The city remained a small fishing village until the British seized control of the offshore and strategically located at Manora Island. Thereafter, authorities of the British Raj embarked on a large-scale modernisation of the city in the 19th century with the intention of establishing a major and modern port which could serve as a gateway to Punjab, the western parts of British Raj, and Afghanistan.
The city began as a small fishing village but became an offshore stronghold for the British. In the 19th century, authorities of the British Raj modernized it into a significant port that would serve as a gateway to Punjab, the western parts of the British Raj, and Afghanistan.