Multan: A Timeless City of Saints
Multan, located along the eastern bank of the Chenab River in Pakistan’s Punjab province, is one of South Asia’s oldest continually inhabited cities and an important cultural, religious, and economic centre. Archaeological evidence ties the area to the early Harappan period, and historical sources describe the city (once called Mulasthana) as a capital and cultural centre of the Punjab region. According to legend recorded by historian Firishta, the city’s roots stretch back before 3000 BC; Hindu tradition associates its ancient name with the Mallian people who later resisted Alexander the Great. Multan fell under the Achaemenid Empire when Darius I annexed it around 500 BC. In 326 BC, during the Mallian campaign, Alexander laid siege to the city and was severely wounded by a poisoned arrow in its citadel. The city subsequently came under successive dynasties: the Rai and Brahman rulers of Sindh, Arab conquerors led by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 CE, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Mamluks, Tughluqs, Mughals, Sikhs and eventually the British Empire. Its prominence as a trading hub and a centre of learning attracted Sufi mystics in the 11th and 12th centuries, giving Multan the enduring sobriquet “City of Saints.”
Sufism profoundly shaped Multan’s spiritual landscape. Writers note that the city’s association with spirituality predates Islam; however, it flourished with the arrival of Sufi saints who emphasised love, tolerance and devotion. Shrines such as those of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya and Hazrat Shah Rukn‑e‑Alam remain focal points for pilgrims and symbolise the city’s spiritual heritage. These shrines foster a culture of inclusivity, where people from diverse religious backgrounds gather to seek blessings and celebrate festivals, reinforcing Multan’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance.
Today, Multan is the sixth‑largest city in Pakistan and a major urban centre for south‑central Punjab. Macrotrends estimates its metro‑area population in 2025 at about 2.258 million, up from 2.205 million in 2024. The city’s economy hinges on agriculture—particularly cotton, wheat and mangoes—and on textile and ceramics manufacturing. Multan is also developing as a regional transport hub, with connections via the M5 motorway and an international airport. Despite modernisation, the city retains its distinctive character, with its historic fort, centuries‑old bazaars, and vibrant handicrafts industry continuing to draw visitors.
In recent years Multan and surrounding areas have confronted new challenges, including severe flooding in the Punjab region. Floods and stagnant water have increased the risk of vector‑borne diseases and strained local infrastructure, underscoring the need for resilient urban planning and public health initiatives. Nevertheless, the city’s enduring traditions and its growing population highlight its ongoing importance in Pakistan’s cultural and economic landscape.
Multan thus embodies a tapestry of antiquity and modernity: from ancient legends and invasions to a living spiritual heritage and contemporary growth. For a school that aspires to cultivate leaders and entrepreneurs, Multan’s story offers lessons in resilience, inclusivity and the power of culture to shape a community over millennia.
Multan: A Timeless City of Saints
Multan, located along the eastern bank of the Chenab River in Pakistan’s Punjab province, is one of South Asia’s oldest continually inhabited cities and an important cultural, religious, and economic centre. Archaeological evidence ties the area to the early Harappan period, and historical sources describe the city (once called Mulasthana) as a capital and cultural centre of the Punjab region. According to legend recorded by historian Firishta, the city’s roots stretch back before 3000 BC; Hindu tradition associates its ancient name with the Mallian people who later resisted Alexander the Great. Multan fell under the Achaemenid Empire when Darius I annexed it around 500 BC. In 326 BC, during the Mallian campaign, Alexander laid siege to the city and was severely wounded by a poisoned arrow in its citadel. The city subsequently came under successive dynasties: the Rai and Brahman rulers of Sindh, Arab conquerors led by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 CE, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Mamluks, Tughluqs, Mughals, Sikhs and eventually the British Empire. Its prominence as a trading hub and a centre of learning attracted Sufi mystics in the 11th and 12th centuries, giving Multan the enduring sobriquet “City of Saints.”
Sufism profoundly shaped Multan’s spiritual landscape. Writers note that the city’s association with spirituality predates Islam; however, it flourished with the arrival of Sufi saints who emphasised love, tolerance and devotion. Shrines such as those of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya and Hazrat Shah Rukn‑e‑Alam remain focal points for pilgrims and symbolise the city’s spiritual heritage. These shrines foster a culture of inclusivity, where people from diverse religious backgrounds gather to seek blessings and celebrate festivals, reinforcing Multan’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance.
Today, Multan is the sixth‑largest city in Pakistan and a major urban centre for south‑central Punjab. Macrotrends estimates its metro‑area population in 2025 at about 2.258 million, up from 2.205 million in 2024. The city’s economy hinges on agriculture—particularly cotton, wheat and mangoes—and on textile and ceramics manufacturing. Multan is also developing as a regional transport hub, with connections via the M5 motorway and an international airport. Despite modernisation, the city retains its distinctive character, with its historic fort, centuries‑old bazaars, and vibrant handicrafts industry continuing to draw visitors.
In recent years Multan and surrounding areas have confronted new challenges, including severe flooding in the Punjab region. Floods and stagnant water have increased the risk of vector‑borne diseases and strained local infrastructure, underscoring the need for resilient urban planning and public health initiatives. Nevertheless, the city’s enduring traditions and its growing population highlight its ongoing importance in Pakistan’s cultural and economic landscape.
Multan thus embodies a tapestry of antiquity and modernity: from ancient legends and invasions to a living spiritual heritage and contemporary growth. For a school that aspires to cultivate leaders and entrepreneurs, Multan’s story offers lessons in resilience, inclusivity and the power of culture to shape a community over millennia.
