The Baloch and Balochistan

Today, Balochistan refers to Pakistan’s largest province by area, but its modern geography is markedly different from that of its ancient namesake. The Balochistan region is partitioned among Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and administratively, it is comprised of three separate entities: Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, and the Afghan provinces of Nimruz, Helmand, and Kandahar, which are located in the country’s southern part. Moreover, it is important to note that the Baloch people do not have their origins in the region currently known as Balochistan. 

Historical and Geographical Overview of Balochistan

Balochistan’s history stretches back to 4000 BC, with a strong historical background revealing the presence of ancient civilizations, its geographical position making it an important trade route linking the Near East and Persia to the Sindh region and the wider subcontinent. The region’s prehistory extends to the Paleolithic era, with notable sites like the Kachi Plain, where stone tools and fossils have been discovered, and the Bolan Valley, featuring ancient rock art and artifacts. The rise and fall of empires has left an indelible mark, with echoes of forgotten dynasties lingering in every valley. In ancient times, Balochistan was divided into two administrative states: Qaiqan, comprising northern districts with its capital in Damb Sadaat, near Quetta,  and the southern regions of Jhalawan, Makran, and Lasbela, with its capital near Nal, called Sohr Damb, with the fertile Surab valley being a disputed territory. The region was inhabited by various nations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, which controlled the coastal trade routes from Koh e Milan to Jiwani, connecting them to the Near East and Iran. Eventually another nation invaded and  gained dominance over northern Balochistan. They were idolaters, worshipping Mata Devi and practicing animism. Archaeologists have discovered continuous evidence of human presence from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, with thriving civilizations flourishing from 3500 BC to 2000 BC, but afterwards, a prolonged period of drought and famine gradually began, transforming the region’s landscape and population dynamics, with present-day desert areas having had a network of settlements and abundant resources in prehistoric and historical times, as evidenced by the Gabar Band and other water structures.

In 1600 BC, the Arians launched an invasion of Balochistan. In an inscription by Darius I, the emperor of Iran, a branch of the Sakas(Sacas), known as the Makas, gained control over the southern region and named it Makran (Makuran). These Sakas, who were ethnically Aryan, also made the Iranian region of Sistan famous. Cyrus the Great, the founder of Iran’s first organized empire, brought this vast region under his dominion. In 325 BC, Alexander the Great, the Greek conqueror, marched towards Sindh, passing through the regions of Makran and Bela in Balochistan during his conquest of the ancient Iranian empire. He was wounded in Multan during his invasion of India and, on his return journey, took the route through Makran, where a portion of his army perished due to the harsh weather and scarcity of food.

The Buddhist Era in Balochistan

The Mauryan dynasty of northern India, with its capital in Magadha, defeated Seleucus, the Greek general of Alexander the Great, who had gained control over the eastern regions (including Balochistan) after Alexander’s death. The Mauryans then seized control of the Iranian provinces of Arachosia and Gedrosia. The entire coastline of Balochistan came under their sway, and their government also extended to Afghanistan and Punjab. The Gupta dynasty, which ruled for centuries, saw a significant flourishing of Buddhism during the reign of Chandra Gupta. Traces of the Gupta era can be found at various locations in Balochistan, particularly in the valleys of Hingol or Hinglaj, where remnants of Buddhism are present; notable sites include Nani Mandir and Hinglaj Mata.

Three centuries later, the Sassanian dynasty of Iran overthrew the Buddhist government and reasserted control over Balochistan, extending their reach to the Indus River. However, persistent drought and harsh weather conditions prevented them from consolidating their grip. Internally, the region remained autonomous, and in some areas, the influence of Indian power and Delhi’s rule also persisted.

The Arrival of the Arabs

After the advent of Islam, the second caliph, Hazrat Umar, sent an Arab group to assess the situation in Makran. This was a time when the Sassanian government of Iran was weakened due to internal divisions, and Balochistan was virtually independent. The Arab group observed some areas of Makran and reported back to the caliph that the region’s disadvantages outweighed its advantages. They described the mountains and plains as equally difficult to traverse. The group’s leader warned that a small army would risk being overwhelmed, while a larger army would face logistical challenges due to the scarcity of food and water. Hazrat Umar subsequently postponed plans to conquer Makran. However, the Arabs attacked and occupied the coastal regions of Balochistan again in 664 AD. As the Sassanian government weakened further, the Arabs gradually gained control over Balochistan. Yet, they struggled to maintain a strong presence due to the lack of resources, and their rule became ineffective. Eventually, the Arab governor was forced to flee. Remnants of the Arab settlement “Albaizah” near Nal still exist today. This location held significant importance during the Arab rule. Qandabil (Gandhara), Qusdar (Khuzdar), and Mastunj (Mastung) were major trade centers during this period and enjoyed considerable fame. 

