Multan Travel Guide and Tourist Attractions
The Fort Area
Built on a mound separating it from the city and the dry river bed of the Ravi, the fort is a prominent landmark. At its peak the outer walls ran for two kilometers, reinforced by 46 bastions and four gateways each with two towers. Much of the fort was destroyed in the siege of 1848-49, although the parts of the outer walls and most of the key shrines survived. The view from the Bohar Gate gives a good idea of Multan’s size. Within the walls is Qasim Bagh, a small park offering mini train rides, fairground rides and a children’s playground, plus the Qasim stadium a famous venue for political rallies and for international cricket matches.
Shrine of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakria
Also known as Bahawal Haque, Bahaudin Zakria (1182-1266) was born at Kot Aror near Multan and educated in Taran, Iran, Baghdad, Madina and Jerusalem. Having received his doctorate he returned to Multan to preach, in particular spreading the teachings of the Suharwardiya Sufi. The Khanqah or University he founded in Multan became one of the great centres of Islamic teachings. He was a great friend of Baba Farid Shakarganj of Pakpattan. His shrine is right in front of the Fort (northeast side) and in the middle of the city.
Shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fath (1251-1335) commonly known by the title Rukn-e-Alam (pillar of the world) was among the eminent Sufi saints from Multan, Pakistan. The Shaikh was the son of Pir Sadar-Al-Din Arif born at Multan on Friday, the 9th of Ramadan 649 Hijri (26 November 1251). He was the grandson and successor of Shaikh Baha-Ud-Din Zakariya. Shaikh Rukn-e-Alam (Rukn-al-Din) died on Friday, the 7th of Jumada al-awwal 735 Hijri (3 January 1335). He was buried in the mausoleum of his grandfather, according to his own will. After sometime, however, his coffin was transferred to the present mausoleum. The saint is still revered today and his tomb is the focus of the pilgrimage of over 100,000 pilgrims from all over South Asia who visit and commemorate his memory. The shrine is very close to the fort (northeast).
Shrine of Shams Tabriz
Shams-i-Tabrīzī or Shams al-Din Mohammad (died ca.1248) was a Persian Muslim, who is credited as the spiritual instructor of Mawlānā Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhi, also known as Rumi and is referenced with great reverence in Rumi’s poetic collection, in particular “Diwan-i Shams-i Tabrīzī” (The Works of Shams of Tabriz). Tradition holds that Shams taught Rumi in seclusion in Konya for a period of forty days, before fleeing for Damascus. The tomb of Shams-i Tabrīzī has recently nominated to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Eidgah
The large Eidgah Mosque, covering an area of some 73m by 16m, was built in 1735 and was later used by the Sikhs as a military garrison. In turn, the British used it as a courthouse (it was here that Agnew was slain) but it was restored to its original use in 1891 and today has some of the finest blue tilework in Multan. The mosque is about 1km north of Qasim Bagh Fort.
Hussain Agahi Bazaar
At the base of the fort mound is the sprawling bazaar and old town, connected to the rest of the town by seven medieval gates. The main markets are the Hussain Agahi & Chowk Bazaars, flanked by antique wooden merchant houses and echoing Multan’s former importance as a trade centre, sells, among other things, some good traditional handicrafts. Bargain hard.
Pottery Making Workshops
One of the top specialties of Multan is pottery work and gives Multan a prominent name in this field. While in Multan a visit of this workshop will give you the real touch of Multan. For this visit you should hire services of a local tour operator/ guide or PTDC office. Multan travel guide offers the following tours:
Sightseeing & Excursions
- Half day city tour of Multan visiting tomb of Shah Rukne Alam, Baha ud Din Zakria, Multan fort and local Bazaar.
- Full day excursion for Uch Sharif.
- Full day excursion to Derawar fort.
- Full day excursion for Lal Sohanra National Park