Before British rule, the Clifton area was a primarily barren seashore known to locals as “Hawa Bandar” or “Wind Port.” Before the site was developed as a Karachi city, Clifton’s shoreline was home to the 8th century Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine, viewed mainly as the town’s saints. The shrine is parallel to the historic Sri Ratneswar Mahadev Hindu Temple. Clifton was officially founded under British colonial rule in the late 19th century. Parsis began moving to the early 20th century, and Muslims and Hindus soon followed them. The Jehangir Kothari Parade, given to Parsi businessman Seth Jehangir Hormusji Kothari, was built in Clifton in 1919-20. A wealthy Hindu businessman made the Mohatta Palace in Clifton in 1927 and now serves as a museum. In the 1930s, the Clifton Bridge connected the colonies to central Karachi. By the 1950s, Camel rides along Clifton Beach became a popular activity. Before the 1970s, the area was a rural building characterized by apartments, houses and now developed as a famous commercial center of Pakistan. In 1973, Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto launched a three sword monument as a beautification program. It was designed in the form of his political party election symbol. The Dolmen Mall was also constructed and is now one of Pakistan’s largest shopping malls, serving local and several international brands such as Debenham’s. The former housing of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the present home of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari & Asif Ali Zardari is also located in these areas.