The Invasion of Muhammad Bin Qasim

In 707 AD, the Arab conqueror Muhammad bin Qasim captured Makran and subdued Sindh, establishing a Muslim center there. He brought some Baloch tribesmen from Shiraz, who were granted jagirs (land grants) in Makran. Until the 10th century AD, Balochistan remained under the control of this Arab conqueror and his successors, but even during this period, the Arabs’ primary focus remained on the fertile plains, where resources were abundant. They did not establish a strong government in Balochistan. When the caliphate weakened, Iran regained independence and incorporated Balochistan into its empire. However, local rulers continued to govern internally, exercising their own authority. The Sewa dynasty of Hindus held sway over Kalat.

Origins, Language and Culture

The Baloch are descendants of Arabs. The valleys between Aleppo and the Tigris are their ancient homeland and dwelling. They were followers of the Abrahamic faith. They were divided into tribes and remained subordinate to their chiefs. Herding cattle and camels was their means of livelihood. They continually migrated in search of lush pastures. Nomadism and pastoralism are inherent in their nature. The Baloch share traits of bravery, warrior spirit, and a tough life similar to the Arabs.

Revenge means blood for blood, refraining from betrayal in trust, risking one’s life to protect the refugee but avoiding giving refuge to the wrongdoer, hospitality and generosity to the extent of sacrificing the last possession of the house for the guest’s humility and satisfaction, refraining from harming women and children in the battlefield and accepting peace when women propose it during war, punishing adulterers with death in any circumstance regardless of their social status, fulfilling promises and loyalty are essential characteristics praised among the Baloch.

Language: Balochi and Brahui

The Balochi language has a significant repository of Arabic words. It is divided into two main dialects: Sulemani, spoken in Dera Ghazi Khan, some areas of Sindh, and the Mari and Bugti regions; and Makrani, spoken in southwestern Balochistan and Iranian Balochistan, which is closer to modern Persian. The Brahui language, spoken in central Balochistan, is a blend of indigenous languages such as Dravidian, Saraiki, Jadgali, and Pashto, and was adopted by the Baloch. Its name is derived from the Baloch, either from “Al-Borzkuhi” or “Abrahami”, which was later shortened or corrupted to “Brahui”. The local population referred to the Baloch as Al-borzkuhi or Abrahami. This language also has a abundance of Arabic words. Whether the Baloch speak Sulemani Balochi, Makrani Balochi, or the Persian-infused Balochi of Kharan, or the unique blend of languages that is Brahui, it makes no difference to their ethnic unity. Speakers of Brahui are just as Baloch as those who speak Sulemani, Makrani, or Kharani Balochi.

The Brahui-speaking population includes Pathans, Syeds, Jadgals, Rinds, Marris, and Bugtis. Brahui is not a separate caste or ethnicity. The British, as part of their divide and rule policy, raised the issue of Baloch-Brahui distinction to weaken the united Baloch front. This conspiracy still lingers, despite being entirely irrelevant and insignificant. Tribes like Ahmedzai, Raisani, Muhammad Hassni, and others, who are considered part of the Brahui group, have Balochi as their native language and are also referred to as Brahui. As for language, Baloch people speak not only Balochi but also Persian in Iran, Arabic in the Gulf and Saudi Arabia, Pashto in Afghanistan, Sindhi in Sindh, Punjabi and Saraiki in Punjab, Urdu in India, Russian in Turkistan, and Chinese in Xinjiang.

