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THE 1900's
In 1838, Karachi had had about 14,000 inhabitants. This number had risen to 56,000 by 1872, and kept on growing. By 1891, statistics showed a population of about 105,000 and by the time the 19th century drew to a close, Karachi had 117,000 inhabitants as of 1901. Karachi had become one of the biggest and best outfitted ports of the world. The population of the city had crossed over a hundred thousand of which, 55 percent were Muslims and 41 percent were Hindus. Karachi was now a city with a metropolitan character attracting sizable populations of European traders, Iranians, Lebanese, Goan, Parsi and Hindu merchants. Among these, the Parsi merchants quickly made a good reputation for themselves and rose to a prominent position in the city. They made significant contributions to the growth of the city through their generous philanthropy.
The bustling city also had a traffic problem. Because of the number of carts and carriages on the streets, the roads had to be paved with gravel chippings (which was a refinement ahead of its time even before London). Municipal bullock carts used to water the city streets daily to keep the dust from flying around. Carriage horses wore straw hats to avoid sunstroke and were provided drinking water from troughs placed at various locations in the city by the philanthropic "Drinking Trough Society of Karachi". In 1900, a public tram service was introduced which commenced from Sadder cantonment and went up to the harbour at Kiamari.
Karachi's Tramway system (started 1900's)
A view of Preedy Street, Saddar
the Eduljee Dinshaw Dispensary (opened 1882) is visible in the background
Some views of the Bunder Road (now M. A. Jinnah Rd.)
The Max Denso Hall (completed 1886) can be seen in these pictures
A view of Karachi in the 1900's
The Karachi Cantonment Railway Station
Farewell arch erected by the Karachi Port for the Royal visit of King George V in 1906
The yards at the harbour entrance and at the South of the harbour in the 1900s
The Parsi Contribution
Bai Virbaiji Anglo Vernacular High School - Building commissioned in 1906
Goolbai Maternity Home, Karachi (date?)
Katrak Parsi Swimming Bath - 1906
Local Businesses Spotlight
Cowasjee & Sons (1887) Mules Mansions building (c. early 1900's)
Located at Willingdon Place Kiamari
Coal merchants and contractors for bunkering
The Lloyd's Bank (c. 1900's)
The Haydn Company (c. 1905): The only piano manufacturers in India at the time
located on Elphinstone St.
The Bristol Hotel (c. 1907) built by Dossabhoy Byramji Minwalla
Louis Dreyfus & Co. (c. 1907): Grain Merchants
A view of the Northwestern Hotel, established 1908, offered some of the finest dining in Karachi
