Page 21 - The Majestic Balochistan

The Boot House
Constructed in 1956, located opposite Quetta Railway Station, the Boot House is situated on the famous Zarghoon
Road of the city. Shaped like a boot, the house is an artistic masterpiece which has intrigued passers-by since its
completion. It belongs to the notable Marker family which holds a history since 1895. Jamsheed Marker, son of
Kekobad Ardeshir Marker and Meherbano Marker, is known for his noteworthy services to the country of Pakistan
With a massively impressive forty-two years-long diplomatic career, Jamsheed Marker not only served as the
Pakistani Ambassador to the United States but also to the United Nations. The other two sons of Sir Kekobad
Ardeshir Marker, Khursheed Marker and Minocher marker, the twinning genius of the pharma business developed
and progressed the pharmaceutical business of the family for the greater good of the aboriginals and the rest. Merk
Marker, also known as Martin Dow Marker, in Quetta is solely owned by the Marker family. Moreover, Khursheed
Marker has also served as a former caretaker minister in Qureshi caretaker ministry back in 1993. His Highness
Sir Khursheed Marker laid the foundation stone of the boot house commemorating his daughter, her highness Miss
Aban Marker Kabraji. Interestingly, Miss Aban Marker Kabraji, who is a Pakistani biologist and a scientist of
Parsi origin currently the Regional Director of the Asian Regional Office of IUCN, the international Union For
Conservation of Nature, used to play in the house spending her leisure time there. Her toys and the furniture she
used can still be found wrapped up carefully in the house. A local folktale even suggests that her shrill and soft
pitched voice can still be heard echoing in the gigantic architecture of the house. From inside, the spirally adjusted
curvature of the stairs of the house adds up to spell bound the visitors in whirls. Spotted in fog, the panes and
windows of the balcony of the house display a whimsical view of the Quetta city. The world may have many such
structures by now but in 1956, The Boot House was one of its kind-a matchless piece of construction. Although the
house has been renovated a couple of times, its sanctity has been kept preserved throughout the interior, exterior,
refractory walls and the overall layout of the house is so well designed with an innate perfection that it exactly
replicates a boot.