Monday, December 23, 2024

Mohatta Palace – Historical Landmark of Karachi

In Karachi, the Clifton area is well-known for the building that looks like Palace and attracts the people towards itself, particularly the Mohatta Palace. It was constructed by the wealthy businessman “Shiv Rattan Mohatta.”

The story of the Mohatta palace Karachi is quite interesting. From the resources, it has come to know that it’s a tale of love. Shiv Rattan Mohatta made this Palace for his wife to save her life. It remembers the story of the “Taj Mahal. ” the only difference is that the Taj Mahal was made after the death of Shah Jahan’s wife. But Mohatta commissioned to construct this place to save her wife’s life.

Do most people search for what Mohatta Palace is? Here are the quick details about the Mohatta place.  

Mohatta Palace

History

Mohatta Palace’s history began almost 20 years before the establishment of Pakistan when a very successful merchant and Ship handler from “Rajasthan” named “Shiv Rattan Mohatta” manufactured this palace-shaped house in the elegant seaside area of Clifton. For that, he hired a Muslim architect from the subcontinent named “Ahmed Hussain Agha.”

Mohatta decided to take residency near the sea due to his ailing wife. In the early times, when residential towers were not established, people could view the sea from the balcony and rooftop of the Palace.

The architecture Ahmed Husain came from Jaipur to Karachi and prepared the design and style of the Palace. He combined the prominent features of British and Mughal architecture and created a new Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.  

At the time of Pakistan’s creation, the Mohatta family shifted to the newly established India and left all the legacy and Palace in well and maintained form. The Govt of Pakistan used it for the Ministry of foreign affairs.

In 1967, the Government shifted the Ministry of foreign affairs to Islamabad, and the Palace was handed over to Fatima Ali Jinnah. It was then known as Qasr e Fatima. She turned it into a hub for the presidential campaign.

After the death of Fatima Ali Jinnah, her sister named “Shireen li Jinnah” started living in this historic Palace. She lived there until her death. She died in 1980. After her death, govt sealed it because of litigation issues on the rights of property.   

Location and contact details

Mohatta Palace is located at” 7 Hatim Alvi road, block 5 in old Clifton area, Karachi ”. The people who visit the Karachi Ocean should also visit the Historical Palace of Mohatta and enjoy their trip.

Timing:

Mohatta Palace remains open from morning 11:00 AM to evening 6:00 PM on Tuesday to Sunday. So, the people who wish to visit remember its timing and opening days as it remains closed on Monday.

Contact No.

People can contact the following number to know details about the Mohatta Palace.

021-35837669

For further details, people can contact on this number and resolve their queries.

The architecture of the Mohatta Palace Museum

Mohatta Palace’s architecture covers nearly 2055 sq. yards and includes beautiful, lush green gardens. Its building has a total of three levels named basement, ground floor, and the 1st floor. The rooftop of the Palace is also accessible to visitors, now providing a skyline view.

The whole building of the Palace is constructed using pink jodhpur stone and local yellow gizri stone. These stones were used particularly to protect the building from the sea breeze.

Its museum includes nine octagonal domes. One is bigger and situated in the middle, and the remaining eight are smaller.

Mohatta Palace’s balconies, windows, and railings are decorated with peacock motifs and floral. There are big windows on the façade of the historical house from which the front green garden presents an amazing view to the visitors. However, on the rear side, there are arched windows in the Palace.

Mohatta palace doors are made from teak wood. Also, the windows and stairs of the Palace are made from teak wood and are still in well-maintained condition.

Mohatta palace design is still quite modern and attracts the attention of visitors. Some stairs lead to the changing and hot water pool on the basement’s north side. Also, there are small vents on the side of the pool chamber. 

Interior of the Museum

Mohatta Palace’s museum interior includes one basement and two floors. Big stately rooms are connected with the hallway to entertain the guest and visitors on the ground floor. Two are on the right side of the entrance, the remaining two are on the left side of the entrance, and one is on the back side.

The first floor is beautifully designed. You can see the beautiful green garden of the Palace from the windows and balconies. A big hall has ten doors that open toward the corridor.

Mohatta Palace's museum interior

End Note

All the details of the Mohatta place are given in this article. You can buy the ticket that costs 30PKR only for adults and can entertain yourself.

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