Tomb of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam

Multan, Punjab, Pakistan

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The Shah Rukn-e-Alam Mausoleum in Multan is a soaring symbol of Sufi devotion and pre-Mughal architectural brilliance. Built between 1320 and 1324 CE by Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq, this octagonal tomb honors the revered 14th-century Sufi saint Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fateh, known as Rukn-e-Alam—“Pillar of the World”.

Perched on a high mound near the Multan Fort, the shrine commands the skyline with its massive white dome, which rises over 35 meters and is considered one of the largest in South Asia.

The structure is a masterpiece of early Tughluq architecture, blending military robustness with spiritual grace: red brick walls, shisham wood beams, and intricate blue-and-white tilework create a striking visual harmony. Inside, the vast chamber houses the saint’s sarcophagus, surrounded by 72 graves of his descendants and disciples—symbolically echoing the martyrs of Karbala.

The shrine draws over 100,000 pilgrims annually during the urs festival, a vibrant celebration of the saint’s life and teachings.