A GLANCE FROM THE WINDOWS OF THE PAST

Historical places are not only assets and a good source of tourism and income for the country but also promotes the culture and traditions that are still affecting this new generation. It is the duty of the concerned ministries or department to maintain and protect their heritage.

Few weeks ago I had a chance to wander around the city with few other batch mates and visit the bygone and ancient pre-partition buildings. Finally I got the time and enough motivation to write something about it.

Entrance to The Empress Market, Karachi

This old fashioned supermarket was constructed between 1884 and 1889 and was named to commemorate Queen Victoria, Empress of India. Today, it is amongst the most popular and busy places for shopping in Karachi and reflects as one of few historical places in Karachi.

The next destination was the fere hall but we stopped by the Quaid-e-Azam House, also known as “Flagstaff House”.

The front view of the Quaid-e-Azam House

This house was purchased by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, few years before the partition. This house was used as his personal residence, along with his sister’s, til his death. In 1985, this building was acquired by the government of Pakistan to be used as museum, dedicated to Jinnah’s personal life.

A magnificent view of The Frere Hall

Frere Hall is located at a distance of few meters from the Flagship House and is one of the remnant buildings of the British Colonial era that still exists in Karachi, Pakistan. Built in the honor of Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere and after his death, served as an art museum for paintings and books from the British Colonial era. It is still open for the public and includes the aesthetic and artistic master pieces of Sadequain. Frere Hall is an attractive spot for the tourists due to its notable and gorgeous architecture.

The next and the last stop was The Mohatta Palace.

Probably few of the places where you will find the Greek, Roman and Indian statues. It was built in the posh seaside locale of Clifton by Shivratan Chandratan Mohatta, a Hindu businessman as his summer home. Mohatta left Karachi after the partition and so this palace was acquired by the government of Pakistan to house the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1947. Fatima Jinnah, the sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, moved into it in 1964. In 1995 it was purchased by the Government of Sindh to be served as a museum devoted to the arts of Pakistan.

This was a one-day trip but I am hoping to visit other historical places too in the coming. And let’s hope I get to post them as soon as possible =p