Mohatta Palace: Karachi's Struggle to Preserve Its Architectural Gem

Mohatta Palace in Karachi stands as a relic of the city's multicultural history amidst rapid development and scarce land. Trustees have fought off various threats to its survival, including attempts to repurpose it and legal battles over land ownership. Despite low visitor numbers, the palace remains a symbol of heritage and diversity.

Stained glass windows, a sweeping staircase, and embellished interiors make Mohatta Palace a gem in Karachi, a Pakistani megacity of 20 million people. Peacocks roam the lawn, and the sounds of construction and traffic melt away as visitors enter the grounds.

The pink stone balustrades, domes, and parapets resemble those from Rajasthan, India, a reminder of a time when Muslims and Hindus coexisted in the port city. Yet, grandeur is no guarantee of survival in land-scarce, fast-developing Karachi. Demolition, neglect, and weak conservation laws are eroding signs of the city's past.

Trustees have fended off converting the palace into a dental college, but a decades-long lawsuit over land ownership persists. Sitting empty for almost two decades, it opened as a museum in 1999 and is now on prime real estate in Old Clifton. The palace, with low admission fees, struggles to maintain itself but remains a cherished heritage site amidst Karachi's growing population and cultural fragmentation.

(With inputs from agencies.)