The brick and tiled dome of the Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan

Cities · Punjab

Multan: The City of Saints

One of South Asia's oldest cities, crowned by the turquoise-tiled shrines of Sufi saints and famous for blue pottery, sohan halwa and summer mangoes.

  • South Punjab, near the Chenab
  • City of Saints
  • Best season: November to February
Explore MultanView on map

Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan

Multan at a Glance

2.22 millionCity populationMunicipal Corporation plus Cantonment, 2023 Census
5.36 millionMultan District2023 Census
1320–1324Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam builtUNESCO Tentative List
18.5 kmMetrobus corridor21 stations, opened 24 January 2017

About Multan

Multan is the great city of southern Punjab and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in South Asia. Built on a mound just east of the Chenab River, it has been a trading town, a frontier fortress and a centre of learning for well over two thousand years. Britannica records that Alexander the Great subdued the city in 326 BCE, and that its name may derive from Mulasthana, possibly referring to an ancient sun temple.

Above all, Multan is known as the City of Saints. From the 13th and 14th centuries it became a leading centre of Sufism, and the tombs of saints such as Bahauddin Zakariya, his grandson Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Shah Shams Sabzwari (Shams Tabrez) and Shah Yusuf Gardezi still draw pilgrims from across the country. Their domes, clad in brick and glazed blue-and-white tiles, define what architectural historians call the Multani style.

The 2023 Census counted 2,215,381 people in the city, 2,169,915 in the Multan Municipal Corporation and 45,466 in the Cantonment, and 5,362,305 in Multan District. Saraiki is the most widely spoken mother tongue, alongside Punjabi and Urdu.

Modern Multan is also a commercial and agricultural hub at the heart of Pakistan's cotton belt, with textile and flour mills, fertiliser plants and famous mango orchards. An old Persian couplet jokingly lists the city's four 'gifts' as dust, heat, beggars and graveyards, but most visitors leave remembering the shrines, the bazaars and the warmth of Saraiki hospitality.

In Multan the skyline belongs not to towers of glass but to domes of brick and blue tile.
Houses and lanes of Multan's walled city
The old walled city of Multan, built on a mound east of the Chenab.

Top Attractions in Multan

Sufi shrines, the old fort mound and bazaars inside the city gates.

The octagonal Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam with its great domeTomb of Shah Rukn-e-AlamFort Kohna (Qasim Bagh)Built between 1320 and 1324, this three-tiered octagonal tomb rises about 35 metres, crowned by a dome some 15 metres across. Red brick, timber bracing and blue-and-white tile panels make it Multan's defining landmark.Tughluq architectureUNESCO Tentative List
The tomb of Bahauddin Zakariya on the fort mound, MultanShrine of Bahauddin ZakariyaFort KohnaThe tomb of the 13th-century Suhrawardi saint who made Multan a great centre of Sufi learning. It stands close to the tomb of his grandson, Shah Rukn-e-Alam, on the old fort mound.Sufi shrine
The shrine of Shah Shams Sabzwari with its blue glazed brickworkShrine of Shah Shams SabzwariMultanPopularly known as the shrine of Shams Tabrez, it is notable, as Britannica puts it, for being built almost entirely of sky-blue glazed bricks.Sufi shrineGlazed tilework
The blue-and-white tiled tomb of Shah Yusuf GardeziShrine of Shah Yusuf GardeziBohar Gate areaA tomb sheathed in blue and white glazed tiles, described by Britannica as a masterpiece of the Multani style.Multani style
Bab-e-Qasim gateway on the old fort mound, MultanFort Kohna and Qasim BaghOld fort moundLittle survives of the old fort, much of which was lost after the British siege of 1848–49, but its mound holds the great shrines, the Bab-e-Qasim gateway, gardens and views over the city.FortPark
The red-brick Ghanta Ghar clock tower in MultanGhanta GharCity centreMultan's red-brick clock tower, built in the British period, stands at a busy junction close to Hussain Agahi Bazaar and remains a favourite meeting point.Colonial landmark
The long domed facade of the Eidgah Mosque, MultanEidgah MosqueMultanBuilt in 1735 to host the city's great Eid congregations, with a long domed prayer hall facing a spacious courtyard.Mosque18th century
The tombs of Shah Ali Akbar and his mother side by side in MultanTomb of Shah Ali AkbarSuraj MianiAn octagonal tiled tomb in the Multani tradition, standing beside the tomb of the saint's mother on the outskirts of the city.Multani style

Neighbourhoods and Areas

A walled old city ringed by colonial and modern districts.

