitals; so much so that there was not even a single recreation park in the whole of the city. It looked more like a town though its population was nearly one lakh. The site of the Old Fort was in ruins. Thorny bushes and ditches were in plenty whispering the awful tale of its ruination, Majority of the roads were unmetalled and the sewerage system too defective to explain.  The history of the district since independence is mainly connected with the expansion of facilities except a few minor changes such as one of its districts, that is, D.G. Khan has been declared as the Divisional Headquarter and some of its Tehsils such as Vehari as the new District etc.
Posted by at No comments:

Hamara Multan

Multan (About this sound pronunciation (help·info)) is a city in the Multan District, of Punjab Province, Pakistan. It is Pakistan's fifth largest city by population and has an area of 133 square kilometres (51 sq mi). The city is located on the banks of theChenab River near the geographic center of the country.

Introduction[edit]

Multan is known as the City of Sufis or City of Saints and Madinat-ul-Auliyabecause of the large number of shrines and Sufi saints from the city. The city is blanketed with bazaars, mosques, shrines, and ornate tombs. It is the birthplace ofFariduddin Ganjshakar (popularly known as "Baba Farid"), recognised as the first major poet of the Punjabi language.
Multan is located in a bend created by five rivers of central Pakistan. The Sutlej River separates it from Bahawalpur and the Chenab River from Muzaffar Garh. The city has grown to become an influential political and economical center for the country, with a dry port and excellent transport links. Multan is famous for its crops: wheat, cotton, sugar cane, mangoes, citrus, guavas, and pomegranates.

History[edit]

Main articles: History of Multan and Multan Fort
A map dated from 1669 showing Multan
A historic cannon in Multan Fort
Aerial view of Multan Old city near Lohari Gate.
The Multan Clock Tower
The Shahi Eid Ghah Mosque, Islam is the major religion in Multan

History[edit]

