The Father’s Bow
by Ricardo Redaelli
Review By: Liaqat Baloch
The book Got its title from a famous Balochi Proverb
“If you inherit your father’s bow, buy new Arrows “and depicts how Khan of
Kalat state inherited father’s bow but due to insufficient arrows got it lost.
The book demonstrates the importance of Balochistan
geo-strategically getting attention of main imperialists of World to capture
it, the establishment of khanate of Kalat in the mid-17th century, its dynamics
of power and form of government and its colonization by British in the mid-19th
century, tactics used by the British to gain administrative control of
Balochistan in late 19th and Early 20th century and the forceful annexation of
khanate of kalat to newly formed state Pakistan in 1948 after the British
departure from subcontinent.
Balochistan occupies a very crucial geographical
location between central Asian plateau and Iranian plateau making it a region
of line between West and East. Thus, an unerringly vital for colonial powers to
siege it for their interests. The area of Balochistan is 340000 square miles.
According to the census of 1931 the population of Balochistan was 867,617.
The major ethnic groups living in Balochistan include
the Baloch/Brahuis and Pasthuns while non-Baloch minorities include Gichki,
Kurds and Hindus who never played a political role in the history of the
khanate of Kalat and were limited to commerce and trading.
The central Balochistan has a large brahui Speaking
Baloch Majority whose military strength made possible the formation of the
khanate of kalat. The two main Brahui tribes who ruled the khanate till the
forceful annexation were Ahmadzai and Qambrani. At the beginning the khan of
kalat Conquested many fertile lands near the region of kalat and these lands
got distributed between khan and the chiefs of various lineages and tribal
Groups which made the basis of territorial expansion of khanate of kalat.
The North of Balochistan is inhabited by those Baloch
groups including Marri/Bugtis who are the most loyal to tribal structure which
on one hand made it possible for these groups to be more compact and on the
other hand facilitated British Indirect Rule policy.
The South of Balochistan mainly lasbela and Makran region was chiefly
linked to hydraulic agriculture of oases. According to modern anthropological
literature, the traditional society of this part of Balochistan was divided
into three stratified social groups, the Hakims being elite class, the Baloch
being middle one and the Hizmatgar being the low strata of the society. The
main families ruling the Makran and Lasbela region were Gichkis and Jammots
respectively. As far as the importance of Balochistan is concerned in the
context of worldwide imperial policy, various politicians and officials put
forward two antithetical policies; the Close Border policy and the Forward
Policy.
The Close border policy was adopted by the British
after its defeat in the first Anglo Afghan war (1838-42). This policy was also
called as non-interference policy that British should not interfere in the
tribal dynamics and limit itself on the other side of border and just provide
aid to khan of kalat to reorganize its army and stabilize his region thinking
this policy would develop their trade in central Asia and also they can easily
check non-British excursion in the Balochistan as indicated in Treaty of 1854.
But soon British observed that this non-interference
policy is not giving any fruitful result because of its limitations and also
Russia was advancing toward region of Iranian plateau by occupying Tashkent,
Samarkand and Khiva, it was following the suggestion of Robert Sandeman who was
at that time the DC (Deputy commissioner) of Dera ghazi khan put forward
another policy named as Forward Policy which involved the extension of british
influence into the tribes gradually and use of peaceful means and occupation of
tribal territory upto durand line.
During the forward policy Balochistan was dissected
into many parts by divide and rule
Policy. Pishin, Chaman, Dukhi areas were included in
British Balochistan controlled by the Agent to Governor General (AGG). Areas of
Quetta, Sibi, Bolan, Naseerabad and Naushki were given on lease to the British
by khan in the last decades of 19th century. Tribal Areas were also dismembered
and many important geostrategic areas of Balochistan were given to Iran and
Afghanistan including Seestan and Nimroz. This divide and rule policy was
adopted by the British to gain its interest in the vast region of Balochistan
by dividing its masses in the names of lines the so-called Durand line and
Goldsmith line drawn by the British in 1890s.
The Khanate of Kalat was established in 1666 and Mir
Ahmad khan was the first ruler, the Khan of Kalat.
For Decades he kept on sending troops and tributes to
various leaders of Durrani tribe in
Afghanistan, but after the death of Nadir shah
durrani in 1747, Noori Nasir khan-l ousted the rule of his elder brother Mir
Muhabbat Khan the puppet of Nadir Shah Durrani in 1749 and became Khan of
Kalat. Naseer khan Claimed independence from the Pasthun government of
Afghanistan in 1758. In Reaction Ahmad Shah invaded and seized the fort of
kalat but due to matrimonial relation, they both signed a treaty in which Ahmad
Shah recognised independence of khanate of kalat from afghanistan government
but in exchange he warned Khan that he will not send any aid to khan during
retalliations or any other foreign armed threat. Noori Nasir khan was a brave
and wise leader of the khanate who conquered a vast region and included Kharan,
Lasbela, Makran and Northern areas of Balochistan in the khanate unifying
various regions of Baloch land.
