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Varun Dev Temple rehabilitation
The VarunDevMandir is on Manora Island, off Karachi Harbor. It is situated on a small hillock, which was clearly very prominent from surroundings and has been marked on the old maps as such. Like every other religious site associated with the natural feature, it must have been part of exploit or appearance of some deity; in present case it may be case of VarunDev that attracted the fancy of the devotees. Most probably it is associated withthe story of Krish-na visiting this place to honor the erstwhile deity Varun Dev. The surrounding depression was gradually filled up, with the mu-nicipal selection as in-fill site, and subsequently by the efforts of the community, to provide the level grounds for the devotees’ activities, during festivities and ceremonies. It subsequently became the part of Mandir, by receiving some construction. It has faired well in Administrative Correspondence of Colonial Re-cords; the information about the temple, its being associated with any particular community and circumstances of its constructionare otherwise not available. Manora Island also is not much known in historical narratives. The first ever reference, which provides an indirect reference, is from IbneMajid’s account of seafaring in Indian Ocean. It refers to Munawara. This reference may be construed as an association of the place with the presence of a light tower; not necessarily to a structure like the-modern day lighthouse, but of course the ancient world is replete with the most amazing structures serving as lighthouses, to afford the guidance to the seafarers.
02
Rumi Graveyard conservation
Rumi is the graveyard with beautifully carved graves. It is situated on right side of the Karachi – Hub road, some 7 kms short of Hub town. The graveyard was in complete ruins, highly vandalized by the tomb robbers, in search of treasures. The graves, mostly of 17th century are cut and carved out of local sandstone. The rich carving lured many a free boaters to carry away the scattered slabs, many of these with inscriptions. The circumstances warranted immediate attention of the government archaeological department and other volunteer organization, working on Heritage to intervene to save an important graveyard from complete destruction. SEAS Pakistan, a group of dedicated Archaeologists and conservationists, took cognizance and made a proposal for the restoration of the graves and for securing the graveyard against future destruction. The restoration workout only involved the basic conservation principles for archaeological heritage, enshrined in various conservations and guidelines framed under UNESCO but also went a step further and devised strategy to involve the stake holders in order to end the isolation of the site of RUMI and workout assured safeguard for the future.
03
Khaliq dina hall conservation
The Khaliq-Dina hall was under focus since long, due to recurring issues with the structure and allied spaces. In this connection the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation initiated discussions; resultantly a Seminar was held in Khaliq-Di-na Hall, participated by lead experts in the field. The seminar made recommen-dations, resultantly a proposal was developed with consensus. Therefore a development scheme prepared, the work has been assigned to M/s Laraib Enterprises, and Sindh Exploration and Adventure Society (SEAS) Pakistan is to provide the Consultancy for the project. The Khaliq dina Hall was the first public build-ing built by local Muslim philanthropists for the literary and leisurely pursuits of the native population. We must recall that white and black quarters divided the city into distinct parts during the Colonial period. The natives lived in the Old Town — the north-western part Serai Road, Napier Road and Bunder Road, while the goras lived in the southeast the Civil Lines Quar-ter, Frere Hall, Sindh Club and Governor House. In addition, Saddar was used by the European population for shopping and recreation. Khaliqdina Hall was built in 1906 at a cost of Rs33,000, including a generous donation of Rs18,000 made by Ghulam Hussain Khaliqdina.
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frere hall preservation
05
muhki house conservation & restoration
SEAS then worked with the Sindh Antiquities Department to develop a conservation plan for the house. The plan included repairing the damaged features, restoring the interior and exterior of the house, and developing a management plan for the house.
SEAS and SAD also worked with the local community to raise awareness of the importance of Mukhi House and to encourage them to get involved in its conservation.
As a result of SEAS’ efforts, Mukhi House is now in much better condition. The damaged features have been repaired, the interior and exterior of the house have been restored, and a management plan for the house has been developed.
SEAS continues to monitor Mukhi House and to work to ensure its conservation.
06
police museum establishment
The Police Museum building was built in the early 1900s, and it is one of the oldest buildings in the city of Karachi. The building was in a state of disrepair when SEAS Pakistan took on the project of conserving it.
The SEAS Pakistan team worked on restoring the building’s exterior and interior, and they also made a number of improvements to make the building more accessible to visitors. The conservation work was completed in 2019, and the museum was inaugurated in the same year.
SEAS Pakistan’s work on the Police Museum building is a valuable contribution to the preservation of Pakistan’s cultural heritage. The museum is now a popular tourist destination, and it serves as an important reminder of the country’s history and culture.
07
baloch graveyard conservaton
In 2018, SEAS conducted a survey of the Baloch Graveyard to assess its condition and identify any conservation needs. The survey found that the cemetery was in a state of disrepair, with many of the tombs damaged or overgrown with vegetation.
SEAS then worked with the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) to develop a conservation plan for the cemetery. The plan included clearing the vegetation, repairing the damaged tombs, and installing fencing to protect the site.
SEAS and STDC also worked with the local community to raise awareness of the importance of the Baloch Graveyard and to encourage them to get involved in its conservation.
As a result of SEAS’ efforts, the Baloch Graveyard is now in much better condition. The tombs have been repaired, the vegetation has been cleared, and the site is now fenced off to protect it from further damage.
08
central record office governor house stone entrance
The Public Record Office Act was passed in 1838 to ‘keep safely the public records. It placed records of existing and ancient courts of law and their offices in a non-ministerial department under the Keepership of the Master of the Rolls. The Public Record Office was Organized in a number of branches with headquarters at Rolls House on the Rolls Estate in Chancery Lane, central London. The Master of Rolls was empowered to regulate public access to records and to fix fees for their inspection, where appropriate. He was also required to appoint a Deputy Keeper as Chief Record Keeper. At the time, the term “record” referred only to legal documents. However, during the 1840s, papers and documents of government departments began to be accepted for preservation. This development was firmly supported by the Public Record Office and by the Treasury. To legalize matters an Order—in-Council was issued in 1852. A year earlier the first stone of the new purpose-build repository had been laid on the Rolls Estate and between 1854 and 1856 the various branches were moved into it. in 1862 they were joined the records and staff of the State Paper Office, which had been absorbed by the Public Record Office in 1854, and further extensions were made to the repository between 1868 and 1900. A limitation existed, however, as there was no formal requirement for government departments to transfer their papers and make them available for public access. Until the Public Record Office Acts of 1877 and 1898, there was also no provision for the destruction of material not selected for preservation. Concern over this lack of a systematic procedure for government records led to an investigation by a Royal Commission on Public Records (1910—1919), but little came of its findings. It was not until the appointment of a committee in 1952 to review the existing arrangements that reform began.
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