mu21

The mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, a typical example of pre Mughal architecture, is built entirely of red brick, bounded with beams of Shisham wood, which have now turned black after so many centuries. This exceptional building in the form of an octagon is supported at the angles by sloping towers. A smaller octagon on top of the lower one leaves a narrow passage all round the top of the lower story for the Moazzan, or public caller to prayers. The whole is surmounted by a hemishperical dome of 58 feet external diameter, while the total height of the building, including a plinth of 3 feet, is 100 feet or, because it stands on high ground, 150 feet above road level. This contributes materially to the majestic and colossal appearance of the tomb. The whole of the exterior is elaborately ornamented with glazed tile panels, string courses and battlements. Colors used are dark blue, azure, and white, these contraste with the deep red of the finely polished bricks. Besides its religious importance, the mausoleum is also of considerable archaeological value as its dome is reputed to be the second largest in the world.

	Multan
	the Mazar of Rukn-i-Alam
The mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, a typical example of pre Mughal architecture, is built entirely of red brick, bounded with beams of Shisham wood, which have now turned black after so many centuries. This exceptional building in the form of an octagon is supported at the angles by sloping towers. A smaller octagon on top of the lower one leaves a narrow passage all round the top of the lower story for the Moazzan, or public caller to prayers. The whole is surmounted by a hemishperical dome of 58 feet external diameter, while the total height of the building, including a plinth of 3 feet, is 100 feet or, because it stands on high ground, 150 feet above road level. This contributes materially to the majestic and colossal appearance of the tomb. The whole of the exterior is elaborately ornamented with glazed tile panels, string courses and battlements. Colors used are dark blue, azure, and white, these contraste with the deep red of the finely polished bricks. Besides its religious importance, the mausoleum is also of considerable archaeological value as its dome is reputed to be the second largest in the world.