MULTAN, Feb 25: The city government is going to launch a Rs20 million project for conservation of the historic Eidgah here as part of an overall plan for beautification of the ancient city of saints and revival of its archaic originality.

The 268-year old Eidgah, spread over five acres near the LMQ Road, was built in 1735 when Nawab Abdus Samad Khan was the governor of Multan.

The architectural speciality of the building is that it is the only edifice having a bulbous dome in southern part of Punjab.

Architects marvel at the skill of the artisans who were able to construct a complex structure like bulbous dome at that time.

The dome, however, is in need of repairs as are six other domes — three each on either side of it.

A local firm has been assigned the job of conservation of the Eidgah.

Red stone of Jaipur (India) and red bricks of different sizes were used in its construction and flooring.

Its two fountains and the pond for ablution, would be made functional again, flooring would be replaced and Kashi work revived.

The building has two minarets which also need to be restored.

History books say that Sikh government used this Eidgah as its army headquarters and the Britons as the court of Multan deputy commissioner.

Englishmen Patrick Vans Agnew from Bengal Civil Service and Lt William Anderson were killed at this Eidgah when they reached Multan for takeover of the fort on April 19, 1848. A memorial inscription for the two officers was installed at the Eidgah. In 1863, people were allowed to use it as Eidgah on condition that the memorial inscription would not be removed.

The original drawings of the ancient Eidgah have been redrawn for use in conservation work which would be started soon, official sources said.—APP