- Frere Hall
[
British Raj ] Frere Hall is one of the few well-preserved buildings from the days of the British Raj that still exists inKarachi ,Sindh ,Pakistan .Named for
It was built in honour of Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere (1815-1884), who was known for promoting economic development in Karachi.
Location
The Hall is located between Abdullah Haroon Road (formerly Victoria Road) and Fatima Jinnah Road (formerly Bonus Road) in the middle of two lawns which extended till the roads. In the vicinity are the the Marriott Hotel, US Consulate and Consul General's house, the Japanese Consulate and the Sind Club.
Designer, cost and opening
Out of twelve designed submitted, the one by Lt. Col St. Clair Wilson was chosen and construction started in 1863. [J.W. Smyth, Gazetteer of the Province of Sind B Vol 1 Karachi District, Government Central Press, Bombay 1919. Reprinted by Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi Pg 70] It was opened by Samuel Mansfield, the Commissioner of Sind in 1865. [J.W. Smyth, Gazetteer of the Province of Sind B Vol 1 Karachi District, Government Central Press, Bombay 1919. Reprinted by Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi Pg 70]
The total cost of this hall was about Rs. 180,000 out of which the Government contributed Rs. 10,000 while the rest was paid for by the municipality. [J.W. Smyth, Gazetteer of the Province of Sind B Vol 1 Karachi District, Government Central Press, Bombay 1919. Reprinted by Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi Pg 70]
Description
Built in the Venetian Gothic style with yellowish Karachi limestone and red and grey sandstones from Jungshahi. [J.W. Smyth, Gazetteer of the Province of Sind B Vol 1 Karachi District, Government Central Press, Bombay 1919. Reprinted by Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi Pg 70]
History
It was used as a Town Hall during the Raj. During the same period it housed a number of busts including King Edward VII's which was a gift from
Seth Edulji Dinshaw . [J.W. Smyth, Gazetteer of the Province of Sind B Vol 1 Karachi District, Government Central Press, Bombay 1919. Reprinted by Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi Pg 70] It also housed oil paintings of former Commissioners in Sind including Sir Charles Pritchard and Sir Evan James.Due to security concerns, as well as the insistence of the US Consulate, which faces Frere Hall, the park has largely been declared off-limits to the general public (http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/17/fea.htm).
Gardens
Around the Hall were two lawns originally known as 'Queen's Lawn' and 'King's Lawn.' [J.W. Smyth, Gazetteer of the Province of Sind B Vol 1 Karachi District, Government Central Press, Bombay 1919. Reprinted by Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi Pg 70] These were renamed as "Bagh-e-Jinnah"(Jinnah Garden) after independence.
References
External links
* [http://dawn.com/2003/06/02/local7.htm Frere Hall stands in need of repairs - DAWN.com]
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