Category Archives: Karachi History

By Dr. Sohail Ansari 3rd February 1839 was a game changer for Karachi. The Fort of Manora came under fire, when East India Company stormed and captured Manora, leading to fall of Karachi under the Raj. Four years later, the rest … Continue reading →

By Dr. Sohail Ansari Nahid Iskander Mirza 6 February 1919 – 23 January 2019In 1951, Mohammad-Ebrahim Mirza Amirteymour Kalali was posted as Iran’s Military Attaché to Karachi. His daughter, Nahid Afghamy came with him. She was married to Colonel Mehdi … Continue reading →

By Dr. Sohail Ansari As published in the DAWN today:ON Dec 12, 1949, a DC-3C Dakota of Pak Air Services flying from Lahore to Karachi crashed at Karo Jabal near Jungshahi. All 26 on board perished. Among them was Maj-Gen … Continue reading →

By Safdar Nensey I recently acquired the attached undated, large sized & paper thin, photograph pertaining to Karachi. It is about always easier to judge the age / date of a vintage postcard if it is postally used. If not, … Continue reading →

Karachi’s first liquor tavern MOKHI AND MATARA – A folk tale By Dr. Sohail Ansari The story of a tavern in Karachi dates back to around 400 years. Perhaps this is the oldest recorded tavern of the city. Natar, a … Continue reading →

By Dr. Sohail Ansari Ismaili merchants made mercantile trips to Karachi in 16th and 17th centuries coming from Kutchh, Kathiawar, Muscat and Gwadar. Whereas they resided in the city, their families were still in their base towns and the community … Continue reading →

By Dr. Sohail Ansari We had telegraphy posted recently, and now comes telephone. The first patent of which went to Graham Bell in March 1876. Some may recall the Karachi days of three, four and later five digit phone numbers, … Continue reading →

By Dr. Sohail Ansari Lost Glory A news from 2 February 1950: KARACHI AIRPORT: The Civil and Military Gazette of Lahore writes that modifications to Karachi Airport to enable it to handle the world’s first jet-liner, the De-Havilland Comet, are … Continue reading →

1932: Inauguration of Sukkur Barrage is celebrated at Karachi Gymkhana. Photo and caption courtesy of Dr. Ghulam Nabi Kazi.

ANNEXATION OF KARACHI AND BATTLE OF HYDERABAD—- A CATALYST OR A GAME CHANGER By Dr. Adnan Zuberi   Corruption of East India CompanyB: Politics between British Establishment and East India CompanyC: Role of Major James Outram and Charles Napier It was … Continue reading →