Barkhan (Balochi: بارکان; Urdu: بارکھان) is a city in the Balochistan province of Pakistan and serves as the headquarters of Barkhan District.[1] The city is located in northeastern Balochistan at an elevation of approximately 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) above sea level.[2]
Barkhan
| |
|---|---|
  Barkhan  Barkhan | |
| Coordinates: 29°53′57″N 69°31′33″E / 29.89917°N 69.52583°E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province | Balochistan |
| District | Barkhan District |
| Elevation | 1,100 m (3,600 ft) |
| Population (2023) | |
• Total | 14,425 |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
History
editEtymology
editHistory
editHistorically, the Barkhan region remained under the influence of local tribal groups, particularly the Khetran tribe, whose chiefs exercised authority over much of the surrounding territory.[4] During the nineteenth century, the area experienced periodic conflicts involving the Khetrans, Luni Pashtuns, and neighboring Marri Baloch tribes.[4]
In 1880, local tribal leaders sought British support following regional instability and intertribal warfare.[1] The territory was subsequently incorporated into British Balochistan administration in 1887 and later functioned as part of Loralai District.[1]
Paleontological discoveries
editThe Barkhan region became notable for paleontological discoveries in 2000, when dinosaur fossils were discovered in the nearby Vitakri area by the Geological Survey of Pakistan. The fossils were later identified as belonging to Balochisaurus, a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur.[5]
Demographics
editPopulation
edit| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | ... | — |
| 1961 | 930 | — |
| 1972 | 1,610 | +5.12% |
| 1981 | ... | — |
| 1998 | 7,670 | — |
| 2017 | 12,201 | +2.47% |
| 2023 | 14,425 | +2.83% |
| Source: [6] | ||
As of the 2023 census, Barkhan had a population of 14,425.[7]
The predominant language spoken in the surrounding region is Khetrani, while Balochi and Pashto are also spoken.[8]
Geography and climate
editBarkhan is situated in a mountainous region of northeastern Balochistan. The climate is semi-arid, characterized by hot summers and relatively cold winters, with most rainfall occurring during the monsoon season.
Climate
editBarkhan has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh) with very hot summers and mild winters. Precipitation mainly falls in two periods: light to moderate rainfall during late winter and early spring from February to April, and heavier rainfall during the monsoon season from June to September.
| Climate data for Barkhan (1991–2020, extremes 1971–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.9 (62.4) |
19.1 (66.4) |
24.1 (75.4) |
30.0 (86.0) |
35.6 (96.1) |
37.5 (99.5) |
35.9 (96.6) |
34.7 (94.5) |
33.7 (92.7) |
30.1 (86.2) |
24.5 (76.1) |
19.8 (67.6) |
28.5 (83.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 3.6 (38.5) |
5.9 (42.6) |
11.0 (51.8) |
16.4 (61.5) |
21.3 (70.3) |
23.8 (74.8) |
23.5 (74.3) |
22.7 (72.9) |
20.3 (68.5) |
15.4 (59.7) |
9.7 (49.5) |
5.3 (41.5) |
14.9 (58.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 12.6 (0.50) |
20.9 (0.82) |
37.8 (1.49) |
37.5 (1.48) |
29.3 (1.15) |
56.7 (2.23) |
103.9 (4.09) |
75.6 (2.98) |
33.1 (1.30) |
11.4 (0.45) |
4.3 (0.17) |
6.2 (0.24) |
429.3 (16.90) |
| Source: NOAA[9] | |||||||||||||
Economy
editThe local economy is primarily based on agriculture and livestock rearing. Wheat, barley, and fruits are cultivated in nearby areas, while livestock farming remains an important source of income for rural communities.
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 "Introduction and History of District Barkhan". High Court of Balochistan. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ "Location of Barkhan". Falling Rain Genomics. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ Imperial Gazetteer of India: Provincial Series: Baluchistan. Superintendent of Government Printing. 1908. pp. 31–33. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- 1 2 Balochistan District Gazetteer Series: Loralai District. Vol. II. Times Press. 1907. pp. 22–26.
- ↑ Malkani, M. Sadiq (2006). "Biodiversity of saurischian dinosaurs from the Latest Cretaceous Park of Pakistan". Journal of Applied and Emerging Sciences. 1 (3): 108–140.
- ↑ "AREA & POPULATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS BY RURAL/URBAN: 1951–1998 CENSUSES" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ "AREA, POPULATION BY SEX, SEX RATIO, POPULATION DENSITY, URBAN POPULATION, HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE, CENSUS-2023, BALOCHISTAN" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ Grierson, George Abraham (1919). Linguistic Survey of India. Vol. VIII. Government of India Central Publication Branch. pp. 363–369. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020 — Barkhan". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2026-05-15.