THE Hindu Gymkhana was the first public building in Karachi to boldly adopt the revival of the Mughal architectural style. It was established in 1925 on a plot of land measuring 47,000 square yards.
The Hindu community and Seth Ramgopal Gourdhanandh Mohatta contributed money for its construction. The building was designed by the first - known Muslim architect, Agha Ahmed Hussain. Its plan and massing were based on the tomb of the Itamadud-Daulah in Agra.
The building is small and consists of a primary hall and some smaller rooms. The stones for its two feet thick walls were acquired from Bijapur. The roofline is defined by the delicate massing of cupolas and balustrades directly influenced by Moghul Emperor Akbar’s Fatehpur Sikri. The octagonal corner towers, framing the central projecting ‘Jharoka’, are capped with umbrellas. Smaller umbrellas highlight the corners of the projecting porch that carry the drooping roof used in Emperor Akbar’s period.
The projecting ‘chhajjas’ are supported by ornamental brackets. The cupolas are reinforced concrete and its walls are designed with Gizri stone. Some of the carvings are made of Jodhpur stone.The building’s condition has deteriorated over the years. It was going to be demolished in 1984 but the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan intervened on time and prevented demolition work from being carried out.
The Hindu Gymkhana was a club for upper class Hindus who formed the commercial elite of Karachi in the years before independence.
The Hindu Gymkhana now houses the National Academy of Performing Arts. However, it is not being properly looked after. It is a heritage building which needs to be preserved and renovated.
I call upon the Sindh and federal governments to recover possession of the Hindu Gymkhana building and restore it as an archaeological site.
CHAGHTAI MIRZA EIJAZUDDIN Karachi
