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.  

The whole is surmounted by hemishperical dome of 58 feet external diameter. The total height of the building, including a plinth of 3 feet, is 100 feet. As it stands on the high ground, the total height above the road level is 150 feet. This contributes materially to the majestic and colossal appearance of the tomb, making it the most prominent object of view to the visitors. Besides its religious importance, the mausoleum is also of considerable archaeological value as its dome is reputed to be the second largest in the world after 'Gol Gumbad' of Bijapur (India), which is the largest.

The mausoleum is built entirely of red brick, bounded with beams of Shisham wood, which have now turned black after so many centuries. The whole of the exterior is elaborately ornamented with glazed tile panels, string courses and battlements. Colours used are dark blue, azure, and white, but these are contrasted with the deep red of the finely polished bricks, while the result is both effective and pleasing. These mosaics are not like those of later day's plane surfaces, but the patterns are raised from half an inch to two inches above the background. This mode of construction must have been very difficult but its increased effect is undeniable, as it unites all the beauty and variety of colours with the light and shade of a raised pattern.

The grave of Rukn-i-Alam is of plain brick work covered with plaster. The tomb was said to have been built by Ghias-ud-Din Tughlak for himself, but was given up by his son Muhammad Tughlak in favour of Rukn-i-Aiam, when he passed away from this world during 1 330 AD at the age of 88. It is generally believed that Sh. Rukn-i-Alam was not. Equal in piety and sanctity to his illustrious grandfather Bahawal Haq, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most accomplished men of his age. He taught his disciples a modified form of metempsychosis, and discoursed with the people on metaphysical subjects.

Mausoleum Bahauddin Zakariya

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 the 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". 

The phrase is fervently repeated until the boat, with its contents, is carried safely to its destination. There are many legends spun around the personality of this saint but it will not be possible to reproduce such legends in the limited space available in this book. Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya known as Bahawal Haq, was born at Kot Kehror a town of District Laiah near Multan, around 1170 AD His father died when he was a child, but he grew in wisdom and studied in Turan and Iran. He received religious instructions from Sheikh Shahab-ud-Din Suhrawardy in Baghdad and became his Khalifa. He was on terms of great friendship with Sheikh Farid Shakar Ganj and lived with him for a long time.

Bahawal Haq was a pious man and for many years he was the great saint of Multan. For fifteen years he preached for the glory of Islam and his fame as a teacher and a pious man spread far and wide. He also travelled far and wide. After performing Haj he visited Jerusalem, Syria, Baghdad and many other Muslim Countries. After his wanderings Bahawal Haq settled in Multan in 1222 AD and very soon his sanctity, piety and learning spread throughout the country and the number of his followers swell to thousands. This great man, however, passed away from this world during 1267 AD The Mausoleum, where he lies in eternal peace, is said to have been built by the saint himself and according to Cunningham there is only one other specimen of the architecture of this exact period and, that is, at Sonepat in (India). The Mausoleum is a square of 51 feet 9 inches, measured internally. Above this is an octagon, about half the height of the square, which is surmounted by a hemispherical dome. The Mausoleum was almost completely ruined during the siege of 1848, but was soon afterwards restored by the Muslims. The Mausoleum contains besides the tomb of the saint and many of his descendants, including his son Sadr-ud-Din. According to tradition, Bahawal Haq left enormous wealth, but Sadr-ud-Din distributed the whole of it to the poor. Opposite the door of the Mausoleum there is a small grave of Nawab Muzaffar Khan who died defending himself against the Sikhs.