13 fascinating images from pre-Partition

A selection of rare photographs of various places across pre-partition Pakistan

Pakistanis across the country celebrated Pakistan Day on March 23 with much renewed vigour and after a 7-year hiatus, the nation witnessed a parade to commemorate the event.

Things were, however, much different before we achieved independence. Here is a look at some fascinating images from pre-Partition:

 

1. The Church- Kurrachee

 

PHOTO: BRITISH LIBRARY

 

This Holy Trinty Church still stands today; however, the area around it today has been rebuilt. The football ground next to the church was home to the kindergarten section of Karachi Grammar School. This picture dates back to the 1800s.

 

2. Sind Club

 

SOURCE NOT VERIFIED

 

​Taken by an unknown photographer in 1890, this picture shows Karachi's exclusive Sind Club, which started as a gentleman's club in 1877.

 

3. Murree

 

PHOTO: WILLIAM BAKER

 

This picture of Murree, taken by William Baker in 1865, is a stark reminder of how different Murree looks today.

 

4. Jhelum District

 

PHOTO: JOSEPH BEGLAR

 

Taken by Englishman Joseph Beglar in 1875 in Malot, the photograph shows a view of a cliff in Jhelum.

 

5. St Patrick's School in Karachi

 

SOURCE NOT VERIFIED

 

A girls classroom in St Patrick's School in Karachi. At the time of British India, educating girls was much neglected. Figures for all of India for 1871 suggested there were 1,760 primary schools and only 134 secondary schools, all which were situated in larger cities.

 ​

6. Zamzama Gun, Lahore

 

PHOTO: JAMES RICALTON

 

Taken in 1903 by James Ricalton, this photograph appeared in "The Underwood Travel Library: Stereoscopic views of India". According to the British Library archives, the Sikhs called Zamzama the "Bhangian-wali Top". It is said to have been used by Ahmed Shah in the Third Battle of Panipat (which is in present-day the Haryana state in India) in 1761.

 

7. Lahore Railway Station

 

PHOTO: GEORGE CRADDOCK

 

Taken in 1880 by George Craddock, this photograph is part of the Bellew Collection of Architectural Views.
​

8.  Carpet weavers at Karachi Jail

 

PHOTO: MICHIE AND COMPANY

 

This photograph was taken in 1873 by Michie and Company for the Archaeological Survey of India Collections.

 

9. Potsellers 

 

PHOTO: JAMES RICALTON 

 

Potsellers in a Lahore market were photographed by James Ricalton in 1903 for "The Underwood Travel Library: Stereoscopic views of India".

 

10. District Court House of Gujranwala

 

SOURCE NOT VERIFIED

 

​Taken by an unknown photographer in 1865 in Gujranwala.

 

 11. Church in Gujranwala

 

SOURCE NOT VERIFIED

 

Taken for the Brandreth Collection: "Views in Simla, Cashmere and the Punjaub", an unidentified photographer captured this image in 1865. This city was Ranjit Singh's base till 1799 when he captured Lahore and declared it the capital of the Sikh kingdom.

 

12. The Great Stupa at Manikiala in Rawalpindi District  (in present-day Gujar Khan tehsil)

 

PHOTO: JOSEPH BEGLAR

 

This photograph was taken for the Archaeological Survey of India Collections (Indian Museum Series) by Joseph Beglar in 1875. According to the British Library, the Archaeological Survey of India Report for the Year 1872-3 (Vol V) says: "The great tope of Manikyala is a hemisphere 127 feet 9 inches in diameter, resting on a cylindrical neck, 15 feet in height. The total height of the dome, as it now stands, is 92 feet 3 1/4 inches".

 

13. Muree in winter

 

PHOTO: BAKER AND BURKE

 

Pakistan's most famous hill station was established by the British in 1865 because its climate was closer to what they left behind in Britain. The image was taken by Baker and Burke in 1865.