Karachi Time Machine
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Zaibunissa Street ?
Zaibunissa Street was previously known as Elphinstone Street, in honour of a British official Monstuart Elphinstone (1779?1859).
The Zaibunissa Street with its Renaissance-style buildings is one of the busiest market streets of Karachi and features countless shops selling antiquities, clothes and other artifacts that attract people from all over the world. ? Left side image: Dawn archives](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/zaibunnissa-street.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
Zaibunissa Street ?
Zaibunissa Street was previously known as Elphinstone Street, in honour of a British official Monstuart Elphinstone (1779?1859).
The Zaibunissa Street with its Renaissance-style buildings is one of the busiest market streets of Karachi and features countless shops selling antiquities, clothes and other artifacts that attract people from all over the world. ? Left side image: Dawn archives")
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DJ Science College ?
Diwan Dayaram Jethamal Science College commonly known as D J Science College was named after its chief founder in 1887.
It was first established in 1882 under the name of ?Sindh Arts College? and was inaugurated by Lord Reay, Governor of Bombay in a lodge on Bunder Road.
Situated in the heart of old Karachi, the foundation was laid in by Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India.
This year the institute celebrated 125 years of existence. ? Left side image: Dawn archiv](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/dj-college.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
DJ Science College ?
Diwan Dayaram Jethamal Science College commonly known as D J Science College was named after its chief founder in 1887.
It was first established in 1882 under the name of ?Sindh Arts College? and was inaugurated by Lord Reay, Governor of Bombay in a lodge on Bunder Road.
Situated in the heart of old Karachi, the foundation was laid in by Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India.
This year the institute celebrated 125 years of existence. ? Left side image: Dawn archiv")
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Clarke Street ?
A view of a street in the Saddar area of Karachi, showing the St.Patrick's Cathedral in the background.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi, is situated on Shahrah-e-Iraq which was previously known as Clarke Street.
The church was initially built on the grounds of this cathedral in 1845. ? Left side image: Dawn archives](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/clerkstreet.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
Clarke Street ?
A view of a street in the Saddar area of Karachi, showing the St.Patrick's Cathedral in the background.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi, is situated on Shahrah-e-Iraq which was previously known as Clarke Street.
The church was initially built on the grounds of this cathedral in 1845. ? Left side image: Dawn archives")
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East Wharf ?
Located between Karachi's towns of Kemari and Saddar, the port of Karachi is the county's largest and busiest seaport.
The Port manages about 60 per cent of the nation's cargo which calculates up to 25 million tons per annum and has seventeen vessel berths. ? Left side image: ?The Citizens Archive of Pakistan/A Guide to Karachi, PI Publications](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/east-wharf-west-wharf-dry-docks.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
East Wharf ?
Located between Karachi's towns of Kemari and Saddar, the port of Karachi is the county's largest and busiest seaport.
The Port manages about 60 per cent of the nation's cargo which calculates up to 25 million tons per annum and has seventeen vessel berths. ? Left side image: ?The Citizens Archive of Pakistan/A Guide to Karachi, PI Publications")
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The Empress Market ?
Constructed between 1884 and 1889, the Empress Market is one of the busiest and renowned historical structures of Karachi that traces its origins from the British raj era.
The name commemorates the Empress of India, Queen Victoria. Planned by James Strachan, the foundations were concluded by the English firm of A.J. Attfield, and the structure was constructed by the local firm of ?Mahoomed Niwan and Dulloo Khejoo?.
Once a glorious structure and celebrated shop](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/empressmarket.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
The Empress Market ?
Constructed between 1884 and 1889, the Empress Market is one of the busiest and renowned historical structures of Karachi that traces its origins from the British raj era.
The name commemorates the Empress of India, Queen Victoria. Planned by James Strachan, the foundations were concluded by the English firm of A.J. Attfield, and the structure was constructed by the local firm of ?Mahoomed Niwan and Dulloo Khejoo?.
Once a glorious structure and celebrated shop")
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Karachi Gymkhana ?
Karachi Gymkhana was founded in 1886 and served a limited clientele. The construction of the club depicts Mock Tudor architectural style.
Gymkhana is located at Club Road Karachi which remains one of the busiest and chicest areas for hotels and restaurants. ? Left side image: Dawn archives](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/gymkhana.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
Karachi Gymkhana ?
