Classical Karachi

[Edevelop]

McLeod Road Karachi 1943 (now I.I Chundrigar road). Karachi welcomes Quaid-e-Azam M.A. Jinnah.

British Napier Barracks, Karachi, in 1910

T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) in Karachi, 1927.

Karachi Tram circa 1946

One of the familiar, (and very noisy) trams that used to operate between Soldier Bazaar and Keamari docks. A tram service was first introduced to Karachi in 1885 by the East India Tramway Company. The first tracks were laid from the Napier Mole bridge to Keamari and later extended throughout the city and cantonment. The service from the Cantonment Railway Station to Soldier Bazaar ran past our house in Fraser Road, (215 E.I Lines). All gone now.

The following photo is courtesy of Zain Yoonas. It shows a tram on Bandar Road (now M.A.Jinnah Road) in 1933.

The Frere Hall
With venetian gothic architecture, the Frere Hall Library is the most readily recognizable classical landmark of Karachi

St. Patrick's Cathedral

 

[Edevelop]

The Karachi Port Trust
This building with neo-classical rennaisance architecture stands out on the port side of Karachi. During the World War II, it was converted into a 500 bed hospital.

The Dayaram Jethmal Science College

 

[Edevelop]

The Karachi Municipal Corporation Building

The Karachi Municipal Corporation (defunct) building is probably the crown jewel of colonial era architecture in the city. It is made out of local gizri sandstone with a jodhpur red sandstone facing. The architecture is Anglo-mogul. The clock tower was made to commemorate the visit of King George V. Currently, this building and its surroundings are in a massive state of degradation and it needs urgent renovation efforts.

The Sindh Madarssah tul Islam

This illustrious institution has been the alma mater of many prominent historic personalities in Pakistani and subcontinental history.

The Victoria Museum

This building of the old Victoria Museum currently houses the Karachi branch of the Pakistan Supreme Court.

The State Bank of Pakistan Library

 

[Edevelop]

The Mohatta Palace Museum

This beautiful building served as a residency of Miss Fatima Jinnah. Now it houses a museum.

Clifton Pavillion and Kothari Parade

The Kothari Parade was a generous public gift by a prominant citizen and philanthropist of Karachi, Jehangir Kothari. The landmark extends towards the shore along the decorated architectural pathway

The Empress Market

This very famous and very very misused landmark is an architectural jewel of Karachi since its early days. Currently, a crowded wholesale market marrs its beautiful architecture.

The Hindu Gymkhana

Currently, this building has been converted into a performing arts center

 

[Edevelop]

The Sindh High Court

Neo-classical architecture, made from red jodhpur sandstone

The Trinity Church

The Trinity Church Karachi whose bell tower used to function as a lighthouse in the early days of Karachi (two upper storeys of the tower were later removed due to foundation weaknesses):

Old City Jail

This building on M. A. Jinnah Rd, once housed the Karachi city jail. Now it is a courthouse.

Indus Valley Building

This colonial era building was relocated and reconstructed by the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture from somewhere in Saddar to its campus premises

Building of the former Shipping Agency (now houses the Saudi Pak Bank)

The Sind Club

Mama Mansions -1920

 

[airmarshal]

Thank you so so much for posting. Thank you!

 

[Edevelop]

Star Cinema - 1913

1920

Somewhere in Sindh, most likely Karachi -1920

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

I dont know why i hate karachi... n even lahore..

 

[Pakistanisage]

Thank you for sharing these beautiful and nostalgic Pictures...

 

[Hemlock Khalid]

excellent piece of history

 

[Edevelop]

Hotel Metropole Karachi - 1957

A scene from #Karachi's Elphinstone Street (now Zebunnisa Street) during 1940s

Eid prayer Nursery Masjid P.E.C.H.S block/6 main Shahrah-e-Faisal in early 50s

People out in streets & balconies, Sept 11, 1948

Namaz-e-janaza for Quaid

Sind Club 1928

Sindh-Club-and-the-Frere-Hall-1890

The Sheraton Karachi stands at the site where the Palace Hotel once stood

 

[Edevelop]

We used to have fire hydrant and water channels on streets! I guess they are no more !!

1957-58

Map of Karachi, 1893

A pic of karachi from 1976.

Karachi in 1962

1954

 

[Edevelop]

Eduljee Dinshaw Charity hospital, 1913

Saddar Bazaar

Bolton Market, 1920

Manora

 

[Edevelop]

Maghar Pier 1905

Kothari Parade 1910

 

[Edevelop]

Bath Island road

Karachi Gymkhana (1900)

Bird's eye view with Napier Barracks (1900)

Roman Catholic Church (1900)

1982

Karachi Gymkhana

Boat Club

St Andrews Church