MULTAN: The Punjab government is all set to restore and rehabilitate the historical tomb of Shah Hussain Sadozai, the progenitor of Sadozais here, located within the Madrassa Siddique Al-Akbar.

“The restoration and rehabilitation of the tomb will cost Rs8.3 million and the scheme is included in the Punjab Annual Development Programme 2018-19. The work will start as soon as the funds are released, while the allocated amount for the scheme in the ongoing fiscal year is Rs4m,” said Malik Ghulam Muhammad, the archaeology department in-charge here.

He said a proposal for administrative approval has been sent to the provincial information secretary, and work will start soon after the approval.

“Shah Hussain Sadozai was the grandson of Asadul Ain alias Saddo Khan (1858-1626) -- the founder of Sadozai tribe,” said researcher and scholar Mehboob Tabish.

He said Nawab Muzaffar Khan Sadozai, the founder of Muzaffargarh city and governor of Multan, was a descendent of Shah Hussain. Shah Hussain left Afghanistan and settled in Multan in 1652 after he developed differences with the ruling Safavids, and was the first Sadozai to reach and settle in Multan.

“The tomb of Shah Hussain is a typical three-storey building with a square base converting into an octagon and then a segmental dome. In the interior zone of transition, squinch arches are resting on wooden beams. There are three graves in the main chamber and it is said that the largest one is of Shah Hussain. His date of death is not known; however it is said that the tomb was constructed by one of his nephews,” said Mr Muhammad.

He further said that the mausoleum is similar to that of Bahauddin Zakariya, but its dome is missing now. There are openings on the east, north and south sides, and the mehrab in the west. Regarding the exterior, the first storey is made with undressed brick work, while the door is made with recessed panels of dressed brick work and glazed tiles. The second storey comprises dressed brick work in recessed panel work which is then covered with glazed lime plaster as well as brick imitation work and recessed panel around the arches covered with glazed tiles. The tomb’s interior is finished with plaster.

The proposed restoration includes creating the underpinning with bricks of original size, kankar and glazed lime plaster, cleaning of old kashi tiles, scraping of whitewash to expose the original fresco and brick imitation work, stucco tracery on the door, brick imitation work and fresco lining on the second storey as per original colours and design, enameled glazed tiles, glazed tile flooring inside the tomb, repair and perforating of the wooden doors and protecting the plinth among other tasks.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2019