Karachi Historical Buildings

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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 1^st Sept. 1885 in a rented two storied building near Bolton Market by K.M. Hassanally Effendi. Upon completion of this building on 14^th 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 14^th Nov.1887. The total cost of construction of the main Madressah building came to Rs. 1,97,188.