History of Balochistan facts for kids
The history of Balochistan is about the past of the Balochistan region. This area is now part of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Ancient Greek records from around 650 BCE mention this region. The earliest human history in Balochistan goes back to the Paleolithic Age.
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Ancient History of Balochistan
The first signs of people living in Balochistan are from the Paleolithic era. This period is known for hunting camps and stone tools. The first settled villages appeared around 7000–5500 BCE. One important early village was Mehrgarh in the Kachi Plain. These villages grew bigger later on. People started trading goods and materials like shells, lapis lazuli, and pottery.
By 2500 BCE, during the Bronze Age, Balochistan was connected to the Harappan culture. It provided important resources to the large cities of the Indus river basin to the east. Pakistani Balochistan was the westernmost part of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
The earliest people in Balochistan were the Brahui people. They spoke a Dravidian language, similar to languages in other parts of the subcontinent. The Brahuis were originally Hindus and Buddhists. They kept their Dravidian language for thousands of years.
In 650 BC, the Greek historian Herodotus wrote about a tribe called the Paraitakenoi. They were ruled by a Persian official. Later, the Achaemenids, a Persian empire, took control of parts of Balochistan in the 6th century BCE. Alexander the Great also encountered people called Pareitakai.
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After the Mauryan Empire defeated the Greeks in 303 BCE, much of Balochistan came under the rule of Chandragupta Maurya from ancient India. Chandragupta and the Greek ruler Seleucus made a peace deal. Seleucus gave up control of areas, including parts of Balochistan, to the Mauryan Empire. This alliance was made stronger with a marriage. The border between the two empires stayed peaceful for many years.
From the 1st to the 3rd century CE, parts of modern Pakistani Balochistan were ruled by the Pāratarājas. These kings were from the Indo-Scythian or Indo-Parthian groups. We know about them mainly from their coins. These coins often show the ruler's head and a swastika symbol. In 635 or 636 CE, the Hindu Brahman dynasty from Sindh controlled parts of Balochistan.
The invasions of Genghis Khan in the 13th century caused many Baloch people to move. They found safety in the greater Sindh region. Later, fighting among Baloch groups led to clans ruled by leaders called sardars. These sardars claimed different regions within Sindh. The British later named the area Balochistan and gained support from these Baloch Sardars, calling them Nawabs. These Nawabs helped control smaller Baloch and Pathan groups. For the last 150 years, the region has seen ongoing conflicts over its natural resources.
Iranian Balochistan had some of the earliest human civilizations. The Burnt city near Dozaap (Zahidan) dates back to 2000 BCE. All of what is now Balochistan was part of the Achaemenid, Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid Iranian Empires.
Medieval History of Balochistan
Arab Caliphates in Balochistan
Arab forces arrived in Balochistan in the 7th century. They introduced Islam to the Baloch people. Arab rule helped the Baloch people develop their own tribal systems. However, stronger forces often threatened these systems.
In 636-6CE, Rai Chach from Sindh conquered Makran. But in 643, the Arabs reached Makran. In early 644 CE, Caliph Umar sent Suhail ibn Adi to conquer the Karman region of Iran. From there, he entered western Balochistan and conquered areas near the Persian borders. Southwestern Balochistan was conquered in the same year.
During Caliph Uthman's rule in 652, Balochistan was re-conquered. This was part of a campaign against a revolt in Karman. This was the first time western Balochistan came directly under the laws of the Caliphate. It had to pay grain tributes. By 654, most of what is now Pakistan's Balochistan province was under the rule of the Rashidun Caliphate. Only the mountain town of QaiQan remained unconquered until Caliph Ali's reign.
During the rule of Caliph Ali, parts of Balochistan and Makran revolted again. Due to civil war in the Islamic empire, Ali could not focus on these areas. Finally, in 660, he sent a large force to Makran, Balochistan, and Sindh. This force re-conquered the areas. In 663 CE, during the rule of Umayyad Caliph Muawiyah I, Muslims lost control of northeastern Balochistan and Kalat. But Muslim forces later regained control during the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates.
Arab rule in Balochistan lasted until the end of the 10th century.
Soon after, western Balochistan came under the control of Nasir-ud-din Sabuktagin. His son, Mahmud of Ghazni, conquered all of Balochistan. After the Ghaznavids, the area passed to the Ghurids. Later, western Balochistan became part of the Khwarazmian Empire in 1219. However, around 1223, a Mongol army led by Chagatai Khan, son of Genghis Khan, reached Makran.
