Karachi

The story of the transformation of a sleepy town of under 20,000 people into a vibrant metropolis - one of the largest in Asia today. In a series of articles, 12 prominent writers of Karachi invite readers to trace multifaceted developments that have taken place in the fields of history, politics, economics, art, theatre, literature, music, entertainment, demography and the rapidly changing skyline. Although the emphasis is on the city as it developed after Independence, a substantial part of the book is devoted to the "long 19th-century" when the English ruled and divided the city into "white" and "native" quarters. Readers are also introduced to some of the personalities who have contributed to the common weal of the city and influenced the course of events of this turbulent, and often violent, city.