Our Year 5 pupils have been learning about British colonization of the subcontinent as part of their Social Studies curriculum. To bring history to life, we organized an exciting field trip to explore Karachi’s historical landmarks from the British Era. On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, we embarked on an exciting journey to discover the city’s rich cultural heritage visiting some of the most famous sites from the colonial period.
The first stop was the iconic Empress Market, built in 1889, named after Queen Victoria who was the Empress of India at that time. Pupils walked through the busy marketplace, observing a wide variety of goods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, dry fruits, meat, and household items. They were fascinated by the bustling atmosphere and learned about the market’s historical importance in Karachi’s trade and daily life.
Next, we visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture built in 1887. They admired its tall arches, intricate details, and colourful stained-glass windows. Learning about the cathedral’s long history gave them an insight into the diverse religious and cultural influences in Karachi.
As the vans made their way through the city, the pupils caught a glimpse of the famous and familiar culinary spots of Burns Road, although those are closed in the morning. We also passed by various beautiful British-style buildings in Saddar, which sparked their interest. We drove past Denso Hall, a Venetian-Gothic style librarybuilt in 1886. Though it was closed for construction, the pupils observed its impressive architecture and learned about its role as a community library during the British era.
One of the most exciting stops was the Quaid-e-Azam House, built in 1895. The pupils felt a deep connection to the historical site and enjoyed reading about Jinnah’s life and legacy. They also saw the art gallery showcasing precious moments from the Quaid’s life. The highlight of the visit was meeting and taking photographs with Mr. Liaquat Merchant, the grandnephew of Quaid-e-Azam, who welcomed the pupils warmly and extended an invitation to PECHS Girls’ School to visit again in the future.
The final destination was the iconic Frere Hall built in 1865. The pupils were captivated by its intricate stonework, pointed arches, and grand hallways. Within Frere Hall, the pupils visited the Sadequain Art Gallery, which showcases the works of the legendary Pakistani artist Sadequain, including his unfinished ceiling mural, a breath taking representation of the Kainat (Universe). A special moment for the pupils was spotting ‘Ilm-o-Amal’ the logo of their own school, in Sadequain’s artwork. Additionally, the pupils explored the Liaquat National Library, one of the largest libraries in Karachi, containing an extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and historical documents.
After an exciting and educational day, our pupils relaxed and played in the gardens of Frere Hall, also known as Bagh-e-Jinnah, enjoying time with their classmates and teachers. This memorable field trip helped them experience Karachi’s colonial history first hand, giving them a deeper appreciation for the city’s heritage and historical landmarks.
