Shahi Eid Gah Mosque

Founding

The mosque was built in 1735 CE during the reign of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah.[1] The mosque was funded by Nawab Abdul Samad Khan, who was the Mughal governor of Multan.[citation needed]

Sikh

Following the fall of Multan to Sikh forces, the mosque was converted into a garrison and was used for gunpowder storage.[2] In 1848, the mosque served as site where Sikh rebels, supported by a group of 2,000 soldiers that surrounded the mosque,[3] murdered two British emissaries.[4][5] The event lead to the Siege of Multan and eventual defeat of the Sikh Empire. In subsequent fighting during the Siege of Multan, a British cannon struck the roof of the mosque, causing 40,000 pounds of gunpowder to explode, destroying a portion of the mosque.[6]

British

The mosque was used as a court during the early British period in Multan.[2] It was restored and returned to its original purpose in 1891 at the insistence of Deputy Commissioner H.C. Cookson.[2]

Modern

After the independence of Pakistan, the courtyard was expanded to accommodate more worshippers.[citation needed]

^ Quarterly Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society, Volume 47. Pakistan Historical Society. 1999. ^ a b c Chaudhry, Nazir Ahmad (2002). Multan Glimpses: With an Account of Siege and Surrender. Sang-e-Meel Publications. ISBN 9789693513516. ^ The Indian Magazine and Review, Volume 26. National Indian Association in Aid of Social Progress and Education in India. 1895. ^ Latif, Syad Muhammad (1891). History of the Panjáb from the Remotest Antiquity to the Present Time. Calcutta Central Press Company. ^ Hakim, Adi (2008). With Cyclists Around the World. Roli Books Private Limited. ISBN 9789351940975. ^ Yousaf, Mohammad (1971). A Brief History of Multan. Ferozsons.