St. Patrick’s Cathedral karachi

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi, is situated on Shahrah-e-Iraq, formerly known as Clarke Street, located near the Empress Market in Karachi, Pakistan.

The first church in Sindh (except for possibly one in Thatta) was initially built on the grounds of this cathedral in 1845, and was called St. Patrick’s Church. It was in April 1881 that the present cathedral was opened, since the Christian community grew in number, and the need for a larger place of worship became apparent. Despite the construction of the new building, the little church continued to function until it was destroyed by a storm in 1885.

The present-day cathedral is built in Gothic Revival architecture; it measures 52 metres by 22 metres, and has the capacity to accommodate at least 1,500 worshippers at the same time. It was designed and realized by three members of the Society of Jesus: The design of the cathedral was conceived by the architect Father Karl Wagner, SJ and the construction was supervised by the lay Brothers George Kluver, SJ and Herman Lau, SJ.

The Gazetteer of the Province of Sindh provides a description of the cathedral:

"Its exterior is not ornamental, though striking from a distance, but money and art have been lavished on the interior. The chancel, itself spacious, acquires a special impressiveness but its additional height, while the noble contours of the aspiring altar are seen to the best advantage. The whole interior is painted in oil and the windows are all of stained glass, the members of the congregation."

In 1978 the cathedral celebrated its centenary. The Pakistan Post Office issued special commemorative stamps on the occasion. Pope John Paul I sent special greetings and blessings on the occasion.

In November 1991 the cathedral was visited by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Cardinal Joseph Cordeiro of Karachi also spoke on the occasion.

A bomb exploded inside the Cathedral causing an injury and destruction. The explosion on December 22, 1998, occurred minutes after the congregation celebrated Mass. Most people had departed when the bomb went off. One woman was wounded and there was partial damage to the interior of the 120-year-old Cathedral.

The cathedral's grounds are adorned with a marble Monument to Christ the King, which was constructed in 1931 to commemorate the memory of the JesuitMission in Sindh. The Parish Priest in 1999 was Father Edward Joseph.

In 2003, the cathedral was declared as a protected monument because of its outstanding architectural beauty under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Protection Act. The Parish Priest at the time was Fr. Joseph D’Mello.

The Cathedral, with a seating capacity of 2,000, used to be the biggest Catholic church in the country. On 9 November 2011 the apostolic nuncio to Pakistan Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra blessed St. Peter’s Church, Karachi, now the largest Catholic church in Pakistan. It can seat 5,000 people.

In the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, the Cathedral had a polyphonic choir of about thirty members; The members were: Sopranos: Jessie Fernandez Olive D'Costa Mary D'Silva Hilda Freitas Winnie Lobo Carol Lobo

Altos: Essie Menezes Emma Correa Nita Dias Maureen Rodrigues

Bases: Eustach Caldera Sonoo D'Abreo Austen Frietas Isaac Noronha R.C Fernandes

Tenors: Vincent D'Abreo Vincent Lobo Glenn D'Abreo Hector Lewis Joseph Moniz

The choir was conducted at first in the 20s and 30s by Carlos Fernandes, who was replaced by C.M. Lobo until the early 70s when he was replaced by his nephew Vincent Lobo. The organists for the choir had been C.M. Lobo before he took over the position of director and then Leo DeSousa who was followed by Fr. Ronnie Colaco until the choir folded in May 1974. It was never replaced by a polyphonic choral group of its previous capability.

Karachi Port Trust (KPT)

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is a Pakistani federal government agency that oversees the operations of the Port of Karachi in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Between 1880 and 1887, the port was administered by the Karachi Harbour Board. The Karachi Port Trust was then established by the Act IV of 1886, effective from 1 April 1887.

