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World Chronicles, Karachi (2026)

20/08/2026

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Karachi — The Earliest Known Photograph

This rare photograph is believed to be the earliest known surviving photograph of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Karachi, capturing the cathedral in its early years, before later construction and additions transformed the site into the grand landmark we know today.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral was completed in 1881 and became one of Karachi’s most prominent Catholic landmarks. Its Gothic Revival architecture, magnificent interior and beautiful stained-glass windows—produced by Franz Mayer & Co. of Munich, Germany—made it an important feature of colonial-era Karachi.
The cathedral’s present appearance developed gradually, as additional structures and extensions were added over the following decades. This photograph therefore offers a rare glimpse of the cathedral before those later additions.
In the background, we can see St. Joseph’s Convent School, established in 1868, another historic institution that has played an important role in Karachi’s educational heritage.
What makes this photograph particularly special is that it captures two of Karachi’s historic Catholic landmarks at an early stage of their existence, offering us a glimpse of the city more than a century ago.
A rare window into Karachi’s past—before the additions, extensions and urban development that shaped this historic site.

15/08/2026

Junejo Ki Haveli – A Forgotten Mansion on an Island in Baqar Lake

Hidden away in Baqar Lake, Sanghar District, Sindh, stands a remarkable piece of forgotten heritage — Junejo Ki Haveli, a historic mansion associated with the Junejo family.

Reportedly built in 1937, the abandoned haveli stands on an island surrounded by the waters of Baqar Lake. Its weathered walls, isolated setting and approach by boat create an extraordinary atmosphere—more like a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean than something you would expect to find in interior Sindh!

The Sindh Culture, Tourism & Antiquities Department established the Baqar Lake Resort in 2017. From the resort, the ruins of Junejo Ki Haveli can be seen across the water, offering visitors a glimpse of this forgotten architectural landmark.

Baqar Lake is part of the Chotiari wetland and lake system, an area known for its natural beauty, birdlife, fishing and boating.

With proper historical research, conservation and responsible tourism development, Junejo Ki Haveli could potentially become an important heritage attraction within the Baqar Lake landscape, while preserving the character of the ruins and the natural environment around them.

Places like this remind us that Sindh's heritage extends far beyond its famous cities and monuments. There are forgotten stories and remarkable places waiting to be rediscovered.

Junejo Ki Haveli, Baqar Lake, Sanghar, Sindh

The 1937 construction date is reported in tourism sources and should ideally be confirmed through archival or family records.

11/08/2026

A Journey Through Microsoft Windows!💻

From the very first Windows to the versions we grew up with, technology has come a long way!

Windows Timeline:
- Windows 1.0 — 1985
- Windows 2.0 — 1987
- Windows 3.0 — 1990
- Windows 3.1 — 1992
- Windows 95 — 1995
- Windows 98 — 1998
- Windows ME — 2000
- Windows 2000 — 2000
- Windows XP — 2001
- Windows Vista — 2007
- Windows 7 — 2009
- Windows 8 — 2012
- Windows 8.1 — 2013
- Windows 10 — 2015
- Windows 11 — 2021

Now the question for our followers:
Which Windows version did you use for the first time?

Was it Windows 3.1, Windows 95, 98, XP… or even earlier?

09/08/2026

Bombay Bakery – 115 Years of Tradition in Hyderabad, Sindh

The story of Bombay Bakery began in 1911, when Mr. Pahlajrai Gangaram Thadani established a modest bakery in the Saddar area of Hyderabad, Sindh.

Pahlajrai later commissioned a distinctive red-brick bungalow, specially designed to house both the bakery and the family. In 1924, the family and the business moved into this unique premises, which remains the home of Bombay Bakery to this day.

Pahlajrai Thadani passed away in 1948, but the legacy did not end with him. His three sons—Shamdas, Kishinchand and Gopichand—continued to run the bakery. With their creativity and innovative approach, they developed a delicious variety of cakes and biscuits, helping Bombay Bakery earn a special place in the hearts of Hyderabad's residents.

Following their passing, the bakery was carried forward by the next generations of the Thadani family, preserving the recipes, traditions and character that had been built over decades.

From a small bakery established in 1911 to a beloved institution that has survived for 115 years, Bombay Bakery is much more than a place known for its cakes and biscuits—it is a living piece of Hyderabad's history and heritage.

1911–2026 | 115 Years of Tradition, Taste & Memories

08/08/2026

Rohri Cement Factory – A Forgotten Industrial Landmark of Sindh

Long before Pakistan's cement industry expanded into the modern plants we know today, Rohri Cement Factory was already producing cement in Sindh.

Established in 1938 at Rohri, near Sukkur, the factory was set up by Associated Cement Companies (ACC) of Bombay, one of the pioneering cement companies of British India, formed in 1936 through the merger of several existing cement companies.

ACC's early history was closely associated with some of the leading industrialists of the Colonial Era, including F.E. Dinshaw, J.R.D. Tata, Ambalal Sarabhai, Homi Mody, Dharmsey Khatau, Sir Akbar Hydari and Salar Jung.

