Killa Abdullah was separated from Pishin District and made a new district in June 1993.[1] The total area is 3,293 square kilometres.
Contents
1 Topography
2 Soil
3 Climate
4 History
5 Administrative subdivisions
6 Sites of interest
7 References
Topography[edit source]
Qilla Abdullah district lies between 30 - 04 ' to 31 - 17 ' North Longitude in the foothills of the Shela Bagh Mountain range. It is bordered by Pishin District in the east, Quetta District in the South and by Afghanistan in the west. The geographical area of the district is 5,264 km2. It is composed of two sub-divisions; Gulistan and Chaman. The general character of the district is mountainous. Its northern area is covered by the Toba Plateau. The hill ranges are fairly uniform in character. They consist of long central ridges with numerous spurs. These spurs vary in elevation from 1,500 to 3,300 meters.
Soil
Qilla Abdullah is a small valley bordered by mountains. The valley floor is covered with unconsolidated alluvial sediments that are mostly composed of clay, silt, silty clay and clayey silt. All these sediments were deposited in the valley by the seasonal streams that flow across the valley (generally north to south). The soil is of loamy nature in the Gulistan area, while the soil of Tehsil Chaman is sandy clay - gravial (Admixture). The sandy fraction increases towards the mountain ranges. The scarcity of water in the area and the semi-desert climatic conditions have limited trees and shrubs to grow. However, a few types of less water consuming wild bushes grow in theghvcgvcghfvmbnv
Climate[edit source]
The climate of the district Killa Abdullah is generally dry and temperate. The adjoining districts have somewhat deviating temperatures, owing to different elevations. The climatic conditions of the district are particularly suitable for horticulture/ agriculture. The climate is especially suitable for the growth of fruits e.g. apples, apricots, peaches, plums, grapes, cherries and vegetables such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes. And due to its climate and soil the distt. is also named [THE FRUIT BASKET OF PAKISTAN].
History
In 1839, this area along with Pishin region became a part of British India as a result of the First Anglo Afghan War.[2] However, in 1842, the Afghans regained the entire Pishin Valley, losing it again in 1879.[2] Four years later, Pishin and the surrounding areas were merged with Quetta district.[2] In 1993, it was separated from Pishin for administrative reasons and was given the status of a district.
Administrative subdivisions[edit source]
The district is administratively subdivided into the following tehsils:[3]
Chaman
Dobandi
Gulistan
Qilla Abdullah
SITE OF INTREST
Khojak Tunnel
The district Killa Abdullah is named after Sardar Abdullah Khan Achakzai, who was a man of great influence. He was one of the two great leaders of the rebellion at Kabul in 1841, during which the British envoy was killed.
He bought Dehsora Karez from Kakars and Chashma Inzergai from the Ashezai Achakzai, in the early part of the 19th century. He then built a fort (Killa) and gave the place his own name. This place is located 38 km west of Pishin. Killa Abdullah was part of district Pishin. In 1993, it was separated from Pishin for administrative reasons and was given the status of a district.
Pre-colonial History
The history of Killa Abdullah district is identical with the history of Kandahar. Little is known of its history before the 13th century A.D. It is certain that it was a part of the Kingdom of Amir Sabuktagin and of Mahmood Ghaznavi. In the early 15th century Kandahar was under the rule of Timurs successors. It was probably at the beginning of the 19th century that Tarins emigrated from Takht-I-Suluman and settled in Killa Abdullah and its surroundings.
Between 1530 and 1545, the Province of Kandahar was in the possession of Mirza Kamran (Brother of Mughal Ruler Humayun). Thereafter, the kingdom was brought under the rule of the Safavid dynasty in 1622 and remained under them till 1709.
Later on Ghilzai came to power and ruled the district. From the Durranis the area passed into the hands of Barakzai. In 1833 the area was given to Khush Dil Khan (The nephew of the Governor of Kandahar as a Jagir).
During the first Afghan war Quetta and Pishin areas fell into British hands in 1839. In 1842, however, Pishin valley was again occupied by Afghans.
Under an agreement in 1879 Pishin, along with other districts, ceded to the British Government and in 1882 British authority was extended over these areas. In 1883 Pishin and its adjoining areas were combined with Quetta. The British ruled the area till the independence of the sub-continent, in August 1947. From then up to 1975 Quetta and Pishin were a single administrative unit. In 1975, Pishin was separated from Quetta and in 1993 Killa Abdullah was separated from Pishin. It was given the status of a district and Chaman was declared its headquarters.
Archaeological Sites
There are no important structures of any kind in the district, indicating its conditions in ancient times. Many scattered mounds are found, each having a local tradition attached to it. The most important mounds are:
- Spin Ghundi Mound: Located at the foot of an offshoot of the Khawaja Amran range within the limits of the Habibzai village in Killa Abdullah. Evidently this is the mound which was excavated in 1881 by Captain Lock. Local triditions tell curious stories about this mound.
- Khawaja Amran Shrine: This shrine can be reached from Gulistan by Khurgi. It is accessible from Chaman and Shero Garden. The shrine consists of an enclosure surrounded by a wall of stones and containing a grave covered over with stones. It is 16.5 meters long and 9.0 meters wide. Khawaja Amran is said to have been a Tajik. As a saint, fecundity was his speciality. Married women, unable of conceive believe that by praying on the grave they will become fertile.
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