by Irshad Ahmed Khan
The Khans of Kalat ruled the Kalat princely state, in Baluchistan, from the mid-17th century onwards. They belonged to the Baluchi Qambrani/Ahmadzai tribe, who usurped the earlier rule of a Hindu Raja, Sehwa, who had ruled in that region prior to 1665 AD. In that year Mir Ahmed Khan I removed this raja and assumed power, in late 1665 or early 1666, as first Khan of the Kalat state. After that, some 16 generations of his family or dynasty ruled there.
Originally, the Khans of Kalat used to live in an old fortess which was badly damaged or alomst destroyed, by an earthquake in 1930s. At that time, Mir Ahmad Yar Khan was ruling, as last Khan of Kalat (who later on acceded to Pakistan in 1955) and he wished to build a modern style house in main Kalat town. He thus obtained the services of some architect in Karachi, Sindh (the nearest big city), reputed to be probably a Hindu or Sikh, who came and designed the house, which was later constructed by some Sikh contractors or overseers, in late 1930s.
This house became quite famous later on as it had a unique shape and design and was much appreciated by 'modernists' in India. However, most people in Kalat thought it was not too nice, as they prefered an old and traditional Eastern type of fort or palace residence. However, they could not say this out as the Khan of Kalat had a strict and harsh regime and people feared they might be punished for their criticism. Today it seems most people in Baluchistan province of Pakistan have forgotten those dark days and are wanting to return to that repressive time.
The Khans of Kalat ruled the Kalat princely state, in Baluchistan, from the mid-17th century onwards. They belonged to the Baluchi Qambrani/Ahmadzai tribe, who usurped the earlier rule of a Hindu Raja, Sehwa, who had ruled in that region prior to 1665 AD. In that year Mir Ahmed Khan I removed this raja and assumed power, in late 1665 or early 1666, as first Khan of the Kalat state. After that, some 16 generations of his family or dynasty ruled there.
Originally, the Khans of Kalat used to live in an old fortess which was badly damaged or alomst destroyed, by an earthquake in 1930s. At that time, Mir Ahmad Yar Khan was ruling, as last Khan of Kalat (who later on acceded to Pakistan in 1955) and he wished to build a modern style house in main Kalat town. He thus obtained the services of some architect in Karachi, Sindh (the nearest big city), reputed to be probably a Hindu or Sikh, who came and designed the house, which was later constructed by some Sikh contractors or overseers, in late 1930s.
This house became quite famous later on as it had a unique shape and design and was much appreciated by 'modernists' in India. However, most people in Kalat thought it was not too nice, as they prefered an old and traditional Eastern type of fort or palace residence. However, they could not say this out as the Khan of Kalat had a strict and harsh regime and people feared they might be punished for their criticism. Today it seems most people in Baluchistan province of Pakistan have forgotten those dark days and are wanting to return to that repressive time.
Close up view of Kalat House, Kalat, Baluchistan province of Pakistan
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