Today the prime attraction
of the Fort area is the Mausoleum of Sheikh Baha-udDin Zakariya (the ornament
of the Faith) generally known as Bahawal Haq and Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fath,
commonly known by the title of Rukn-i-Alam (pillar of the World). The lofty
domes of these Mausoleums are visible, from miles and dominate the skyline of Multan. Bahawal Haq as a
saint is respected throughout the country particularly in Southern Punjab and Sind. He is the saint whose name is repeated for the sake
of benediction and safety by a landlord in hisspaciousbungaiow, afarmerin
hisfield,ashepherd in jungle, and a
boatman while navigating his boat in the midst of a swollen river. The boatmen,
as they ply their poles in the waters of Chenab and Indus
may be heard repeating loudly' "Dam Bahawal Haq- Dam-Bahawal Haq Dam"
Mausoleum
of Rukn-i-Alam
The Mausoleum of
Rukn-i-Alam is the glory of Multan.
When the city is approached f rom any side the most prominent thing which can
be seen from miles all around is a huge dome. This dome is the Shrine of Sheikh
Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fath commonly known by the title Rukn-i-Alam (pillar of the
world). The tomb is located on the south-West side of the Fort premises.In
beauty and grandeur so other dome perhaps equals it This elegant building is an
octagon, 51 feet 9 inches in diameter internally, with walls 41 feet 4 inches
high and 13 feet 3 inches thick, supported at the angles by sloping towers.
Over this is a smaller octagon 25 feet 8 inches, on the exterior side, and 26
feet 1 0 inches high, leaving a narrow passage all round the top of the lower
storey for the Moazzan, or public caller to prayers in Multan.
Mausoleum
of Shams-ud-Din
The mausoleum of Shams-ud-Din,
commonly known as Shah Shams Tabrez is located about half a mile to the east of
the Fort Site,
on the high bank of the old bed of the river Ravi.
He passed away in 1276 AD and the shrine was built by his grandson in 1 330 AD
It was rebuilt by one of his followers in 171 8 AD The Tomb is square, 30 feet
in height surmounted by a hemispherical dome. It is decorated with ornamental
glazed tiles.
It is generally believed that Shah Shams Tabrez performed many miracles. So
much so that he once begged the sun to come down and the luminary moved so much
near that the fish held in the hand of Shah Shams was roasted.
Multan Fort
The Multan Fort was built on a
detached, rather, high mound of earth separated from the city by the bed of an
old branch of the river Ravi. There is no Fort
now as it was destroyed by the British Garrison which was stationed there for a
long time but the entire site is known as the Fort. The Fort site now looks as
a part of the city because instead of the river it is now separated by road
which looks more like a bazar and remains crowded throughout the day. Nobody
knows when Multan Fort came into being but it was
there and it was admired and desired by kings and emperors throughout
centuries'.