Brief History of Sindh Police Museum

Sindh Police Museum is first of its kind Museum in Pakistan. It preserves and highlights various stages of its development and achievements of Indian subcontinent’s first Modern Police force.

Gen Charles John Napier, after annexation of Sindh in 1843, established modern Sindh Police based on two principles: Firstly, the Police was to be completely separated from the Military and secondly it must act as an independent body to assist the collectors in discharging their responsibilities for law & order but under the command of their own officers.

E.C Marston who is architect of Sindh Police raised the Karachi Police on its May, 1843. He commanded the Sindh Police as Captain/Commandant 1846 to 1865.

Marston, organized the Sind Police on the precepts of Napier into three branches i.e. Mounted Police, Rural Police and City Police Initially, Sindh Police was divided into three districts i.e. Karachi, Hyderabad and Shikarpur. Its total strength was 953 in 1840’s.

In 1852, Governor of Bombay Sir Gorge Clerk on his first visit to Sindh was so impressed by the efficiency of the force that he passed an edict that Bombay Presidency Police be remodeled on Sindh Model. Later, Sindh Police Model was emulated by other Provinces/Presidencies in India.

Innovation was its hallmark, when it became the first Police force to employ foot trackers for detection of criminals. Likewise, after Bengal Police, it was the second Police to operate a Riverain section to combat rampant Cattle lifting.

The other salient feature was its mobility, till 1940’s Sindh Police had the largest mounted Police section in India which gave it edge on other Police forces in the region in combating heinous crime.

Ever since its inception, Sind Police being the oldest Police force in Pakistan has gone through many trials and tribulations but it has always rebounded with renewed resolve from on small force of 953 in 1843, today it has grown into a strong and modern police force of 127,559 personals effectively playing its key role in crime prevention and maintains of law and order in Sindh.          

Vision and Objective Behind Sindh Police Museum

To highlight the evolution of Sindh Police since 1843 to date.

To collect and preserve the precious Police heritage which was scattered at various places and to bring the same under a single roof.

To resurrect the memories of those Police officers who meritoriously serve the Province and of those who laid down their lives in the discharge of their duty.

How was the Museum Conceived

The idea was spawned in 2005 however in 2008 with the active support and patronage of Mr. Babar khattak, then IGP, the present complex was selected and funds allocated.

The Police Museum is housed in more than a century old Police building built around 1870s.

Main thrust in collection of old records/photographs artefacts for the Museum was started in 2009-2012

To date substantial number of old records, photographs, weapons, medals have been preserved.

1300 files of old records from 1827 to 1951 have been preserved.

160 files of old records comprising thousands of pages have been scanned and digitized.

Weapons/Swords collected number 148.

Several Old Newspapers cuttings dating back from 1866 to 1948 have been preserved.

 Renovation work was carried out in three phases. 1st phase was completed in 2010 with Sindh Police fund.

While 2nd Phase started in 2012 with funds provided by Antiquities Department of Sindh Government.

The 3rd Phase of renovation was completed in (2017-2019) with the funds provided by Sindh Endowment fund & Sindh Police.

 

The Museum Preserves the legacy of Sindh Police in the shape of following Artefacts:-

1. Important documents including case files, FIRs, office correspondence and Books.

2. Photographs.
3. Weapons used in different periods.
4. Gallantry awards and Medals.
5. Different Police Uniforms.
6. Audio, videos regarding Sindh Police.

 

Salient features of Sindh Police Museum

At present following 4 Galleries and a reference Library/Auditorium have been opened for visitors:-

1. Photo Gallery        (2017)
2. Gallery No. I           (2017)
3. Gallery No. II          (2017)
4. Auditorium            (2017)
5. Marston Gallery    (2019)
6. Reference Library (2023)

 

Future Projects

1.    Women Police Gallery
2.    Old Weapon’s Gallery
3.    Policing and Crime in 19th Century Bombay Presidency.
4.    Hall of fame (Shaheed/Myrtrs gallery)