A few years later, southeastern Balochistan briefly came under the rule of Sultan Iltutmish of the Delhi Sultanate. But it soon returned to Mongol rule. The Mongol raids left a lasting impact on Balochistan's history.
Later, parts of Balochistan's history are linked to Kandahar. In 1398, Pir Muhammad, the grandson of Timur, fought the Afghans in the Sulaiman mountains. Some local stories say Timur himself passed through the Marri country during his expeditions to India.
Arghun Dynasty and Later Empires
The Baloch people expanded their power to Kalat, Kachhi, and Punjab. Famous wars took place between Mir Chakar Khan Rind and Mir Gwahram Khan Lashari. The Arghun dynasty then gave way to Babur's rule. From 1556 to 1595, the region was under the Safavid dynasty. The army of Akbar the Great then brought what is now Pakistani and Iranian Balochistan under the Mughal Empire until 1638. Then, it was transferred back to Persia.
According to historical records, in 1590, the upper highlands were part of Kandahar. Kachhi was part of the Multan region. Makran remained independent until Nasir Khan I of Kalat took control in the 17th century.
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From the mid-17th century, large parts of Balochistan remained under the Safavids. This lasted until the rise of the Ghilzai in 1708. Nadir Shah defeated the Ghilzai. In the early 18th century, he led several expeditions through Balochistan. Ahmad Shah Durrani followed him. The northeastern part of the country remained under the rule of the Sadozais and Barakzais until 1879. At that time, Pishin, Duki, and Sibi became British hands through a treaty. All of Western Balochistan had become an organized state under the Brahui Khans.
Khanate of Kalat
The Baloch Brahui tribe Khans of Kalat ruled in modern-day Pakistan Balochistan. They were never fully independent. They were always under a stronger power. At first, they were small chiefs. Later, they followed the orders of the Mughal emperors of Delhi and the rulers of Kandahar. They provided soldiers when asked. It was not until the time of Nasir Khan I that the titles of Beglar Begi (Chief of Chiefs) and Wali-i-Kalat (Governor of Kalat) were given to the Kalat ruler by the Afghan kings.
As Mughal power weakened, the Brahui chiefs became more independent. They shared the wealth from conquests among their people. This made everyone interested in the success of the Baloch community. Then, a period of expansion began. Mir Ahmad conquered areas in the plains of Sibi. Mir Samandar raided areas like Zhob, Bori, and Thal-Chotiali. He also collected money from the Kalhoras of Sindh every year.
Mir Abdullah, a great conqueror, focused on Makran to the west. In the northeast, he captured Pishin and Shorawak from the Ghilzai rulers of Kandahar. He was killed in a fight with the Kalhoras.
During the rule of Mir Abdullah's successor, Mir Muhabbat, Nadir Shah came to power. Through Nadir Shah, the Ahmadzai ruler gained control of Kachhi in 1740. The Brahuis now had good farming lands, which they always wanted. Muhabbat Khan and his brother Nasir Khan wisely gave some land to the tribesmen. In return, the tribesmen had to provide soldiers for the Khan's army. The Khan also kept much of the land that paid taxes for himself.
The forty-four years of Nasir Khan I's rule were very active. He is known as 'The Great' and is a hero in Baloch history. He managed the state well and led military expeditions. He joined Ahmad Shah in his expeditions to Persia and India. Nasir Khan was a wise and capable leader. He was also a warrior and loved hunting. He was very religious and made sure his people followed Islamic law. His rule was peaceful, unlike later times in Kalat's history. He conquered Makran, Kharan, and Las Bela to add them to his Khanate.
The rule of Nasir Khan's successor, Mir Mahmud Khan, was mostly marked by revolts. In 1810, Henry Pottinger visited his capital and wrote about his experiences. The rule of Mir Mehrab Khan was a long struggle with his chiefs. He killed many of them. He became dependent on certain men who tricked the British. They made the British believe that Mehrab Khan was against them. This led the British to attack Kalat in 1839. The city was captured, and Mehrab Khan was killed.
Modern History of Balochistan
British Indian Empire
Britain and Iran divided Balochistan into several parts. The British created the Baluchistan Agency in 1877. In the 19th century, people in western Balochistan revolted against Persian control. At the end of the 19th century, Sardar Hussein Narui Baloch led an uprising against Persia. This uprising was stopped by joint British and Persian forces. The struggle between the Persian Qajar dynasty and the British in eastern Balochistan gave western Balochis a chance to control their territory.
