KARACHI: Architect and town planner Arif Hasan must have felt like a grandparent telling his little grandchildren the fascinating story of Karachi’s past, even before the arrival of the British. Researchers and students who gathered to listen to him at the Urban Resource Centre (URC) on Thursday found themselves completely engrossed, feeling proud to be part of a city with such a rich history and heritage.

The talk, based on Arif Hasan’s well-researched, voluminous book Karachi Before the British Conquest, began with the city’s greatest advantage—its position as a port. This has always been the driving force behind Karachi’s growth. Karachi is also blessed with the Malir, Lyari, and Hub rivers, which, in the case of the first two, have been surrounded by hills and abundant greenery. These factors contributed to settlements existing here as far back as BC times.

“Geologists have recently pointed out several historic sites in the way of the construction of the Malir Expressway,” he said, adding that urban growth and construction are gradually causing us to lose our heritage.

“Very little has been written about Karachi’s historic sites,” he remarked. “Alexander came here. These sites are mentioned in the narratives of his travels. He arrived via the Gizri Creek and anchored in Karachi’s natural harbour. There is also mention of the oars on his boats grazing against some rocks, which could be the Oyster Rocks,” he noted. “Additionally, there is mention of an island, which has now become a mystery, as we are unable to locate it where it is supposed to be, according to a map from those times,” he added.

He also discussed how various tribes and countries have always coveted Karachi due to its harbour. “Throughout history, the Russians, Iranians, British, and other regional powers have competed to acquire the port of Karachi,” he explained.

He took the audience back to 1729, when a fort was established here, continuing through the time when the Kalhoras occupied Karachi and handed it over to the Khan of Kalat as blood money for the killing of his brother. By 1783, the Talpurs took control of Sindh and moved to Karachi between 1792 and 1794. The Manora Fort was constructed, and by 1839, Karachi was annexed as part of the entire Sindh region.

During this period, the city also earned several names similar to “Karachi.” These included “Kharachi” in Pahlavi texts, “Kalachi” in the Sindhi legend of Morrio/Mangar, “Karazi” in Al-Fawaid, the work of the Arab navigator Ibn Majid, and “Ras Al Karazi” in Al Mahri Umdah by Arab navigator Sulayman. Other names included “Kaurashi,” “Kolachi Jo Kun,” “Kalati Bundar,” “Karechi,” and “Khorali.”

An old Karachi map, shared in the presentation, showed a fort surrounding 35 acres of old Karachi, with its gates where the wealthy resided. The poor, meanwhile, lived on the city’s outskirts. Later, the mud walls of the fort fell or were broken, and a road now surrounds the area.

There are many legends associated with water in Karachi as well. The mangrove forests provided the city with its natural boundary from the harbour side. Social life included gambling areas and taverns, which were taxed. Additionally, all boats and ships going in or out of the city had to pass a platform area where they were required to pay a tax. “As the city grew, the taxation system grew,” Arif Hasan pointed out.

He also discussed the ancient worship sites of Karachi, many of which still stand today, including temples like Mahadev Mandir, Maheshvar Mahadev, Lakshmi Narayan, and the Vanundev Mandir.

The historic shrines, such as that of Abdullah Shah and two named after his brother Yousuf Shah, were also mentioned, along with old and new photographs. Other shrines include Noor Ali Shah at Teen Hatti, Mewa Shah, Manghopir, and Miran Pir, where only women are allowed. The Chaukhandi tombs also serve as reminders of Karachi’s past.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2024