Bela, Balochistan
Bela | |
|---|---|
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Balochistan |
| Elevation | 88 m (289 ft) |
| Population | |
• Estimate (2012) | 20,119 [1] |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
Bela is an important town of Lasbela District in Balochistan province of Pakistan, and is the chief town of the Bela Tehsil.[2] Bela is an ancient town in a historic track surrounded by hills above the Arabian Sea nearly 200 km west of Karachi. During the autumn of 325 BC was part of the Asian campaign of Alexander the Great, known as Alexandria Rhambacia.[3] Alexander mentions the river name as Arabius, and local people as Oreitans.[4]
Demography
The Bela population consists of Sindhis, Balochis, Brahui and Punjabis. The population is predominantly Muslim with small Hindu minority.[2]
Significance
Bela and surrounding areas have some mineral reserves. 64 kilometres (40 mi) north of Bela are the Kundi deposits where traces of chalcopyrite, Galena, and silver are also found. Manganese ore is also found in the opholitic belt of Bela.[2] The tomb of Muhammad Bin Qasim's general, Muhammad Ibn-e-Haroon, is located in Bela.[5]
See also
- Shehr-e-Roghan - an ancient town near Bela
- Rhambacia
References
- ^ "Population of Bela, Pakistan". Mongabay. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ^ a b c "Lasbela" (PDF). District Development Profile. Govt. of Balochistan. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ^ The Macedonian Empire: The Era of Warfare Under Philip II and Alexander
- ^ The Macedonian Empire: The Era of Warfare Under Philip II and Alexander
- ^ "Archaeological sites and historical monuments". Lasbela. Govt. of Balochistan. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
26°12′N 66°20′E / 26.200°N 66.333°E
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