The Mazar of Rukn-i-Alam is the
glory of multan. When the city is approached from 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-e-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 story 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. Colors 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 colors with the light and shade of a raised pattern.
The grave of Rukn-e-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 favor of Rukn-e-Alam, when he passed away from
this world during 1 330 AD at the age of 88. It is generally believed that Sh.
Rukn-e-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.
He was on friendly terms with the saint Nizam-ud-Din of Dehli and was visited by
the emperors of Dehli more than once. The hereditary guardians of the Shrine of
Bahawal Haq and Rukn-e-Alam are called the Mukhdums of Multan, and they have
thousands of disciples in southern Punjab and Sindh.