Delhi Gate, one of the entrances to Multan's walled cityWalled CityEntered through historic gates such as Delhi Gate, Bohar Gate and Haram Gate, the old city is a maze of bazaars, mosques, shrines and old houses with carved doorways.
Traffic and buildings in central MultanHussain Agahi and Chowk BazaarThe commercial heart of the old city, packed with cloth merchants, jewellers, shoe-makers and sweet shops.
Sadar Bazaar in Multan CantonmentCantonmentLaid out in the British period, with Sadar Bazaar, churches, schools and wide, tree-lined roads.
Gulgasht ColonyA popular residential and commercial area with restaurants, cafés and shopping, close to many mid-range hotels.
Bosan RoadThe main road towards Bahauddin Zakariya University (founded in 1975 as the University of Multan), with newer housing and the Metrobus corridor.
Shah Rukn-e-Alam ColonyA large planned residential district in the city's south, with markets and parks serving everyday Multan.

Explore Multan by Category

About MultanMultan is the great city of southern Punjab and…Top Attractions in MultanSufi shrines, the old fort mound and bazaars inside…Neighbourhoods and AreasA walled old city ringed by colonial and modern…Food, Crafts and BazaarsSweet halwa, summer mangoes and some of Pakistan's finest…History of MultanSieges, sultans and saints across more than two millennia.Culture and FestivalsMultan's cultural life revolves around its shrines. Each saint's…

Food, Crafts and Bazaars

Sweet halwa, summer mangoes and some of Pakistan's finest traditional crafts.

Pieces of sohan halwa topped with nutsSohan HalwaA dense, caramelised sweet of wheat, milk, sugar and ghee studded with nuts, Multan's most famous edible souvenir, sold in round tins across the city.Signature sweet
MangoesThe orchards around Multan produce some of Pakistan's best-loved mangoes. Summer is the season, when roadside stalls overflow with fruit.Seasonal
A blue-glazed Multani ceramic bottle from the 19th centuryBlue Pottery and TileworkMultan's glazed blue-and-white ceramics continue the tradition seen on its shrines. Look for vases, plates and tiles in the old city's craft shops.Handicrafts
Camel-Skin LampsBritannica lists camel-skin work among the city's signature crafts, translucent lamps and vessels painted with intricate designs.Handicrafts
Multani KhussaEmbroidered leather slippers, often decorated with gold thread and mirror-work, are made and sold in the bazaars around Hussain Agahi.Footwear
Saraiki KitchenTry tikka, karahi, pulao and local breads at Multan's food streets, and finish with a cooling glass of lassi or falooda in the heat.Local food

History of Multan

Sieges, sultans and saints across more than two millennia.

  1. 4th century BCE

    The Malavas

    An ancient people, the Malavas, ruled the region from Multan.

  2. 326 BCE

    Alexander the Great

    Alexander subdued the city during his campaign in the Indus region.

  3. c. 712 CE

    Umayyad rule

    Multan came under Arab Umayyad control and for about three centuries was an outpost of Islam in the subcontinent.

  4. 13th–14th centuries

    The age of the saints

    Bahauddin Zakariya and his successors made Multan a centre of the Suhrawardi Sufi order; the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam was built in 1320–1324.

  5. 1735

    Eidgah Mosque

    The great Eidgah was built during the Mughal period, when Multan was the seat of an important province.

  6. 1779–1818

    Afghan and Sikh rule

    The city was taken by the Afghans in 1779 and by the Sikhs in 1818.

  7. 1849

    British conquest

    After a long siege during the Second Anglo-Sikh War, Multan passed to the British; it became a municipality in 1867.

  8. 1975–2017

    Modern Multan

    The University of Multan (now Bahauddin Zakariya University) was founded in 1975; the Metrobus opened in January 2017.