He
had two Ministers to look after the control of his vast region; Wazir whose
work was to do justice and settle inter
tribal disputes and Mustaufi who had to
look after the tax collection process and khan’s treasury.
The Army of khan had two Dastas named Dasta-E-Sarawan
and Dasta-E-Jhalawan which had effective control over the regions under the khanate
of kalat.
After
Death of Nasir khan-I the khanate weakened due to internal tribal conflicts and
less interest of Muhabbat khan-I in the state affairs. During his reign by 1810
Afghans occupied Derajat and many tribal chiefs of southern Balochistan and
refused to pay taxes.
After the death of Muhabbat khan-I Mir Mehrab khan
came into power. He tried to consolidate his authority and re-unite the state.
In this regard, He tried to remove Sikh of Punjabis from Dera Jats but failed
in his attempt. He was martyred in 1839 in a battle with the British.
Shah
Nawaz was made khan of kalat by british in 1840, But he died soon in 1841 and
Nasir Khan-II was appointed as khan of kalat. He was against the tribal chiefs
and sardars who were backed and favored by british. He signed the treaty of
1854 with the British in which the Khanate of kalat was declared an independent
state by the British But soon khan died of Poisoning in 1857 due to his
conflicts with sardars. After His death Mir Khuda Dad was made the Khan of
Kalat. It was his throne during which the British Implemented the Forward
policy and supported sardars silently by giving them allowances and Jagirs as
pointed out by duta simanti that “At that time the attitude of tribal chiefs
showed the End of Tribal confederate system in Balochistan.”
Mir
khuda Dad signed the treaty of 1876 with the British in Jacobabad in which
Sandeman was the British Representative. This treaty declared the Khanate of
kalat as an independent state and also allowed the British representatives to
settle the disputes between Khan and Sardars and these officials afterward
administratively controlled all areas under the khanate of kalat.
Robert Sandeman after becoming AGG (Agent to Governor
General) in 1877 introduced the Jirga system led by the tribal chiefs and
so-called sardars. There were two Jirga systems; First at local level the
so-called Local Jirga system led by local sardars and second one was at Royal
level the so-called Shahi Jirga system led by main sardars of the Khanate of
Kalat. Sardars were also allowed to make their private jails and punish the
culprits by imprisoning them. He intentionally escalated their status so that
his indirect rule policy gets too successful and puts khan aside. Sandeman
introduced the Levy system in 1867 when he was deputy commissioner of Dera
Ghazi Khan for the protection of tribal chiefs, By doing such favors, Sandeman
got the support of Tribal sardars.
In 1893, Mir khuda Dad was removed by newly appointed
AGG Browne on the basis of an allegation of martyrdom of his Mustaufi and
appointed Mohabbat khan-II the khan of Kalat. He was a weak khan and had less
interest in the affairs of states. That is why his tenure is called the decline
period initiated from 1893 and ended in 1931.
During
his reign Political agent Armine Dew and Agent to governor general Ramsay
created a new council of state made up of sardars and civilians list of state
treasurer for Khan. They Changed political advisor’s post to the Wazir-E-Azam
post and also abolished the Thana system introduced by Sandeman. Shah Shams
became Wazir-E-Azam. He was a cruel, autocratic personality who used his
authorities to suppress the oppressed nation.
In 1931 when Muhabbat khan-II died, Azam khan became
the Khan of Kalat. Due to his poor health, he ruled kalat only for two years
and died in 1933. His successor Mir Ahmad Yar khan became khan of kalat.
By the End of 19th century the British classed the
areas of Makran, Kharan and Lasbela as the Feudatory states. Lasbela was a
small tribal Proto-state having fertile land and was proximal to important
trading centers. That is why its population density was more than any other
area of the khanate of Kalat. It was ruled by Jammots and Jam of lasbela which
only provided troops in case of any armed threat to khan and had not to pay 50%
of his fiscals to khan like Kharan and
Makran. Kharan was less populous and was ruled mainly by Naushervanis who regarded
themselves as True Balochs. Observing the support of British, Mir Azad khan
nausherwani, the Nawab of kharan started struggle to free his state from rule
of khanate, In this Regard a Panjgur mission was held in which Sandeman
obtained formal recognition from Mir Azad khan the sovereignty of Brahui
Rule in exchange for de facto autonomy of Kharan
state. As he was one of the sardars of
Khanate, he was not in position to sign a treaty with
a foreign agent without informing the khan of Kalat. It is obvious from these
events that Sandeman knew how to use these nawabs and sardars to control
territory without being involved. Another incident occurred, in February
1913 power was transferred from Kalat to
Chagi which led to further loss of prestige of Brahui Court of kalat. Makran,
having an area of 2500 square miles, was one of the feudatory states and was inhabited
by 68000 people according to the census of 1931. It was administered by three
sardars and one Naib of Khan. Gichkis being the political elite of makran had
matrimonial alliances with the Ahmadzai family, Azam khan being from Gichki
family. Thus it created a strong bond factor between Makran and Kalat.
