The dual city

The Dual City is the first book that provides an incisive look at the evolution of Karachi's urban fabric and architecture as influenced by the political order of its time, presenting an understanding of this city's history as never before seen. Written in an evocative combination of historical documentary, architectural history and social observation, this book weaves an engaging narrative of politics, life and buildings in Pakistan's largest and richest city, that became its first capital after independence in 1947. The book traces the history of the city dating back to Alexander's Krokala and Muhammad Bin Qasim's Debal, two ancient cities with which Karachi is identified. From its origin as a small fishing village, Karachi's ascendancy into a major port and prominent city of the British Indian Empire is analyzed, and followed, through Pakistan's independence. Besides placing the most important buildings of Karachi in their historical, political and economic context, this book also discusses the evolution of the layout and planning of the indigenous 'black' city and its organic form, and the creation of the colonial 'white' city and its geometric grid imposed by the British rulers.