Among them, Framroze Edulji (F.E.) Dinshaw (1886–1936) was a prominent Parsi financier, industrialist and landowner and one of the influential figures in the development of the cement industry in British India. He played an important role in the formation and growth of ACC. Although Dinshaw passed away in 1936, two years before the Rohri plant was established, his contribution to the consolidation and development of the cement industry formed an important part of the industrial legacy behind the project.

The Rohri plant began with a capacity of around 200 tons of cement per day, with machinery supplied by the renowned Danish engineering company F.L. Smidth. Its location was ideal, with abundant limestone and other raw materials available in the surrounding region.

After Partition in 1947, the factory became part of Pakistan. Following the 1965 Indo-Pak War, it came under Pakistani government control and was subsequently expanded. Japanese company Hitachi Shipbuilding & Engineering supplied a new 600-ton-per-day kiln, taking the plant's capacity to around 800 tons per day.

In 1972, Rohri Cement became part of the State Cement Corporation of Pakistan (SCCP) following the nationalization of major industries. The factory produced several varieties of cement, including Ordinary Portland, Sulphate Resistant, Super Sulphate Resistant, Oil-Well and Rapid-Hardening Cement.

But Rohri Cement was much more than a factory. It developed into a self-contained industrial community, complete with workers' housing, schools, a hospital, mosque, bank, post office, market, club, playgrounds and other facilities. For generations of employees and their families, the factory colony became a way of life.

After decades of operation, the factory was finally closed in 1998. Although its machinery eventually fell silent, the story of Rohri Cement remains an important chapter in the industrial history of Sindh and Pakistan.

From a 200-ton-per-day plant established in 1938 to a major industrial complex, Rohri Cement represents an era when factories were not merely workplaces—they created communities and helped shape the towns around them.

Its story also reminds us of the interconnected industrial heritage of undivided India, from which Pakistan inherited many of its early industries and institutions.

05/08/2026

A Tribute to Sister Mary Alban Hawkins – Founder of St. Joseph's College for Women, Karachi

Sister Mary Alban Hawkins (1891–1989), born in Tweed, Ontario, Canada, was a dedicated member of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. With remarkable vision and commitment, she founded St. Joseph's College for Women, Karachi, on 21 June 1948, and became its first Principal.

At a time when opportunities for women's higher education were limited, Sister Mary Alban laid the foundation of an institution that would educate and inspire generations of young women. Through her leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to academic excellence, she helped shape the future of women's education in Pakistan.

Today, more than seven decades later, St. Joseph's College for Women continues to stand as one of Karachi's most prestigious educational institutions—a living testament to the vision and legacy of its extraordinary founder.

Her contribution to education will forever remain an important chapter in the history of Karachi and Pakistan.

05/08/2026

Remembering Dalmia Cement Factory – Karachi's Forgotten Industrial Giant
This collage tells the remarkable story of Ramkrishna (R.K.) Dalmia, one of the Indian subcontinent's greatest industrialists, and the extraordinary legacy he left in Karachi.
Photo 1: Mr. & Mrs. Dalmia
Photo 2: R.K. Dalmia and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, photographed at Dalmia's residence in Delhi, located close to Jinnah's own house.
Photo 3: The iconic Dalmia Cement Factory, Karachi
Ramkrishna Dalmia, a Marwari Agarwal industrialist from Chirawa, Rajasthan, built one of the largest business empires in the Indian subcontinent, with interests in cement, banking, insurance, newspapers, and manufacturing.
Among his greatest achievements in Karachi was the establishment of the Dalmia Cement Factory, once one of the largest and most modern cement plants in Pakistan. The factory produced cement of exceptional quality that was exported to several countries.
At the time of its establishment, the factory stood on the outskirts of Karachi. Today, the area lies in the heart of the city, near the National Bank Stadium (formerly National Stadium) and Aga Khan University.
The factory was far more than an industrial complex—it was a complete township. The Dalmia management developed a well-planned residential colony, providing accommodation ranging from three-bedroom houses for senior officers to one-bedroom flats for workers, creating one of Karachi's finest industrial communities.
The neighborhoods of Dalmia Society and Shanti Nagar derive their names from this remarkable legacy. Shanti Nagar was named after Shanti Prasad Jain, R.K. Dalmia's son-in-law, who was himself one of leading business tycoons.
Following the 1965 Indo-Pak War, the factory came under Pakistani management. Former employees fondly remember Mr. Manekji, a respected member of Karachi's Parsi community, who managed the factory during this period. It is also recalled that German engineer Hans Seul worked alongside the management during the mid-1960s, reflecting the international expertise associated with the plant.
During the 1970s, when the Government of Pakistan nationalized major industries, Dalmia Cement also came under state ownership. Former employees remember Brigadier Rab Nawaz, who served as General Manager and is credited with successfully running the factory for many years. Mr. Mojumdar and Mr. J. C. Dawer are also remembered for their dedication and professionalism in keeping the factory operating efficiently until its final years.
An interesting historical fact is that R.K. Dalmia enjoyed cordial relations with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. When Jinnah decided to sell his residence in Delhi before Partition, it was purchased by Dalmia. The photograph included in this collage is a reminder of the close relationship shared by two prominent personalities of that era.
It is also worth remembering that Shiv Ratan Mohatta, the builder of Karachi's magnificent Mohatta Palace, also belonged to the Marwari community from Rajasthan, highlighting the immense contribution made by the Marwari business community to Karachi's industrial, commercial, and architectural development.
Today, the factory has vanished, and its land has been transformed into Dalmia Society and Shanti Nagar, two of Karachi's well-known residential neighborhoods. Although the chimneys have disappeared and the machinery has fallen silent, the legacy of Dalmia Cement Factory remains deeply woven into the history of Karachi.
Do you have memories or stories of Dalmia Cement Factory, Dalmia Society, or Shanti Nagar?

