Karachi Historical Buildings

Sunday, October 25, 2009

CITY COURTS (OLD JAIL) 1868 (M.A. JINNAH ROAD )

Located on the site of an old jail (1847-1906), the City Courts have functioned from these premises since the early part of this century, when the jail was shifted from here (1906). The jail was built in 1847 and after numerous additions, it was completed in 1868. Later it was reconverted into the present City Courts in 1906.



SINDH HIGH COURT 1929 COURT ROAD

This magnificent red stone structure built in the Renaissance Style is among the most imposing buildings of Karachi. With its magnificent cupolas, balconies and tall Roman style columns it was built at a cost Rs. 3 million in 1929. the flight of steps in front of the building leading up to the first storey and the characteristic façade, impart great dignity to this building. The whole structure appears to be a combination of local and Roman styles of architecture.



CLIFTON PROMENADE 1920 CLIFTION

Access to the sea at Clifton is provided by the terraced Parade known as the Jehangir Kothari Parade. The site, owned by Mr. Jehangir H. Kothari, an eminent Karachi citizen, who gifted it along with a handsome donation Rs. 300,000 to the Municipality for the development of recreational facilities. The foundation stone was laid by the Governor of Bombay, Sir George Lloyd on 10th February, 1919 and formally opened by Lady Lloyd on 5th January, 1920. The Lady Lloyd Pier was also opened by her on 21st March, 1921.

The Kiosk at one end of the parade, with its elliptical roof structure, built in Jodhpur stone, has an octagonal seat in the center and was used as a Bandstand in yester-years. A temple of Shiva lies below the Parade, with rock gardens on both sides. The pier is 1300 ft long, 15 ft wide and ends in a 70 ft by 50 ft sea-side Pavilion constructed on piles. Gizri limestone and Jodhpur stone were used for its construction.



THE EMPRESS MARKET

Constructed at a well-chosen site, was clearly visible from a great distance. Although the imperialists were particular in commemorating significant events, The new market a symmetrical building arranged around a courtyard. While the use of the alien Gothic form was understandable, the presence of an atrium was highly unusual for the time. With a frontage of 231 feet on Preedy Street, its four galleries, each 46 feet wide, surround the generous size courtyard, 130 feet by 100 feet. The single-storey building is not pretentious except for the tall central tower that rises to a height of 140 feet.
The design utilizes delicately carved column capitals, as well as carved stone brackets which support the balcony projections. Together with the exquisite leopard heads at the top four corners of the tower, the carved elements demonstrate the skill of the local craftsmen. The building's imposing clock tower was provided with a large chiming clock, unfortunately no longer working, with skeleton iron dials placed on the four sides. Contemporary accounts described the structure as a " very handsome building designed in what is known as the "Domestic Gothic Style" (Baillie 1890).
The Empress Market was praised in no uncertain Commissioner Pritchard, who pointed out in his opening address that only one other market surpassed it in the whole Presidency, namely the 'Crawford Market of Bombay.
Strachan's Empress Market in the English pointed style was comparatively simple in character, but its distinctive clock tower was twelve feet higher than that of the 'Craw



Frere Hall ( Liaquat National Library )

Raised in memory of Sir Bartle Frere (Commissioner of Sind 1851-1859, this Venetian Gothic style building was designed by Colonel Clair Wilkins whose proposal was selected from 12 entries, in what was perhaps the first recorded architectural design competition for a public building in Sind. Completed in 1865 at a cost of Rs.1,80,000 out of which Rs. 22,500 was raised for the memorial through public donations, the building was officially inaugurated by Commissioner Mansfield on 10th Oct. 1865. The gardens around the building were added in 1887-88 by Mr. Benjamin Flinch. Originally the statues of Queen Victoria and King Edward (both of which have now been removed), adorned the garden. The upper floor of this two storied yellowish Karachi limestone building, consists of a 70 ft x 24 ft hall and an orchestral gallery. In yesteryears this building was the hub of Karachi’s socio-cultural activities and also served as a Town Hall with regular public meetings, concerts and theatrical performances. The ground floor is now occupied by the Liaquat Municipal Library.

