Harchandrai Vishandas C.I.E. (1 May 1862 – 16 February 1928), was a Sindhi attorney, politician, and mayor of Karachi in modern-day Pakistan.[1] He is considered a great Sindhi and “the father of modern Karachi.”[2] His social, educational, and political services rendered to the people of Sindh are so great that he is now recognised as one of the makers of modern Karachi.
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Harchandrai Vishandas |
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Born | (1862-05-01)1 May 1862
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Died | 16 February 1928(1928-02-16) (aged 65)
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Nationality | British India |
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Occupations |
- Lawyer
- Politician
- Independence fighter
- Mayor of Karachi[1]
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Known for | Father of Modern Karachi |
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He was one of the first six young Sindhi men who graduated from Elphinstone College in Bombay prior to 1887. After completing law in 1885, Harchandrai accepted a junior position in the Shikarpur court, but soon resigned to begin a law practice in Karachi. He was the elected Honorary Secretary of Karachi Bar Association just after its establishment in 1890, and served for a full 38 years.
Harchandrai was the elected as a member of Karachi Municipality in 1888, and then served a term of ten years as its president between 1911 and 1921. As mayor of Karachi, he oversaw a major beautification project, which involved development of new roads, parks, residential and recreational areas.[1] He was subsequently appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council and was an Ex officio member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom until his death in 1928.
Mayorship of Karachi
Harchandrai was elected mayor of the Karachi Municipal Committee in 1911 until 1921.[1] Under his mayorship, civic improvements led to the installation of gas lamps along the city's streets and the introduction of footpaths.[7] Electricity was introduced in Karachi in 1913 by Mayor Harichand Rai. That's why Karachi was called (and still is) ‘city of lights.’ Interestingly, it didn't become common in US till 1920, even though the electric bulb was invented there. He was also responsible for development works which led to shifting the course of the Lyari River, which opened up land for development.[7]
Harchandrai Vishandas died on 16 February 1928 in Delhi.[13] When the British Simon Commission was sent to India to dispute and review the working of 1919 reforms, the Congress party pressed for its boycott.
Harchandrai's vote was required for that purpose. Thus, he chose to leave Karachi against the advice of his doctor and friends, so determined he was to record his vote against the Simon Commission. However, on his way from the railway station to the Assembly Hall, Harchandrai suddenly died.
On 16 February 1934, on his sixth death anniversary, a statue of Harchandrai was unveiled in front of Karachi Municipal Corporation Building. It was removed shortly after the partition of India in 1947.[14]
Khadim Hussain Soomro (2001). Seth Harchandrai Vishandas. Sain Publishers, 2001 Original from the University of Michigan. pp. 19–99–126. Khadim Hussain Soomro (2001). Seth Harchandrai Vishandas. Sain Publishers, 2001 original from the University of Michigan. pp. 90–112.