INTRODUCTION:

The word Gwadar is derived from two Balochi words, Gwa means open air and dar means door,
"open-air door". Gwadar is situated in Baluchistan (province of Pakistan) at the very entrance
leading to the Persian Gulf, located at the apex of the Indian Ocean on an important sea trade
route. It is a hammerhead peninsula on the western part of Makran. This peninsula has two
almost perfect, but naturally curved, semicircular bays on either side, namely the Paddi Zirr
(West Bay) and Deymi Zirr (East Bay).
Gwadar city is located 472 KM west of Karachi, 80 KM east of the Iranian border, and about 320
KM northeast of Cape al-Hadd in Oman, and situated in close proximity to the Iranian ports of
Chahbahar and Bander Abbas. Gwadar is located at the point of inter junction of three
economically powerful regions of the world, Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. So this
geographical location imparts it very important strategic location.

HISTORY OF GWADAR CITY

Gwadar is one of the most prominent cities of Province Balochistan. It is a gateway to
prosperity. It is situated in the Southwest of Balochistan, Pakistan at the Arabian Sea, opposite
Oman. It is well-known all over the world, for its zone and under-constructed modern Port
(Bandargah in Urdu). As soon as its development phase is completed, the importance of
Gwadar port for Pakistan has been increasing day by day.
Its presence at the confluence of three regions of commercial interest in the world, namely the
oil-rich Middle East, Central Asia endowed with natural resources, and South Asia with growth
potential, makes Gwadar an ideal location to build an international port in the smart city to
promote business and investment opportunities globally for potential investors and a leisure
center for tourists all around the world. Due to the strategic location and importance of
Gwadar, there will be significant socio-economic development and growth in and around
Gwadar.
In 325 BC When ALexandar the Great was returning to Greece. At that time, his soldiers
anchored their ships at Gwadar Port and discovered these coastal areas. Later on, Hindu
leaders conquered this area from Greek leaders. In 711, a young Muslim commander,
Muhammad Bin Qasim entered this area and conquered it. In 1775, leaders from Muscat
started their trading in ivory, spices, and Gwadar. In 1783, Shah Sultan fought with his real
brother who was king of Muscat at that time. Shah Sultan wrote a letter to the Khan of Mir
Qalat and requested help. So, Mir Qalat Khan offered him this area, i.e. Gwadar. Later on in
1797, Sultan came back to Muscat.
WHEN PAKISTAN PURCHASED GWADAR FROM OMAN-MUSCAT.
In 1958, Pakistan purchased Gwadar and its surrounding areas from Muscat for 10M USD. Later
on, Pakistan upgraded Gwadar as a Tehsil and was included in District Makran.
OLD PLACES IN GWADAR
1. SHAHI BAZAAR
There is a historic market, the Shahi Bazaar. People have lived here for centuries. Shahi Bazaar
is close to every person’s heart living in Gwadar. Many believe that it is one of the oldest
markets in Balochistan and has been a public place dating back a few centuries.
Sadly, the market has fallen victim to neglect that has led to several issues. The bazaar today is
congested as it is located along a narrow street that runs with commercial buildings on both
sides. There are structures made of wood and bricks that are lying in a dilapidated condition.
2. JAMAAT KHANA
A jamaat khana is the first requirement of the Ismaili community,” said Kaleem, who now
remains among the 100 families living in a neighborhood made for over 500 families in Gwadar
in the 18th century. There used to be a proper record of the number of families in Gwadar and
their ancestors. This was burnt down along with the jamaat khana in 1823, according to writer
Shahabuddin A. Gwadari. According to him, soon after moving to Gwadar, the Ismailis built a
small community center, very different from the structure today. It was made of cane and mud.
After it caught fire, work on a sturdier building began in 1864. By 1874, a main hall of the
community center was opened for the community. The community center was, however,
completed in 1910.
3. OLD OMANI FORTS
Gwadar is home to three unique forts that remained part of the Sultanate of Oman until
September 1958. One of them situated in Thana Ward, has been turned into a museum. And
second fort is the oldest fort of the region situated near the Jamaat khana of Gwadar it is
famous for its underground dungeon and canons facing the sea. According to the local folktales,
it was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese but historical evidence tells us that under Mir
ismaheel Baloch, the Portuguese were defeated and failed to capture Gwadar.

CONCLUSION:
Today’s Gwadar is one of the rapidly growing cities of Pakistan to become an important
industrial, and trade hub of the country and a strategically important port city of the world. The
development of the Gwadar port will not only raise the living standards of the Baloch people
but this prosperity will also help to tackle the security issues in Baluchistan. Gwadar also
anchors China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will serve as an important trade route
for China, land-locked central Asian states, and the Middle East. It will also help to revive the
ancient trade route known as the Silk Road, which started nearly 2400 years ago. Through this
trans-regional route, more than 3 billion people of this region could be connected, so the
development of CPEC and Gwadar, which guarantee regional peace and prosperity, should be
completed at the earliest without allowing anyone to attach any controversy to these projects
in a bid to impede or delay the same.