Quetta[a] is the capital and largest city of thePakistani province ofBalochistan. The city developed in the Quetta Valley, a region historically inhabited by Pashtun tribes such as theKasi, and formed part of the broader Pashtun cultural and tribal sphere linking southern Afghanistan with northern Balochistan prior to its expansion under British colonial rule.[4]It is the ninthlargest city inPakistan, with an estimated population of over 1.7 million in 2024.[5] It is situated in the south-west of the country, lying in a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides. Quetta is at an average elevation of 1,680 metres (5,510 feet) above sea level,[6] making it Pakistan's highest-altitude major city. The city is sometimes referred to as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" because of its numerous fruit orchards and the variety of fresh and dried fruits produced in the region.[7]
The nameQuetta is a variation of thePashto wordKwatkōṭ, orkōta meaning "fortress".[9] Quetta was formerly known as Shalkot (Pashto:ښالکوټ,Urdu:شالکوٹ).[10]
History
Early history and etymology
The nameQuetta is derived from the Pashto wordکوټه (kwatta), meaning "fort", a reference to the naturally defensible character of the valley and to the historic mud-walled citadel known as theMiri Fort, which dominated the early settlement.[11]
The earliest recorded historical reference to the region dates to the 11th century, when the Quetta valley was captured byMahmud of Ghazni during his campaigns in eastern Afghanistan and the north-western Indian subcontinent.[12]
Historically, the Quetta valley traditionally known asShal formed part of the ancestral territory of Pashtun tribes, most prominently theKasi (or Kansi), a Sarbani Pashtun group established as the principal cultivators and proprietary landholders of the valley.[13]
According to theGazetteer of the Quetta–Pishin District, the Kasi were recognised as the original owners of the Shal valley, holding agricultural land, grazing grounds, and irrigation systems (karez) under customary tribal tenure regulated by local practice and Islamic law.[14]
A formal sanad issued byNasir Khan I of Kalat in the mid-18th century confirmed the proprietary rights of the Kasi chiefs (arbabs) over the Shal valley, defining its boundaries and affirming their control over land and water resources. Certain Kasi families held hereditary and revenue-free grants, which continued to be recognised under later administrations.[15]
By the early modern period, other Pashtun tribes—including the Achakzai, Kakar and Tareen—occupied surrounding uplands and valleys, while the Shal valley itself remained primarily under Kasi ownership and cultivation.[14]
Afghan and Durrani period
In 1709, the Quetta region came under the authority of the AfghanHotak dynasty. Following the establishment of theDurrani Empire in 1747,Ahmad Shah Durrani incorporated Quetta into the Afghan state. Administrative authority and revenue rights were later granted toNasir Khan I of Kalat in recognition of Baloch military assistance during Durrani campaigns; however, indigenous Pashtun landholding structures—particularly those of the Kasi—remained intact.[16]
Large tracts of land later classified under British administration asTimur Shahi lands were originally acquired by Afghan rulers through confiscation following disputes over revenue assessments. These lands were reassessed during colonial settlement operations.[17]
British era
The first recorded European visitor to Quetta was the British travellerCharles Masson, who described the settlement in 1828 as a "mud-walled fort surrounded by three hundred mud houses."[18]
During theSecond Anglo-Afghan War, British forces occupied Quetta, and in 1883 formal control was established through a lease arrangement with the Khan of Kalat. The British subsequently expanded Quetta as a cantonment and civil station, acquiring land largely through purchase for military and administrative purposes.[19]
Colonial settlement records indicate that indigenous Pashtun tribes—particularly the Kasi and Achakzai—remained the principal proprietors of agricultural land and irrigation systems in and around Quetta. Transfers of agricultural land occurred overwhelmingly between local cultivators, while sales to non-agriculturists were legally restricted and generally confined to small urban plots.[20]
Detailed records further note that Achakzai and Kasi families retained hereditary and, in some cases, revenue-free shares in karez lands, with tribal leaders formally recognised as head proprietors by the colonial administration.[21]
Modern period
Rapid urban growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to a sharp rise in land values and increased litigation over immovable property, particularly within the town and cantonment areas. Contemporary records indicate that most such disputes involved recent settlers, traders, and government employees rather than indigenous landholding tribes.[22]