In the early 20th century, Bahram Khan gained control of Baloch lands. In 1916, the British Indian Empire recognized him as the effective ruler of western Balochistan. Mir Dost Muhammad Khan Baluch, Bahram Khan's nephew, became ruler. In 1920, he declared himself Shah-e-Baluchistan (King of Balochistan). But in 1928, Reza Shah came to power. Persian forces, with British help, started operations against Baloch forces. The Baloch were defeated, and Mir Dost Muhammad Khan Baluch was captured. He was later executed in a Tehran prison.
The British gradually became more involved in Balochistan during the rule of Mir Mehrab Khan. His rule was marked by power struggles with his chiefs. The British attacked Kalat in 1839, killing Mehrab Khan. His successor, Mir Shah Nawaz Khan, was appointed. However, a rebellion forced Shah Nawaz to step down. Mir Nasir Khan II then took power.
Under pressure from the British, Mir Nasir Khan II agreed to their terms. Colonel Sir Robert Groves Sandeman introduced a new system to bring peace to Balochistan. This system was in place from 1877 to 1947.
In 1877, the British accepted Kalat as an Indian state. The British became the main power in Kalat. The Khan's authority was limited. The political agent in Kalat gave money to the tribal chiefs. Kharan and Las Bela became almost independent from Kalat.
In 1933, Ahmad Yar Khan became the ruler of Kalat. He wanted to regain full control of Kalat. The Indian Government agreed but wanted to keep control over payments to the chiefs. This meant Ahmad Yar Khan did not have real authority over them.
The Khan demanded that his rule over Kharan and Las Bela be accepted. He also wanted his authority in Kalat to be fully restored. And he wanted the return of the districts of Nasirabad, Nushki, and Quetta. The Indian Government knew they had to give him some powers to keep his loyalty. The Khan gained a small victory by getting back some authority in the state.
After this, the Khan claimed that Kalat was not an Indian state. He asked the Indian Government to accept his rule over Las Bela, Kharan, and the Bugti and Marri tribal regions. The Indian Government decided that Kalat had always been an Indian state. They accepted that Las Bela and Kharan were formally under Kalat. But they also recognized Kharan as a separate state.
Pakistan Movement
British Balochistan was not as developed as other parts of British India. It had a very low literacy rate and was mostly rural. The province was also politically behind. During British rule, the Balochistan Agency was under a Chief Commissioner. It did not have the same status as other provinces. However, it was important for the All-India Muslim League. This group, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, suggested in 1928 that democratic changes be made in Balochistan.
People in the province started to organize politically in the 1930s. In 1932, Yusuf Ali Khan Magsi held the First All-India Baloch Conference. His party was later replaced by the Kalat State National Party. This party worked with the Indian National Congress branch in Balochistan. In 1939, a local lawyer, Qazi Muhammad Isa, created the Balochistan Muslim League.
The Muslim League became more active after the Simla Conference. Most people in the province supported the Pakistan Movement. Jinnah visited Balochistan again in late 1945. He repeated his call for political changes in the province.
In British-ruled India, Balochistan included a Chief Commissioner's province and princely states. These states included Kalat, Makran, Las Bela, and Kharan. These areas became part of Pakistan. According to Pakistan's story, the province's Shahi Jirga and members of the Quetta Municipality agreed to join Pakistan on June 29, 1947. However, members from the Kalat State were removed from the Shahi Jirga before the vote.
The then president of the Balochistan Muslim League, Qazi Muhammad Isa, told Muhammad Ali Jinnah that the Shahi Jirga did not represent the people's wishes. He also said that only representatives from the British part of the province voted. This has raised questions about whether a real vote took place. Some say the announcement in favor of joining Pakistan was achieved through manipulation.
The Indian National Congress knew that joining India was not practical for Balochistan. Jinnah wanted the general population to vote instead of just the Shahi Jirga. But the British refused.
Ahmed Yar Khan, the ruler of Kalat, supported Pakistan but also wanted to be independent. Kalat argued that it had been a sovereign state, not an Indian state. Pakistan argued that it was the successor to India's agreements with Indian states.
Ahmad Yar Khan insisted on Kalat's non-Indian status to avoid India's political changes. But Pakistan used that same argument to keep control over the leased areas. Talks between Kalat and Pakistan began in September 1947. Pakistan accepted Kalat's claim of being non-Indian. But it still wanted Kalat to join Pakistan like other states. These talks effectively transferred British power to Pakistan.
Ahmad Yar Khan's choice was to either accept that Kalat was an Indian state and get back the leased territories, or keep claiming it was non-Indian and lose the leased areas.