Preserving the History • Celebrating the Memories

01/08/2026

The Three Lakshmi Buildings of the Subcontinent – One Company, One Legacy

Before the Partition of 1947, the Lakshmi Insurance Company, founded in Lahore by Lala Lajpat Rai, Pandit Motilal Nehru, and Pandit K. Santanam, established a remarkable architectural legacy across three major cities of the subcontinent.

Lahore (c. 1935) – The company's first major landmark was Lakshmi Building (Lakshmi Mansion), acquired as its principal office after purchasing the former mansion of Sir Shadi Lal. The surrounding area later became famous as Lakshmi Chowk, one of Lahore's best-known landmarks.

Bombay (Mumbai) – 1938 – The purpose-built Lakshmi Insurance Building, designed by Master, Sathe & Bhuta and constructed by The Simplex Concrete Works & Construction Co. Ltd., was inaugurated by Subhas Chandra Bose on 25 February 1938. Designed in the elegant Art Deco style, it is distinguished by its clock tower crowned with a statue of the goddess Lakshmi.

Karachi – 1938 – Later that year, the iconic Lakshmi Building, designed by Mayers D.H. Daruwala & Co. and constructed by the Hindustan Construction Company, was inaugurated by Sarojini Naidu on 24 December 1938. Also built in the Art Deco style, it was constructed using pink Jaipur sandstone and red bricks imported from Jaipur, making it one of Karachi's finest pre-Partition architectural landmarks.

Although each building had its own distinct character, the Bombay and Karachi buildings shared the elegant Art Deco style, reflecting the modern architectural trends of the late 1930s. Together with the Lahore headquarters, they symbolized the vision and growth of one of the subcontinent's leading indigenous insurance companies.

Today, these three landmarks—standing in Lahore, Mumbai, and Karachi—remain enduring reminders of a shared architectural, commercial, and cultural heritage that connected the cities of the subcontinent long before Partition.

30/07/2026

A Tribute to Mrs. Deena M. Mistri — An Extraordinary Educationist and Proud Daughter of Karachi
Few educators leave a legacy that spans generations. Mrs. Deena M. Mistri was one such remarkable individual whose life was dedicated to the cause of education and the development of young minds.
After completing her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Bombay in 1945, she joined B.V.S. Parsi High School, Karachi, where she began teaching English to secondary classes in 1951. At a time when female teachers rarely taught senior classes, she became the school's first lady teacher to do so.
Her pursuit of excellence led her to earn a B.Ed. with Honors from the University of Karachi in 1958. In 1961, she was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to the United States, where she completed a Diploma in Education. During her stay in America, she taught as a visiting professor at institutions in Ohio and Texas and was honored with Honorary Citizenship of Texas by Governor Price Daniel in 1962 for her contributions to education.
On her return journey, the British Council invited her to observe the British educational system in London, further enriching her knowledge and experience as an educator.
Mrs. Deena M. Mistri was married to Architect Minoo Pirojshah Mistri, one of Pakistan's pioneering architects and the visionary behind many of Karachi's iconic landmarks, including Teen Talwar, ANZ Grindlays Bank, the Police Headquarters, and the reconstruction of the historic Parsi Fire Temple. Together they shared 57 years of marriage and raised two sons, Farhad and Afshad Mistri. Their lifelong contributions to education and architecture made them one of Karachi's most respected and inspiring Parsi families.
Mrs. Deena M. Mistri devoted an incredible 55 years of service to B.V.S. Parsi High School, one of Karachi's most respected educational institutions. Her connection with the school was deeply rooted in history, as it had been founded in 1859 by her great-grandfather, Seth Shapurji Hormusji Soparivala.
Her life stands as a shining example of dedication, scholarship, and service to education. Through the thousands of students she taught and inspired, her legacy continues to live on.
Karachi is proud of educators like Mrs. Deena M. Mistri, whose contributions helped shape generations of citizens and leaders.

24/05/2024

What a captivating sight! The Saint Patrick's Cathedral and School buildings offer a glimpse into Karachi's rich architectural heritage. The monument in the courtyard adds to the charm, echoing the history of religious landmarks in both Karachi and Goa. Can't wait to delve deeper into their stories and significance.

World Chronicles

20/08/2026

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11/08/2026

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