Karachi Gymkhana was founded in 1886 and served a limited clientele. The construction of the club depicts Mock Tudor architectural style.
Gymkhana is located at Club Road Karachi which remains one of the busiest and chicest areas for hotels and restaurants. ? Left side image: Dawn archives")
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Hotel Metropole ?
Hotel Metropole was one of the busiest hotels which catered to the cr?me de la cr?me of Karachi. The hotel housed many celebrities and hosted music sessions featured both national and international artists. Hotel Metropole, undoubtedly, was one of the most sought after and busiest tourist spots.
The hotel which was known for hobnobbing with the elites lies now in tatters and is currently being used as a makeshift parking lot. ? Left side image: ?The Citizens Archiv](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/hotel-metropole.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
Hotel Metropole ?
Hotel Metropole was one of the busiest hotels which catered to the cr?me de la cr?me of Karachi. The hotel housed many celebrities and hosted music sessions featured both national and international artists. Hotel Metropole, undoubtedly, was one of the most sought after and busiest tourist spots.
The hotel which was known for hobnobbing with the elites lies now in tatters and is currently being used as a makeshift parking lot. ? Left side image: ?The Citizens Archiv")
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Mereweather Tower ?
Raised by public subscription as a cenotaph for Sir William L. Merewether, the Merewether Clock Tower was designed by James Strachen. The tower was designed in Gothic Revival style which was very common in Victorian London.
The foundation was laid by Sir Fergusson, Governer of Bombay, in 1884 and officially opened to public in 1892 by Sir Evan James. ? Left side image: ?The Citizens Archive of Pakistan/A Guide to Karachi, PI Publications](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/mereweather-tower.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
Mereweather Tower ?
Raised by public subscription as a cenotaph for Sir William L. Merewether, the Merewether Clock Tower was designed by James Strachen. The tower was designed in Gothic Revival style which was very common in Victorian London.
The foundation was laid by Sir Fergusson, Governer of Bombay, in 1884 and officially opened to public in 1892 by Sir Evan James. ? Left side image: ?The Citizens Archive of Pakistan/A Guide to Karachi, PI Publications")
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Mohatta Building ? This is now the headoffice of the Standard Chartered Bank on I.I Chundrugar Road. ? Left side image: ?The Citizens Archive of Pakistan/A Guide to Karachi, PI Publications](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/mohatta-building_new-standard-chartered-bank-building.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
Mohatta Building ? This is now the headoffice of the Standard Chartered Bank on I.I Chundrugar Road. ? Left side image: ?The Citizens Archive of Pakistan/A Guide to Karachi, PI Publications")
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Victoria Road ?
The long stretch of Victoria Road located near Elphinstone Street was known for its bustling, busy and full of life markets. Several architectural delights can be found on the entire road depicting Gothic, semi-Gothic-and Renaissance-style. The road cuts into four important sides ? from Regal to Bonus Road and from Clark Street to the Sindh High Court building.
However, new construction and modernization have affected Victoria road greatly. ? Left side image: Dawn ar](https://i.dawn.com/2012/08/victoria-road.jpg "[Click on images to enlarge]
Victoria Road ?
The long stretch of Victoria Road located near Elphinstone Street was known for its bustling, busy and full of life markets. Several architectural delights can be found on the entire road depicting Gothic, semi-Gothic-and Renaissance-style. The road cuts into four important sides ? from Regal to Bonus Road and from Clark Street to the Sindh High Court building.
However, new construction and modernization have affected Victoria road greatly. ? Left side image: Dawn ar")
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The population of Karachi grew from around 400,000 in 1947 to approximately 20 million over the period of 65 years.
When the British held complete sway over the subcontinent in the 19th century, many gothic and renaissance styled buildings were constructed all the way through the city.
These buildings were mainly located in the Saddar area of Karachi and still remain famous amongst the people. However, most of them deteriorated over time due to lack of heritage preservation.
On the other hand a city that stood half empty has developed massively over the years and the streets that only housed a handful are now bursting with buildings, people and cars.
However the ancient architecture has not lost its charm over the contemporary construction that is slowly but surely taking over.
Using images from our archive and from the Citizens Archive of Pakistan, Dawn.com went out in search of the places from these old photos — to shoot, document and present just how much the city of Karachi has changed over the years.
— All coloured images and text by Shameen Khan & Nadir Siddiqui/Dawn.com
