Karachi Zoo is the oldest and largest zoo in Pakistan. It was built in 1878. It has been used for various purposes and has changed names, yet it is still one of the oldest monuments in Karachi. At one time it was also called Gandhi Garden. It is located on Nishtar Road and Sir Aga Khan Road. Karachi Zoo has rare and rare species of animals and birds and a large number of animals which remain the center of attention of those who come for entertainment. Various swings have also been installed here for children.
The history of Karachi Zoo is quite ancient. In 1775, East India Company traders were expelled by the ruling Kalhoro dynasty of Sindh because they were suspicious of the British. Later, at the beginning of the Talpur period, local Hindu traders also accepted the presence of British citizens. but when the Talpur family bowed down to the East India Company, Nathan Crowe was sent as a British agent to Karachi and Thatta in 1799. The East India Company under Croker’s leadership in the desert-like suburbs of Karachi. A factory was started in 1799. Large gardens were planted in and around the factory. Nathan Crowe was expelled from here in 1800 AD for suspicious activities and the factory was closed. Later, these gardens were taken over by the government, which were locally known as Sarkari Bagh. These gardens were also part of the map of Karachi prepared by Commander Charles in 1833. In 1839, the British built quarters for their soldiers in the city of Karachi, then the garden covering an area of 43 acres was used for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables for the British soldiers. The supervision of this work was entrusted to the Assistant Commissioner General and Superintendent of Gardens, Major W. Blankens. Planted fruit and flower plants. Within a few years, the garden was developed to such an extent that the vegetables and fruits produced here were also sold to the British soldiers, making the garden a decent income. Historians say that from 1845 to 1847, the vegetables and fruits grown in this garden, especially the grape vines brought from California, bore so much fruit that 17 thousand 353 rupees were earned by selling them.
In order to provide recreational facilities to the soldiers and their families, in 1860, the soldiers and their families were given permission to roam around the municipality, in view of which the army officers and their wives. , who were called Meem Sahiba by the local people, used to come to the garden for recreation and some of them were great hunters who used to bring small animals and birds here when they went hunting. There were, from which the splendor of the garden became twofold. Historians say that by 1890, the same hunters released hundreds of animals and birds in this garden, which at first roamed freely, then were imprisoned in cages. At the same time, there was a strong protest on the part of the local people that only the British soldiers and their families were allowed to enjoy the garden. He also founded a dairy farm here. The British government used to provide funds of Rs.100 per month for the maintenance and management of the garden. In 1847, Major Blankens reported to the higher authorities that he had not taken any help for the garden for two years, instead, during this period, earned a profit of Rs 17,032 for the government. The said profit was obtained from the sale of vegetables for soldiers’ food, fodder for government cattle to private parties and supply of pigeons, rabbits etc. to the local hospital. At that time there were at least 15 wells in the garden and there was also a well-developed water supply system. JE Stocks writes in his book “Note on the Botany of Sind” (1846) “Sir Charles Napier is doing excellent work” he has laid the foundations of another government garden by planting trees in the roads and streets. which is a depot for garden shrubs and a source of supply of fresh European vegetables for the troops.
The government handed over the garden to the municipality in 1861 with the condition that it would not be rented out or transferred to anyone else. The garden was converted into a public garden in 1869 and historical evidence shows that According to some time after the handover, its new name was given as Queen Victoria Garden, which was locally known as Rani Bagh. The travel writer Richard Burton in 1877 also mentions the availability of fresh water at Rani Bagh and the presence of bands for music. Since the municipality wanted to make some improvements in it, a plan was prepared for the preparation of a zoo here in 1878, the management of which was decided to be handed over to a trust. Imam Agha Ali Shah built a palace in Karachi which was known as ‘Peer Ji Wadi’ and which was located in front of the Zoological Gardens. He asked Sindh Commissioner Henry Napier Bruce Erskrin for permission to construct the gate of the garden. The cost of this work was borne by Imam Agha Ali Shah and its foundation stone is still there, on which the donation for the construction of the gate is recorded. The same thing happened in other imperial gardens. Birdwood did. Stands and strong paths were laid for cricket grounds. Benjamin Traill favored the importation of plants from abroad and sought advice from botanists. Residents of Karachi donated the initial stock of animals and thus a beautiful and excellent garden emerged. In 1890, the zoo housed 93 mammals and 465 birds. W. Starchin was appointed as the first professional superintendent in 1889, who served for ten years. His successor, the European Superintendent, was unable to do better and left soon after his appointment. This was the first time that a native was appointed to the position of Superintendent. In the beginning, Ali Muhammad worked until his death in 1911. His brother Ali Murad, who had previously worked as a superintendent of zoo animals, took over as superintendent in 1911. The heart of the garden was a beautifully designed Victorian-style fountain built in 1883 jointly by the municipality and NN Pochaji in memory of Bombay philanthropist Kausji Jahangir Reddy Money. An 18-foot-high fountain was connected to an 11,000-gallon tank that kept the water moving. Sir Evan James, Commissioner of Sindh (1891 to 1900), took a keen interest in the flora and fauna of the province. He introduced California grapes here and established a vineyard that soon became famous for its delicious grapes. Various varieties of grapes were found here, which the locals knew as Karachi Gulati.
Some evidence of donations from local philanthropists is also found in the help of old foundation stones, one of which reads “The metal of this cage was donated by Seth Ninha Mal Banarsi Das in 1903”. On another it is written “This cage was presented by His Highness Mir Sir Faiz Muhammad Khan Talpur, the ruler of Khairpur in 1905”. The Beaumont lawns established in 1910 remained in place despite all the above changes. These lawns were named after TLF Beaumont, President of Karachi Municipality and Chairman Garden Committee (1903-10). However, references to the zoo are few and far between before 1913, and then Furrel and Ludlow wrote that “though Karachi is a new city, with not many places of tourist interest, the Victoria Gardens are worth a visit.” is In the early part of the century, the Garden and its surrounding botanical gardens were a popular Sunday tourist center for the general public. In 1921, the zoo had a staff of three cashiers, a clerk and a shop. During his visit to Karachi in 1934, Mahatma Gandhi was given a grand reception in this garden, which was managed by the Karachi Municipal Corporation. During this ceremony it was announced that the name of this place was changed from Victoria Garden to Mahatma Gandhi Garden and this name was used for a long time before and after the creation of Pakistan and when Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah After the establishment of Pakistan, after a few years, the name of Gandhi Garden was changed to Karachi Zoological Garden. He took steps and ordered birds and animals from other countries to adorn the zoo, in view of which it was considered one of the important zoos of the country at that time. On the part of the municipality, where money is collected from the people in the form of tickets, the electronic swings, stalls, playgrounds installed to provide more entertainment facilities to the people are used for its income. are the source.
