List of watering troughs in Karachi explained

In the early 19th century, Karachi's watering troughs were recognized for their architectural significance.^[1] These structures were primarily constructed from Gizri stone, a material no longer commonly used.^[2] They reflected various European architectural styles prevalent in Karachi during its annexation period.^[3]

Initially, these troughs played a crucial role in the city's infrastructure. They provided water access to low-income workers and the general populace. However, with technological advancements such as electrical pumps and the shift to motorized vehicles, there was a reduced reliance on animal-drawn carts. Consequently, the water troughs' relevance diminished.

At least 30 watering troughs were built during British Raj.^[1] Some of these structures have been demolished. Below is a list of watering troughs located in Karachi:

List

Name	Photo	Coordinates	Location	Notes
Watering Trough I			Shahrah-e-Iran, Karachi	^[4]
Watering Trough II			Adams Road, Karachi	^[5]
Watering Trough III			Harding Bridge, Karachi
Watering Trough IV		24.8476°N 66.9952°W	M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi	^[6]
Thakur Morarji Shiv Boda Watering Trough			Near Pakistan Chowk	It was built by Thakur Valamji Morarji in memory of his father Thakur Morarji Shiv Boda.^[7] ^[8]
Pahlajrai Revachand Panjabi Watering Trough			Near Merewether Tower, Karachi	It was donated by Pahlajrai Revachand Panjabi.^[9]
Byram Edulji Watering Trough			Near Guru Mandir, Karachi	It was built in 1893 by Byram Edulji.^[10]
Diwan Dayaram Chellaram Mirchandani Watering Trough		24.8574°N 67.0106°W	Mission Road, near the Civil Hospital, Karachi	It was built in 1927 by Shrimati Aplibai, in memory of her husband, Diwan Dayaram Chellaram Mirchandani.^[11] ^[12]
Framroze E. Punthakey Watering Trough			Soldier Bazaar, Karachi	It was built in 1924 and is named after Framroze E. Punthakey who was served as the Honorary Secretary General of SPCA between 1878 and 1921.
Bahadur Nusserwangi Metha Watering Trough			Borapir, Karachi	It was built in 1934 by the staff of the Nusserwangi Company and is named after Bahadur Nusserwangi Metha.^[13]
Napier Mole Watering Trough			Napier Mole Bridge, Karachi	It was built in 1900 by Byram Edulji.
Nanakwara Garden Watering Trough			Nanakwara Garden, Karachi	It was gifted by the Dumb Animals Fund.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Once upon a time, Karachi cared for its animals. February 6, 2019. The Express Tribune.
2. Web site: Karachi's Disappearing Troughs . 2024-01-22 . arifhasan.org . en-GB.
3. Book: Laiq, Architect Wajeeha . An Approach for Documenting Historic Drinking Water Troughs of Karachi, Pakistan . 2022 . Vujicic . Miroslav D. . Kasim . Azilah . Kostopoulou . Stella . Chica Olmo . Jorge . Aslam . Mohamed . Cultural Sustainable Tourism . https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-07819-4_14 . Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation . en . Cham . Springer International Publishing . 155–168 . 10.1007/978-3-031-07819-4_14 . 978-3-031-07819-4.
4. http://sbca.gos.pk/PDF%20Files/LIST%20OF%20HERITAGE%20BUILDINGS.pdf List of Heritage Buildings pg 11
5. http://sbca.gos.pk/PDF%20Files/LIST%20OF%20HERITAGE%20BUILDINGS.pdf List of Heritage Buildings pg 10
6. Web site: Water Trough M.A. Jinnah road. doam.gov.pk.
7. Web site: The Water Troughs of Karachi. June 10, 2022. Pakistan Chowk Community Centre.
8. Web site: Before derelict heritage turns to dust, Karachi needs a history lesson . 2024-01-22 . www.geo.tv . en-US.
9. Web site: 2018-07-18 . City Landmarks – The water trough near Merewether Tower . 2024-01-22 . The Karachi Walla . en.
10. Web site: City Landmarks – Byram Edulji Water trough, Guru Mandir. July 25, 2019.
11. Web site: KARACHI: Neglected trough gets facelift. January 15, 2007. DAWN.COM.
12. Web site: Diwan Dayaram Chellaram Mirchandani Trough .
13. Web site: Karachi's Disappearing Troughs.