Quetta was almost entirely destroyed by the1935 Quetta earthquake, resulting in widespread devastation and loss of life. The city was subsequently rebuilt under British administration. Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Quetta became the provincial capital ofBalochistan.[12]
Pashtun tribal rule and Durrani Empire
Historically, the Quetta valley (traditionally known as Shal) was the ancestral domain of the Kasi (or Kansi) tribe, a branch of the Sarbani Pashtun confederation.[23]
In 1709, the region became part of the AfghanHotak dynasty. By 1747,Ahmad Shah Durrani incorporated it into theDurrani Empire. Durrani later granted the administration and revenue of Quetta to Nasir Khan I, the Khan of Kalat, in recognition of Baloch military assistance during the Durrani campaigns in India, though the region maintained its predominantly Pashtun tribal character.[24]
British era and modern period
The first European to visit Quetta, British explorerCharles Masson, described it in 1828 as a "mud-walled fort surrounded by three hundred mud houses."[25]
During theSecond Anglo-Afghan War, the British occupied the city, formalizing their control via a lease agreement with the Khan of Kalat in 1883. Despite the influx of colonial administrators, British census records from 1901 confirm that the Kasi Pashtuns remained the principal indigenous landholders of the district.[26]
Although Quetta had long existed as an indigenous Pashtun settlement in the Shal valley, its transformation into a modern urban centre occurred during the British period. Owing to its strategic position on the north-western frontier and its proximity to routes leading towards Afghanistan, British officials identified Quetta as a key military and administrative site in the mid-19th century.[27]
In 1856, GeneralJohn Jacob urged the British government to occupy Quetta for frontier defence purposes. During theSecond Anglo-Afghan War, British forces took military control of the area, and in 1883 a formal lease arrangement was concluded with theKhan of Kalat, bringing Quetta under effective British administration.[28]
Under British rule, Quetta was developed as a cantonment and civil station. Land required for military, railway, and administrative purposes was largely acquired through purchase from local proprietors rather than wholesale confiscation. Colonial settlement records indicate that indigenous Pashtun tribes—particularly the Kasi and Achakzai—retained ownership of most agricultural land and irrigation systems surrounding the town, while urban expansion was concentrated within the cantonment and civil areas.[28]
The establishment of British administration marked the beginning of sustained urban growth, with new infrastructure, roads, and public buildings constructed to serve both military and civilian needs. Quetta subsequently emerged as the principal administrative centre of northern Balochistan during the late colonial period.[29]
20th century and modern period
Quetta was almost completely destroyed by the1935 Quetta earthquake, one of the deadliest earthquakes in South Asian history, which resulted in extensive loss of life and the destruction of much of the built environment. The city was subsequently rebuilt under British supervision with revised town planning and building regulations.[30]
Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Quetta became the provincial capital ofBalochistan, a role it continues to serve in the contemporary period.[12]
Quetta has acold semi-arid climate (KöppenBSk) with a significant variation between summer and winter temperatures.Summer typically begins in late May and lasts until early September, with average temperatures ranging from 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F). The highest temperature recorded in Quetta is 42 °C (108 °F), which occurred on 10 July 1998.[31] Autumn starts in mid-September and continues until mid-November with average temperatures in the 12–18 °C (54–64 °F) range. Winter starts in late November and ends in late February with average temperatures near 4–5 °C (39–41 °F). The lowest temperature in Quetta is −18.3 °C (−0.9 °F) which was recorded on 8 January 1970.[31] Spring starts in early March and ends in mid-May with average temperatures close to 15 °C (59 °F). Unlike more easterly parts of Pakistan, Quetta does not have amonsoon season of heavy rainfall. Highest rainfall during 24 hours in Quetta is 113 millimetres (4.4 in) which was recorded on 17 December 2000,[31] Highest monthly rainfall of 232.4 millimetres (9.15 in) was recorded in March 1982 which was also the year of the highest annual rainfall, 949.8 millimetres (37.39 in).[31] In the winter, snowfall has become quite erratic (December, January and February).
