Kala-Chitta
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Kala-Chitta
Mountain range in the Pindi Gheb tahsil of Attock District, Punjab, having the general form of a wedge or triangle, whose base rests upon the left bank of the Indus, near the township of Nara, while its apex stretches to the Margala pass, about 50 miles to the eastward. The broadest portion has a depth of about 12 miles. The range is formed of two portions differing much in appearance. The south-western part, stretching for 35 miles from the Indus through the Pindi Gheb tahsil, known as the Kala Pahar or 'black mountain; is generally formed of very dark sandstone, often quite purple in hue, and sometimes blackened by exposure to the weather. Mixed with this are grey sandstone and red clay. The Chitta or ' white ' hill runs the whole length of the northern side of the range. It is formed of white Nummulitic limestone, but dark limestone also crops up in its midst ; it is by far the more valuable part of the range, the limestone being used for burning, and the forest produce being far better than in the Kala. Bushes of acacia and wild olive are scattered over its rugged sides, but on the main portion a coarse grass forms the only vegetation.
