Visiting Flagstaff House

The yellow brick façade with green wooden frames attracts many visitors to its gate as the Flagstaff House stands as tall as Jinnah’s achievements.

This is the Quaid-e-Azam House, dedicated to the personal life of Muhammad Ali Jinnah located in Karachi, close to Frere Hall. In the hustle bustle of the city, the house is a reminder of what the Quaid did for us.

The study room consists of a reading table, chairs, table lamp and some stationery items. A resting sofa is placed at on corner of the room. The shelves made of wood and fine quality glass are decorated with high standard crockery which were used by the Quaid-i-Azam.

This house remained the residence of Jinnah from 1944 until his death in 1948. It is known that Mr Jinnah hardly lived at this place but visitied it frequently. His sister, Fatima Jinnah lived there until 1964. It was bought by Jinnah in 1943 at the cost of 150,000 rupees. The building was later acquired in 1985 by the Pakistani government and converted to a museum.

The Structure

The structure is built of lime-stone masonry with wooden trusses supporting the roof. Red ceramic Manglore tiles are used at the top to cover the roof. The staircase is all wooden and is in dark brown color. Beautifully coloured tiles are used on the ground floor and wooden planks are used on the first as floor covering.

The Decor

Each room is decorated with those relics which Quaid-iAzam used during his lifetime. A finely carved cigarette box of good quality sandalwood is one of the antiques now placed in the house. A big camphorwood box which is skillfully carved on the sides is also placed in the bedroom on the first floor. The sofa sets are preserved in their original form.

The Quaid-i-Azam House is now renovated, and equipped with modern facilities. It is centrally air-conditioned and there is a fire extinguishing unit. Other facilities include burglar alarm system, close circuit TV and film projection facility.

The Department of Archaeology and Museums, the Government of Pakistan and the Public Works Department jointly prepared a comprehensive scheme for renovating and restoring the Quaid-i-Azam House.

The Main House

The main House has been completely renovated and restored but its general character or profile has been maintained intact. Only the roof of ground floor was changed and laid in cement concrete but was provided by refixing the false wooden ceiling and wooden floor on top similar to the original design, using almost 80% old material. The roof over the 1st floor has been done according to its original plan and finished with red clay tiles.

On the exterior, missing and damaged portions of columns balusters and balconies have been restored to match the original style and colour. The damaged stone of the building has been replaced with new ones to strengthen the structure. All electric controls have been placed in two control rooms where fire alarm systems will is monitored.

The Annexe

The Annexe originally consisted of four small rooms with a verandah that provided access to the rooms. The flat concrete lintels in the verandah indicate that it was added at some later date. The dividing walls of the rooms have now been removed to provide a large Hall to serve as an Auditorium and Projection Room. The verandah has been retained which opens towards the front garden. Though the roof has been changed, it follows the original profile of the slopping roof and has been finished with clay tiles.

Out House

The roof profile and clay tiles finish has been maintained according to the original construction. The front verandah has also been maintained as in the original building. The Out House has been converted into reserves, offices and library.

Library

A small library, containing books about Quaid-i-Azam and Freedom Movement has been established in July, 2003 to facilitate visitors.

GARDEN:

The Garden in front and in the back of the Quaid-i-Azam House has been redesigned to serve the requirement of Museum visitors. It has been laid after due repairs and restoration of the water supply system. A number of lights have been provided in the garden for security and also for its use on special occasions.

The Rooms Within

On the first floor, there is an open area with a breakfast table, a second ‘upstairs’ drawing room and two bedrooms belonging to Fatima Jinnah and Mr Jinnah respectively.

The rooms are well kept. The second drawing room, most probably reserved for special guests, seems smaller.

Both rooms are too date portray a simplistic and minimilistic feature with very little furniture. Fatima Jinnah’s room also features a separate dressing area.

Mr Jinnah’s room is done in dark-wood furniture. Like his sister’s room, there is only a single bed and a bedside table, with a small sitting area. A pair of his iconic two-tone shoes lay on a rack in the corner.

Mr Jinnah’s house and his possessions contained therein reflect his personal style well.

Visiting Hours: 9.00am to 6.00pm