The Migration and Settlement of Baloch Tribes in Balochistan

The arrival of the Baloch in Balochistan occurred in various stages. Their ancient abode was Aleppo and Syria. Their migration began around the 4th century AD. The Kurd and Baloch were two brothers who led separate tribal organizations. The Kurd, being the younger brother, moved towards Iraq due to internal conflicts and eventually spread to northern Iran, Turkey, and Sinkiang. The Baloch, facing drought and famine, migrated to Iran with their tribes and settled in the foothills of Mount Alborz. The ancient and civilized empire of Persia, Iran, included present-day Afghanistan, Balochistan, parts of Iran, Iraq, and Arabia. The Sasanian dynasty ruled from 230 AD, with their capital in Madain, on the banks of the Tigris River. The Baloch, also known as Abrahamis due to their Abrahamic faith, were accustomed to adventure and conquest. They began to occupy fertile pastures and water sources, leading the local population to seek the justice of the Persian emperor, Nosherwan(Khosrow I). Consequently,  in 531 AD, Khosrow launched a massive army against the Baloch settlements, ordering their extermination. The Baloch, fighting bravely, were forced to leave Alborz and split into two groups, settling in Makran and Zabul. Mir Jalal Khan settled in Makran with 24 tribes, while Mir Ibrahim Khan eventually moved to the Chaghi and Kharan areas, where he passed away. His successor, Mir Qambar Khan, brought his people to the Jhalawan area. These Baloch were referred to as Alborzkuhi or Abrahamis, later corrupted to Brahui or Brohi. Over time, the Baloch adopted different names based on their tribal leaders. A third group of Baloch, residing in Aleppo, supported the Ahl al-Bayt in the Battle of Karbala and faced persecution from the Umayyad ruler, forcing them to migrate. Some dispersed in Arabia, while a large number followed their brethren’s footsteps to Balochistan, where they were welcomed and eventually forgot their past hardships, adopting a new life. 

The Downfall of the Sewa Dynasty and the Rise of the Balochi State

The state of Kalat was established in 1512 AD, prior to which Hindu rulers, known as Hindu Sewa rulers, ruled the region. After defeating the Hindu Sewa ruler in battle, Mir Qambar took control of the area, marking the beginning of Baloch rule in Kalat. The state of Kalat was divided into an upper house and lower house, with tribal leaders serving in both. Seats were allocated for the leaders of Jhalawan and Sarawan in their court. All Baloch states came under the Khan of Kalat’s umbrella, including the states of Makran, Kharan, Lasbela, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Khairpur, and others. The Baloch populations in Sindh and Punjab faced threats from Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire in Punjab. The Punjabi (Sikh) army sought to occupy Baloch territories, and the Khan of Kalat remained prepared to defend these states. When Ranjit Singh launched a surprise attack on Sardar Jafar Khan’s government in Khushab, the Khan was unable to reach in time, leading to Sardar Jafar Khan’s defeat. The Punjabi Sikhs celebrated this victory for fifteen days. Sardar Jafar Khan’s sword is still in the Punjab Museum today.

The history of the state of Kalat spans over five hundred years. The Khan of Kalat gave the Baloch states of Balochistan, Sindh, and Punjab a framework for a Baloch Confederation. Kalat was the capital of the Kalat Khanate. Historically, Kalat was known as Qiqan. At the time of Pakistan’s establishment, Balochistan was not a regular part of British rule like East Bengal, Sindh, Punjab, and the North-West Frontier Province, but consisted of the states of Kalat, Kharan, Makran, and Lasbela, which were under British agents’ supervision. The ruler of the state of Kalat, Khan Kalat Mir Ahmad Yar Khan, had declared complete independence for his state two days before Pakistan’s establishment and offered to negotiate special relations with Pakistan. All other Baloch leaders supported Khan Kalat’s move and emphasized maintaining Balochistan’s separate status. However, Pakistan considered Khan Kalat’s action a rebellion and took military action against him and his state. Eventually, in May 1948, the state of Kalat and Khan Kalat were forced to join Pakistan. However, his younger brother, Prince Mir Abdul Karim, led an armed rebellion against Kalat’s merger with Pakistan and eventually fled to Afghanistan.

This was the first military operation against the Baloch in Pakistan, and thus, the foundation of relations between the Baloch and Pakistan was laid with a distorted brick. Understanding this history is crucial for grasping the complexities of the tensions in Balochistan  and finding a path towards healing and peace in the region, where the wounds of the past are acknowledged, and the voices of the Baloch people are heard and valued, their rights and dignity respected, and their future secured through a more just and compassionate relationship with the Pakistani government, bringing solace to the affected families, hope to the youth, and prosperity to the land, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and prosperous future for all.