Saddar

For the defunct administrative unit, see Saddar Town.

Neighbourhood in Karachi

Locality in Sindh, Pakistan

Saddar

صدر

Locality

Empress Market

Street map from OpenStreetMap

Country| Pakistan
Province| Sindh
City District| Karachi
Established| 1839
Boroughs|

List

* Bohri Bazaar, Preedy Quarters

Government

• Type| Union Councils
• Constituency| NA-247 (Karachi South-II)
• National Assembly Member| Aftab Siddiqui (PTI)

Saddar (Urdu: صدر), also known as Saddar Bazaar, is a neighbourhood in Karachi, Pakistan.[1] The locality was developed as the primary commercial district during the period of British-era rule in Karachi. As a result, Saddar contains the large concentration of colonial-era architecture in Karachi.[2][3][4]

## History

[edit]

Empress Market in 1890 Highrise buildings on II Chundrigar Road. Aerial view of Sadar District.

Saddar was established by the British in 1839 as a commercial district for Karachi's European population,[5] to the east of the bazaars of old Karachi in Mithadar, Kharadar, and Jodia Bazaar which served the native population. Following the annexation of Sindh in 1843, Saddar became the location of administrative and military functions. Following the Mutiny of 1857, rebels were executed at by being blown from the mouths of cannons at Saddar's military parade grounds.[6]

Karachi's most elite Catholic institutions were quickly established in Karachi: St Patrick's High School and St Joseph's Convent High School, wereset up in 1861 and 1862 respectively.[7] The Edulji Dinshaw Dispensary was established in 1882. The "McKenzie Pavilion Grounds", now known as Jehangir Park, was established in 1883.[7] Empress Market was established at the site of the execution grounds in 1889,[6] and was originally meant to serve British administrators, soldiers, and their families. The area around the market saw the establishment of posh bars, cafes, and restaurants, such as the Saddar Tea Rooms, Elphinstone Restaurant, the old Todi shop and Café Parisian.[7] A dress-code was enforced in the posh Saddar area, leading it to be eventually known as the "European Quarter" of Karachi.[7] Following independence in 1947, Saddar remained a centre of multi-class interaction. Bars, clubs, and business catering to different social classes co-existed in the area.[7] Several institutions of higher learning were within walking distance, including D. J. Sindh Government Science College, and Sindh Muslim Law College, and Regal Bazar became home to a weekly book market that still takes place.[7] Saddar was also within easy walking distance from government institutions to the east of Saddar, and Civil Lines to the south. The most important churches in Karachi are located in Saddar, as well as Karachi's biggest Parsi fire temple.

Following the abolishment of alcohol by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the early 1970s in an attempt to appease conservative forces, Saddar's nightlife scene was decimated.[7] In 1977, dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq instituted an Islamization agenda that was opposed by the city's wealthy and westernized elite. These classes withdrew from much of public life in Saddar, and instead established exclusive social clubs in Karachi's wealthy residential districts. As a result, Saddar's commercial markets began to serve only lower and lower-middle classes.[7] The area remained a large commuter hub, and so hawker stalls began encroaching on sidewalks in order to cater to the growing number of commuters.[7]

A large multiplex cinema was established in the early 2000s, leading to a small wave of gentrification in the area. In 2019, in an effort to "clean up" the Empress Market, all stalls outside of the market which had been established in the plaza around the market were demolished in a controversial move.[7]

## About Heritage

[edit]

Karachi's Old Buildings

Saddar features numerous old buildings that have been declared heritage sites. These include structures like those in the Saddar Bazar Quarter, which is home to 118 heritage buildings. However, these buildings are facing significant deterioration due to neglect, and many are being replaced by modern constructions. Despite this, efforts are being made to preserve the facades and historical significance of these buildings[8]

Pakistan Chowk

Pakistan Chowk is another significant location, with several heritage buildings that have undergone urban interventions, helping preserve its cultural richness. Pakistan Chowk itself holds historical value, with conservation efforts focused on safeguarding its unique architectural style[9]

## Heritage Walk Karachi - Exploring Saddar’s Colonial Architecture

[edit]

Saddar’s colonial buildings hold a special place in the heart of many Karachiites. Shaheen Nauman, the guide for Heritage Walk Karachi, shares a personal connection to these structures, stating, 'I attach myself to colonial buildings... It has been very satisfying to be on the roads and show people the heritage of my city. I love my city.' This passion reflects the enduring significance of Saddar’s colonial heritage in the city's identity" (Wara Irfan, Dawn, 10 May 2023)[10]

## Gallery

[edit]

The following are heritage buildings in Saddar which are protected by the Government of Sindh:[11]

* The Mohamedali building is located on Zaibunnisa Street.