Culture and Festivals

Multan's cultural life revolves around its shrines. Each saint's urs, the anniversary of his death, brings pilgrims, qawwali singers, food stalls and fairs to the old fort mound and the lanes around it. Thursday evenings are especially atmospheric, when devotees light lamps and recite prayers at the tombs. Visitors are welcome; dress modestly, cover your head inside shrines and follow the lead of those around you.

The city is the cultural capital of the Saraiki language. Saraiki poetry, above all the verses of the Sufi poet Khawaja Ghulam Farid, is sung to the accompaniment of harmonium and dhol, and folk singers perform at weddings and festivals. The Multan Arts Council hosts concerts, theatre and exhibitions.

Craft traditions run deep. Generations of artisans have produced glazed tiles, blue pottery, camel-skin lamps, embroidered khussa and lacquered woodwork, and many workshops still operate in the old city. Cricket is hugely popular too: the Multan Cricket Stadium has hosted international matches, and the PSL franchise Multan Sultans has a passionate local following.

The courtyard and tiled walls at the shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
Pilgrims gather at the shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam.

Getting Around

Multan is a crossroads of southern Punjab, linked by air, rail, motorway and Metrobus.

Airport

Multan International Airport

West of the city, with domestic flights and international services, mainly to the Gulf. Check current schedules with airlines.

Rail

Multan Cantonment station

A major stop on Pakistan Railways' main line between Karachi and Lahore. Confirm timetables with Pakistan Railways.

Metrobus

BZU to Kumharanwala

Inaugurated on 24 January 2017, the Multan Metrobus runs 18.5 km from Bahauddin Zakariya University to Chowk Kumharan, with 21 stations, 14 of them elevated.

Road

Motorways north and south

Motorways connect Multan northwards towards Faisalabad and Lahore and southwards towards Sukkur, alongside the older national highways.

Ride-hailing and rickshaws

Short trips

App-based rides and auto-rickshaws are widely used; agree rickshaw fares before setting off.

On foot

Old city and fort mound

The shrines on the fort mound and the walled city's bazaars are best explored on foot, ideally early in the morning or late afternoon.

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

November to February

Winter days are mild and sunny, ideal for shrine visits and bazaar walks. Mango lovers may prefer early summer, despite the heat.

Weather

Very hot summers

Multan has one of the hottest climates of Pakistan's big cities, with dust storms in summer. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen from April onwards.

Where to Stay

Cantonment and Gulgasht

The Cantonment and Gulgasht Colony have most of the hotels, restaurants and easy access to the airport and Metrobus.

Shrine Etiquette

Respectful dress

Remove shoes, cover your head (scarves are often available), dress modestly and avoid photographing worshippers without permission.

What to Buy

Halwa, pottery, khussa

Sohan halwa, blue pottery, camel-skin lamps and embroidered khussa make classic Multani souvenirs. Bargaining is normal in the old city.

Practicalities

Check local guidance

Large crowds gather during urs festivals and Muharram processions; check local news for road closures and follow local authority guidance.

Day Trips from Multan

Sufi shrines, nawabi palaces and the desert of southern Punjab.

The tiled tomb of Bibi Jawindi at Uch SharifUch SharifSouth-west of MultanA historic town of saints, whose tiled tombs, including the striking, half-collapsed tomb of Bibi Jawindi, rival Multan's own.Sufi heritageUNESCO Tentative ListNoor Mahal palace in BahawalpurBahawalpurSouth, across the SutlejThe former princely capital, with the elegant Noor Mahal, museums and access to the Cholistan Desert.PalacesNawabi heritageCamels in the Cholistan desert near BahawalpurCholistan DesertBeyond BahawalpurSand dunes, nomadic herders and the great Derawar Fort; best as an overnight trip in the cool season.DesertForts
The Chenab River near MultanThe ChenabWest of the cityThe river that shaped Multan's history flows just west of the city, pleasant at sunset in the cooler months.River
The domed tomb of Bahauddin Zakariya in Multan

Your journey awaits

Walk Among the Domes of the City of Saints

Climb the old fort mound at sunset, listen to qawwali at a shrine and take home a tin of sohan halwa.

Explore Punjab

Multan Through Time

Every dated moment our guides record about Multan, from its own history and from national events that touched it. Each entry links to its source page.

  1. 8th century

    Multan region

    The area becomes part of the Umayyad-ruled region of Multan.

