Multan
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Multan is a city in the Punjab Province of Pakistan and capital of Multan District. It is located in the southern part of the province. It has a population of over 3.8 million (according to 1998 census), making it the sixth largest city of Pakistan. It is built just east of the Chenab River, more or less in the geographic centre of the country and about 966 km from Karachi.
Origin
The ancient writers such as Diodorus , Arrian , and Strabo , tell us that during Alexander's invasion of Punjab, the area around Multan,an ancient city now in Pakistan, was occupied by Malli (Malhi) people. Thus, as per Professor McCrindle , "The Malloi (Malli or Malhi) occupied the district situated between the lower Akesines (modern Chenab river), and the Hydraotes (modern Sutlej river), which in Alexander's time joined the former river below Multan-a city which owes its name to the Malloi (Malli)". Even today Malli or Malhi Jats exist in Punjab. The present Member of Canadian Parliament, G.S. Malhi, also belongs to this Jat clan.
"Multan" is the shorter version of the word "Malli-stan". The word "Stan" or "Sthan" in Sanskrit (ancient language of the Hindus) means place. Thus, Mallistan or Multan means a place where Malli live. Multan is one of the oldest cities in the Indian subcontinent. Its modern name comes from its Sanskrit name Mūlasthān (मूलस्थान). It has seen a lot of warfare because of its location on a major invasion route between South Asia and Central Asia. It is famous for its Sufi shrines.
It is believed to have been visited by Alexander the Great. Multan was part of the Mauryan and the Gupta Empires that ruled much of northern India. In the mid-5th century, the city was attacked by a group of nomads led by Toraman.
In the 7th century, Multan was conquered along with Sindh by the army of Muhammad bin Qasim, following bin Qasim's conquest, the city was securely under Muslim rule, although it was in effect an independent state. The city was attacked twice by Mahmud of Ghazni who destroyed the Sun Temple and broke its giant Idol.
Jat Gotras in Multan
- Malhi
- Bhule Multan (भूले मुल्तान)
- Shahi
- Jhuria - They have originated from place called Jhang (झंग) in Multan (Sindh). [1]
- Manda - Mandas in the later period are found settled in Punjab and Sindh in sixth/seventh centuries AD. Ibn Haukal says that “the infidels who inhabited Sindh, are called Budha and Mand.” “The Mands dwell on the banks of Mihran (Sindhu) river. From the boundary of Multan to the sea… They form a large population. [2], [3]
References
- ↑ Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudee, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998 p.248
- ↑ Elliot and Dowson, op. cit., Vol. I, p. 38
- ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats the Ancient Rulers, p. 136
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