Multan: The City of Saints

The City of Saints, with an ancient history and culture, was once one of the most important trading hubs of ancient Islamic India, and is now known as Pakistan’s 7th largest city, Multan (Urdu: مُلتان).

The tomb from a distance (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

History

This city’s geographic location holds historical importance, located on the banks of the Chenab River, and centrally positioned in Pakistan. This city has had a cultural evolution spanning at least 5000 years, with its first inhabitants dating back to the Indus Valley’s early Harappan era, roughly from 3300 BCE until 2800 BCE.

Entrance of Multan Fort (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Prior to attracting its multitude of Sufis (saints) in the 11th and 12th centuries, it was home to the ancient Multan Sun Temple, purported to be built by a cult dedicated to the worship of the Hindu sun god Suriya, influenced into existence by Persian Zoroastrianism. The very same temple was later besieged by Alexander the Great, but attracted pilgrims from all over the world, even during the first few centuries of Islamic rule. In fact, it is said that the city’s name was inspired by the Sanskrit name for the sun idol and sun temple, Mulasthana.  

Aerial view of Chowk Kumharan Wala (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Multan Clock Tower

Until 712 CE Multan was a Hindu kingdom. Subsequently, Muhammad bin Qasim arrived as a conqueror and established Islamic rule. 

Multicultural Multan

At the time of Pakistan's independence, the residents of Multan, who were mostly non-Muslims, migrated to India. However, the city still retains a minority of Hindu, Sikh and Christian inhabitants in modern-day Pakistan.

Multan the City of Saints dome, interior view (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

The Culture of Multan

The City of Saints, Sufis and Beggars (Gard, Garma, Gada o Goristan) is a popular Persian saying associated with Multan. It has been home to many renowned saints in the 11th and 12th centuries, the most prominent being Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya, Shams-ud-din Sabzwari, as well as Shah Rukn-e-Alam. 

Religious souvenirs (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Sufis

These saints and Sufis played a great part in spreading the message of Islam to the South Asian region: spreading the message of love and peace along with their religious teachings, with their sacrifices and difficult lives elevating to the level of devoted worship as God’s most faithful servants. 

The tomb from a distance (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Shrines

The external grandeur of these shrines serves as a testament to the immeasurable talent and creative art of the region, with their domes, scripted patterns, and intricate tile work. These shrines do not just serve as a place to come have one’s mannats (prayers) accepted, but they are also a calm, peaceful haven for devotees who can sleep, pray or sing in praise of their saints with langars, (free communal kitchens) where the hungry can be fed free meals. 
 

Close Up of entrance (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Cultural Hub

Multan is also known for its poetry and art, with notable Sufi figures such as Baba Farid Shakar Ganj - one of the founding fathers of the Chishti Sufi order - spending some of his most formative years in Multan, where he received his early education from the notable Sufi saint, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki.

Unique pots and vases (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Art

An art for which Multan is highly recognized is its Kashi (blue) pottery works: a craft that produces the beautiful blue handcrafted pottery which can last for up to a century due to its durability after being treated with heat. 

Unique pots and vases (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Pottery

The influence of this type of pottery can be traced back to a city in western China known as Kashgar, and also has Mongolian and Persian influences.   

Mustard leaves being picked (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Agriculture

Along with its rich history, Multan is also a major contributor to many industries, including but not limited to agriculture, textile, fertilizer, cosmetics, livestock and also possesses a wealth of mineral resources such as coal, rock salt and clay. The agricultural farmlands found in Multan produce wheat, cotton, mangoes, sugarcane and guavas, which contribute to Pakistan’s economy as well. 

Close Up of Chaamp being cooked (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Food Trends - Old & New - in Multan

With its geographical location at the intersection of Pakistan’s four provinces and its ancient history dating back to the Harappan era, Multan is recognized as a center of learning and culture, with the considerable influence of several distinct ethnic groups, namely Punjabi, Baloch, Pashtun, Sindhi, Haryanvi and Urdu speaking communities. This of course translates into a hodgepodge of all sorts of cuisines, which differ depending on the area. 

Stacked Doli Roti (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Food Influences

 Within the walls of the androon sheher (inner city) where strong influences of ancient Multan can be found, ingredients are locally sourced and third-generation shop owners occupy their spaces, cooking delicious ethnic recipes passed down from their forefathers.

Sohan Halwa served (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Sohan Halwa

Sohan halwa is Multan's most popular and widely available sweetmeat, exported to every corner of Pakistan and beyond.

Cooking Chaamp over a grill (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Multani Chaamp

The most famous food items recognized from Multan are lamb chops or chaamp.

Exterior of Hafiz Multan (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Hafiz Sweet Shop

The popular Hafiz Sweet Shop in Multan is well-known on a global scale. For the past eighty years they have perfected the art of making sohan halwa, their bestseller, and travelers and tourists alike make sure to pack a box of this delicacy because of its unique taste.

Serving Doli Roti (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Doli Roti

Doli roti is a fried flatbread native to Multan and is considered a special gift because it can be consumed days after being made, making it a travel-friendly bread. It is often eaten with home cooked meals such as vegetables and lentils.

Exterior of a dahi bara shop (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Street Food

The street food of Multan is also renowned and can be found aplenty in and around the narrow, winding lanes of the city dotted with ancient architecture.

Dahi Barray (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Dahi Bhalle Chaat

Dahi Bhalle - lentil dumplings topped with fresh yogurt served with chutneys and gram flour noodles - is freshly made on a daily basis, and sells out very fast!

Credits: Story

Produced by SOC Films 
Project Director: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Producers: Syed Ayub, Sameer Khan
Project Manager: Huma Shah
Director of Photography: Murtaza Ali
Photography: Karim Baig, Murtaza Ali
Photography Editor: Karim Baig
Additional Video & Photography: Khurram Victor
Exhibits Writer: Nazia Latif, Sameer Khan
Exhibits : Syed Ayub, Sameer Khan
Art Direction : Rahat Niazi  
Associate Producer : Asad Pabani
Video Editors: Nina Zehri, Farhad Jamali 
Color Grade: Sourath Behan
Additional Video Editing: Mishal Adhami 
Sound Design: Sameer Khan
 
 
 
 

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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