Quetta District

Quetta
کوئٹہ
District

Map of Balochistan with Quetta District highlighted
Coordinates: 30°10′N 67°00′E / 30.167°N 67.000°E / 30.167; 67.000Coordinates: 30°10′N 67°00′E / 30.167°N 67.000°E / 30.167; 67.000
Country Pakistan
Province Balochistan
Division Quetta Division
Established April 1983
Headquarters Quetta
Government
 • Deputy Commissioner Lateef Kakar[1]
 • District Mayor Kaleemullah Kakar
Population (2008)
 • Total 1,140,000
 • Density 281/km2 (730/sq mi)
Time zone PKT (UTC+5)
Languages (1981) 36.47% Pashto
18.85% Punjabi
17.13% Brahui
11.17% Urdu
16.38% Others[2]
Number of Tehsils 2
Website www.balochistan.gov.pk

Quetta (Pashto: کوټه‎, Urdu: کوئٹہ‎) is a district in the north-west of Balochistan province of Pakistan. It was part of Quetta Division until the year 2000 when divisions were abolished. The district is famous for its agriculture produce, most notably fruit orchards but also including apples and grapes. The Hanna Valley is an area where almonds are grown. The population in 2008 was estimated to be 1.14 million[3]

History

The ancient name of Quetta was Shalkot, a term by which it is still known among the people of the country, the District was held in turns by the Ghaznavids, Ghurids, and Mongols, and towards the end of the fifteenth century was conferred by the ruler of Herat on Shah Beg Arghun, who, however, had shortly to give way before the rising power of the Mughals. The Ain-i-Akbari mentions both Shal and Pishin as supplying military service and revenue to Akbar, however these areas passed with Kandahar to the Safavids. On the rise of the Khilji power in Kandahar at the beginning of the eighteenth century, simultaneously with that of the Baloch in Kalat, Quetta and Pishin became the battle-ground between Afghan and Baloch, Ahmad Shah Durrani Finally handed Quetta over to the Khan of Kalat Mir Noori Naseer Khan Baloch for helping him with his Baloch Army against Persians in Iran in 1751 against Marathas in Third Battle of Panipat (1761) and against Sikh in 1765 .[4]

British Era

During the 19th century Quetta (Shalkot) was captured by the British troops during the Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1879.

On the advance of the British Army of the Indus in 1839, Captain Bean was appointed the first Political Agent in ShalKot, and the country was managed by him on behalf of Shah Shuja-ul-mulk. After Sir Robert Sandeman's mission to Kalat in 1876, the Quetta Fort was occupied by his escort and the country was managed on behalf of the Khan of Kalat up to 1883, when it was leased to the British Government for an annual rent of Rs. 25,000 through a treaty between Khan and the British Empire. It was formed, with Pishin and Shorarud, into a single administrative charge in 1883. Up to 1888 Old Chaman was the most advanced post on the frontier; but, on the extension of the railroad across the Khwaja Amran, the terminus was fixed at its present site, 7 miles (11 km) from that place. The boundary with Afghanistan was finally demarcated in 1895–6.[4]

The city area of Shalkot was inhabited by the Kasi tribe. Being on the outskirts of Kandahar, it was not much developed. With the arrival of British troops, doors of development were opened. Very soon people saw roads, trains and schools in the area.

Administrative divisions

Subdivisions

In 1975, Quetta and Pishin were made separate districts. Quetta District today consists of two towns,[5] and one sub-tehsil.

Provincial assembly

The district is represented in the provincial assembly by six constituencies.[6]

Demographics

Rank Language 1981 census[2]
1 Pashto 36.47%
2 Punjabi 18.85%
3 Brahvi 17.13%
4 Urdu 11.17%
5 Others 16.38%

People

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ http://photos.ummat.net/displayimage.php?pid=1515
  2. 1 2 Stephen P. Cohen (2004). The Idea of Pakistan. Brookings Institution Press. p. 202. ISBN 0815797613.
  3. ↑ District Profile: Northern Balochistan - Quetta Archived May 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. 1 2 Quetta-Pishin - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 21, p. 13-4
  5. ↑ Towns & Unions in the City District of Quetta Archived February 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Provincial Assembly – Balochistan

Bibliography

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