Archaeology dept takes up conservation of Multan tomb

Official says tendering process has been completed and a work order will be issued for project execution


APP July 23, 2019
PHOTO:AFP

MULTAN: An amount of Rs4million was released on Monday to the Punjab Archaeology Department for the conservation of the historical tomb of Shah Hussain Saddozai in Multan. The project will be completed over a two-year period at a total cost of Rs7.6 million.

A department official told The Express Tribune that the tendering process has been completed and a work order will be issued soon for project execution.

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Shah Hussain was the grandson of Asadul Ain alias Saddo Khan, the progenitor of the Saddozai clan. He was the first from his clan to reach and settle in Multan in the year 1,652. He left Qandahar (present-day Afghanistan) due to differences with the then rulers of that region. Shah Hussain was dubbed ‘Wafadaar Khan’ by a Mughal emperor and was later titled 'Jaageer', following which Multan became the second home of the Saddozai tribe. The Saddozai rulers, including Nawab Shuja Khan and Nawab Muzaffar Khan, were the descendants of Shah Hussain.

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A department official said the tomb has two wooden doors of modern design and these will be replaced by Mughal design wooden doors. “An underpinning of salt, for affected portions of the walls, will be raised up to a height of 12 feet on the exterior.” He added that the interior walls will also undergo the underpinning process. “Lime plaster will be applied on the dome and walls, while fresco designs will be revived on the dome interior. Brick imitation and Kashi tile work will be restored on the second storey of the dome, which is octagonal in shape.”

He concluded that the merlons of Kashi tiles on the parapet will also be restored.  

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2019.

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