Jinnah invited Ahmad Yar Khan in October to convince him. Ahmad Yar Khan tried to get a treaty that would give Pakistan equal control over Kalat but without full accession. Jinnah asked for a formal agreement to join. The Khan asked for more time to consult his parliament. By consulting the state's chiefs, he allowed the Pakistani Government to deal directly with them.
Kalat's smaller states, Las Bela and Kharan, and its district of Makran, asked Pakistan to let them join separately. They said that if Pakistan did not accept their offers, they would have to take other steps to protect themselves from the Khan of Kalat. Pakistani officials recognized their claims of independence from Kalat. They allowed them to join Pakistan separately on March 17, 1948.
The Pakistani government argued that each chief could choose to leave the Kalat confederation and join Pakistan. The British High Commission believed the Khan would be left without any territory if he waited.
As a result, Kalat had a conflict with Makran. Makran was ruled by Nawab Bai Khan Gichki, who had chosen to join Pakistan. The Khan of Kalat then stopped providing food supplies to the Makran Levy Corps. With people facing starvation, Pakistan was asked to provide food and take over administration of Makran. However, the Khan of Kalat decided to join Pakistan even before this happened. The joining of Las Bela, Kharan, and Makran to Pakistan left Kalat without access to the sea. Pressure increased when, on March 27, 1948, a radio announcement said the Khan of Kalat had offered to join India. Hearing this, the Khan decided to join Pakistan on the same day. The Khan said he signed the agreement because he believed Pakistan was in danger.
Conflicts in Balochistan
First Conflict
When the Khan of Kalat signed the agreement to join Pakistan, his brother, Prince Abdul Karim, revolted in July 1948. Prince Abdul Karim went to Afghanistan to launch attacks against Pakistan. However, he surrendered to Pakistan in 1950. The Prince fought alone without support from the rest of Balochistan.
Second Conflict
Nawab Nauroz Khan, a chief from Jhalawan, started fighting against the One Unit policy. This policy reduced the power of tribal leaders in the government. This conflict lasted from 1958 to 1959. He and his followers started a guerrilla war against Pakistan. They were arrested and imprisoned. Five of his family members were later executed. Nawab Nauroz Khan died in prison.
Third Conflict
After the second conflict, a movement for Baloch independence grew stronger in the 1960s. This happened after a new constitution in 1956 limited provincial power. The federal government built new military bases in Balochistan. Sher Muhammad Bijrani Marri led militants in guerrilla warfare from 1963 to 1969. They wanted Pakistan to share money from the Sui gas fields with the tribal leaders. The rebels bombed railway tracks and attacked convoys. The Army fought back by destroying large areas of the Marri tribe's land. This conflict ended in 1969 with a ceasefire. In 1970, Pakistani President Yahya Khan ended the "One Unit" policy. Balochistan became the fourth province of West Pakistan.
Fourth Conflict (1973–1977)
The unrest continued into the 1970s. In 1973, President Bhutto dismissed the provincial governments of Balochistan and NWFP. He declared martial law, which led to armed conflict. Mir Hazar Khan Ramkhani formed the Balochistan People's Liberation Front (BPLF). This group led many Marri and Mengal tribesmen in guerrilla warfare against the central government. Pakistani forces, with help from Iran, caused many losses to the separatists. The conflict slowed down after Balochistan returned to a four-province structure.
Fifth Conflict (2004–Present)
In 2004, an attack on Gwadar port killed three Chinese engineers. This brought China into the conflict. In 2005, Baloch political leaders Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Mir Balach Marri presented a list of demands to the Pakistan government. They asked for more control over the province's resources. They also wanted a stop to the building of military bases.
Reasons for joining separatist groups vary. Some join for power or excitement. Others join to honor their tribal codes or to gain recognition for their unique ethnicity. Some even join because their tribal leader tells them to.
On August 12, 2009, Khan of Kalat Mir Suleiman Dawood declared himself ruler of Balochistan. He announced a Council for Independent Balochistan. This council claimed control over parts of Iran and Pakistani Balochistan. Suleiman Dawood said that the UK had a "moral responsibility" to raise the issue of Balochistan's situation internationally.
Human rights groups have accused Baloch separatist groups of serious human rights violations.
A survey in 2009 found that 58% of people in Balochistan chose "Pakistani" as their main identity. 32% chose their ethnicity, and 10% chose both equally. A Gallup survey in 2012 showed that most Baloch people (67%) do not support independence from Pakistan. Only 33% were in favor of independence. However, 67% of people in Balochistan supported greater provincial independence.
See also
- Balochistan conflict
- Paratarajas
