A good portion of the people are conversant in Urdu. The majority of Multan's residents speak Saraiki, which is the northern variant of Sindhi (the nomenclature 'Seraiki' is derived from the Sindhi language and literally means 'belonging to the north'), while Haryanvi is the second most spoken language. Multan's inhabitants are called Multanis. However land close to the Chenab is usually flooded in the monsoon season. There are many canals that cut across the Multan District, providing water for nearby farms. The area around the city is a flat, alluvial plain and is ideal for agriculture, with many citrus and mango farms. The city of Multan is in southern Punjab province at almost the exact centre of Pakistan. But the old city continues to be in a dilapidated state, and many monuments wear the effects of the warfare that has visited the city. Since then, there has been some industrial growth, and the city's population is continually growing. Then it lacked industry, hospitals and universities. The British held it from 1848 until Pakistan achieved independence in 1947. Following bin Qasim's conquest, the city was securely under Muslim rule, although it was in effect an independent state and most of the subjects were non-Muslim. Multan was conquered along with Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim, from the local ruler Chach of Alor.
It is believed to have been visited by Alexander the Great's army. Multan has frequently been a site of conflict due to its location on a major invasion route between South Asia and Central Asia.
Its name is derived from the Sanskrit name Mulasthana named after a sun temple. According to Hindu legends, it was the capital of the Trigarta Kingdom at the time of the Mahabharata war, ruled by the Katoch Dynasty. Multan is one of the oldest cities in the Asian subcontinent. It is sometimes referred to as the City of Saints. It is in the south of Punjab in Pakistan. Multan (Urdu/Saraiki: مُلتان) is the sixth largest city of Pakistan.