Brief History. Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan. It is an important military location which occupies a strategic position for the Pakistani Armed Forces. The city lies on the Bolan Pass route which was once the only gateway to and from South Asia.
The area was inhabited by Pashtun Kasi Tribe. In the 11th century, it was captured by Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi during one of his invasions of South Asia. In 1543, the Mughal emperor Humayun rested in Quetta on his retreat to Safavid Persia, leaving his one-year-old son Akbar in the city until his return two years later.
Although the city was occupied briefly in 1839 by the British during the First Afghan War, it was not until 1876 that Quetta became part of the British Empire, when Robert Sandeman was made the political leader for Balochistan. The arrival of British troops led to the establishment of road and rail links and the introduction of schools, mainly for strategic purposes.
By the time of the earthquake on 31 May 1935 Quetta had developed into a bustling city with a number of multistory buildings. The epicentre of the earthquake was close to the city and destroyed most of the city’s infrastructure and killed an estimated 40,000 people.
Quetta City at Night
Another View of Quetta at Night
An Aerial View of Quetta
An Aerial View of Quetta Valley with Barren Mountains in the Background
Hanna Lake, near Quetta
Hanna Lake, near Quetta
Quetta City’s Video
Quetta Railway Station
A View of Quetta Cantonment.The mountain with snow at the background gives a beautiful look to the clean area of Quetta cantonment.
Command & Staff College, Quetta
Old Building of Command & Staff College
A Labourer on a Street in Quetta. Look at his radiant face and spirit with which he is participating in Independence Day celebrations by hoisting Pakistani flag on his push cart.
Race Course Quetta 1935. The Race Course in Quetta, shortly after the earthquake of May 31st, 1935. Officers from the Staff College organized a refugee camp at the Race Course.
Rare Photo of Quetta - Bruce Road, now Jinnah Road, 1900s or 1910s. Jinnah Road (Called Bruce Road during the colonial period) was the most beautiful road of Quetta . All these beautiful buildings were destroyed in the earthquake of 1935. This photo shows the Regal Chowk in the foreground. Photo by quettabalochistan2.
A Train near Quetta
Train and Road, Bolan Pass, Balochistan. A train passing through a tunnel in the mountains of Balochistan in Bolan Pass. National Highway is also running along the railway track.
Train and Heavy Road Traffic in Bolan Pass. A train is going into a tunnel and heavy traffic is plying on the road in Bolan Pass.
A Bridge and Railway Tunnel in Bolan, Balochistan
Another Railway Tunnel in Balochistan
Snow Covered Hills and Lake in Balochistan
Wali Tangi. Located 25 km from Quetta.
Train in the Valley–Balochistan
A Train in Balochistan
Railway Track–Balochistan
Pakistani Flag on a Hill, Dera Bugti, Balochistan
Gawadar, Balochistan. A beautiful view of Gawadar.
The Picturesque Gwadar Coastline. Photo by MyPak
Aerial View of Gawadar
Hingol National Park, Makran, Balochistan. Hingol National Park ( ہنگول ), 190 km, located about190 km from Karachi, covers about 1,650 km² and is one of the largest National Parks Pakistan. It lies on the Makran coast in Balochistan and is known to support at least 35 species of mammals, 65 species of amphibians and reptiles, 185 species of birds and more than 250 plant species. The park is also an excellent habitat to wild Sindh Ibex, Afghan Urial and Chinkara Gazelle.
Hingol River, Makran, Balochistan. Hingol River is located in Makran, Balochistan. The river is 350 miles long and is the longest in Balochistan. It winds through the Hingol valley between high cliffs. The river flows all year long, unlike most other streams in Balochistan which only flow during rare rains. The river and valley are located in Hingol National Park.
A Bridge Over Hingol River, Makran, Balochistan
A Rock, near Pishkun, Balochistan
A Panoramic View of Makran Coastal Highway, Balochistan
Buzi Pass on Makran Coastal Highway
Barren Hills, Balochistan
RCD Highway, near Bela, Balochistan
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