An exceedingly ancient
city in the Punjab. In ancient times Multan was known as "The House of Gold"
and was the main religious center for a popular Indian solar cult centered
around the god Aditya. Alexander the Great's quest to conquer the world
finished at Multan as he has defeated here and could not
re-establish his forces to go further east.
Jibawin ?
Jibawin is listed in Arab sources as the
builder of Multan's main temple. He is described as having ruled in
"ancient times". Nothing else about him is recorded.
The Mauryan
Empire........................................316 - c. 250
Bactria................................................c.
250 - c. 100
The
Caliphate.............................................712 - 892
Banu SAMA
Asad al-Qurayshi.....................................892 - early 900's
opposed by...
A Qarmatian army under Abdullah al-Qarmati......................c.
900
Unknown rulers
In 985 a coup led by an Ismai'ili agitator
aligned with the Fatimids toppled the last Sama emir of Multan. The new
dynasty was fanatically Shi'ite and allied with the Assasins of Alamut.
SUMRA / SHAIBANID
(refer to Sind)
Jalam ibn Shaiban.........................................985 -
?
Hamid ibn Jalam.............................................? - 997
Nasr ibn Hamid............................................997 - ?
Abu'l Fath Daud ibn Nasr....................................? - 1008
The Ghaznavids and
Afghanistan...........................1008 - 1215
Ai'i al-Karmani..............................late
1100's - early 1200's
Multan had for many years been a province of
the Delhi sultanate but with the weakening of that kingdom, and the lack
of a governor nominated by the ruler at Delhi, the inhabitants, in 1438,
had chose as their ruler Shaikh Yusuf Quaraishi. He was a mild, but
inexperienced ruler, and was soon deposed by Sahra Langah, who
founded a dynasty that lasted some 90 years. He reigned for sixteen
years and was succeeded by his energetic son, Sultan Husain I who
managed to extend his territories and fought off attempts to reinstate
Shaikh Yusuf, who had taken refuge with the Delhi sultan. Eventually
Husain signed a peace treaty with Sikandar Lodi of Delhi, and being old,
abdicated in favour of his son Firuz. Firuz turned out to be a worthless
ruler and was assassinated, whereupon, Husain resumed the reins of power
and nominated his grandson Mahmud as his heir. Husain died in 1502.
Mahmud's abilities as ruler were disappointing and it was not long
before he fell out with his minister, and as a result of the ensuing
conflict, lost territory. Nevertheless, he continue to rule until 1527
and was followed by his young son Husain II. By this time, the Arghuns
were in power in lower Sind and captured Multan. Not long afterwards,
Multan became part of the Mughal Empire.
Shaikh Yusuf al-Quaraishi................................1438 - 1440
Qutb ud-Din Shah Sahra Langah............................1440 - 1456
Husain Langah I S/o Sahra Langah.........................1456 - 1502
Mahmud Langah............................................1502 - 1527
Husain Langah II S/o Mahmud Langah.......................1527 - 1528
The Mughals..............................................1528 - 1730's
Abdul Samad Khan................................................fl. 1730's
The Mughals............................................1730's - 1752
To Kabul, but
under constant attack by the Sikh Khalsa...1752 - 1816
Diwan Mul Raj Singh (restored), in
rebellion against Britain....1848 to 1849
Great
Britain............................................1849 - 1947
To
Pakistan..............................................1947 - date
KM#652.4 Rupee.
Mint: Multan.
Metal: Silver
Approximately 11.45g.
Dated: 1183AH - Year 14 [1770 CE].
Unlisted date in Krause and Mishler's book.
Taimur Shah Abdali [Durrani] was Nizam (Governor) during his father Ahmad Shah Abdali's rule. Taimur
made coinage from 1170 to 1186AH [1757-1772] at Bhakhar, Dera, Lahore, Multan,
Sind (Haidarabad) and Sirhind. Later Taimur became King of Afghanistan
from 16 Oct 1772 to 18 May 1793.