 History

Karachi due to its geographical and strategic location is known as the gateway to Asia. Considered as a safe harbor since time immemorial, Karachi was a small fishing village in early nineteenth century. Historians identify it with its proximity to a place from where a part of Alexander's Army, boarded the Greek Flotilla in 326 B.C. The first mention of Karachi as a port is found in an Arabic treatise 'Muhit' on navigation relating to the West Coast of India and the Persian Gulf. Written in 1558, this treatise warns the sailors of whirlpools and advises them to seek safety in Karachi Harbor if they found themselves drifting dangerously. It is also significant to mention that the first Muslim Conqueror of India, Mohammad Bin Qasim, landed at Daibal, in vicinity of Karachi in 711 A.D. Karachi also has the distinction of being the birthplace of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and was the first capital of Pakistan till 1963. It is now the largest city with a bustling and ever increasing population of over ten million. By 1852, Karachi was an established city with a population of about 14,000 with a prosperous trade in over-seas markets. However, the existing Port started taking shape in 1854, when the projects of dredging the main navigable channel and the construction of a mole or causeway joining the main harbor with the rest of the city were undertaken. About 5 years later, construction of Manora Breakwater, Keamari Groyne, the Napier Mole Bridge, Native Jetty and the Chinna Creek were started which gave initial shape to the port. The construction of the wharves started in 1882, and by 1914 the East Wharves and the Napier Mole Boat Wharf had been completed. During the period between 1927 and 1944, the West Wharves of the Port, the lighterage berths and the ship-repairing berths were constructed. Most of these facilities were obsolete by the time Pakistan came into existence in 1947. Since then, the port administration has embarked on extensive development of the port on modern lines. At the time of independence in 1947, the Port capacity was about 1.5 million tons of dry cargo and 1.0 million tons of P.O.L. products per annum. Karachi Port is now handling over 11.74 million tons of liquid cargo and 25.45 million tons of dry cargo, including 1,213,744 TEUs which constitute about 60% of import/ export of the country.

D. J. Sindh Govt. Science College

D. J. Sindh Govt. Science College (Diwan Dayaram Jethamal Sindh Govt. Science College) is an educational institute located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
.

History

Inaugurated as Sindh Arts College by Lord Reay, Governor of Bombay, on 17 January 1882, the college was renamed D. J. Science College upon completion of the present structure on 19 November 1887. Located in the heart of old Karachi, the foundation stone for this college was laid in 1882, by Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India. The college is named after Diwan Dayaram Jethmal, its main benefactor. The cost of construction is reported to have been Rs.186,514 out of which the government contributed Rs. 97,193, the balance being raised through public donations.

Premises

The college has following premises;

• Main Building is divided in to two main part, one new portion has the office of the Principal, office superintendent and clerk offices. In this portion, there're departments of Urdu and Statistics in ground floor and the departments of Islamic Studies and Pakistan Studies in first floor. The oldest portion of main building has departments of Biochemistry, Botany, English & Physics in the ground floor, department of Chemistry, Computer Science & Microbiology and also some class rooms in the first floor and department of Zoology in the second floor.
• A. Q. Block has only classrooms, they are specially for first year.
• The is another building on Muhammad bin Qasim Road, behind the main oldest building, it has Main Library, departments of Mathematics and Geology.
• M.Sc. block is under construction. It is opposite to the A. Q. Block.
• State-of-the-art gymnasium is adjacent to the A. Q. Block.
• The Principal's bungalow is also the one of the oldest building, nowadays, Sindh Textbook Board has occupied this building as camp office.
• Sport Complex is near the P.I.D.C round about and opposite the Pearl Continent Hotel. This complex is used for cricket and football.

Faculties / Departments

The college has the following departments;

• Biochemistry
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• English
• Geology (admission didn't offer in BSc (Geology) in the session 2013-14 onwords)
• Islamic Studies
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Pakistan Studies
• Physical Education and Sports
• Statistics
• Urdu
• Zoology

Principals

Pre-Independence

• Mullineux R. Walmsley 1887-1988
• Moses John Jackson 1888-1907
• H.P Ferrell 1908-1916
• A.C Miller 1917-1918
• T.M. Shahani 1918-1927
• N.B Bhutani 1927-1943
• H.M Gorbkhshani 1943-1944
• J.V Lakhani 1944-1947
• Mariwalla, Dharamdas Tekchand, 1947

Post Independence

• AL Sheikh 1948-1955
• LA deSouza 1955-1961
• JB Sidhwa 1961-1967
• Iftekhar Ahmed Ansari 1967-1972
• SH Zubairi 1972-1984
• Obaidur Rehman 1984-1985
• Abul Samad 1985-1986
• Naseem Sheikh 1986 Apr-Jun
• Ziauddin Ahmed 1986 Jul-Sep
• Anwarul Haq Hashmi 1986-1987
• Zaheer Ahmed 1987-1988
• Naseem Ahmed Sheikh 1988-1990
• Sabzwari 1990 Aug-Sep
• M Qasim Siddiqui 1990-1991
• Abul Wakeel Qureshi 1991
• M Qasim Siddiqui 1991-1993
• Kamalud Din 1993-1995
• Mazharul Haq 1995-1996
• Dr. Muhammad Sharif Memon 1996-1997
• Ravi Shankar Harani 1997 (as In-charge)
• Asif 1997-1999
• Ravi Shankar Harani 1999-2006
• Hakeemullah Baig Chughtai 2006
• Rizwan haider 2009
• Kamil Shere 1st March 2010 to 05 March 2012
• Syed Afzal Hussain 5 March 2012 to 12 June 2013
• Dr. Muhammad Arshad (Acting) 13 June 2013 to 16 July 2013
• Ghulam Mehdi Blouch 17 July 2013 to 31 March 2014
• Dr. Muhammad Arshad (Acting) 1 April 2014 to 12 August 2014
• Allah Bux Awan 13 August 2014 to 17 October 2014
• Dr. Muhammad Arshad (Acting) 18 Oct 2014 to

Frere Hall

Frere Hall

Frere Hall is one of the many remnant buildings of the British colonial era that still exist in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

It was built in honour of Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, who was known for promoting economic development and making Sindhias the only official language.

