Baha al-Din Zakaria Tomb

Multan, Pakistan

The tomb of Bahaduun Zakaria is considered the first, and the finest, example of the funerary style that developed around Multan during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The style is a blend of influences from Central Asia, brought by the Ghaznavid settlers as well as by the Turkish sultanate. It is also influenced by the local Muslim building traditions. The style is characterized by the use of uncovered brick, decorated with faience and faience mosaic. Wood framing is used to help support the brick drum that is crowned with a hemispherical dome.

This example is square in plan, with an octagonal drum and central dome. It also contains corner minarets. The tomb is simple and austere. Layers of plaster and whitewash have further simplified the exterior silhouette of the tomb.

Sources:

Shaw, Isobel. 1989. Pakistan Handbook. Hong Kong: Guidebook Company. p. 166.

Khan, Ahmad Nabi. 1983. Multan: History and Architecture. Islamabad: Institute of Islamic History, Culture, and Civilization. pp. 172-3.

Mumtaz, Kamil Khan. 1985. Early Muslims in Architecture in Pakistan. Judith Shaw, ed. Singapore: Concept Media Pte Ltd. p.13.