LIGHT
HOUSE
A
replica of the Manora Light House has been
built on the premises, which signifies the
importance of these nautical landmarks while
navigating at sea. Visitors can climb up
and enjoy a panoramic view of the museum's
breathtaking landscape. The light house
greatly enhances the view of the lake and
duplicates the atmosphere of Karachi harbour.
MARINE
LIFE GALLERY
This
large gallery has been incorporated on the
second floor of the museum. It provides
the visitors a clear concept of the variations
of coral and marine life from the sea surface
to the continental shelf down to the deep
sea. It is a colourful experience for the
visitors and exceptionally informative of
the marine life. A specially programmed
computer for accessing information on marine
life has also been provided for the young
and keen scholars.
MARITIME
HISTORY GALLERY
The
most fascinating antefact of the Maritime
History Gallery is the metallic armourus,
which was, found off the coast of Ormara
during recent dredging. It dates back to
the 8th century when Mohammed Bin Qasim's
forces passed through this region. The gallery
also exhibits Moenjodaro's riverine trade,
Ancient Trade Routes, mural painting of
Bin Qasim's Attack on Deybal, early Muslim
navigational instruments, maps and miniature
paintings.
MUSEUM
LAKE
A
large lake has been built on the museum
premises to achieve an atmosphere of the
sea. A complete Minesweeper and a Midget
Submarine have been anchored in the lake.
For the preservation of the rapidly diminishing
tradition of manual boat building a traditional
riverine boat called Baghochan has been
permanently displayed. The boat was fabricated
on the museum premises by rare artisans
using only six tools. The lake provides
the visitors a number of seating platforms
overhanging the water where they can relax
while enjoying the serenity of the lake.
NAVAL
GALLERY
This
gallery is a fine representation of the
Pakistan Navy's achievements during the
1965 Indo-Pak war. A large stone-finished
relief mural depicts return of the triumphant
fleet after the devastating bombardment
of the Indian coast at Dwarka. The gallery
has a multitude of vintage naval equipment
on display. Truly a bountiful journey through
the ages for visitors who wish to vicariously
live the naval past. Two computer systems
have also been provided for access to world
wide naval information through CD-ROMS.
ORIENTATION
LOBBY
This
special lobby has been incorporated for
the visitors to gather information about
the Pakistan Navy by operating easy-to-use
touch-activated state-of-the-art computerised
Archive Retrieval System. There is also
a large mural in ceramic depicting the enormity
and resources of the sea flanked beautifully
by two large seawater aquariums which add
colour and composure to this lobby.
PAINTINGS
Exquisite
works of a number of Pakistani sculptors
and artists of national and international
repute have been displayed in the museum.
Virtuosos such as Zahoor-ul-Akhlaque, Masood
Kohari, Shahid Sajad and other prominent
artists like Noor Jahan Bilgrami, Khalil
Chisti, Ruby, Masood Akhtar, Ather Jamal
and Shoaib have rendered lasting expression.
These works depict regional maritime heritage,
tributes to naval Shuhuda (martyrs), Pakistan
Navy's Deeds of Glory, eloquent naval episodes
and development of the Pakistan Navy. Reputed
institutions such as National College of
Arts and Indus Valley School of Art and
Architecture have also been associated to
give the museum an authentic, aesthetic
and a modern outlook.
PORTS
AND HARBOURS GALLERY
This
gallery is a comprehensive representation
of Pakistan's Harbours through expressive
exhibits and paintings. The Karachi harbour
has been depicted in a large diorama giving
the visitors an opportunity to enjoy a birds
eye view of the channel, its surrounding
settlements and the rare mangroves. Immaculate
sculptures representing the Traders of the
East, a Ropery and the unique vintage lantern
are its main exhibits. A large mural painting
of Manora's Fort Qasim is also a sensational
display.
SUBMARINE
MOCK-UP
The
Submarine Mock-Up represents a life-sized
segment of a Daphne Submarine, which emulates
the Operation Room. Here the visitors can
experience the simulation of a real-life
surface target engagement procedure through
reconstruction of the historical moments
that led to the sinking of Indian Navy Ship
Khukri. This simulator device will also
provide an opportunity to the public to
interact with animated equipment such as
periscope, radio, sonar etc.
WHALE
SKELETON
A
mammoth Balaenoptera whale skeleton has
been suspended from the ceiling in vicinity
of Marine Life Gallery providing the visitors
yet another spectacular sight. This whale
had, washed-up on the shores of Karachi
more than a decade ago and was retrieved
by local fishermen. Later, it was treated
and preserved for display at this museum.
The whale is about 45 feet in length and
is occasionally found in tropical waters.
MUSEUM
TIMINGS/TICKET CHARGES
The
museum remains open from 1000 hours to 2200
hours daily except Wednesday. On Wednesday
the museum remains closed for pubic visits.
The charges for entrance tickets are as
follows:
Defence
Persons (on showing card) Rs. 10/-
Children/Students
Rs. 06/-
Others
Rs. 16/-
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