Images | Pakistan in the Mirror of History.
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ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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A survey group in the Kurram Valley, 1879 (c).
Photograph by Bourne and Shepherd, 2nd Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), 1879.
Much of the surveying of India's terrain was carried out by the British during their rule there.
However, as this photograph shows, the British surveyors were accompanied by local soldiers and other men while they worked. This photograph was taken in Kurram, then on the border between British India and Afghanistan.
Photograph by Bourne and Shepherd, 2nd Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), 1879.
Much of the surveying of India's terrain was carried out by the British during their rule there.
However, as this photograph shows, the British surveyors were accompanied by local soldiers and other men while they worked. This photograph was taken in Kurram, then on the border between British India and Afghanistan.
ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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Magen Shalom Synagogue 1893
Later Madiha Square Karachi 1980s
The building in front of the picture is called "Madiha Square" and it is located on Jamila Street in Ranchhor Line.
But if you go back forty fifty years from now, there used to be a Jewish sanctuary called Magen Shalome Synagogue, which they called the "Bani Israel Mosque" even though they knew the mosque was only for Muslims.
Most of the members in this group ask whether there were ever Jews in Karachi, what were their numbers, in which areas did they live, which language did they speak? etc. etc. etc.
I tried to learn something on my own, instead of relying on books and especially google, I tried to get information from old elders because I know that what history will be known from elders and old "chapters", that will be the real history Whereas "Google Baba" often cheats.
The Jews living in Karachi were Iranian origin who came from Iraq and settled in Iran centuries ago, but then migrated to India in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries due to drought and poor economic conditions in Iran.
Like the Persians, these people were also traders and businessmen and like them migrated from Iran at the same time and like them settled in the coastal areas of India including Mumbai and Pune of Maharashtra and likewise Indian Gujarat. Started business in other coastal areas including Junagarh, Jamnagar, Surat, Rajkot, Mandvi and some Bhoj Kathiawar.
Since there was a Muslim government in the Minors at that time, they did not openly declare themselves Jews, but most of them called themselves Persian or Christians.
But then when the British conquered India, because they were more interested in their own uprising and were more concerned about their power and authority than any other religion, so the Jews living here also followed their synagogue of synagogue. Started building and also started keeping specific hats on the head. At the same time, they made their graves separate from Christians and Muslims.
Their arrival in Karachi dates back to the nineteenth century when the people of the Persian community were also coming to Karachi for business purposes and this was the time when the British had occupied the Manora Fort in Karachi in 1839 and the next phase was the port. Extension of and then construction of Napier Mole Bridge has begun.
Like the Persians, the Jews living in Karachi also spoke Gujarati language, however, some people who came directly from Mumbai also spoke Marathi, but mostly Gujarati language was spoken.
The elders say that words were engraved in Hebrew on their graves and buildings, and the prescriptions of the heavenly book "Torah" were also in Hebrew, but no one heard them speak in Hebrew except them. Religious leaders who read Torah in Hebrew who were called Rabbi.
Majority of them were based in the area of President, Garden East and Soldier Bazar at that time, while a smaller number of these people also lived in Ranchhor Line, perhaps the reason is that their place of worship is present in that area.
When the British started leaving here, these people started migrating back to Bombay even before staying in Pakistan. Perhaps there was fear in their hearts, but still a good number of these people stayed in Karachi.
However, after Pakistan was formed, Israel was formed the next year and a good number of these people went to Israel while some went to Britain and America.
Remainers have begun to feel themselves more insecure even though Muslims have never damaged their property or place of worship.
Meanwhile in 1967, the incident of Masjid Aqsa defamation occurred on which there are demonstrations all over the world and in Karachi as a reaction some emotional people damaged this place of worship, however the government took control of the situation. ۔
After the incident, the local Jews here who were already frightened, became more frightened and began relocating once again.
It is said that even before the change of government in 1977, there were a small number of Jews in Karachi and that was the time when I saw this shrine of Ranchhor Line from outside in my childhood because these people were not there for anyone. They didn't let in.
I have heard that their cemetery used to be beside this shrine, but it was abolished after the formation of Pakistan and later these people used to bury their dead bodies in the Mewh Shah Cemetery, where their cemetery exists even today.
There used to be a racist organization of Jews in Karachi called "Freemasons" which was very active in the British era but its members were foreign Jews who belonged to Britain while they had no relation with Jews living in Pakistan. There was no connection.
Even today, there is a "Freemason Hall" near Karachi Press Club, where Sindh Wildlife people have made a museum. Entry is free there, you must visit this building once.
The British themselves were fed up with the activities of the Freemasons, but they used to fund them, although their activities were limited after the formation of Pakistan, they still did not stop. After all, in 1974 Bhutto's government took action on these people. Chased away from Pakistan and took possession of the building which can be seen as a museum today.
The Jews had a big involvement in Karachi's politics as well and when the first municipal elections of 1930 took place, these people had made their social leader Abraham Rueben Abraham Rueben win the councilor by 600 votes.
Abraham Rubin was a very active political leader, who is said to have contested the mayorship election of Karachi, but then was defeated by Persian personality Jamshed Nasirwanji Mehta.
The presence of Jews in Karachi has been a historical fact and some time ago I also saw an interview on YouTube of a Jew who went to Israel in 1967, which he gave in Urdu language. Even after so many years, he still spent his time in Karachi. Reminds me of childhood. This interview is probably still there on YouTube which you can search and watch.
If you have more information about this, please share. Thanks
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