Mazar-e-Quaid

Location and the notable ceremonies:

The Jamshed Quarters area near Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi is the location of the tomb. Quad-e-Azam died in 1948 but the tomb was constructed 12 years after his death in 1960. The location is considerably calm as compared to the city buzz of one of the largest global economies which is centered not too far from the spot. The Karachiites can see the glowing and marvelous tomb from several miles at the night time. There are a few military and official ceremonies held here on annual basis on different notable occasions such as Pakistan Day (23rd August), Independence Day (14th August), Quaid’s birthday (25th December) and Quaid’s Death anniversary (11th September). When some dignitaries or other significant people from different countries visit Karachi then they do visit Mazar-e-Quaid on their official tour to the country which is a gesture of respect for the great Quaid-e-Azam.

Architecture:

The architecture of Mazar-e-Quaid has magnificent visual appeal. The design of the building was given by Yahya Merchant who is a renowned architect on global scale. The structure is built using the white marble having curved arches. The copper grills of the monument are elevated over a platform of 54 square meters. The covered area of Mazar-e-Quaid is 53 hectare and the dimensions of the center building are 75 x75 meters with a height of 43meters. The platform over which the building stood is 4 meters high above the ground surface. The entrance to the center building is given from all the 4 sides of the wall.

There are 15 fountains installed in succession which leads to the main platform from one side. From all the other sides, the terraced avenues lead to the main gates of the place. The inner chamber reflects beautifully the green of the 4-tiered dapper looking crystal chandelier. The chandelier has great relevance at Mazar-e-Quaid as it is a gift given by the People’s Republic of China who is the best friend country of Pakistan. The park that spans all around the mausoleum is decorated with spectacular beamed spot lights giving a charismatic feeling at night time that mesmerizes all its visitors. The beamed spot light is creatively projected at the mausoleum which further adds to the beauty and charm of the place.

In the grave complex, three graves are in succession while one is at the northern side. The northern grave is of Fatima Jinnah which is beautifully decorated with black floral design at its base. For the other three graves, the one at the northern side is of Liaquat Ali Khan. The southern end grave is of Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar and the middle one is of Noorul Ameen who was the Vice President of Pakistan. All the 4 graves here have a box type exterior and they are made from white marble (Italian).

Visitors Attraction:

Karachi is the 16th largest city of the world with lots of tourist attractions where Mazar-e-Quaid also holds a pivotal place.

As it is the last resting place of Quaid-e-Azam who is the founder of Pakistan, so every government gives special importance to the maintenance and preservation of Mazar-e-Quaid. It is the responsibility of the Sindh government primarily to look after its care and they are doing a good job. Proper security and maintenance staff is there who ensure that the place is well maintained with no signs of quality deterioration. Military professionals also take part in the security of Mazar-e-Quaid which significantly improves the level of services. It is probably the most well maintained significant monument of Pakistan which is visited by millions of visitors every year.

Frere Hall,Karachi

Location:

The Frere Hall is centrally located in the urban area of the city between the Abdullah Haroon Road and the Fatima Jinnah Road right in the midst of 2 spectacular lawns which extends well till these roads. The location is in the Civil Lines which is just next to the popular Marriott Hotel of Karachi. The Sindh Club, Japanese consulate and the US consulate are just a stone’s throw away.

History:

The enormous Frere hall was initiated in 1863 and the construction process was accomplished in just 2 years in 1865. It was initially used as a Town Hall during the British era. In the same British Colonial Era, the hall served as a house for displaying several busts which includes King Edward VII as well which was given as a gift from Seth Dinshaw. The Frere Hall has also staged several oil paintings on display of the former Commissioners in Sindh which includes the renowned personalities such as Sir Evan James and Sir Charles Pritchard.

It was in the Frere Hall in the year 1877 when the British rulers sat down to make an attempt for establishing the rules for the game of Badminton which was rising in popularity at that time.

Unfortunately, there was a terrorist attack just outside the US consulate which is next to Frere Hall, resulted in the closure of the place for general public until 2011 when it reopened in full bloom once again. The Hall reopened in the spring of 2011 as the US consulate by then was relocated in Karachi.

 

Architecture:

There were 12 architects who came up with the proposed design for the Frere Hall and the selected one came from Lt. Col Clair Wilson whose design standout among all. The hall was inaugurated in 1865 by Samuel Mansfield. Te total cost on the construction of the Frere Hall was 180,000 at that time. The government contributed with 10,000 towards the cost while the major contribution was made by the municipality.

Frere Hall is constructed in the Gothic Style (Venetian) using yellowish limestone with red and gray sandstones of Jungshai. In the exterior of the main Frere Hall are two scenic lawns which were originally named as Kin’s Lawn and the Queen’s Lawn.

There is a book fair organized on Sundays in its courtyards which have become the center of attention of many bookworms in Karachi and everybody else who visit the place from some other location

Gorakh Hill

History:

Different opinions have been given about the history and origin of the hill station. It is said that the great medieval Hindu saint, Sri Gorakhnath Ji, had extensively wandered in hills and the region. According to Nandu, an authority on Sanskrit, Gorakh is a Sanskrit word which means “shepherding of sheep, cow and goat etc.”

Tourism:

The Gorakh Hill station is situated 423 km from Karachi and nearly 8 hours driving distance.The Hill station attracts thousands of tourists from the city.

Climate:

Gorakh’s elevation gives it a special climate, with sub-zero temperatures during winter and generally below 20 °C in summer, with about 120 mm of average annual rainfall. The Government of Sindh is in the process of constructing a new road from Dadu to Gorakh Hill. There is a new rest house for visitors on the hill. Tourists can arrange their own transport from Sehwan Sharif to the hill station.

Mohenjo daro

Location:

Mohenjo-daro is located west of the Indus River in Larkana District, Sindh, Pakistan, in a central position between the Indus River and the Ghaggar-Hakra River. It is sited on a Pleistocene ridge in the middle of the flood plain of the Indus River Valley, around 28 kilometres (17 mi) from the town of Larkana. The ridge was prominent during the time of the Indus Valley Civilization, allowing the city to stand above the surrounding flood, but subsequent flooding has since buried most of the ridge in silt deposits. The Indus still flows east of the site, but the Ghaggar-Hakra riverbed on the western side is now dry.

Historical context:

Mohenjo-daro was built in the 26th century BCE. It was one of the largest cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, which developed around 3,000 BCE from the prehistoric Indus culture. At its height, the Indus Civilization spanned much of what is now Pakistan and North India, extending westwards to the Iranian border, south to Gujarat in India and northwards to an outpost in Bactria, with major urban centers at Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Dholavira and Rakhigarhi.
Mohenjo-daro was the most advanced city of its time, with remarkably sophisticated civil engineering and urban planning. When the Indus civilization went into sudden decline around 1900 BCE, Mohenjo-daro was abandoned.

Conservation and current state:

An initial agreement to fund restoration was agreed through the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris on 27 May 1980.