Empress Market

The Empress Market is a historic marketplace located in Saddar Town, Karachi, constructed during the British Raj between 1884 and 1889. It was named after Queen Victoria, the Empress of India, and stands on the site where native sepoys were executed following the 1857 uprising. The market was built to commemorate Queen Victoria and designed by James Strachan in the Indo-Gothic style, featuring vaulted roofs, cusped arches, and a 140-foot-high clock tower adorned with leopard heads.

The market originally housed 280 shops and stalls, but by 1954, this number increased to 405 inside and an additional 1,390 outside. Today, it is one of Karachi's busiest shopping destinations, offering a variety of goods including food items, stationery, textiles, and pets. Jahangir Park is located nearby.

In recent years, the market has faced challenges such as illegal sales of exotic and endangered species, including birds and monkeys, leading to raids by wildlife authorities. In 2018, a Supreme Court order led to the removal of over 1,000 illegally constructed shops around the market, affecting many livelihoods but restoring its visual grandeur. Currently, some small stands and shops remain outside the premises.

Adjacent to Empress Market is Rainbow Centre, known as Asia's largest CD and DVD market. The market's historical significance and architectural grandeur continue to make it a notable landmark in Karachi.