HINDU GYMKHANA 1925 (SARWAR SHAHEED ROAD )

With its carved cupolas and the miniaturized magnificence of a Rajasthani place the Hindu Gymkhana has almost been adwarfed into invisibility by indiscreet development. Constructed in 1925 on a plot of land measuring 47,000 sq. yds. The Seth Ramgopal Goverdhandas Mohatta Hindu Gymkhana was the first public building in which the sub-continental style of architecture rather than the commonly used European-style was used by its architect Mr. Agha Ahmed Hussain. The stones, for its two feet thick walls, were brought from Bajapur. Its cupolas and balustrades and its scale are directly influenced and derived from the Mughal-Hindu mixed style which characterizes Akber’s Fathepur Sikri. It is perhaps the only example of its type left in Karachi



KARACHI.CENTRAL.JAIL.1906 (BAHADUR YAR JUNG ROAD )

Once located at the northern edge of the city, the Karachi Central Jail, completed in 1906, now lies almost in the heart of city. Orginally a 13 ft high wall enclosed an area of 10,889 square yards and was planned on what was then considered the modern cubicle design. It was meant to house 325 male and 17 female prisoners. The Karachi Jail has housed many prominent leaders of the Pakistan Freedom Movement, including Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar who in September 1921 was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment here. During his stay in Karachi Jail, he wrote his famous autobiography my life: A Fragment



KARACHI PORT TRUST 1915 ( M.A. JINNAH ROAD )

This Renaissance Style building, designed by G. Wittet, Consulting Architect to the Government of Bombay, is located opposite Qamar House, a short distance away from Merewether Tower. Completed in 1915 at a cost of Rs. 9,74,990 it was inaugurated by Lord Willington, Governor of Bombay on Jan 5, 1916. A month later it was converted into a 500-bed military hospital for British forces engaged in World War I and was named No.1 Indian General Hospital. From May 6, 1919 when the military vacated the premises, it was reconverted to its original use. Three storey in height, the ground floor has channeled masonry walls , while the two upper storey, treated in continuity, are adorned with architraves, friezes and cornices.



MAZAAR.OF.QUAID-E-AZAM MOHAMMAD ALI JINNAH 1970
M.A. JINNAH ROAD

Located in the heart of the City, this mausoleum harbors the mortal remains of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of the Nation. Completed in 1970, it is the design of Architect yahya Merchant. From a total reserved area of 131.58 acres an enclosed quadrangular area of about 61 acres is occupied by the main mausoleum building which is placed on an elevated 90 ft square platform. Its massive tapered walls are crowned at the top by a semi-circular dome, 70 ft in diameter. The size of the podium at the base is 300 x 275 ft and the total height of the mausoleum from podium to the top of the dome is 106 ft 6 inches. An 80 ft long chandelier in four tiers and with 48 lights gifted by the Peoples Republic of China, decorates the interior. Graves of our other great leaders, Quaid-e-Millet Liaquat Ali Khan, the First Prime minister of Pakistan, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah (Quaid-e-Azam’s sister), Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar and Mr. Noorul Amin are also located nearby.



FLAG.STAFF.HOUSE1865( FATIMA JINNAH ROAD )

Flag Staff House was purchased by the Father of Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 1947 from its owner Sohrab Katrak, a leading citizen of Karachi. Designed by Engineer Moncriff for the Karachi Brigade Commander, it was built in the colonial style with buff stone in fine ashler masonry around the year 1865. This approximate date is recorded from the tiles used on the roof which bear the inscription Patent Basel Mission Tile Works, 1865. Upon construction it was used as the residence of Gen. Douglas Gracy, Commanding Officer of Sind Area, i.e. it was the official Residence of the GOC and hence it was known as the Flag Staff House. The 10, 214 sq yd plot of land and the House are now owned by the Federal Ministry of Culture which plans to convert it into a Museum-cum-Library in memory of the Quaid-e-Azam. It is presently being restored.



