Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building, also known as the KCCI Building, is a heritage building in central Karachi, Pakistan dating from 1934. Its foundation stone was laid by Gandhi in July 1934.[1] It currently serves as headquarters for the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Building
کے سی سی آئی بلڈنگ
General information
Architectural styleAnglo-Mughal
LocationSerai Quarter, Karachi, Pakistan
Coordinates24.8509°N 67.0034°E / 24.8509; 67.0034
Completed1934
Technical details
MaterialSandstone
Design and construction
ArchitectAhmed Hussain Agha

History

The building was founded to serve as the headquarters of the Karachi Indian Merchants' Association, and its foundation stone was laid on 8 July 1934 by Gandhi.[1][2] It was built on a plot measuring 4250 square yards, that was purchased for 114,750 rupees.[3] Following independence, the building was the site of the first meeting of the Central Board of Directors in 1949 for the new National Bank of Pakistan.[3][4] It was declared a protected heritage site on 7 September 1995. Although the exterior remains largely unchanged from its original design,[5] the interior has been heavily modified over time.[6]

Architecture

The building was designed by Ahmed Hussain Agha in a Mughal-revival style known as Anglo-Mughal which came into vogue in the 1920s.[6] Most earlier buildings in Karachi relied heavily on a European style of architectures, such as the Frere Hall, Khaliq Dina Hall, and Karachi Port Trust Building. The KCCI Building is notable different from earlier civic building in the city in that it relied heavily on the Mughal style instead.[6] Other Karachi buildings built in the same style include the Mohatta Palace, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building, and Hindu Gymkhana.[6]

It was made of sandstone, with some materials brought from Jaipur, in what is now the Indian state of Rajasthan.[7]

  • The building has domes and faux-minarets that are Mughal in style
  • The building is made of sandstone
  • Mughal-inspired details
  • The front of the building has a large Islamic style arch
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References
  1. Haroon, Hameed; Baig, Mariam Ali (2004). Karachi Under the Raj, 1843-1947: Visions of empire. Pakistan Herald Publications.
  2. PTI. "Of Gandhi landmarks in Pakistan: Mostly gone!". @businessline. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  3. "History of the KCCI building". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  4. "75th Anniversary of The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Building 1934-2009". Paknet Magazine (127). 15 June 2009.
  5. Haroon, Hameed; Baig, Mariam Ali (2004). Karachi Under the Raj, 1843-1947: Visions of empire. Pakistan Herald Publications.
  6. "Where art and commerce meet". DAWN.COM. 2010-05-16. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  7. "Amid row over Jinnah portrait, a Gandhi plaque at Karachi commerce chamber". Hindustan Times. 2018-05-10. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
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