"Multan has been identified as the capital of the Malli people, who offered a stiff challenge to Alexander during his invasion of 326-325 ace. It was known by several names, Kasyapapura, Hansapura, Sambapura, Prahladpura, and Adyasthana, all invocations to Vishnu or Surya. Tradition held that Multan was founded by Kasyapa, father of the twelve Adityas (or Sun gods) by Aditi; and of the Daityas (or Titans) by Diti. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Hiranya-kasipu (the Daitya), who refused to accept the omnipresence of Vishnu. Vishnu manifested himself in his Narasimha avatar at Multan during the reign of Hiranya-kasipu, whose son Prahalad was his ardent devotee. Hiranya-kasipu’s great-grandson, Banasur was an adversary of Krishna. ... The ancient belief in the origins of Multan validated its importance at the dawn of Indian history."