The region of South Asia comes with a rich history and a blend of multiple cultures and civilisations that span over a millennia. The remnants of these cultures and civilisations can be seen even today in the form of many ancient sites that are dotted throughout the region. One such historical remnant is the Mohatta Palace, located in Karachi, Pakistan.
The site is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, as people can go there with their friends and family for enjoyment as well as historical knowledge. If you plan to visit the city, don’t forget to visit this particular palace.
Graana.com has come up with a complete guide to Mohatta Palace in Karachi.
The Mohatta Palace is a famous structure and one of the best museums in Karachi. It was constructed by a successful businessman named Shivratan Chandraratan Mohatta, a Hindu Marwari, close to the upscale seaside community of Clifton.
It is situated on Hatim Alvi Road in the former Clifton. Fatima Jinnah lived at this mansion from the time of the country’s independence until her passing in 1967.
The newly formed Government of Pakistan purchased Mohatta Palace at the time of partition in 1947 to host its Foreign Affairs Ministry. Fatima Jinnah received the palace after the Foreign Office relocated to Islamabad in 1964. Shireen Bai, her sister, resided here following her death in 1964 and lived there until 1980.
The property was thereafter the subject of legal proceedings and stayed closed until 1995 when the Government of Sindh and the Federal Government officially acquired it for a payment of Rs. 6 million. It was decided that the Palace would contain a museum that would promote understanding and admiration for the region’s cultural history.
The history of Mohatta Palace is one of love – specifically for the wife. The Taj Mahal was erected by the Mughal ruler Shah Jehan in memory of his deceased wife, whereas Mohatta Palace was constructed to prevent the death of Shivratan’s wife. This is the key distinction between these two architectural marvels.
Shivratan Mohatta’s wife was suffering from a fatal ailment for which there was no known remedy. Doctors advised Mohatta to take his wife to some other place with a cool breeze and strong sea winds since it might aid in her recovery from the illness.
Agha Ahmed Hussain is the architect and designer of the palace. It has a front portion that is adorned with lovely windows, rafters, stone brackets, floral-patterned balustrades, domes, and elegant railings. It is constructed over an area of 18,500 square. ft. There are nine domes, including one in the centre of the structure, and the windows in the palace’s front open onto a lovely garden.
Teak wood makes up the delicately crafted palace, which also features a polished stairway and lengthy, intricately designed hallways. Large majestic halls can be found on the palace’s ground floor, but the first story is home to private conveniences. A temple to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva is located on the terrace of the palace as well.
The pink stones from Jodhpur and the native yellow stones from Gizri are used in this palace’s traditional Rajasthani masonry of the time.
The stonework’s peacock designs are breathtaking and worth viewing. All of the windows have rectangular forms underneath them that are decorated with motifs of hibiscus flowers. A neatly carved marigold flower design may be seen on the entrances.
A tunnel located inside the palace is subject to one of the most heated discussions and rumours surrounding Mohatta Palace. The tunnel is rumoured to be haunted and to contain ghosts. However, the actual narrative is entirely different.
It has a hidden tunnel beneath it that actually provides access to a nearby underground Hindu temple. The tunnel still exists today, but over time, the entrances on either side became closed. This gives rise to the legend that there are ghosts imprisoned there
From Tuesday through Sunday, the museum is open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Mondays and during other public holidays, it remains closed. The ticket price of the palace for adults is Rs. 30, whereas kids under the age of 12 can enter the museum for free.
This was all about the Mohatta Palace in Karachi. For more relevant information, visit Graana.com.
Fatima Jinnah, the sister of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, moved into it in 1964.
Cameras and mobile phones are not allowed.
Nasreen Askari
2055 sq. yds.
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