Multan
Multan is a city in Punjab, Pakistan, near the Chenab River. Its historic Sufi shrines and long history as a regional center are distinctive features.
Shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam: A 14th-century Sufi mausoleum in Multan, known for its monumental brick architecture and blue-tiled dome. Its distinctive tomb is one of Multan’s most prominent historic landmarks.
Indus Valley Civilization: A Bronze Age civilization centered on the Indus River basin and neighboring regions of South Asia. Archaeological remains near Multan connect the area with early Indus settlements.
Punjab, Pakistan: Pakistan’s most populous province, occupying much of the country’s northeastern region. Multan is a major city in southern Punjab.
Multani blue pottery: A ceramic craft associated with Multan, using blue and turquoise glazes and painted ornament. Local workshops preserve a craft closely identified with the city.
Bahawalpur: A city in southern Punjab, Pakistan, historically the capital of the princely state of Bahawalpur. Its princely-state heritage offers a nearby counterpart to Multan’s older urban history.
Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya: A Sufi shrine in Multan honoring the 13th-century Persian scholar and mystic Bahauddin Zakariya. The shrine anchors the city’s association with the Suhrawardi Sufi tradition.
Alexander the Great: Macedonian king whose campaigns created an empire extending from Greece to northwestern India. His campaign reached the region of Multan in 326 BCE.
Chenab River: A major river of the Punjab region that flows through India and Pakistan before joining the Indus system. The Chenab’s nearby course shapes the geography and agriculture around Multan.
Multani khussa: A traditional South Asian leather shoe, made in Multan with distinctive embroidered decoration. The city is known for producing and trading this regional footwear.
Lahore: The capital of Punjab, Pakistan, and a major historic center of South Asian art, architecture, and politics. Lahore is Punjab’s larger northern center, distinct from Multan’s southern regional role.