Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, was once a sleepy little coastal village. With the advent of the British to this area, however, it was quickly transformed into a major seaport and access route to the subcontinent.This volume combines two books that provide an interesting and informative picture of Karachi as it once was.Behram Sourab H J Rustomji and Sourab K H Kartak, eminent citizen of Karachi, wrote their respective histories of the city in the early years of Independence. Both authors trace the story of this fishing village-cum-trading post from the time of its occupation by the British, with a population of a few tens of thousands, up to the year of the emergence of the Pakistan, with the city of 400,000 as its capital.Aside from nostalgia, this book provides an insight into the 'love for Karachi' that motivated many of its growth and development.This account will be of great interest to residents, administrators and planners of today's population of over 15 million who live together in a 'melting pot' that contains virtually 10 per cent of the population of Pakistan. With its phenomenal growth over the past 60 years, the city has evolved a host of new ethnic, religious, social, economic and ecological problems that threaten the very future of the metropolis.Karachi's ability to cater for the welfare of its residents has been overwhelmed by rural-urban migration and a population explosion.This book will not simply be of interest to readers from all walks of life, but hopes to promote in the hearts of Karachi's residents the beginnings of a desire to actively tackle its burgeoning problems. About Author : Behram Sourab HJ Rustomji (1912-2002), Educationalist, Musician, School Principal, Author, Social Worker, was born in Karachi in 1912.l After his matriculation, he proceeded to the UK in 1935 for further studies and obtained a BA in education from Goldsmiths College, University of London. He became the principal of the BVS Parsi High School in 1946, and 19 years later, resigned to pursue other activities. He was the author of several publications and contributor to many newspapers and journals. Behram Rustomji passed away in 2002 at the age of 90 in Mumbai.Sourab KH Katrak was born in 1892 and educated in Karachi. In addition to being a leading businessman, Sourab Katrak served his city as mayor, and acted as an adviser to President Ayub Khan's government. In recognition of his services to Pakistan, the government bestowed upon him the Sitara-e-Khidmat.Sourab Katrak was very interested in matters relating to his community and religion, and wrote three books on various aspects of his religion and heritage. He died in Karachi in 1972. Contents : ContentsForewordIntroduction1. Prelude2. The Conquest of Karachi3. 'Kalachi's Kun'4. Early Impressions5. Napier, the Great Governor6. The First Two Commissioners-in-Sind7. The Port of Karachi8. Karachi, the Emporium of Trade9. People and Population10. Corporation of the City of Karachi11. June 1947 and AfterAppendicesBibliography