Multan District was agricultural region with forests during the Indus Valley Civilization. The Vedic period is characterized by Indo-Aryan culture that invaded from Central Asia and settled in Punjab region. TheKambojas, Daradas, Kaikayas, Madras,Pauravas, Yaudheyas, Malavas and Kurusinvaded, settled and ruled ancient Punjab region. After overrunning the Achaemenid Empire in 331 BCE, Alexander marched into present-day Punjab region with an army of 50,000. The Multan was ruled by Maurya Empire, Indo-Greek kingdom, Kushan Empire,Gupta Empire, White Huns, Kushano-Hephthalites and Shahi kingdoms.
Multan is one of the oldest cities not only in theSouth Asia but also in the world.[2][3] According to ancient legends, it was the capital of the Trigarta Kingdom at the time of the Mahabharata war, ruled by the Katoch Dynasty. Multan has had various names over the years. According to mythology, it was originally called Kashtpur (Kashyapapura) after a sage named Kashyapa, which is also the Gotraused by the Katoch dynasty.[4] Other names wereHanspur (Hamsapura), Bagpur (Vegapura), Sanbor Sanahpur (Sambapura).[5][6] It has been postulated that the current name is derived from the Sanskrit name Mulasthana named after a Sun Temple.[7][8] Multan has frequently been a site of conflict due to its location on a major invasion route between South Asia and Central Asia. It was conquered byAlexander the Great in 326 BC. In the mid-5th century BC, the city was attacked by a group of Huna Hephthalite nomads led by Toramana.
Multan was conquered along with Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim, from the local ruler Chach of Alor circa 712 AD.Following bin Qasim's conquest, the city was securely underMuslim rule, although it was in effect an independent state and most of the subjects were non-Muslim.
In 965 CE, Multan was conquered by Halam b. Shayban, an Ismaili da'i. Soon after, Multan was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni, destabilising the Ismaili state. Mahmud of Ghazniinvaded Multan in 1005 CE, conducting a series of campaigns during which the Ismailis of Multan were defeated.[9] In an effort to gain his allegiance, the Fatimid Ismaili Imam-caliphal-Hakim dispatched an envoy to Mahmud two years later. This attempt appeared to be unsuccessful and the Ghaznawids continued to attack other Ismaili strongholds in Sindh to suppress any resurgence of the community in the region. In 1032CE Mahmud's very own vizier, Hasanak was executed for having accepted a cloak from the Imam-caliph on suspicions that he had become an adherent of the Ismaili faith.[9] Mahmud's purges of the region led several scholars including Stern to believe that the Ghaznawid purges of the region drove out Ismailism from the area; however, recently discovered letters dating to 1083 and 1088 demonstrate continued Ismaili activity in the region, as the Imam-caliph Mustansir dispatched new da'is to replace those who were killed in the attacks.[9]
Multan's location at the entrance to the sub-continent resulted in it being invaded by a long series of conquerors on their way to Delhi. Timur, Babur and many others passed through the city, leaving much destruction in their wake. This violence continued as when Muhammad of Ghor attacked the city and drove out the remaining Ismailis[10] whom he deemed to be heretics, in stark contrast to his predecessor, the Ghurid Sultan 'Ala' al-Din who welcomed numerous envoys from the Ismaili state of Alamut and according to the historian Juzjani, gave them "great reverence"[9] Following annexation to Mughal empire in 1557 CE, at the beginning of emperor Akbar's rule;[11] Multan enjoyed 200 years of peace, and became known as Dar al-Aman (Abode of Peace). Akbar was known as a wise ruler, setting reasonable taxes, creating effective government and being tolerant of religious differences. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region.
Multan witnessed difficult times as Mughal rule declined in early 1700s, starting after death of emperor Aurangzeb in 1707. The last Naib Subahdars appointed by Farrukhsiyar at Multan were Khan Zaman Khan Ali Asghar ibn Kartalab Khan Bahadur Shahi Qazi Ghulam Mustafa and then Aqidat Khan ibn Ameer Khan.[12] Persia was united under Nader Shah, ruling from 1736 as Shah of Iran. After his assassination in 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani—who was born in Multan—rose to power. This counts as beginning ofDurrani Empire.
In 1758, the Marathas under Raghunathrao captured Multan along with Lahore, Attock, Peshawar and Kashmir.[13][14]
The city was re-captured by Durrani in 1760. However, after death of Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1772, the influence of Durrani empire declined sharply in mere fifty years. Starting at late in 1700s, Multan was ruled locally by the Pashtun Alizai and Sadozai chieftains.
In 1817, Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent a body of troops to Multan under the command of Diwan Bhiwani Das to receive from Nawab Muzaffar Khan the tribute he owed to the Sikh Darbar. In 1818, Kharak Singh and Hindu Commander Diwan Misr Chand armies lay around Multan without making much initial headway. Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent a large cannon named Zamzama . Though in name Armies was commanded by Prince Kharak Singh however it was the military genius of Diwan Misr Chand which captured Multan Fort.
Muzzafar Khan urged the Majority Muslim population of Multan to fight a holy war against Sikhs and Hindus, however the tactics of Muzzafar Khan failed miserably as Sikh armies were able to suppress the religious revolt of Multan population. In the battle Diwan Misr Chand led Sikh armies to a decisive victory over Durrani General of Multan Nawab Muzaffar Khan. Muzzafar Khan and seven of his sons were killed before the Multan fort finally fell on 2 March 1818.[15][16] The death of Durrani General Nawab Muzzafar Khan brought the death of Muslim rule in Multan. After the defeat of Muslims in 1818, Multan came under Muslims only when British Empire divided India into two Portion and gave Muslim majority areas to Muslims in 1947.[17] Kharak Singh left Jodh Singh Ramgarhia with 600 men to guard the fort of Multan.[18] The Sikhs thereafter ruled Punjab until 1849, when it was lost in theSecond Anglo-Sikh War.. Sardar Karan Narain's son was awarded the title 'Rai Bahadur' and knighted by the British Raj for switching to their side. After the Anglo-Sikh Wars, Multan was made part of the British Raj. The British built some rail routes to the city, but its industrial capacity was never developed.
Muhammad Basher Ahmed Amretsri was revolted many time against British Government and died there.Choudy Ayzed Habib Arain and choudry Israr are the grandson of him. The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in Multan. It initially lacked industry, hospitals and universities. Since then, there has been some industrial growth, and the city's population is continually growing. But the old city continues to be in a dilapidated state, and many monuments wear the effects of the warfare that has visited the city.

