The history of customary law in the State of Multan during the reign of Sultan Hussain Langah (r. 1469–1502) is an interesting subject, reflecting the blend of local traditions, tribal customs, and Islamic legal principles under the Langah Sultanate of Multan.

Background: The Langah Sultanate of Multan

• The Langah dynasty (1445–1526) ruled Multan as an independent sultanate after the decline of the Delhi Sultanate and before the Mughal conquest.
• Sultan Hussain Langah (also known as Hussain Shah Langah) was the most prominent ruler of this dynasty, known for his administrative reforms, military strength, and patronage of Sufi Islam.
• Multan was a key trade and religious center, heavily influenced by Sufi saints and tribal traditions.

Customary Law in Multan under Sultan Hussain Langah

1. Blend of Tribal and Islamic Law
   • The Langah Sultanate was a Baloch-dominated kingdom, and many tribal customs (Riwaj) were integrated into governance.
   • Jirga-style councils (tribal assemblies) played a role in dispute resolution, especially among the Baloch and local tribes.
   • However, Islamic Sharia was the formal legal framework, with Qazis (judges) appointed to administer justice in cities.
2. Land and Tribal Disputes
   • Much of Multan’s rural society was organized around tribal and clan-based systems.
   • Customary laws governed land distribution, water rights (due to the Chenab and Ravi rivers), and tribal conflicts.
   • Sultan Hussain Langah maintained stability by balancing tribal authority with centralized rule.
3. Sufi Influence on Legal Practices
   • Multan was a major Sufi center, with shrines like Bahauddin Zakariya’s tomb holding moral and legal influence.
   • Pirs (Sufi saints) often mediated disputes, especially in rural areas, where their word carried weight alongside formal law.
4. Trade and Mercantile Customs
   • Multan was a cosmopolitan trading hub, connected to Central Asia, Persia, and the Indian subcontinent.
   • Merchant guilds (Mahajans) had their own customary commercial laws, regulating trade, contracts, and debt.
5. Sultan Hussain Langah’s Legal Reforms
   • While respecting tribal customs, Hussain Langah strengthened Islamic judicial institutions.
   • He maintained Sharia courts for criminal and civil matters but allowed tribal elders to handle local disputes.
   • His reign saw relative legal stability, balancing between tribal autonomy and state authority.

Decline and Legacy

• After Sultan Hussain Langah’s death (1502), Multan faced instability and was eventually conquered by Babur (1526).
• The customary laws of Multan continued under the Mughals but were gradually integrated into a more centralized system.
• Many tribal and Sufi-influenced legal traditions persisted in rural Sindh and Punjab.

Conclusion

Under Sultan Hussain Langah, Multan’s legal system was a hybrid of tribal customary law, Islamic jurisprudence, and Sufi-influenced mediation. His reign maintained a balance between local traditions and state authority, ensuring stability in one of South Asia’s most important medieval kingdoms.