Daily Times

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad a famous city with historical aspects, geographical position, variable monsoon weather, art and literature fields. Hindus of Sindh were influential in multiple fields, like literature, art, handicrafts as we can observe their contribution towards Sindhi literature. Hindus leaving the country after partition, many such places were still in use.

The Mukhi House Hyderabad is also one of those historical sites, which was built in 1921 by Jeethanand Mukhi, a renowned Hindu businessman.

This house is famous from that time. The former Chief Minister of Sindh Ghulam Hussain Hidayetullah and former Prime Minister of India Jawaher Lal Nehru also visited this place and praised incredible eye-catching scenery murals inside and outside of the building. It’s been regarded as a true labour of love.

Later, guests of the All India Women Conference 1945 stayed here because of its architectural structure with facilities, like attached toilet system at that time.

As I entered in the House, the most attractive work of art, use of handicrafts, clean and beautiful work of wood and other aesthetic embellishments astonished me.

The whole scenery printed over walls depicts the house as is close to nature and reflects solitude evenings of the River Indus.

Further, in 1927 Jeethanand were no more, and it was quite difficult for the remaining members of the Mukhi family to manage such a huge house, so they decided to go abroad and resultantly, they sifted to America in 1957.

During 1957-2014, the house has been changing hands to parties, such as Rangers stayed here, opening of Khadija Girls School and many other departments got control of it on several occasions. During that long period the people destroyed many wooden material of the House and set them on fire. But, despite all these activities it survived and is still in such a position that it convinces many art lovers.

In 2008, Mukhi family, appealed to authorities to convert it into a museum, so it can be remembered forever, but sadly no step had been be taken towards it and it remained as it was before.

In 2013, Mukhi family visiting Sindh went to House and the then Sindh Antiquities Department declared it as a museum, in the presence of the family.

Despite announcing a museum, still there is no any credible step taken to allow the general public to enter in building to appreciate its beauty.

Culture and Antiquities Department government of Sindh should renovate it.

Published in Daily Times, August 18^th 2017.