Hussain Agahi Multan is an ancient bazaar in Multan city, which has been a hot-spot for business and many say that it hasn’t changed since its was built. If you like visiting crowded old bazaars this is it for you. The bazaar is renowned for goods sold at affordable rates and is therefore a hot favourite for locals who look to buy on a budget.
The main entrance to the Hussain Agahi Multan bazaar, known as Hussain Agahi Chowk, is situated in front of the tomb of a great saint or Auliya Allah of Multan, called Shah Rukn-e-Alam. The tomb of this saint is the iconic figure for the city of Multan, with its huge tomb called Rukn-e-alam, the Pillar of the World. On another side of the Hussain Agahi Chowk is the well-known Chowk Ghanta Ghar, meaning Clock Tower Intersection.
The Hussain Agahi Multan bazaar is also the route for Muharram processions, also known as Juloos, which commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain AS.
Legend of Saint Hussain Agahi
It is said that the Hussain Agahi Multan bazaar is named after another saint of the city of Multan, called Hazrat Syed Hussain Shah Bukhari, better known as Hussain Agahi, who himself was named after Imam Hussain (AS) son of Imam Ali (AS).
The term Agahi literally means awareness. The saint was given this title because he was renowned for giving the people of the sub-continent, then largely non-Muslim, AWARENESS or Agahi about the person and stature of His Excellency, Hazrat Imam Hussain [A], Grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad [SAWW]. Since he himself was named in the Imam’s [A] name, therefore he had a special inclination towards Him. He was renowned for giving the locals a lot of information and knowledge about Syed-ush-Shohodah Imam Hussain [A] and his legendary fight along with his family and friends against the tyrannical forces of Yazid (L) in the plains of Karbala.
According to the legend, the saint Hazrat Syed Hussain Shah Bukhari, had a very strong business acumen and could therefore help any person initiate a business that paid off well! When his devotees invoked his help for starting up a business concern, he would aid them make their business a success story with his spiritual-cum-business expertise. He would be attentive to the details, so much so, that he would even point out the exact location in the bazaar where the shop should be setup.
This historical reference gives insight into how the bazaar now sprawls over a huge area, since every new entrepreneur in Multan would have been interested in running a successful business at the time of the saint and even afterwards, and what better place to start with than in Hussain Agahi, with the help from the Hussain Agahi saint? The length and breadth of the Hussain Agahi Multan bazaar seems to have a direct co-relation with the Saint Hussain Agahi’s business acumen and the interest of his entrepreneur class of devotees in taking benefit out of it.
It is a pity however that the mausoleum of the saint is a forgotten place now, as compared to other popular mausoleums in Multan which are visited very frequently by the locals, as well as by people from all other parts of Pakistan. Many people don’t even know about the saint after whom the Hussain Agahi Multan bazaar was named after. Looks like the profitable transactions made by the entrepreneurs in the bazaar have made them forget their duty of paying homage to the saint who made it all possible for their elders, when they sought his help in his age and era. Abundance of wealth can probably be intoxicating and bring about forgetfulness at times, no?
What Can You Shop for in Hussain Agahi Multan Bazaar?
There are all kinds of shops in Hussain Agahi Multan since the bazaar itself is huge, starting from the main road and spreading out well within the walled city in Multan. There are shops for handicrafts, consumer electronics, cloth-houses, crockery, super stores, staple items, sports, you name it.
Target Location for Handicrafts in Multan City
Handicrafts are a special attention of the bazaar as many of the craftsmen selling their art unique to Multan are located at different places inside of the Hussain Agahi Multan bazaar. So, many people, including and especially tourists, scan the Hussain Agahi Multan bazaar in search for handicrafts local to Multan. This bazaar is probably the first thing that comes to their mind if they make up their minds of seeking to buy some lovely ‘made in Multan’ handicrafts to take back home as souvenirs.
Masjid Ali Wali Muhammad
Masjid Ali Muhammad, also known as Masjid Wali Muhammad, is located on Chowk Bazaar which is situated almost adjacent to Hussain Agahi Multan. This is a very ancient mosque as it was established back in 1757 by the then governor of Multan, Ali Muhammad Khan. The mosque has Persian quotes and art over its entrance as well as inside of it. It is said that the mosque has witnessed the Sikh era as well as the entire era of the British East India Company rule in the sub-continent.
It is also said that when the Sikhs conquered Multan, they took control of the mosque forcefully and made it a repository for their own sacred book called the Granth. Also, they created an office for their local commissioner inside of the mosque.
After the Sikhs lost control of the reins of power to the British, the British returned Masjid Ali Muhammad to the Muslims but at the same time, following the footsteps of the Sikhs, they created a station for their own local officer there.
As of today however Masjid Ali Muhammad needs some attention and restoration work.
Leave a Reply