The Ancient City of Saints, Multan is one of the oldest living cities at the crossroads of Central and South Asia spanning over 5 millennia. Its mausoleums, dargahs and masjids are testaments to its key position in the overland trade route between the Islamic world and the subcontinent. The vibrant blue and white pottery of current day Multan descends from an artistic tradition which produced the exquisite tiles of the Mausoleum of Bahauddin Zakariya and the Tomb of Shah Rukh-e-Alam. Multani pottery is identifiable by its use of floral motifs and geometrical patterns in vivid blues and whites. The hand painted and glazed ceramic work is known as "kashigari" and the artisans are known as "kashigars". It is believed that kashi work originated in Kashgar, a city in western China and made its way to Multan through Persia in medieval era.