Civil Lines () is an upmarket neighbourhood in
Karachi, Pakistan
Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...
that was where much of Karachi's British officials and local elite resided during the colonial era.
are located in the locality, including civic administration buildings, churches, mansions, and social clubs.
History
Civil Lines formed part of the "New Town" established during the colonial era, and developed shortly after the British gained control of Karachi from the
Talpurs in 1839. It was built to the east of the densely populated "Native Town" (made up of
Mithadar and Jodia Bazaar), and was specifically designed to be spacious area, in contrast to the densely populated Native Town. It was primarily residential, and was where much of the British officials and local elite resided in Karachi during the colonial era.
To the north of Civil Lines was the European commercial district of
Saddar
Saddar (), also known as Saddar Bazaar, is a neighbourhood in Karachi, Pakistan. 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 concentratio ...
, and to the south the affluent seaside municipality of
Clifton.
Following independence, the residential patterns established by the British continued, with Karachi's wealthy residents establishing affluent neighbourhoods in the southern and eastern parts of the city,
with poorer areas in the north and west.
There are several ethnic groups including
Muhajirs,
Punjabis
The Punjabis (Punjabi language, Punjabi: ; ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ; romanised as Pañjābī) are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group associated with the Punjab region, comprising areas of northwestern India and eastern Paki ...
,
Sindhis
Sindhis are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group originating from and native to Sindh, a region of Pakistan, who share a common Sindhi culture, history, ancestry, and language. The historical homeland of Sindhis is bordered by southeastern Balochi ...
,
Kashmiris
Kashmiris () also known as Koshurs are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group speaking the Kashmiri language and originating from the Kashmir Valley, which is today located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (union terr ...
,
Seraikis
The Saraikis () are an Indo-Aryan community native to central Pakistan, unified by their use of the Saraiki language and a shared regional identity that transcends tribal and ethnic affiliations.
Mostly inhabiting southern Punjab as well as mo ...
,
Pakhtuns
Pashtuns (, , ; ;), also known as Pakhtuns, or Pathans, are an Iranic ethnic group primarily residing in southern and eastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. They were historically also referred to as Afghans until 1964 after the ...
,
Balochis,
Memons
The Memon are a Muslim community in Gujarat India, and Sindh, Pakistan, the majority of whom follow the Hanafi fiqh of Sunni Islam. They are divided into different groups based on their origins: Memons (Kathiawar), Kathiawari Memons, Kutchi Me ...
,
Bohras and
Ismailis
Ismailism () is a branch of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor ( imām) to Ja'far al-Sadiq, wherein they differ from the Twelver Shia, who accept M ...
.
Main areas
* PIDC
* Bagh-i-Quaid-i-Azam
* Commissioner Office
* Commissioner House
* Chief Secretary House
* Chief Minister House
* Governor House
* Sindh Secretariat
* Shafi Court
* Hotel Metropolis
*Pearl Continental Hotel
*Move n Pick
*Marriot Hotel
*
Hijrat Colony
* Court of Law
* Dehli Colony
* Panjab Colony
* Hashmi Colony
* Kashmir Mujahid colony
* Frere Hall
* Artlary Madan
Gallery
File:Green lawns and Pakistani Flag at the magnificent Quaid e Azam House.jpg, Quaid-e-Azam House is the former home of Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah (born Mahomedali Jinnahbhai; 25 December 187611 September 1948) was a barrister, politician, and the founder of Pakistan. Jinnah served as the leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until the inception of Pa ...
File:Trinity church Karachi.JPG, Holy Trinity Cathedral
File:Victoria Museum (now Supreme Court of Pakistan Building).jpg, Victoria Museum building
File:Lost Heritage of the British Raj - Edward House.jpg, Edward House - one of several colonial-era commercial centres
File:The British Raj has come and gone , the monsoon remains.jpg, Victoria Mansion commercial building
References
External links
Karachi Website
Neighbourhoods of Karachi
Saddar Town
{{Karachi-geo-stub