Some of the shop-owners have been working in the market for decades. Take for instance, Abdul Rehman who is a luggage expert working in the bazaar for about 40 years now. From the damaged locks to broken handles of luggage, Abdul Rehman provides a one-stop shop for all problems related to luggage.
Bohri bazaar is the one of the oldest marketplaces of Karachi, located in the heart of the city. It was established before independence, which makes some of these shops more than a 100 years old.
The bazaar has witnessed two horrific disasters, one of which was in 1958 when a huge fire broke out in a fireworks shop. The building, which was mainly made of wood, and another one nearby were burnt beyond recognition. The second incident took place in the 1980s when two bomb blast claimed dozens of innocent lives. The Bohri community also played an important role in reconstructing the market. (Photos by Eefa Khalid/ Hussain Afzal and Text by Suhail Yusuf)
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I always remember the hotel/restaurant we frequented.It was located on Clarke St at its
junction with the end of Somerset St. They served fantastic halwa/puri. Further in was a
small hole in the wall shop I bought all the cricket gear for the company team. Then there were the Lassi outlets in line with the channa/cholay sellers. Those were good days.
I have seen the old Bohri Bazaar…I was raised there…an awsesome bazaar…even way back in 1960 you could find anything and everything…good to be reminded…I enjoyed the NIMCO corner…
The pictures have no life and are too dark. I could have taken better pictures then these with my 5mpx digital camera. Not a good job at all.
Great job, indeed! I'm sure Dawn will continue to remind us of our insensitivity to our history, heritage and culture.
Thank you for capturing every mood of my fav bazaar however; I feel that you have not done justice to the subject since you didn’t cover any architecture of the bazaar… the entrance, a few buildings e.g. liberty uniform etc. Anyway, I love visiting this place and we need to work on preserving the place.
Thank you so much of taking us down to our memory lane. I left Pakistan after completing college. One of our finest moments was visiting Bohri Bazaar especially the Nimko, I miss these places. These place remind us of our heritage, culture, and the core values of our society, we must strive to preserve these place and provide adequate services to the shop owners
Enjoy a lot the old and historical side of karachi. I would like to see similar pictorial view highlighting similar sites of karachi.
been living abroad for 43 yrs. but still love visiting bohri bazaar when ever i go to karachi.
always reminds me of my very first visit at 10, with my father and sister , had the most refreshing falouda on a very hot day. amazingly despite haidri,defence and all the aircon malls, one still finds more variety here. the shopkeepers are true examples of sitting it out whatever the political, economic and other upheavels bring. pakistan zindabad.
You know what's more unique about Bohri's is their SIMPLE, ELEGANT, COST EFFECTIVE weddings. I only attended one but it was great by all [middle class] standards. Perhaps that could be a social motivator for others to follow, I don't know [due to privacy] if someone want to share a ceremony or two with Pakistan, but it would be a leading example for others to follow.
The kids of today know only Park Towers n such.
Bohri Bazaar was our Park Towers. Infact for me it was almost a 2nd home. Whenever anything was needed, it was off to Bohri Bazaar with my Mum n Dad.
What lovely memories!!!
what a wonderful photos of place which wa use be play-ground for us be fore partition
great article but i was wish pictures were a little better! like the boy 'selling' sunglasses didnt have any lol… they should do this more often and remind us of gr8 places in karachi!!!
What a smell of love…
We too have similar bazar in Hyderabad, India. I am afraid that these small shop chains are being killed by corporate malls. At my place every girl/women would go to Carminar/Koti [Similar place as in pics] at least once in the life time to buy bangles or sandals. Such places are always sacred and wonderful as they just give joy wether you buy stuff or window shop.
May God bless you..
Even though we live in Defence/Clifton going to shop at Bohri Bazaar still remains a treat for the whole family…. for security reasons as also serious problems for parking we rarely get a chance but, really enjoy going there whenever it is at all possible… The 'bohri shopkeepers' should start a TRAINING SCHOOLfor salemen/girls for all the huge stores that have sprung up in all the other areas as there seems to be something seriously lacking in their behaviour and general attitude towards clients…….
It is so very refreshing to revisit the good old days when we were living right where the bazar is. i wish the bazar stays as it is and no commercial mall takes its place.
beautiful pictures,it brought back a nostalgic feeling,i miss the pictures of books selling
on the footpaths,and roof top cafe on zabunnina street.Nagori shop remind me that zari
chappals were unaffordable by me in 1960s.So i bought one for my son in 2009,which
he loves too much.Love pakistan,love karachi and love bohri bazar.
Nice pictures and great descriptions. Keep up the good job Eefa and Dawn!
great pictures
Good article the pictures could have been better but its good to revisit Bohri Bazar.
The one & only Nimko that was there in Karachi while others carried similar snacks, my most favorite samosas with daal & other fillings.
Now its seems that either others have copy catted this name NIMKO or are those franchises?
They filled a lot of my party orders in the 50's & 60's.
I hope the boy has some plans to buy sunglasses.
thank you for reminding us of the interesting places we have. All that needs to be done is improve/replace the electrical wirings, fix the drainage system. We must retain and strengthen such places and be proud of them
All my family had been shopping at bori bazar for decades..I very well remenber the incident of fire at the location when I was a kid..even when I visit Pakistan ,I shop in saddar area.thank you for memories.