Geography and climate[edit]

Main article: Climate of Multan
Multan
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
7.2
 
21
5
 
 
9.5
 
23
8
 
 
20
 
29
14
 
 
13
 
36
20
 
 
9.8
 
40
24
 
 
12
 
42
29
 
 
61
 
39
29
 
 
33
 
38
28
 
 
11
 
37
25
 
 
1.7
 
35
18
 
 
2.3
 
29
11
 
 
6.9
 
23
6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: World Meteorological Organization
Administrative divisions of Multan District
The city of Multan is located in Punjab. The nearest major cities are Dera Ghazi Khan andBahawalpur. The area around the city is a flat, alluvial plain and is ideal for agriculture, with many citrus and mango farms. There are many canals that cut across the Multan District, providing water from nearby farms. This makes the land very fertile. However land close to the Chenab River is usually flooded in the monsoon season.
Multan features an arid climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with very hot summers and mild winters. The city witnesses some of the most extreme weather in the country. The highest recorded temperature is approximately 54 °C (129 °F), and the lowest recorded temperature is approximately −1 °C (30 °F).[19][20] The average rainfall is roughly 186 millimetres (7.3 in). Dust storms are a common occurrence within the city.
[hide]Climate data for Multan
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)28.3
(82.9)		32.0
(89.6)		39.0
(102.2)		45.0
(113)		48.9
(120)		49.0
(120.2)		47.2
(117)		45.0
(113)		42.5
(108.5)		40.6
(105.1)		36.0
(96.8)		29.0
(84.2)		49
(120.2)
Average high °C (°F)21.0
(69.8)		23.2
(73.8)		28.5
(83.3)		35.5
(95.9)		40.4
(104.7)		42.3
(108.1)		39.2
(102.6)		38.0
(100.4)		37.2
(99)		34.6
(94.3)		28.5
(83.3)		22.7
(72.9)		32.59
(90.68)
Daily mean °C (°F)12.7
(54.9)		15.4
(59.7)		21.0
(69.8)		27.5
(81.5)		32.4
(90.3)		35.5
(95.9)		33.9
(93)		33.0
(91.4)		31.0
(87.8)		26.4
(79.5)		19.7
(67.5)		14.1
(57.4)		25.22
(77.39)
Average low °C (°F)4.5
(40.1)		7.6
(45.7)		13.5
(56.3)		19.5
(67.1)		24.4
(75.9)		28.6
(83.5)		28.7
(83.7)		28.0
(82.4)		24.9
(76.8)		18.2
(64.8)		10.9
(51.6)		5.5
(41.9)		17.86
(64.15)
Record low °C (°F)−3.9
(25)		−2.0
(28.4)		3.3
(37.9)		9.4
(48.9)		13.5
(56.3)		20.0
(68)		21.1
(70)		21.1
(70)		16.7
(62.1)		8.9
(48)		0.6
(33.1)		−1.1
(30)		−3.9
(25)
Precipitation mm (inches)7.2
(0.283)		9.5
(0.374)		19.5
(0.768)		12.9
(0.508)		9.8
(0.386)		12.3
(0.484)		61.3
(2.413)		32.6
(1.283)		10.8
(0.425)		1.7
(0.067)		2.3
(0.091)		6.9
(0.272)		186.8
(7.354)
Mean monthlysunshine hours222.3211.6250.8273.3293.5266.8265.0277.6277.6274.9255.0229.23,097.6
Source: NOAA (1961–1990)[21]

Government[edit]

Administrators who are government servants have the powers of Nazims (Mayor). Multan district is spread over an area of 3,721 square kilometres, comprising four tehsils: Multan City, Multan Saddar, Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala. In 2005 Multan was reorganised as a City District composed of six autonomous towns:

Demographics[edit]

The overwhelming majority of the people are Muslims. However, the city does have some remnant Sikh and Hindu communities within the district that stayed after partition. There are also some temples and Gurdwaras that have survived within the city.
Majority of people in the district speak Punjabi[22] and its dialects, including Saraiki.
  • Multani (Local dialect spoken by 52% of district population)
  • Majhi ( Standard Punjabi dialect spoken by 25% of district population specially in cities and border area with Khanewal district)
  • Haryanvi (18% population speaks this dialect a mixture of Punjabi and Urdu specially spoken in cities)
  • Riasti (1% population near Border area with Bahawalpur and Lodhraan districts)
Other languages include:
  • Urdu is mother tongue of few people but being national language is spoken and understood by the sizeable population.
  • English is also understood and spoken by the educated elite.

