HISTORICAL MIRI FORT QUETTA

THE MIRI FORT QUETTA
ORIGIN OF NAME: The name Quetta is anglicised from KOTA a Persian word used for fort.
Another theory is the original name of place was SHALKOT but it was known by the Persian as QATA which the English altered to Quetta. Quetta is still called as SHALKOT by country people.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The mound has a dimension of 600 long 400' wide and rises above the ground to approx 80. The fort itself is an irregular octagon built in usual frontier style of mud and bricks surrounded by a moat (ditch) and reinforced at places by fencing. In its centre rises MIRI pre historic MOUND standing from immemorial times. The word MIRI is derived from
MIR (THE CHIEF) a BRAHVI word and the MIRI means PLACE OF CHIEF.
General impression is that MIRI was occupied by constant successions of people from time immemorial including GREEKS who came with ALEXANDER THE GREAT. With the toll of time the MIRI still stands in its gigantic manner carrying on its shoulders history of ages.
EARLY OCCUPATION
Mehmood Ghaznavi in the 11th century attacked INDIA and made a camp here which took the shape of MIRI in due course. Later it was occupied by the KHAN OF KALAT.

BRITISH OCCUPATION
In 1876 Capt (Later Sir) Robert Sandeman entered into a treaty called MASTUNG TREATY under which by virtue of certain payment BRITISH AGENCY was established in Quetta.
Troops were also permitted to be stationed on strategic trade and advantageous positions at Quetta. Sir Robert Sandeman was first agent to the viceroy. 3 Coys of 4th SIKH NFANTRY formed his escort. In the same year a small Detachment of British Troops marched into Quetta and occupied MIRI because of a skirmish between the British and the local Pathans as the British had arrested few Pathans which led to this skirmish in which Lt Hewson was killed. Capt Scott and Lt Kurdhart were arrested by tribesmen. In 1883 whole of Quetta Valley was occupied by British Troops.
ORIGIN OF MIRI ARSENAL
Quetta Arsenal was established on 7 Feb 1880 at MIRI.
Later in 1883 a Fort was constructed.
The fort position which gave command over all entry points into Quetta Valley.
ARCHAELOGICAL FINDINGS OF MIRI were found in the lower strata of
Fort including a ring stone and jasper corn-crusher of pre-historic age and a bronze figure of HERCULES high, holding in his left hand the skin of the nemean lion, was found embedded in hard clay which was shifted to Calcutta Museum by the British.