Classical Architecture of K A R A C H I , Pakistan - Hardly seen Pictures !

All the following are materials of Swerveut and belong to him

Karachi was a small fishing village before it was incorporated into the British Empire on 3rd Feburary 1839. This is the turning point that converted this sleepy fishing village into a bustling megapolitan city in a matter of a century and a half.

The British recognized the importance of the Karachi harbor and developed into a port city for the produce of North India. Consequently, Karachi experienced a great boom of buisness and industry and was a prime economic city even before the independence of Pakistan. Population and buisness activity in the city blossomed rapidly in the city in its early days, and still continues to do so which is a testament to the enormous potential of the city.

Since Karachi developed very rapidly in the days of the British empire, it is very rich in classical heritage that is slowly crumbling away.




The Frere Hall

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












St. Patrick's Cathedral










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












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.












An old Dispensary near the Port

Now has a modern hospital designed around it.






The Mereweather Memorial Tower

This gothic architecture tower, was built to commemorate the illustrious service of a prominent civil servant of Karachi.








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








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












Jinnah Courts Hostels

presently the Rangers Headquarters






Beaufort Building

currently under threat of destruction.








The Sindh High Court

Neo-classical architecture, made from red jodhpur sandstone






The Karachi Chamber of Commerce 1

Building 1 has a neo-classical styling






The Karachi Chamber of Commerce 2

Building 2 has a mughal gothic style of architecture. This building is also under urgent threat from unchecked construction and disrepair.










The Karachi Cantonment Station








Karachi Cotton Exchange






The Chapel at the St. Joseph's Convent School






The St. Joseph's Convent College






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.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a97/historickarachi/Colonial%20Public%20Bldgs/CityCourtsJailKarachi.jpg




[b]The Quaid e Azam (Jinnah) House in front of Avari Towers:

[img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a97/historickarachi/Other%20Historical/KarachiK062.jpg




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






The Elphinstone Street in Saddar






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






The Sind Club








The St. Andrews Church in Saddar