September 15, 2002

History has always dealt a very effective hand to human civilization. Over the centuries, shadows have taken shape and then declined into the recesses of time. But Multan, a city rich in cultural heritage and historical background, has been projected in a completely different light by Nazir Ahmad Chaudhry in his book Multan: glimpses.

The book signifies the importance of Multan in the early days of Indian invasion by Alexander the Great and those who followed him. When Multan fell to the Arabs, a rich treasure was found in a chamber hidden beneath an idol. This was left untouched by Muhammad bin Qasim who turned his attention to invading the adjoining areas. At the end of Arab rule in 978, Multan fell into the hands of Hamid Khan, an Afghan of the Lodhi family. Then came Subaktagin and Mahmud Ghaznavi. The latter finally conquered Multan, in his fifth invasion of India. The book also gives an account of the Mughal and Saddozais period up to the last Muslim ruler of Multan: Muzaffar Khan.

In the year 1766, the province of Multan was attacked by Jhanga Singh. Pakpatan was made the boundary between the Sikhs and the Afghans. After a struggle for supremacy between the Sadozais (aided by Jhanga Singh) and the Daudputras of Bahawalpur, Multan was recaptured by the Sikhs in 1772. The king of Kabul, Taimur Shah, recovered it from the Sikhs in 1779.

After several unsuccessful attempts to capture Multan, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was finally able to take the fort in 1818 after a great deal of resistance put up by the forces of Nawab Muzaffar Khan. The next 24 years were a very difficult period and the clash between the British and the Khalsa army created new tensions. Some difficulties led to the resignation of Mulraj, the son of Diwan Sawan Mal, from the governorship of Multan in 1847.

Following this came the sad and tragic story of brutality and bloodshed, which led to the British annexation of Punjab. An entire chapter of the book is devoted to the British occupation of Multan.

The antiquities and remains, including the fortress of Multan, are of extreme significance in the history of this region. The shrines of Sheikh Bahauddinn Zakaria, Shah Rukne Alam and others, the historical mosques and temples constitute a fascinating chapter in the history of this city which was enriched by the lives of the great saints. The ethnographic composition of Multan is an interesting cocktail of different castes and creeds. The social and cultural scene is peculiar as the people seem to be isolated from the outside world. This has contributed greatly to the unique mindset of the people of Multan whose approach towards social issues such as marriage, childbirth and religion is quite distinct.

Multan is known for its handicrafts and boasts a variety of products such as carpets, handlooms, glazed tiles, pottery, cotton fabrics and more.

The sufis and the saints who settled here and spread Islam to the adjoining areas give Multan’s history a glorious dimension. The book provides a table containing the names of these spiritual elders and their locations which is very interesting. The Urs held at the shrines and the festive atmosphere that surrounds them give a mystic touch to the city.

This ancient city appeared different when seen through the eyes of the European travellers who visited it from time to time. Still and Growther, Travernier, Charles Masson, Alexander Burnes and many others have given a first hand account of their visits to this city, which they found to be a place shrouded in primeval mystery.

This book also contains a series of sketches by John Dunlop showing the city during and after the siege. He manages to project vividly the painful aspect of Multan’s history.

The enthralling semblance of mysticism and enigma that surrounds this metropolis has a surreal charm. The writer has made an extraordinary effort to give the reader an insight into the heart of a city which still stands with its glory intact. If one wishes to see the grandeur of Multan today, one will not miss it because the city-of-the-temple-of-the-sun has still managed to preserve its past.

Multan: glimpses
By Nazir Ahmad Choudhry
Sang-e-Meel Publications, 20 Shahrah-i-Pakistan, Lahore. Tel: 042-7220100
Email: smp@sang-e-meel.com
ISBN 969-35-1351-7
144pp. Rs1000

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