Balochistan

Balochistan is a large, dry area that stretches across parts of three countries: Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It is mostly made up of deserts and mountains and is home to the ethnic Baloch people. This region is very important because of where it is located and what natural resources it has.

Because Balochistan sits near important trade routes and has lots of valuable minerals, oil, and gas, many people pay attention to it. Its long coast along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman also makes it special. The area includes many different lands, from the Makran Coast to parts of several provinces in the three countries it touches.

Etymology

The name "Balochistan" comes from the name of the Baloch people. We don't know much about the Baloch people before Islam, so they might have had a different name where they originally came from. They likely got the name "Baloch" after they moved to Balochistan around the 10th century.

Some historians think the word "Baloch" might be connected to an old name, Meluḫḫa, used by ancient peoples like the Sumerians and Akkadians for the Indus Valley civilisation. Over time, this name changed and evolved. Others suggest it might mean "high country" or refer to a place far to the west.

During Alexander the Great's time, the Greeks called the area Gedrosia, but the meaning of this name is still a mystery.

History

Main article: History of Balochistan

Prehistoric

Balochistan is one of the world's earliest human settlements. The oldest evidence of humans there dates back to the Paleolithic era. This includes hunting camps and stone tools. The earliest villages date to around 7000–6000 BCE and include Mehrgarh in the Kachi Plain, possibly making Balochistan the oldest civilisation in the world.

These villages grew during the Chalcolithic period, trading goods and materials like chank shell, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and ceramics. By 2500 BCE, the area now known as Pakistani Balochistan became part of the Indus Valley civilisation.

Classical period

From the 1st to the 3rd century CE, the region was ruled by the Pāratarājas, a Hindu dynasty of Indo-Scythian kings. These rulers are known mainly through their coins, which show the ruler's face and often a swastika symbol.

During the time of Alexander the Great and Darius III, the Baloch people were allies of Darius III. After Darius III was defeated, the Baloch faced punishment from the victorious Macedonian forces.

Medieval period

During the time of Arab dynasties, Balochistan faced invasions from groups like the Ghaznavids, Mongols, Timurids, and Oguhz Turks. The Baloch people often had difficult and hostile relationships with these groups, leading many Baloch tribes to move to remote areas.

The Hindu Sewa Dynasty ruled parts of Balochistan. The Sibi Division is named after Rani Sewi, a queen of this dynasty.

The region became fully Islamic by the 9th century and was ruled by various dynasties, including the Saffarids and later the Ghaznavids. The Baloch tribes often fought against these rulers.

Early Modern era

The Khanate of Kalat was the first unified government in history of Balochistan. It began in 1666 from a group of nomadic Brahui tribes and later became independent from the Mughal Empire. It was later made a part of the Afghan Durrani Empire but regained independence.

Tribalism and nomadism

In medieval times, Baloch tribal groups were often nomadic people who moved with their animals. They saw themselves as stronger than settled farmers because their mobile lifestyle made them tough and active.

When Baloch tribes moved into areas with settled people, they had to protect themselves. They formed groups and elected leaders who could offer safety and support.

British occupation

The British took control of Balochistan in 1839. In the 1870s, it became part of the British Indian Empire. The British wanted to use Balochistan as a pathway to Afghanistan and to protect their lands from threats from Iran and Afghanistan.

Baloch people did not want to be ruled by the British or become part of Afghanistan. In 1840, the Mari tribe rebelled, and there was a battle where many British soldiers were killed.

Post-colonial history

In 2021, a large earthquake in Balochistan caused many deaths. There were also major earthquakes in 2013.

Culture

Main article: Balochi culture

See also: Balochi clothing, Balochi cuisine, Balochi handicrafts, Balochi rug, and Culture of Balochistan

The Baloch people have special cultural values that help define who they are. These values became strong during the 1200s and 1500s, a time when the Baloch faced many challenges and had to move to new places. Their way of life as people who move with their animals and their strong sense of independence helped shape their unique identity.

One important tradition among the Baloch is called Med o Maraka, which is used to solve problems between people. It involves someone who made a mistake going to the person they affected and asking for forgiveness.

Baloch people have their own special way of dressing. Both men and women wear clothes that have been worn for many years, showing their long-standing customs. Men often wear loose trousers, a shirt, and a turban, while women wear a long dress and trousers with a headscarf.

Music

See also: Balochi music

The Baloch have beautiful music, with one famous type called Zahirok, which they call their “classical music.” Traditional Balochi music uses many different instruments, including suroz, donali, ghaychak, dohol, sorna, rubab, kemenche, tamburag, and benju.

Religion

Before Islam, the Baloch people followed the Mazdakian and Manichean sects of the Zoroastrian religion. Later, they were converted to Islam during the Arab conquest in the seventh century. Today, nearly all Baloch belong to the Sunni sect of Islam.

Governance and political disputes

Further information: Insurgency in Balochistan and Sistan and Baluchestan insurgency

The Balochistan region is shared by three countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Most of it is in Pakistan, which has a large province named Balochistan. Many people there are from the Baloch ethnic group. In Iran, there are also Baloch people living in several areas. In Afghanistan, some parts of Balochistan are included in different provinces.

There have been times when groups in Balochistan wanted to be independent from these countries. This led to conflicts and disagreements. These issues have caused difficulties for the people living there. Some groups have been involved in fights against the governments of these countries, asking for more control over the area's resources. This has led to serious problems and sadness for many people.

Recently, there was an incident where a train in Pakistan was taken over by a group of people, causing worry and danger for those on board. The area is also important for big plans by countries like China for trade routes.