Sohrab Katrak
Sohrab Kavasji Hormusji Katrak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 10th Mayor of Karachi | |
| In office 8 May 1942 – 11 May 1943 | |
| Preceded by | Muhammad Hashim Gazdar |
| Succeeded by | Shambo Nath Molraaj |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 November 1892 Karachi, Bombay and Sind, British India |
| Died | 11 September 1972 (aged 79) Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Spouse | Dina Madan |
| Children | 2 sons and 3 daughters |
| Parent |
|
| Alma mater | Pitman's Metropolitan College |
| Awards | Sitara-e-Khidmat (1963)[1] |
Sohrab Katrak (1892–1972) was a Parsi businessman and Mayor of Karachi from May 1942 to May 1943.[2] He also authored several books, including Through Amanullah's Afghanistan. During the presidency of Ayub Khan, he served as his advisor.[1]
Early life
[edit]Sohrab Kavasji Hormusji Katrak was born on 26 November 1892 to Khan Bahadur Sir Kavasji Katrak (1855–1946)[3] and Khorshed Banu Katrak.[4] His father was knighted by George V.[1] He had 5 sisters, including both Meherbai (who later wed Burjorji Mardan, son of Jamshedji Framji Madan)[5] and Dinbai (a social worker, who married Hormasji Vajifdar).[6] His father, began his career in 1874, aged 18 at Jamasji & Sons and thence relocated to Karachi in 1891. Katrak was educated at the Bai Virbaiji Soparivala Parsi High School in Karachi as well as Pitman's College in London.[7]
Career
[edit]In the 1920s, he developed the Sohrab Katrak Parsi Colony, as well as the Sohrab Katrak Park.[7] In May 1942, he became the Mayor of Karachi. From 1947 to 1952, he was a trustee of the Karachi Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund. In 1950, he became a trustee to the International Islamic Economic Conference.[3] He authored several books, including Through Amanullah's Afghanistan, which won him a place at the Royal Geographical Society.[1] He also authored Who are the Parsees and Karachi: That was the capital of Sind.
Personal life
[edit]In 1919, he married Dina Madan, the daughter of Jamshedji Framji Madan and his wife Pirojbai. Together, they had 2 sons and 3 daughters, Jamshed (died in 2008),[8] who was the Head of the Department of Clearing and Forwarding at Katrak & Co.[3] His second son, Homi was a Chartered Accountant in London. His eldest daughter, Khorshedbai was the wife of Jal Contractor.[3] The second daughter, Perin was a social worker in Karachi.[3] The youngest daughter, Vera, was an archaeologist (PhD University of London)[3] who married Cowasjee Cowasjee, brother of Ardeshir Cowasjee. Katrak died in Karachi in 1972.[1] He was survived by his wife.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Sohrab Kavasji Hormuzdyar Katrak".
- ^ Cowasjee, Ardeshir (21 November 2004). "'Karachi under the Raj 1843-1947'". Dawn.com. Dawn. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Biographical Encyclopedia of Pakistan. Biographical Research Institute, Pakistan. 1961. pp. 215–216.
- ^ The Pakistan Year Book & Who's who. Kitabistan. 1949. pp. 864–865.
- ^ Mody, Nawaz B (30 August 1998). The Parsis in Western India, 1818 to 1920. Allied Publishers. p. 212. ISBN 978-81-7023-894-2.
- ^ Dadachanji, Faredun Kavasji (1980). Parsis, Ancient and Modern and Their Religion: Never Before Has So Much Been Achieved by So Few. p. 135.
- ^ a b Darukhanawala, Hormusji Dhunjishaw (1939). Parsi Lustre On Indian Soil (2nd ed.). pp. 38–39.
- ^ Siddiqui, Tahir (1 November 2023). "Sindh govt seals remains of partially flattened heritage building in Karachi". Dawn.com. Dawn. Retrieved 14 June 2025.