Mosques of Multan
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Multan, Pakistan boasts of having some of the oldest mosques, which were once considered as the jewels of the city. These mosques now remind us of the glorious past of Multan as it was governed by Muslims for more than a thousand years. Here are the more famous ones that still exist in Multan today.
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[edit] Jamia Mosque
The first mosque ever built in Multan was the Jamia Mosque, which was constructed on the orders of Mohammad Bin Qasim. Ruins of this mosque were visible till 1954 at Qasim Bella which have now been washed away by the repeated floods of the river Chenab.
[edit] Sawi Mosque
Sawi mosque is supposed to be one of the oldest mosques, which still exists though it has no roof now and most of its decorations have been damaged. Some portions of this mosque are still intact which indicate that glazed blue tiles were profusely used for ornamentation.
 This is a Sawi Mosque which is situated in Multan. |
[edit] Ali Muhammad Khan Mosque
Another old mosque of Multan, which is still in good condition, is Mosque Ali Muhammad Khan, which is also known as Mosque Wali Muhammad Khan. It is an excellent building, situated in the busiest Chowk Bazaar of the city. It was built by Nawab Ali Muhammad Khan Khakwani in 1757 (1171 A.H.) when he was the governor of Multan in the times of Alamgir II. The mosque is provided with a reservoir for the ablutions, baths, and a large hall for prayers. During the Sikh period, the gateway of the Mosque was used as the courthouse of the Nazim, while its great hall was utilized for keeping the Granth, or the holy book of the Sikhs. The Mosque was restored to the Muslims by the British Government at the commencement of the British rule.
[edit] Phool Hattan Wali Mosque
This mosque is located in the Main Bazaar (now called Chowk Bazaar) of the city. It was named so because it was located in the midst of the flower sellers' bazaar. The story recorded in a book titled "Early History of Multan" says that the Mughal Emperor Farrukh Sher (1713-1718 AD) on his visit to Multan, being childless, asked a fakir to pray on his behalf, that he might be blessed with a male issue. The fakir prayed for him, and a son was born to the Empress. His Majesty, through the governor of Multan, presented the fakir with an offering of Rs. 80,000, and with this money the liberal minded fakir had this mosque built.
[edit] Eid Gah Mosque
This grand mosque of Multan is located on the main Multan-Lahore highway in the Northeast of the city. It was built in 1735 AD by Nawab Abdul Samad Khan when he was the governor of Multan. It is a very spacious mosque provided with a vast courtyard and a huge prayer chamber measuring 250 feet long and 54 feet broad crowned by seven domes. Its exterior was faced with glazed blue tiles and the interior was ornamented with colorful mosaics. After independence it was found insufficient to accommodate the increased number of people so its courtyard was enlarged further.
