# Karachi District (Sind)

Karachi District under British India underwent significant transformation during the period 1936 to 1948. Initially part of Sind Province, it emerged as a pivotal economic and administrative hub.
The district's role and status underwent a dramatic shift with the Partition of India in 1947, culminating in its transfer to the newly formed Federal Capital Territory of Pakistan in 1948.

## Administration

During the British colonial era, the administrative setup of Karachi District included several important talukas:
1. Karachi Taluka - The central hub of trade, administration, and port activities. It included the city and surrounding settlements.
2. Kotri Taluka - Situated near the Indus River, it was significant due to its role in transportation and trade routes.
3. Manora Taluka - A coastal region focused on defense and port operations, including Manora Island.
4. Manjhand Taluka - Located inland, known for its rural settlements and agricultural importance.
5. Thatta Taluka - A historical region with a rich cultural past, once a prominent center of trade and learning.
6. Keti Bunder Taluka - A coastal area serving as a fishing and trading port near the Arabian Sea. Indian Gazetteer of India

## History

Following the Partition of India in 1947, Karachi was declared the capital of the newly formed Islamic Republic of Pakistan. To ensure the federal government's autonomy, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was carved out of Karachi District in 1948.
The FCT remained the capital of Pakistan until 1960 when the capital was shifted to Rawalpindi. While Karachi's status as the federal capital ended, it continued to be a major economic and financial hub of Pakistan.

## Demographics

Religious groups in Karachi District (British Sindh era) :
| Religious group | 1872 | 1872 | 1881 | 1881 | 1891 | 1891 | 1901 | 1901 | 1911 | 1911 | 1921 | 1921 | 1931 | 1931 | 1941 | 1941 |
| Religious group | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| Islam | 347,551 | 82.07% | 390,067 | 81.49% | 453,188 | 80.23% | 483,474 | 79.54% | 396,334 | 75.97% | 386,151 | 71.24% | 465,785 | 71.63% | 457,035 | 64.02% |
| Hinduism | 72,513 | 17.12% | 82,860 | 17.31% | 103,589 | 18.34% | 115,240 | 18.96% | 111,748 | 21.42% | 138,485 | 25.55% | 162,111 | 24.93% | 222,597 | 31.18% |
| Christianity | 2,643 | 0.62% | 4,674 | 0.98% | 6,314 | 1.12% | 6,486 | 1.07% | 9,013 | 1.73% | 9,999 | 1.84% | 13,152 | 2.02% | 17,695 | 2.48% |
| Zoroastrianism | 717 | 0.17% | 969 | 0.2% | 1,408 | 0.25% | 1,841 | 0.3% | 2,202 | 0.42% | 2,720 | 0.5% | 3,364 | 0.52% | 3,721 | 0.52% |
| Judaism | 7 | 0% | 106 | 0.02% | 147 | 0.03% | 381 | 0.06% | 573 | 0.11% | 661 | 0.12% | 955 | 0.15% | 1,053 | 0.15% |
| Jainism | — | — | 9 | 0% | 99 | 0.02% | 126 | 0.02% | 650 | 0.12% | 1,118 | 0.21% | 629 | 0.1% | 3,215 | 0.45% |
| Buddhism | — | — | 3 | 0% | 2 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 21 | 0% | 41 | 0.01% | 53 | 0.01% | 111 | 0.02% |
| Sikhism | — | — | — | — | 132 | 0.02% | — | — | 1,150 | 0.22% | 2,543 | 0.47% | 4,009 | 0.62% | 7,589 | 1.06% |
| Tribal | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | 0.01% | 347 | 0.06% | 172 | 0.03% | 884 | 0.12% |
| Others | 64 | 0.02% | 0 | 0% | 1 | 0% | 280 | 0.05% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Total population | 423,495 | 100% | 478,688 | 100% | 564,880 | 100% | 607,828 | 100% | 521,721 | 100% | 542,065 | 100% | 650,240 | 100% | 713,900 | 100% |
| Note: British Sindh era district borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to district borders — which since created new districts — throughout the region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases. |||||||||||||||||