Tomb of Hazrat Rukn-e-Alam, Multan
PakistanPakistan National Commission for UNESCO Ministry of Education
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Description
The tomb, built in 1320-24 A.D., lies inside Multan Fort. This elegant building is an octagon in plan with a diameter of 15' 9ù and a side measuring 20’6". It is the first octagonal tom in the South Asia subcontinent. The special features in the construction of the Shrine are the tapering walls, horizontal wooden beam embedded at the exterior of brick work and a wooden frame built with horizontal and vertical beams. One of the main important features of the Shrine is the carved wooden Mehrab, a delicate and intricate piece of work, which is the earliest specimen of its kind in the whole South Asian Sub-continent. The structure is built entirely in red brick, the whole exterior elabora-tely decorated with glazed tile panels in string-courses and merlons. The colours used are Indian blue, persian blue and white, which contrast with the red of the finely dressed bricks. The enamelled tiles of this tomb are of a special type having relief patterns, raised from half an inch to two inches from the background. The second storey, also octagonal, is elaborately decoratod with geometric, floral and arabesque designs. It is further beautified by calligraphic motifs, brick design in relief pattern of caustic tiles and ornamental brick work.