One of the most popular and busiest places in Karachi is Empress Market, The Empress market is located in Saddar, Karachi. The market was constructed by the Britishers during their rule. The construction was done between years 1884 and 1889.
The British Raj named the Market as a memorial for Queen Victoria, Empress of India. The market building construction and site location are well thought and pre-planned so that you can see the market site clearly from a great distance.

Historical Significance

The location of the Empress market holds a dark history, when the native sepoys tried to rise against the British Raj in the year 1857 but failed, the sepoys were executed on the grounds where the empress market exist today, the sepoys were brutally executed with their blown off by Cannonballs so that they can not spread any mutinous emotion among the locals of the area.
The British ruler feared that the locals might build a monument to honor the executed sepoys, so they not giving any chance to the locals decided to make a commemoration for Queen Victoria in the name of Empress Market.
The design for the market was made by a British Architect designer named James Strachan. The first stone for the foundation of the market was laid by James Fergusson in 1884, James Fergusson was the Governor of Bombay at that time. The foundations of the building were completed by an English firm, A.J. Attfield.
At the time when Empress Market was constructed, it was one of the only seven markets that were present in Karachi at that time.

Present Importance

Despite being an ancient building from the 19th century there is much more that makes this place an attraction for all. The walls of Empress Market narrate their story and history of their origin yet the commemoration is now just a place with thousands of vendors that have shops in the market.
The market is the ultimate shopping place for all the household items and grocery but that isn't it. You can also find some pet shops in the market selling different Animals. You can also find some rare and exotic birds being sold illegally in the market. The market is a famous hub and known for selling Macaw, falcons, and some other rare species of birds.  
The commodities that are sold in the market includes a wide range of household items, spices, fruits, vegetables, condiments, fresh meat, stationery material, plastic stuff, cleaning products, textile stuff, and everything that you may find in a supermarket, but the market has fallen prey to encroachment and a lot of people showcase their selling commodities on the floor and wooden stalls.
Despite its condition and sanitary condition, the empress market is still visited by thousands of buyers everyday people from all over Karachi visit Empress Market to get their needed supplies. The market has a big share in the economy of the country and also provides business and financial supports to hundreds of vendors and the staff that works there.
In November 2018 the Sindh Government took steps for the betterment of Empress Market by removing a number of shops illegally encroached in the market premises that destroyed the income source of thousands of vendors. But the movement kind of slightly brought back the faded glory of the place. Nowadays you can see many small stalls standing and shops right outside the market boundary.

Summing Up

Empress Market holds a significant history and story that is told by its architectural designing and the clock tower is also the greatest shopping hub for thousands of people of Karachi and the source of income for thousands of vendors. The tourists visit the market due to its past significance and history. Have you ever visited Empress Market? What are your thoughts about the place do tell us?