Mazar-E-Quaid

Mazar-e-Quaid is also known as the National Mausoleum or Jinnah Mausoleum. The tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the man who founded Pakistan, is located at Mazar-e-Quaid. This mausoleum was created in 1970 and is located in the heart of Karachi, Pakistan. This marble building on a natural plateau was created by the Indian architect Yahya Merchant. The mausoleum serves as the ultimate resting place for Jinnah, Liaqat Ali Khan, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Abdur Rab Nishtar, and Nurul Amin. Liaqat Ali Khan was the first prime minister of Pakistan. Mazar-e-Quaid functions not just as a mausoleum but also as a venue for a number of official and military ceremonies. It is an iconic emblem of Karachi as well as one of the most famous and well-liked tourist sites in the city. 

What to look at Mazar-E-Quaid?

- You can enter a large octagonal area with a ceremonial sarcophagus in its middle after passing through one of the mausoleum's four pointed arches (the actual tomb. It is in a subterranean chamber directly beneath the ceremonial sarcophagus). 

- A stunning planted avenue with gardens, terraces, and fifteen symbolic fountains leads up to a 75m by 75m plinth that serves as the mausoleum's base as you approach this enormous tomb. This tomb is anchored in the terrain by a 4 m pedestal, which also distinguishes the tomb from its natural surroundings and highlights its contents' significance.

- The actual tomb is square in shape, with gradually tapering walls and a basic, refined design made of flawless white marble and crowned with a stucco dome. Although marble is a rather frequent material for notable works of architecture, it was also chosen to temper the region's harsh climatic conditions.

- Only the stucco dome and copper lattice work at each of the four-pointed arch entrances serves to contrast the white marble used for the building's interior and exterior. The building employed only locally sourced and labor-intensive materials helped in boosting the local economy and provided employment opportunities for the community.