SIbI
Sibi is 163 km from Quetta, particularly famous for Horse
and Cattle Show, the national festival, held in February
from April every year. Thousands of the best camels, horses
and cattle in the country are brought to the show and tended
by Pakistan' most colorful tribal people. Since the 15th
century Sibi has been a meeting place for tribal chiefs,
and since the 17th century the annual durbar (meeting) has
been combined with a mela (Agricultural fair).
Sibi is a town with distinction and great historical importance. It used to
be the seat of a number of rulers of area in the olden times. Sibi is a very
ancient town. According to local tradition, it derives its name from Sewi, a
Hindu Princess of Sewa race, who ruled over the area for a long time before the
advent of Islam.
The present town of Sibi was built after the 2nd British invasion of 1878. In
the days of British rule, Sibi was known as Sandemanabad. It was named after the
name of Captain Sir Robert Sandeman under whose command British troops were sent
to repel the internal feuds and external aggressions.
Sibi has figured prominently in the annals of
history due to its position lying on the mouth of Bolan
Mula and Harnai Passes. The towering and intervening hills
kept it cut off from the rest of Balochistan and it appeared
to have followed the fortunes of Multan and Karachi instead
of Khorasan in the north. The area between Bolan Pass
and Derajat is marked in the olden maps as Sewistan. According
to the local traditions the area was ruled at that time
by Hindus known as Sewas. These Sewas are stated to be
connected with the Rai dynasty of Sindh. In the history
of Alexander's invasions of India, the name of Sibi or
Sibia tribe is mentioned. Prior to the advent of the Muslim
rule in the area in the seventh century, Sibi seems to
have formed part of extensive Hindu Kingdom on the Indus
with their capital in Alor.
The first Muslim invasion is said to have been made under Mohammad Bin Qasim,
an Arab general of Caliph Walid who took over the place during the reign of
Dahir. Sibi formed part of Ghaznavid Empire under in the beginning of
eleventh century. It was one of the seven Kingdoms of Sindh during the time of
Nasiruddin Kabacha.
Balochs and Pathans are the two main races which have lived in this historic
town for centuries. Among the Balochs are the tribes of Rind, Jamalis, Khosas,
Golas, Umranis and Khiloanis while among the Pathan tribes are Kakars, Pannis,
Tarins, Sanatia, Spin Tarins, Tor Tarins, Khetrans, Zarkhuns and Bolhari, Syed,
Tarans, Chishtis and Ahmaduzai Syeds.
The most important buildings, constructed during the British period, are the
Residency, the Victoria Memorial Hall, which is presently known as the Jirga
Hall built by public subscription in 1303, government offices and residential
quarters for officials, including those of railways, municipal buildings and
dispensary. Barness School for boys and Girls School, Gaisford Library, Ladies
Hospital and Victoria Sarai, constructed by Sardar Sohbat Khan Gola, and is
known presently after his name and two masjids and two dharamshala.
The 15th century Chakkar Fort, built by the legendary Mir Chakar Khan Rind.
It is on the road to Sibi Airport. Crumbling mud walls with round bastions
enclose the inner fort, which contains two beehive-shaped stores for food and
ammunition.
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