SINDH ASSEMBLY BUILDING 1942 ( COURT ROAD )

Located diagonally opposite the Sind High Court Building, this imposing structure was built in the year 1942 and serves as a meeting place for the elected members of the provincial parliament. It is simple and straight forward in its architectural design and shows influences of the colonial style. After independence the constituent assembly of Pakistan met in this building. The Quaid-e-Azam was speaker of this constituent assembly. An objective resolution moved by Shaheed-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan was passed in this building. It was here that the National Standard was also presented and approved by the constituent assembly. The constitutions of 1954 and 1956 were adopted here before the capital was shifted to Islamabad, three years later.

SIND MADRESSAH-TUL-ISLAM (1885) SHAHRAH-E-LIAQUAT

The Sind Madressah-Tul-Islam, an Alma Mater of the Father of the Nation and dozens of other national leaders, who played prominent roles in the creation of Pakistan, is located on Shahrah-e-Liaquat and was the first Muslim educational complex built in Sind. The Madressah (school) was initiated on 1st Sept. 1885 in a rented two storied building near Bolton Market by K.M. Hassanally Effendi. Upon completion of this building on 14th Nov. 1890, the Madressah moved to the current premises and has functioned uninterruptedly since then. The current site itself was previously a Municipal camel camping ground (carvansarai) which was bestowed by the Karachi Municipality to the Madressah Board. The building was designed by James Strachen according to the sketches of K.B. Wali Mohammad and its foundation stone was laid by Lord Duffering on 14th Nov.1887. The total cost of construction of the main Madressah building came to Rs. 1,97,188

WAZIR MANSION

Foremost among Karachi's historic building is the birthplace of Quaid-e-Azam. The house is balconied, three-storied structure on Newneham Road, located in Kharadar, one of the oldest residential areas of the city. The house has been declared a protected national monument.



QUAID-E-AZAM'S MAUSOLEUM

This white marble Mausoleum with its curved Moorish arches and copper grills resets on an elevated 54 sq. meters platform. The cool inner sanctum reflects the green of a four-tiered crystal chandelier gifted by the peoples Republic of China. The memorial slab framed with silver railings dawns people from far and wide who come to pay their respects to the father of the Nation and to watch the impressive changing of guards ceremony that takes place everyday. Today the Quaid-e-Azam's Mausoleum is a prominent and impressive landmark of Karachi. Nearby are the graves of the “Quaid-e-Millet”. Liaqat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Quaid`s sister, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah.



LIAQUAT HALL/BAGH-E-JINNAH

Surrounded by the green Bah-e-Jinnah, Liaqat Hall, originally the freer hall was once the Town Hall where inc colonial days, concerts and social events were held regularly. This two-storied Venetian Gothic building now houses the Liaqat Municipal Library on the ground floor and an art gallery on the upper storey. Named after one of Pakistan's renowned artists, Sadequain the gallery displays a permanent collection of the artists work, Sadequain spent the last years of his life painting a huge mural on the ceiling of the gallery but, sadly, did not lived to complete it.



NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PAKISTAN / BURNS GARDEN

This museum, on Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road , contains an important collections of items relating to Pakistan's ancient heritage. Well arranged galleries display Indus Civilization, Gandhara sculptures, Islamic art paintings ancient coins and manuscripts documenting Pakistan's political history. There is also an interesting ethnological gallery

Masjid e Tooba Situated in the Defence Housing Authority area, close to the market, the enormous dome to the Masjid - e - Tooba covers a central hall which can accommodate a congregation of 5,000. The single minaret stands 70 metres high.
Merewether
Tower Situated in the heart of the business centre. Merewether Tower is another landmark of Karachi. It stands 35 metres high and carries a four faced clock.
Fyzee Rahamin Art Gallery

The Fyzee Rahamin Art Gallery and Reference Library to Fine Art Books (Aiwan - e - Rifat) on M R Kiyani road is favourite haven of art lovers.