The clock tower was constructed on the site of an old haveli that was demolished following the Siege of Multan in 1848.
The structure was built to commemorate the administrative consolidation of the Multan region under British rule.
Until the early 2000s, the building housed the city's municipal offices before they were relocated to a modern facility.
The four-faced clock was imported from England and required manual winding by a dedicated caretaker for over a century.
Ghanta Ghar, or the Clock Tower of Multan, serves as the central anchor of the city's historic Walled City area. Built during the British colonial era in 1884, the structure was originally named Northbrook Hall after the then-Viceroy of India. It functioned as the administrative headquarters for the Multan Municipal Committee before being repurposed as a municipal museum. The architecture blends Victorian colonial influences with local craftsmanship, featuring distinct arches and a prominent clock face. Situated at the intersection of several bustling local bazaars, the building remains a primary navigational point for the inner city. Its upper levels offer a vantage point over the dense, organic layout of the surrounding old city streets.
The intersection looking upward toward the clock face from the ground level provides the most iconic perspective of the architecture.
Walk through the surrounding bazaars to see traditional Multani blue pottery and camel-skin handicrafts.
Explore the area on foot, as the narrow streets of the Walled City are often congested for vehicles.
Visit during the late afternoon to experience the market activity before the evening rush.
Do not attempt to drive a car into the narrow, congested lanes surrounding the tower, as parking is virtually non-existent.
Modest dress is recommended out of respect for the local conservative culture; women should carry a shawl or scarf.
