Karachi is the capital of the province of Sindh and the largest city in Pakistan. Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, northwest of the Indus River Delta, the mega city is the largest city, original capital and cultural, economic, philanthropic, educational, and political hub, as well as the largest port, of the country. The metropolitan area along with its suburbs comprises the world’s second most populated city, spread over 3,530 square kilometers.
The city was visited by Ottoman Admiral Seydi Ali Reis in the 1550s and mentioned in his book Mirat ul Memalik (The Mirror of Countries), 1557 CE. The present city started life as a fishing settlement when a Balochi fisherwoman called Mai Kolachi took up residence and started a family. The village that later grew out of this settlement was known as Kolachi-jo-Goth (Village of Kolachi in Sindhi). By the late 1700s, the village was trading across the Arabian Sea with Muscat and the Persian Gulf region. A small fort was constructed for its protection, armed with cannons imported from Muscat. The fort had two main gateways: one facing the sea, known as Kharra Darwaaza (Brackish Gate) and the other facing the Lyari River known as the Meet’ha Darwaaza (Sweet Gate) (Mithadar). The location of these gates corresponds to the modern areas of Kharadar and Mithadar. (pqa.gov.pk)
Itinerary
Day 01: One-day Karachi trip
Pick up from your location and proceed to visit the historical building and the most revered premises in Karachi, the Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam M. A. Jinnah. Built entirely of white marble, its impressive dome, North African arches, magnificent crystal chandeliers of Chinese origin, copper grills, silver grave railing and changing of the guards lend it an air of serenity and solemnity.
Later visit of National Museum of Pakistan, which contains an important collection of items relating to Pakistan’s ancient heritage. Well-arranged galleries display Indus Civilization, Gandhara sculptures, Islamic art, miniature paintings ancient coins and manuscripts all Documenting Pakistan’s history. An interesting ethnological gallery can be seen as well. Continue to visit the State Bank of Pakistan Museum & Art Gallery a museum that was established in 2004 to introduce the first Monetary Museum of Pakistan. The current State Bank of Pakistan Museum & Art Gallery building, which was previously the Imperial Bank of India, is a Greeco Roman building in Jodhpuri Red Sandstone constructed in the 1920s by the British government. In 2004, the State Bank of Pakistan decided to re-adopt this building as a museum, and work on the projects started in 2006 was devoted to the conservation of the building and acquisition of the collection Later visit to Mohatta Palace, admired for its lively Mughal air, and also known as Qasr-e-Fatima because of its association with Fatima Jinnah, the sister of M.A. Jinnah. Fatima Jinnah lived in this house from 1964 until her death in 1967. Mohatta Palace was built in the late 1920‟s and has been recently refurbished1927, Shiv Rattan Mohatta, a successful Marwari entrepreneur, commissioned a palatial house in the affluent seaside neighborhood of Clifton. Mohatta had made his fortune as a ship handler and trader. The architect commissioned for his palace, Ahmed Hussein Agha, was one of the first Muslim architects of India and had come from Jaipur to take up an assignment as chief surveyor for the Karachi Municipality. Ahmed Hussein Agha designed a number of buildings in Karachi but Mohatta Palace was to prove the coup de maitre of his professional career. Working in a Mughal revival style with a combination of locally available yellow Gizri and pink stone from Jodhpur, he sought to recreate the Anglo-Mughal palaces of the Rajput princes.
Suggested Dinner at Do Darya restaurants or Port Grand.