The Baloch and Balochistan-II

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 an 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.