Quetta District

Quetta District کوټه
District
Map of Balochistan with Quetta District highlighted
Country	Pakistan
Province	Balochistan
Division	Quetta Division
Established	April 1983
Headquarters	Quetta
Government
• Deputy Commissioner	Lateef Kakar
• District Mayor	Dr.Kaleem Ullah Kakar
Population (2008)
• Total	1,140,000
• Density	281/km2 (730/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+5)
Number of Tehsils	2
Website	balochistan.gov.pk

Quetta (Pashto: کوټه‎, Balochi: 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

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 Ghilzai 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 .

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.

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.

Administration

Subdivisions

In 1975, Quetta and Pishin were made separate districts. Quetta district today consists of two towns: Zarghoon and Chiltan.

Tehsils

Quetta district is administratively subdivided into two tehsils:

• Quetta

Provincial assembly

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

People

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Quetta

External links

• Quetta District at www.balochistan.gov.pk
• Quetta District at www.balochistanpolice.gov.pk