Economy[edit]

A local coppersmith displays his wares at the central market in Multan, Pakistan.
Mangoes form a large portion of Multan's agricultural export market.
Multan is a commercial and industrial centre, as it is connected with the rest of the country through rail and air including the other industrial hubs such as Lahore,Karachi, Gujranwala, Quetta and Faisalabad. Industries include fertiliser, cosmetics, glass manufacturing, cotton production and processing, large textile units, flour mills, sugar and oil mills and large-scale power generation projects. It is famous for its handicrafts (carpets & ceramics) and cottage industries. Roughly 1,900 acres (7.7 km2) of the city is still forested in the district. Trees grown in the area are Kikar, Shisham and Mulberry.
Large, irregular suburbs have grown outside the old walled town, and two satellite towns have been set up. The mangoes of Multan district are well-known. Multani khussa (traditional shoes), embroidery on dresses for women and men, furniture and other wooden products, earthenware pottery, painted pottery, camel-skin ware, surgical instruments and carpets are a few of the city's major exports, with a great demand within the country as well.
Multan is an important agricultural centre. Wheat, cotton and sugarcane are the main crops grown in the district. Moreover, rice, maize, tobacco, bajra, moong (lentils), mash (lentils), masoor (lentils), oil seed such as rape, mustard and sunflower are also grown in minor quantities in the district. Mangoes, citrus, guavas and pomegranate are the main fruits grown in the Multan district. Additionally, dates, jaman, pears, phalsa and bananas are grown in minor quantities in the district The city is also rich in minerals. These include argillaceous clay, coal, dolomite, fire clay, gypsum,limestone, silica and rock salt. Most of these are excavated for commercial activities and transported to other cities within the country. Many industrial factories are being inaugurated to handle the separation and quality control of these minerals. The minerals in the city are used in dolomite processing, fire bricks/refractories, hollow glassware, insulators/capacitors and ceramics.
Since Multan is agriculture-based, there is also plenty of livestock still growing at a positive rate, which has led to milk processing/dairy products units, ice cream manufacturing, animal and poultry feed, dairy farms, cattle/sheep/goat fattening plants, meat/poultry processing units, leather garments manufacturing, leather footwear, cosmetics, tinned goods and pharmaceuticals.

Culture[edit]

Main article: List of places in Multan
Inside Shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
Multan Fort
Monument of Patrick Alexander Vans Agnew in Multan
Multan has many tombs, shrines, temples, cathedrals and mausoleums, and a fort, Multan Fort. The old city has various bazaars selling mystical artefacts, perfumes to arts and crafts. There are also elaborately decorated shrines of the Sufi saints, tombs of various travellers and important people within the old city of Multan.
The prime attractions of Multan are its mausoleums of Sufi saints. The Mausoleum of Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya, as well as the Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam are the prime attractions of the city. Their lofty domes of are visible, from miles and dominate the skyline of Multan. Another popular shrine is the Mausoleum of Shams-ud-Din, commonly known as Shah Shamsuddin Sabzwari is located about half a mile to the east of the Multan Fort, on the high bank of the old bed of the Ravi River.
There are also a number of other mausoleums located within the city which gather a great deal of attention. The Nuagaza tombs are shrines to martyrs and warriors who fought in wars centuries ago, some dating back 1,300 years ago. The Multan Museum located within the city has a vast collection of coins, medals, postage stamps of the former State of Bahawalpur, manuscripts, documented inscriptions, wood carvings, camel-skin paintings, historical models and stone carvings of the Islamic and Pre-Islamic periods.
Multan also has a number of old mosques which were once considered as the jewels of the city. Some have been dated back to over a thousand years ago and have been recognised as some of the oldest mosques within South East Asia. The legend goes that the first mosque ever built in Multan was the Jamia Mosque which was constructed on the orders of General Mohammed Qasim, who conquered Multan in 712AD. Ruins of this mosque were visible till 1954 at Qasim Bella; however, due to repeated floods, the structure was lost.Sawi Mosque is supposed to be the oldest mosque which still exists today, though in deteriorating state; there are glazed blue tiles from the era in which it was built which dates the mosque to several centuries ago. The second oldest mosque within Multan isMohammad Khan Wali Mosque. It is an excellent condition, situated in the busiest Chowck Bazar of the city. It was built by Nawab Ali Mohammad Khan Khakwani, in 1757 when he was the governor of Multan in the time of Alamgir II.

Education[edit]

Main article: List of educational institutions in Multan
Nishtar Medical College

Sports[edit]

Cricket is the main sport in the city. Multan is home of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup team Multan Tigers. The city has the Multan Cricket Stadium, which hosts domestic and international cricket matches and is home to the Multan Cricket Association. The Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium, an old multi-purpose stadium, is used mainly for football and cricket matches. Other sports grounds includeDivisional Sports Ground and the Pakistan Cricket Board owned Government College Cricket Ground.

