What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Baloch have been suffering since ancient times and continue to be targeted today, even in the 21st century it is damning to see the UN and other human rights agencies don’t give heed to the Baloch nation who have been suffering for more than a millennia now and continue to be targeted today.
Baloch have been protesting across the streets of Pakistan for more than a month now and after facing many challenges the Baloch Long March under the leadership of Dr Mahrang Baloch reached Islamabad after crossing hundreds of kilometres. But in Islamabad also, police manhandled the protestors including women and children, arrested several, forcibly put them in buses and sent them back to Balochistan. This recent protest is the result of the killing of Balaach Mola Bakhsh in police custody in Turbat but this is not the first time, thousands of Baloch have been extrajudicially killed by Pakistani Establishment’s Death Squads and thousands have been subjected to enforced disappearances and missing since 1970’s.
Baloch Yakjehti Committee have given a list of demands or basic human rights to the Pakistan Government, but the question is who are Baloch and for how long they are suffering?
There are several theories about the origin of Baloch but one common thing among them is that Baloch migrated to the current land of Balochistan (present-day part of Pakistan and Iran) from someplace between Turkey and the Caspian Sea. The oldest mention of Baloch can be found in Firdausi’s Shahnameh where he stated that Baloch were part of the Achaemenid Dynasty. This Indo-Iranic tribe had from time immemorial suffered at the hands of major dynasties like – Medes, Achaemenid, Sassanid, Huns, Parthians etc.
Arab writers mention about Baloch in Kerman, Sistan, Makuran and Turan (present-day part of Pakistan, Iran). In the 7th century, Arabs under the banner of Islam invaded and conquered Iran. Arabs conquered areas of Sistan under Caliph Omar in AD 644 and occupied Chagai (Balochistan, Pakistan) by AD 669 under the Umayyad Dynasty. Baloch of Turan and Makuran tried to resist any kind of invasion but were later subjugated and deported to Syria. Baloch’s disunity and lack of united leadership were apparent in their dealings during the struggle for supremacy between Arabs and the Sassanid Empire.
Soon after the reign of powerful Abbasid Caliphs, Iran was practically ruled by different dynasties of Iranian origin. Various powerful dynasties that emerged were Saffarids, Ziyarids, Buyids, Ghaznavids and Seljuks. The relationship between the Baloch and these powers was hostile and the Baloch suffered enormously during this long period which led to further migration of Baloch people.
During the Mughal rule, Baloch had love and hate relationships with Mughals, few tribes showed allegiance while others fought against them. Since the time of Emperor Akbar and Shah Jahan, Balochistan was under Mughal control.
Baloch entered into the historical accounts of Arabs and Persian writers of medieval Iran as Koch o Baloch. They termed Baloch as horrible & barbaric and justified genocide attacks on them. According to Arab writer Tabari, Baloch seems have to been nominally Muslim. He characterized their behaviour as having distinct ‘Pagan Savagery’.
The period between the 12th and 17th centuries is of profound importance for the development of Baloch national identity. This is marked in the Baloch history with en masse migrations, the formation of the Baloch Tribal Confederacy and the introduction of social, cultural and linguistic changes.
The migration of Baloch tribes initiated a process of social & political transformation of the Baloch society. Tribes were structured in military formations, different tribes united to form tribal unions & confederacies. Balochi became lingua franca of the region. Baloch became organized in strict tribal structures in which the Tribal Chief or Sardar became the focus of tribal institutions. A clear & transparent system of chieftaincies for the tribe began to evolve which continued among the Baloch until the introduction of British rule.
Originally Baloch were followers of the Zoroastrian religion and its various sects, but converted to Islam after the Arab invasion of Balochistan. In present times the Baloch enjoy an identity regarding their religious beliefs, which is significantly different from their neighbours Irani, Afghan & Pakistani which have a fundamentalist religious mindset. In fact, unlike neighbouring Muslims, they have never politicized their religious faith, which has remained linked to the personal sphere and tradition without becoming a real socio-political discrimination factor. A great example of this is that a section of Baloch adheres to the Zikri sect, which numbers about 7,50,000 of the total population as per sources. They believe in Islam and its tenets but instead of going to Mecca, they go to Kech for pilgrimage. In cultural terms, the Baloch have been remarkably successful in preserving their distinct identity in the face of continuous pressure.
Painting of Fort of Kalat, Source: Flickr.com
The 17th century is a landmark in the history of the Baloch, the powerful Mughal Empire of India and the Safavid in Persia were disintegrating. It was in these times the confederacy of Brahui Tribes of Turan exploited the political situation and declared the Khanate of Kalat in 1666.
Khanate reached its peak during the reign of Mir Nasser Khan I. Among the priorities of Khan were internal unity and stability of the Khanate and to reconcile all the hostile tribes. He played a neutral role in inter-tribal or intra-tribal disputes, it was essential to get the allegiance of tribes so that the Khanate become stable. Each tribe was given roles and responsibilities so that a potential military force could be developed. Commandants of each of these forces were respective tribal chiefs. It helped Khan to have a standing army at his command.
Administrative and political changes were also introduced. Wazir (Prime Minister) was appointed and was overall in charge of Administration, External Affairs, Law and order. Wazir also recommended officials for Finance, Justice, Revenue Offices, City Chief, Judges etc.
Concerning socio-economic reforms, most parts of Balochistan were dependent on Karez (underground water channel). Special attention was paid to the maintenance of Karezes and the development of new Karezes. Dams and channels were supervised strictly. Trade also expanded and so did the taxation system Batai (agriculture tax) was introduced. The Khanate of Kalat also had its flag and national currency Nasser Shahi. Political decisions on war and peace were taken in consultation with the tribal chiefs, which were debated and decisions were taken on the majority opinion.
But after two centuries only in 1839, Kalat became a vassal of the British. The following happened due to various issues – mistrust between the Khan and tribal chiefs, various contenders to the throne of Kalat etc. Soon thereafter, the British divided a few territories of Balochistan between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Khan of Kalat Ahmad Yar Khan and Jinnah’s sister Fatima Jinnah, Photo: taleem-e-Pakistan
When India and Pakistan were getting Independent, Khan of Kalat too wanted to become independent as a sovereign state. On 4 August 1947, it was decided between the British, Pakistan and Kalat officials that the Kalat state would be independent and would enjoy the same status as held in 1838. Further, a Standstill Agreement was reached between the State of Kalat & Pakistan officials on 11 August 1947, wherein Pakistan recognized Kalat as an independent sovereign state and on Aug 11 1947, Khan of Kalat declared independence. However, neither the British nor Pakistan wanted a viable Balochistan as it was against their interests in the Persian Gulf.
Pakistan Government by way of force, made Khan of Kalat sign an Agreement of Accession on 27 March 1948 thereby surrendering the fate of Balochistan. Since then, Baloch have led a series of armed freedom movements against Pakistan, the deadliest being the 6th uprising which has been ongoing since 2006.
Baloch have been suffering since ancient times and continue to be targeted today, even in the 21st century it is damning to see the UN and other human rights agencies don’t give heed to the Baloch nation who have been suffering for more than a millennia now and continue to be targeted today.
Mark Kinra is a corporate lawyer and geopolitical analyst with expertise in South Asia, particularly Pakistan and Balochistan and holds a degree in Political Science from Tel Aviv University; collaborating with think tanks and academicians in India and Israel.
