The origin of the town's name is attributed to Rani Sewi, a Hindu lady of the Sewa Dynasty who ruled Balochistan before the 7th century.[4]
History
Sibi is a city in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. The main mountain ranges are Zen, Bambore and Dungan. The climatic and topography of Sibi District is quite varied compared to other districts of Balochistan. It is also known as the "Hot spot" of Pakistan where the temperatures in the summer exceed far above normal 52.6 °C (126.7 °F). The district has two tehsils, Sibi and Lehri, which are further organized into sub-tehsils.
Sibi is connected to Quetta via the Bolan Pass.
Bolan Pass depicted on a 1910 advertisement card for Liebig Meat Extract Company.
Until the end of the 15th century the district had been a dependency of Multan and had been part of Ghaznavid Empire ruled by petty chief named Nasiruddin Kubacha. Around 1500 it was taken by Shah Beg of the Arghun Dynasty from Samma Dynasty of Sultan of Sindh and so came under the control of Kandahar. However, during the period of Mughal rule the territory was once again ruled from Multan.
In 1714, the territory was conquered by the Kalhoras Amirs of Sindh, but they were then displaced by the Durranis. During the short rule of the Durranis the local administrators were nominated from the Barozai sub clan of the Panni Tribe.
In the 19th century it fell under Marris and Bugtis hand. To finish rebellion in the area as raised by Marri and Bugti tribes, the British signed the treaty with Khan of Kalat in late 19th century where under the Sibi, Shalkot and Chagai territory was leased out to British India.
The District of Sibi was established in 1903 during British Rule its area was larger than the current district and lay between 27°55' and 30°38'N and 67°17' and 69°50'E lying south of Loralai District, north of the Upper Sind Frontier District, west of Dera Ghazi Khan District and east of Kachhi, Bolan Pass and Quetta- Pishin. The total area of the district was 11,281 square miles (29,220 km2), but this included Marri Bugti county (7,129 square miles) which was not directly administered by the British, leaving 4,152 square miles (10,750 km2) that was directly administered by the British.
In 1974 the district was subdivided to create Naseerabad and Kohlu districts, in 1983 Dera Bugti District, and in 1986 Ziarat District. Until 2000 and after 2000, Tehsil Harnai of Sibi District became a new District named Harnai District. Sibi District currently comprises two Tehsils, Sibi and Lehri.
Demography
According to 2017 census, Sibi division had a population of 963,941, which includes 506,028 males and 457,852 females. Sibi division constitutes 5,953 Hindus, 956,124 Muslims,1,456 Christians followed by 289 scheduled castes and 119 others.
Languages among the urban population of Sibi Tehsil (2017 Census)[5]
At the time of the 2017 census, 38.18% of the population spoke Balochi, 25.33% Sindhi, 17.82% Saraiki, 11.02% Pashto, 3.39% Brahui, 2.27% Punjabi and 1.73% Urdu as their first language.
The famous Sibi Mela first held in January 1885 a market for Livestock trade with passage of time adopted as cultural show, tent pegging, departmental exhibitions, musical show and sports festivals.
The District of Sibi was established in 1903 during British Rule its area was larger than the current district and lay between 27°55' and 30°38'N and 67°17' and 69°50'E lying south of Loralai District, north of the Upper Sind Frontier District, west of Dera Ghazi Khan District and east of Kachhi, Bolan Pass and Quetta- Pishin. The total area of the district was 11,281 square miles (29,220 km2), but this included Marri Bugti county (7,129 square miles) which not directly administered by the British, leaving 4,152 square miles (10,750 km2) that were directly administered by the British [8] The population according to the 1901 census of India was 74,555 or 18 persons per square mile, the district contained four tehsils these were:
Tahsil Area (sq mi) Population
Kohlu 362 1,743
Sibi 1,343 20,526
Shahrig 1,595 16,573
Naseerabad 852 33,713
Total 4,152 74,555
In 1974 the district was subdivided to create Naseerabad and Kohlu districts, in 1983 Dera Bugti District, and in 1986 Ziarat District. Until 2000, except for Naseerabad, these new districts were part of Sibi Division of Pakistan. In 2000 the third-tier "divisions" structure of government was dissolved. Two further new districts were cleaved out of its territory: Harnai in 2007 and Lehri in 2013. Lehri was reannexed into Sibi in 2018.
Climate
Sibi has globally recorded high temperatures, especially in the month of June with an average of 52 °C in the afternoon. Precipitation is light and mainly falls in two distinct periods: early spring in March and April, and during monsoon season in July and August.
Pakistan
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