Killa Abdullah or Qilla Abdullah or Abdullah Qilla  is a district in the north west of Balochistan province of Pakistan. Over 99% of the people of the area are Muslims. The population of Qilla Abdullah District was estimated to be over 400,000 in 2005, the vast majority being Pakhtuns.

Killa Abdullah was separated from Pishin District and made a new district in June 1993.^[1] The District also consist of one tehsil Chaman and two sub-tehsils: Dobandi and Gulistan. The district consists of two sub-divisions: Chaman and Gulistan. The total area is 3,293 square kilometres.^[1]

Topography

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 the area in a scattered way.

Climate

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

The history of Qilla 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 Timur successors. It was probably at the beginning of thho 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 (Qilla) and gave the place his own name. This place is located 38 km west of Pishin. Qilla Abdullah was part of district Pishin.

In 1839, this area along with [[Quetpassed 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 Anglo-Afghan War Quetta and Pishin areas fell into British hands in 1839. In 1842, however the 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 Pakistan, 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 Qilla Abdullah was separated from Pishin. It was given the status of a district and Chaman was declared its headquarters.

The district Qilla 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 (Qilla) and gave the place his own name. This place is located 38 km west of Pishin. Qilla Abdullah was part of district Pishin.

In 1839, this area along with Quetta and 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.

Etymology

The district 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, Afghanistan, in 1841, during which the British envoy was also killed. the early part of the 19th century. He then built a fort (Qilla) and gave the place his own name.^[3]