Transportation[edit]

Chungi No. 8 Flyover, recently completed
Checkin, under construction newMultan International Airport
Multan has connections with other cities by a variety of means of transportation. The district has concrete road reaching up to 983.69 km. The district is linked with Khanewal, Lodhran andMuzaffargarh districts through concrete roads. Buses to Bahawalpur leave frequently, since it is located closely to the city. There are a variety of buses travelling farther from the city. Many of them are now air-conditioned with a fairly good safety record. The N-5 National Highway connects the city to connect to all parts of Pakistan. The road otherwise, known as GT Road, allows connections to Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore as well as Bahawalpur. Coach services such as Daewoo Express, Faisal Movers Express, Shalimar Express, Niazi Express, Khan brothers transport, Nadir flying coach, Punjab Tourism Department, Kohistan Express Skyways[disambiguation needed] and New Khan Bus Service are some of the most reliable coach companies operating out of Multan.
Multan is connected by rail with all parts of the country and lies on the main track between Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore and Quetta. The main Peshawar-Karachi railway line passes through Multan district. The district then links trains to nearby districts of Khanewal, Lodhran and Muzafargarh districts through the railway network.[25] Multan Cantonment railway station is the main railway station of Multan.
Multan International Airport is an airport situated 10 km away from the city center of Multan. It is not as large as the other airports in Pakistan, as it operates to cater mainly to the population of Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Sahiwal, andPakpattan to mainly to other points within Pakistan as well as the Middle East. Flight are currently operated by the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines.

Famous Places[edit]

  • Haram gate
  • Bohar gate
  • Dolat gate
  • Dilli gate
  • Lohari gate
  • Pak gate

Notable saints of Multan[edit]

See also: Mausoleums of Multan
Tomb of Bahauddin Zikarya

Notable people[edit]

Main article: List of people from Multan

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Jump up^ "Demographia World Urban Areas PDF (March 2013)". Demographia. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  2. Jump up^ Multan History according to Multan Official Website
  3. Jump up^ Multan history according to Multan Police official website
  4. Jump up^ Katoch Dynasty as per DAWN News
  5. Jump up^ Singh, Fauja. "History of the Punjab: Pre-historic times to age of Asoka". Pg.41. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  6. Jump up^ Sircar, D.C. "Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India". Pg.52. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  7. Jump up^ "Multān City – Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 18, p. 35". Dsal.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  8. Jump up^ Hindu History BY Akshoy K Majumdar Published by Rupa and CO PAGE 54
  9. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Virani, Shafique N. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, A Search for Salvation (New York: Oxford University Press), p. 100.
  10. Jump up^ Adrian Marsh. [Gypsies and the problem of identities: contextual, constructed and contested, Volume 2003]. Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul, 2006. ISBN 91-86884-17-4, ISBN 978-91-86884-17-8
  11. Jump up^ [Sanderson] Check |authorlink= value (help). "Mughal Conquest of India 1526–56". INDIA & Southeast Asia to 1800. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  12. Jump up^ Tazkirat us-Salatin Chaghta – A Mughal Chronicle of Post Aurangzeb Period (1707–1724) by Muhammad Hadi Kamwar Khan; edited Persian text and with an Introduction by Muzaffar Alam (1980), Centre of Advanced Study Department of History, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (U.P.) -202001, India(page 226)
  13. Jump up^ Roy, Kaushik. India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil. Permanent Black, India. pp. 80–1. ISBN 978-81-7824-109-8.
  14. Jump up^ Elphinstone, Mountstuart (1841). History of India. John Murray, Albermarle Street. p. 276.
  15. Jump up^ Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: F-O – Tony Jaques – Google Books. Books.google.co.in. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  16. Jump up^ Ranjit Singh: And the Sikh Barrier Between British Empire and Central Asia – William Wilson Hunter – Google Books. Books.google.co.in. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  17. Jump up^ "Multan History -City District Government Multan". Multan.gov.pk. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  18. Jump up^ Harbans Singh "The Heritage of the Sikhs"
  19. Jump up^ Multan Developemt Authority Official website says 50 Deg Highest
  20. Jump up^ Doaba Foundation web Link about Climate of Multan
  21. Jump up^ "Multan Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  22. Jump up^ Farina Mir (2010). The Social Space of Language: Vernacular Culture in British Colonial Punjab. University of California Press. Retrieved 5 March 2014. Page 70
  23. Jump up^ List of High Education Commission Recognized Institutes
  24. Jump up^ [1]
  25. Jump up^ Transport in Multan Lonely Planet Travel Information. Accessed 15 August 2009.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)