* The Kutchi Memon Mosque was built in Saddar, and is a major centre for Memons in the city.

* St. Andrew's Church in Saddar was built in 1868.

* Ilaco House on the corner of Dundass and Zaibunnisa Streets

* The colonial-era Khyber Hotel

* Edulji Dinshaw Dispensary, built in 1882

* Empress Market, built in 1889

* Qasaban Mosque

* Farid Mansion, on Raja Ghaznafar Ali Street (Somerset Street)

* Saddar's St. Patrick's Cathedral is seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Saddar Town – Government of Karachi". 1 May 2005. Archived from the original on 13 June 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
2. ^ "KARACHI: Saddar: the VIP town". Dawn (newspaper). 5 August 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
3. ^ "Pakistan's crumbling architectural heritage - The Peninsula Qatar". www.thepeninsulaqatar.com. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
4. ^ Faizah Malik (28 March 2018). "Heritage Foundation calls for restoration of Calcutta House in Karachi". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 7 April 2018.
5. ^ Lari, Yasmeen; Lari, Mihail S. (1996). The Dual City: Karachi During the Raj. Heritage Foundation. ISBN 978-0-19-577735-2.
6. ^ a b Haider, Azimusshan (1974). History of Karachi: With Special Reference to Educational, Demographical, and Commercial Developments, 1839-1900. Haider.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Future Of Karachi's Saddar". Retrieved 2 April 2020.
8. ^ Ali, Syed Ashraf (19 March 2024). "Lost legacies: Karachi's heritage sites face obliteration". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
9. ^ "Heritage". Marvi Mazhar. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
10. ^ Irfan, Wara (9 May 2023). "Walking into the past with Heritage Walk Karachi". Images. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
11. ^ "SADDAR BAZAAR QUARTER FEBRUARY 2008". antiquities.sindhculture.gov.pk. Retrieved 13 April 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Neighbourhoods of Karachi

Karachi Division|

* Keamari District
* Malir District
* Korangi District
* Karachi South District
* Karachi East District
* Karachi Central District
* Karachi West District

Baldia|

* Afridi Colony
* Abidabad
* Gulshan-e-Ghazi
* Islam Nagar
* Ittehad Town
* Muhajir Camp
* Muslim Mujahid Colony
* Nai Abadi
* Naval Colony
* Rasheedabad
* Saeedabad

Bin Qasim|

* Abdullah Goth
* Cattle Colony
* Gaghar
* Gulshan-e-Hadeed
* Ibrahim Hyderi
* Landhi Colony
* Quaidabad
* Rehri Goth

Gadap|

* Darsano Chana
* Gadap
* Gujro
* Manghopir
* Surjani Town
* Maymarabad
* Murad Memon Goth
* Sohrab Goth Town
* Songal
* Yousuf Goth

Gulberg|

* Aisha Manzil
* Ancholi
* Azizabad
* Karimabad
* Moosa Colony
* Naseerabad
* Shafiq Mill Colony
* Water Pump, Karachi
* Yaseenabad

Gulshan|

* CIvic Centre
* Bahadurabad
* Hyderabad Colony
* Delhi Mercantile Society
* Eissa Nagri
* Gillani railway station
* Gulistan-e-Johar
* Gulshan-e-Iqbal
* Gulzar-e-Hijri
* Jamali Colony
* Metroville Colony
* Pehlwan Goth
* P.I.B. Colony
* Safooran Goth
* Shanti Nagar