The city saw a severe drought from 1999 to 2001 during which the city did not receive snowfall and below normal rains. In 2002, the city received snow after a gap of five years. In 2004 and 2005, the city received normal rains after three years without snowfall while in 2006, 2007 and 2009 the city received no snow. In 2008, it received a snowfall of 10 centimetres (4 in) in four hours on 29 January,[36] followed on 2 February by 25.4 centimetres (10 in) in 10 hours[37] – the city's heaviest snowfall in a decade. During the winter of 2010, it received no snow and saw below normal rains due to the presence ofEl-Nino over Pakistan.[citation needed]
According to the2023 Census of Pakistan, the population of the city was a total of 1,565,546.[39] This makes it the largest city in Balochistan province and one of the major cities of Pakistan. Quetta is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country.[40] The city has aPashtun plurality followed byBalochs,Hazaras,Brahui,Sindhis,Saraikis,Punjabis andUrdu-speaking.[41][42]Urdu being the national language is used and understood by all the residents and serves as alingua franca.
At the local level, the city is governed by a municipal corporation consisting of 66 ward members which elects a mayor and a deputy mayor.[1] In addition,Quetta Development Authority is responsible for provision of municipal services for the city.[50]
Quetta is on the western side ofPakistan and is connected to the rest of the country by a network of roads, railways and its international airport close to its centre.
Quetta Railway Station is one of the highest railway stations in Pakistan at 1,676 metres (5,499 feet) above sea level. The railway track was laid in the 1890s during the British era to link Quetta with rest of the country. The extensive network ofPakistan Railways connects Quetta to Karachi in the south, by a 863 km (536 mi) track,Lahore in the northeast (1,170 km or 727 miles) andPeshawar further northeast (1,587 km or 986 miles). A metalled road runs alongside the railway that connects Quetta to Karachi via the nearby town ofSibi toJacobabad andRohri in the plain of theRiver Indus.[52]
Education
Quetta serves as the learning centre for the Balochistan province. The city has a number of government and private colleges, including the following:
Islamia High School, Quetta; frequently visited by Quaid-e-AzamMuhammad Ali Jinnah in 1937, and was nicknamed asChhota Aligarh (LittleAligarh) by him.[citation needed]
Boxing is highly popular as well.[57]Muhammad Waseem is a professional boxer from Quetta. In Body Building Nisar Ahmed Khilji has Mr. Balochistan and Mr. Pakistan Titles and Pakistan representation in International Body Building Contests. In hockey, Quetta has producedZeeshan Ashraf andShakeel Abbasi, who were members of thePakistan's national hockey team.
Facilities
Local facilities were created in the city formountain climbing andcaving as well as water sports.Hayatullah Khan Durrani (Pride of Performance) is the chief executive of Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy, Balochistan's first and only Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, rough swimming and boating academy where all such facilities provide free to the youth members atHanna Lake.
^1891–1941: Data for the entirety of the town of Quetta, which included Quetta Municipality and Quetta Cantonment.[45]: 13–14 2017 & 2023: Urban population of Quetta District.
^"Quetta Climate Normals 1991–2020".World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved17 September 2023.
^Bianchi, Robert (25 March 2008).Guests of God: Pilgrimage and Politics in the Islamic World. Oxford University Press. p. 92.ISBN978-0-19-971183-3.Archived from the original on 19 February 2025. Retrieved28 July 2024.The largest communities are Pashtuns, Punjabis, and muhajirs, but no group is a majority. Quetta is one of the few districts in all Pakistan where no linguistic group can claim dominance, either numerically or politically. Aside from occasional clashes with Shi'ite protesters encouraged by proximity to Iran, Quetta seems like a model of tolerance compared with the carnage ravaging the much larger melting pot of Karachi.
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