Overview of Mazar-e-Quaid (Mausoleum)
Mazar-e-Quaid (Mausoleum)
Sometime after the death of Quaid-i-Azam, Syed Hashim Raza, the administrator of Karachi,
chose a place for his mausoleum in the heart of Karachi on major and important roads.
The design of the mausoleum was prepared by the famous architect Yaki Merchant in 1956.
In December 1958, the design of the mausoleum was approved by his sister Ms. Fatima Jinnah.
On July 31, 1960, the President of Pakistan Ayub Khan laid the foundation stone of this project.
It is based on a short biography of Quaid-i-Azam, old coins of Pakistan, and the text
of the Pakistan Resolution. While 18,000 tolas of silver have also been used to protect the tomb,
the shrine was opened to the public in January 1971.
In order to reach the 250-feet Vasi platform of the main building located on the premises of
Mazar-e-Quaid covers 65000 yards, and spacious stairs have been built on three sides.
Quality marble has just been ordered from Mardan and Peshawar. The height of the
main building of the shrine is 114 feet, the inner diameter of the dome is 70 feet and
the outer circumference is 74 feet. There are four large arched entrances to the shrine.
The calligraphy of the book was done by the famous calligrapher Abdul Majeed.
Verses of Surah Nasr and Surah Al-Falaj are engraved on the amulet.
The inner dome was gifted by the Chinese government. A beautiful chandelier is installed.
Silver nets have been placed around the grave. Since January 1973, armed forces
have been guarding the shrine. 14 cars are stationed inside the shrine and
4 officials are stationed outside the shrine. In the 127 hectares of gardens in the mausoleum’s premises,
besides hundreds of thick black trees, numerous flowering plants have also been planted for visitors.
Chairs are also placed in different places. There is also a lift for special dignitaries.
On one side of the shrine is the Quaid-i-Azam Antiquities Hall, which was inaugurated on March 23, 1982.
These antiquities were donated by your sister Ms. Shermin Bai. Among these antiquities,
Quaid’s personal 1938 model Packard car number KAM1327 and official Cad Luck car model 1947 are preserved.
And numerous objects have also been kept as an exhibition. On the premises of the shrine,
the mother of the nation, Ms. Fatima Jinnah, the martyr of the nation, Liaquat Ali Khan,
Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan, Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar, and Nurul Amin are buried. There is also a souvenir shop.
This luxurious building is located on MA Jinnah Road off Shahrah Quaid-e-Azam. Quaid-e-Azam House Museum Flagstaff House.