Jamshed|

* Akhtar Colony
* Azam Basti
* Central Jacob Lines
* Chanesar Goth
* Garden East
* Garden West
* Jamshed Quarters
* Jut Line
* Mahmudabad
* Manzoor Colony
* Nursery
* Pakistan Quarters
* P.E.C.H.S Block 2
* P.E.C.H.S Block 6
* Sindh Muslim Cooperative Housing Society
* Soldier Bazar

Keamari|

* Baba Bhit
* Bhutta Village
* Gabo Pat
* Kakapir
* Keamari (locality)
* Keamari Subdivision
* Machar Colony
* Maripur
* Salehabad
* Shams Pir
* Shershah
* Sultanabad

Korangi|

* Bilal Colony
* Chakra Goth
* Gulzar Colony
* Hasrat Mohani Colony
* Hundred Quarters
* Korangi Sector 33
* Mustafa Taj Colony
* Nasir Colony
* Zaman Town

Landhi|

* Awami Colony
* Bhutto Nagar
* Burmee Colony
* Dawood Chowrangi
* Khawaja Ajmeer Colony
* Korangi
* Landhi
* Moinabad
* Muslimabad
* Muzafarabad
* Sharafi Goth
* Sherabad

Liaquatabad|

* Abbasi Shaheed
* Bandhani Colony
* Commercial area
* Dak Khana
* Firdous Colony
* Liaquatabad
* Mujahid Colony
* Nazimabad
* Qasimabad
* Rizvia Society
* Sharifabad
* Super Market

Lyari|

* Agra Taj Colony
* Allama Iqbal Colony
* Baghdadi
* Bihar Colony
* Chakiwara
* Daryaabad
* Nawabad
* Ragiwara
* Shah Baig Line
* Singo Line

Malir|

* Gharibabad
* Ghazi Brohi Goth
* Jafar-e-Tayyar
* Kala Board
* Khokhra Par
* Model Colony
* Saadi Town
* Saadi Garden
* Saudabad
* Usmanabad
* Bahria Town Karachi

New Karachi|

* Abu Zar Ghaffari
* Faisal Colony
* Fatima Jinnah Colony
* Godhra
* Gulshan-e-Saeed
* Hakim Ahsan
* Kalyana
* Khamiso Goth
* Khawaja Ajmeer Nagri
* Madina Colony
* Shah Nawaz Bhutto Colony

North Nazimabad|

* Buffer Zone
* Buffer Zone II
* Farooq-e-Azam
* Hyderi
* Khandu Goth
* Nusrat Bhutto Colony
* Naya Nazimabad
* Pahar Ganj
* Paposh Nagar
* Sakhi Hassan
* Shadman

Orangi|

* Baloch Goth
* Bilal Colony
* Chisti Nagar
* Data Nagar
* Ghabool Town
* Ghaziabad
* Hanifabad
* Haryana Colony
* Iqbal Baloch Colony
* Madina Colony
* Mohammad Nagar
* Mominabad
* Mujahidabad

Saddar|

* City Railway Colony
* Civil Lines
* Clifton
* Kehkashan
* Garden
* Gazdarabad
* Ghanchi Para
* Islam Pura/Millat Nagar
* Kharadar
* Nanak Wara
* Old Haji Camp
* Serai Quarter
* Saddar

Shah Faisal|

* Al-Falah Society
* Drigh Colony
* Moria Khan Goth
* Natha Khan Goth
* Pak Sadat Colony
* Rafa-e-Aam Society
* Raita Plot
* Shah Faisal Colony

SITE|

* Banaras Colony
* Bhawani Chali
* Frontier Colony
* Islamia Colony
* Jahanabad
* Metrovil
* Old Golimar
* Golimar (new name Gulbahar)
* Pak Colony
* Qasba Colony

Cantonments|

* Clifton (Defence Housing Authority, Karachi)
* Faisal
* Karachi
* Korangi Creek
* Malir
* Manora

Industrial zones|

* SITE Karachi
* Korangi Industrial Area
* Landhi Industrial Area
* North Karachi Industrial Area
* Federal B Industrial Area
* Korangi Creek Industrial Park
* Bin Qasim Industrial Zone
* Karachi Export Processing Zone
* Pakistan Textile City
* West Wharf Industrial Area
* SITE Super Highway Phase-I
* SITE Super Highway Phase-II

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template