As of 2011, Frere hall is open to the public again. On Sundays there is a book bazaar in the courtyards where it is possible to purchase some old out-of-print books amongst others

Location

The Hall is located between Abdullah Haroon Road (formerly Victoria Road) and Fatima Jinnah Road (formerly Bonus Road) in the middle of two lawns which extended till the roads. It is located in Civil Lines locality of the town. In the vicinity are the Marriott Hotel, US Consulate General house, the Japanese Consulate and the Sind Club.

Designer, cost and opening

Out of twelve designs submitted, the one by Lt. Col St. Clair Wilson was chosen and construction started in 1863. It was opened by Samuel Mansfield, the Commissioner of Sind in 1865.

The total cost of this hall was about Rs. 180,000 out of which the Government contributed Rs. 10,000 while the rest was paid for by the municipality.

Description

Built in the Venetian Gothic style with yellowish Karachi limestone and red and grey sandstones from Jungshahi.

History

It was used as a Town Hall during the Raj. During the same period it housed a number of busts including King Edward VII's which was a gift from Seth Edulji Dinshaw.It also housed oil paintings of former Commissioners in Sind including SirCharles Pritchard and Sir Evan James.

In 1877 at Karachi in (British) India, where the first attempt was made to form a set of rules of badminton.

After a terrorist attack attempt on the US Consulate, which faces Frere Hall, the park was declared off-limits to the general public for a few years until 2011. As of Spring 2011 the park was opened for the public again as the US consulate was relocated.

Gardens

Around the Hall were two lawns originally known as 'Queen's Lawn' and 'King's Lawn.These were renamed as Bagh-e-Jinnah (Jinnah Garden) after independence.

Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere

History of Sukkur part 3

Shrine of Zinda Pir, Sukkur, in 1926. The shrine of a saint Khawaja Khizar, known as ‘Zinda Pir’ (also called “Jind Pir”) was built around 925 AD on a small island called “Hajee ka Tau” located north of Bukkur island fort, Sukkur. Unfortunately except the island, nothing much remains of this structure today.

A Bungalow on the Bank of River Indus, Sukkur, 1924. A guard is standing outside a bungalow close to railway line and Indus River in Sukkur. It is probably at the construction site of Llyod Barrage (Construction started in 1923 and inaugurated on 13 January 1932).

Under Construction Bungalow at the Site of Lloyd Barrage, Sukkur, 1924.

Lansdowne Railway Bridge, Sukkur, in 1897. A view of Indus River with the Lansdowne Railway Bridge at Sukkur in the background. The Bukkur Fort is also visible on the left.

Shrine of Zinda Pir, Sukkur, in 1897. The photograph taken by Henry Cousens shows the shrine of a saint Khawaja Khizar, known as ‘Zinda Pir’ (also called “Jind Pir”). The shrine was built around 925 AD on a small island called “Hajee ka Tau” located north of Bukkur island fort, Sukkur. Unfortunately except the island, nothing much remains of this structure today.

The Lansdowne Bridge at Sukkur in 1895. Members of World Transportation Commission on an inspection trolley at the Lansdowne Bridge at Sukkur in 1895. Photo by an  American photographer William Henry Jackson.

Men and Women Screening Tobacco in Sukkur, 1890 

Inauguration Ceremony of Lansdowne Bridge at Sukkur in 1889.  Lansdowne Bridge was inaugurated on March 27, 1889.The chief guest was Lord Reay, Governor of Bombay who was deputising for Lord Lansdowne, the Viceroy of India.

Inauguration Plaque of the Lansdowne Bridge, Sukkur, 1889. Inauguration Plaque of the Lansdowne Bridge. It was inaugurated by H. E. Lord Reay (Governor of Bombay) on 27 March, 1889 along with Lt. Col. Conway Gordon (Director General Railways) and Col. W. A. J. Wallace (Director North Western Railway).

A Rare Photo of Bukkur Fort near Sukkur, 1847

Minar-e-Masum and Tomb of Mir Masum Shah in Sukkur, 1840s 

A Rare Photo of Sukkur City on the Banks of Indus River, 1840s 

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