The history of the Sibi region dates back to the 7th century at the earliest, when it was ruled by the Sewa dynasty In the early 13th century, Sibi was a dependency of Multan under Nasiruddin Qabacha of the Ghurid Empire. The area was then variously subject to Multan or Sindh throughout much of its history. The Arghun dynasty of Kandahar invaded in the late 15th century and seized Sibi from the Samma dynasty of Sindh, but it was returned to Sindh during the Mughal period. Sibi was governed by the Kalhora dynasty during the early 18th century, which in turn paid tribute to the Afsharids after Nader Shah's invasion in 1737. In 1747, the Durrani Empire assumed control of Sibi and appointed local administrators from the Barozai clan.
Sibi came under the control of the British Crown in 1880, and was an important junction on the Harnai and Quetta loop railway lines. It later achieved independence as part of the new nation of Pakistan in 1947.
Besides the town of Sibi, the district once included the hill station of Ziarat, the summer residence of the government, and the Victoria Memorial Hall, now known as Jirga Hall, which was built in 1903.
Photo curtesy: Zaheer Chaudhry
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