One of the world's oldest cities, over 5,000 years old
Conquered by Alexander the Great (325 BCE)
Known as the "City of Saints" for its Sufi shrines
Major Sufi centre since the 12th century
History Through the Ages
Ancient Moolasthana
Multan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, believed to have been founded over 5,000 years ago. It was known as Moolasthana (the original place) and Kashyapapura in ancient Hindu texts. Alexander the Great was severely wounded during the siege of Multan (then called Malloi) in 325 BCE.
Arab & Islamic Period
Muhammad bin Qasim captured Multan in 712 CE. The city became a major centre of Islamic scholarship, Sufi thought, and trade. Its famous shrines — Bahauddin Zakariya, Shah Rukn-e-Alam, and Shams Tabriz — made Multan the spiritual heart of Sufi Islam in the region.
Sikh & British Period
Multan was captured by the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1818, ending centuries of local Nawabi rule. It was annexed by the British in 1849 after a fierce siege. The British redeveloped the city, including its famous blue tile ceramics industry.
Modern Multan
Today Multan is the eighth largest city in Pakistan, a major agricultural and cultural centre. It is famous for its Sufi shrines, kite-flying tradition, and distinctive blue pottery.