    From: Mian Channu

  2. 711–712 CE

    Arab Conquest of Sindh

    In 711–712 an Umayyad army under the young commander Muhammad ibn al-Qasim took the port of Debal, defeated Raja Dahir and brought Sindh and Multan under Arab rule. It marked the beginning of Muslim rule in the Indus region, an event remembered and interpreted in…

    Read the full record

  3. 711–712

    Muhammad bin Qasim in Sindh

    An Umayyad army defeats Raja Dahir; Sindh and Multan become part of the caliphate, beginning Islamic rule in South Asia.

    From: Timeline of Pakistan: From Mehrgarh to Today

  4. 711–712

    The Arab conquest of Sindh

    Muhammad bin Qasim defeats Raja Dahir, the last Hindu king of Sindh, and Sindh and Multan pass under the Umayyad caliphate, with Arabic as the language of administration.

    From: The Islamic and Medieval Era

  5. 711

    Arab conquest

    Muhammad bin Qasim takes Multan, bringing the region into the early Islamic world.

    From: Shujabad

  6. 711–712 CE

    Islam reaches Sindh

    Muhammad ibn al-Qasim conquers Sindh and Multan for the Umayyad caliphate, establishing the first lasting Muslim rule in South Asia.

    From: History of Pakistan

  7. 713

    Multan

    The Arab army takes Multan in southern Punjab, the northern limit of the conquest. (Some accounts date this to late 712.)

    From: Arab Conquest of Sindh

  8. 10th century

    Multan, outpost of Islam

    For about three centuries Multan remains the main Muslim centre in the subcontinent, and in the 10th century it becomes a stronghold of the Qarmatians, an Ismaili-related movement.

    From: The Islamic and Medieval Era

  9. 1175–1186

    The Ghurid advance

    Muhammad of Ghor captures Multan and Uch in 1175 and annexes the Ghaznavid principality of Lahore in 1186.

    From: The Islamic and Medieval Era

  10. c. 1200

    Khalid Walid's tomb

    A tomb is built near today's Kabirwala under the Ghorid governor of Multan.

    From: Khanewal

  11. 1241–1398

    Mongols and Timur

    Mongol armies sack Lahore in 1241 and raid repeatedly; Timur takes the city in 1398. Multan and Uch flourish as centres of Sufi learning, with great tombs such as Shah Rukn-e-Alam's.

    From: Timeline of Pakistan: From Mehrgarh to Today

  12. 14th century

    Sultanate tombs of Multan and Uch

    Massive brick tombs faced with blue-and-white glazed tile, such as the Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, define a southern Punjabi style.

    From: Architecture of Pakistan

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Multan?

The 2023 Census counted 2,215,381 people in Multan city (Municipal Corporation plus Cantonment) and 5,362,305 in Multan District.

Why is Multan called the City of Saints?

Since the 13th and 14th centuries Multan has been a major centre of Sufism, and its skyline is dominated by the tombs of saints such as Bahauddin Zakariya, Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Shah Shams Sabzwari and Shah Yusuf Gardezi.

When was the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam built?

Between 1320 and 1324 CE, attributed to the Tughluq ruler Ghiyas-ud-din. It is on Pakistan's Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage status.

What is Multan famous for?

Its Sufi shrines, blue pottery and tilework, sohan halwa, camel-skin lamps, embroidered khussa, mangoes and its very hot summers.

Does Multan have a Metrobus?

Yes. The Multan Metrobus opened on 24 January 2017 and runs 18.5 km between Bahauddin Zakariya University and Chowk Kumharan, with 21 stations.

When is the best time to visit Multan?

November to February, when the weather is mild. Summers are extremely hot.

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How we know this

  • Type Place guide
  • Sources 6 (5 official/academic)
  • Reviewed October 2026
  • Disputed points None
6 sources
  1. Population Census 2023 – Table 2: Urban localities by population size, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
  2. Pakistan: Administrative Division (districts, 2023 Census), City Population (Thomas Brinkhoff), based on PBS data
  3. Multan, Encyclopaedia Britannica
  4. Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan (Tentative List), UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  5. Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Auqaf & Religious Affairs Department, Government of the Punjab
  6. Multan Metrobus System, Punjab Masstransit Authority
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