The khanate of Kalat was one of the poorest and the
most backward states of Entire British Empire in india. Most of its funds went
in Court expenses, purchase of Arms and many tribal chiefs in the form of
allowances. Throughout the History Khan of kalat never managed to bring in line
the duties on goods or tolls on caravans in transit. The khan of Kalat received
nothing of revenue obtained because of non-interference since each sardar had autonomy in his territory. The khanate was
made up of six elements including Niabats, Sarawan/ Jhalwan, lasbela, Kharan,
Makran and Marri/Bugti areas.
So
the British introduced the posts of Political Agent , AGG, political advisor,
wazir-E-Azam, Nazim and Naib to Further weaken the authority of Khan of
Kalat. In the reign of Mahmud khan-II, political agents even took the control
of monthly allowances of Sardars, general control over sardars and became
incharge of thanas. The Political agent and AGG which came in khanate to
resolve the disputes according to the treaty of 1876 became so powerful that in
1925 AGG johnson suggested the British to End up this treaty and colonize the
khanate fully.
Regarding the Islam factor, the Baloch
Regard religion as an individual's private affairs and are not orthodox like
others. According to the census of 1931 , 90% of the population are sunni
Muslims. There also exist Ismaeli Nizaris, Parsus and Zikris.
In 1933 when mir ahmad yar khan came into power, He
was concerned to consolidate his position and to convert that position of
relative superiority to Ultimate supremacy. But Officials of the Government of
India knew that Khan was weak politically and could be easily influenced and
also he had a sense of loyalty toward the British.
At
that Time Wazir-E-Azam was only
answerable to AGG and khan had no power over him. So Khan raised the Question
regarding the position of Wazir E Azam. Khan one day wrote a letter to wazir E
azam to visit the plain of kacci and he obeyed his order. After that event his
prestige increased. In 1935 He demanded the transfer of powers from Political Agent to khan of kalat. These
powers include the military postings, judiciary control, monthly allowances and
the general control over sardars and tribal chiefs. But due to the 1935
Earthquake incident Khan visited AGG Carter in ziarat to postpone the matter of
transfer of power. After its formation, Khan started to Support Kalat State
National Party as it was against the feudal sardari System. In 1938 After a
surprised meeting with khan, Some sardars of Khan excluding that of Lasbela and kharan went to Political agent
for transfer of powers But British accepted only the partial transfer of powers
so some demands were accepted but they were meaningless as the control of khan
over sardars was limited and Bolan Pass was under the British Control.
The enclave of Gwadar was given by Nasir Khan I to
the sultan of muscat (Omen) when he took refuge in khanate. In the years of
1861, 1883, 1928 khan suggested the Government of india to return the port to
khan But the British government rejected his requests. The Government
discovered oil in Jiwani so it sent oil companies like india oil company
limited and formed a boundary commission to capture the region But khan
resisted and due to ongoing second world war this matter got asided. The Baloch
Nationalism made its root from two young
brains named Yousaf Aziz magsi and Abdul Aziz Kurd. Kurd made young baloch in
1920s, Yousaf Aziz magsi is considered
as the thinktank personality in Baloch History wrote an article named “Faryad E
Balochistan” in 1929 which depicted
anti-British Sentiments so he was jailed
for a year in Quetta. After his bail these both men made “Anjuman Ittehad E
Balochan". It was the first political movement that was based on the
National sentiments with Anti-British and Anti-Sardar ideology. It conducted 2
Balochistan and all India conferences in 1932 and 1933 in which demands of
constitutional government formation in Balochistan, Establishment of parliamentary
assembly, Abolition of Sardari system and unification of Baloch Lands were
presented. Yousaf aziz magsi died in an Earthquake in Quetta in 1935 and Abdul
aziz Kurd was jailed. After his detention the Anjuman got into internal
conflicts and it was divided into Maximalists and moderate Nationalists.
Maximalists formed the Kalat State National Party .
The other political movement which was active in
Balochistan in last years of English rule in
India
was Muslim League. Its provincial body was formed in Balochistan in 1939 by a
pashtun lawyer Qazi Muhammad Esa but it got suspended during world war and got
legalized after the war. The Question arises how a foreign political movement
can work in another independent state. It clearly depicts the political immaturity
of the khan of Kalat who not only allowed that party but also financially
Supported it not knowing its intentions.
The
installment of Land, Naval and Air bases during the second world war in various
areas of Balochistan made the Baloch region of interest for british to
stabilize it But khan showed his bitterness on British Policies saying That
British Regarded treaty of 1876 as dead letter and this situation was further
jeopardized by Armed Conflicts between khan of kalat and Nawab of Kharan Habib
ullah khan Nawsherwan who invaded the Niabats of khan in Mashkay. In Reaction
the brothers of Khan Abdul karim and Rahim invaded Kharan and Sieged Nawroz Kalat. After all events the British
declared Kharan an independent in 1940 and stood on its decision making the
protests of Khan and Baloch Nationalists Useless.
According to British Officials , Anti British
feelings were super headed by Abdul Karim and sardar who persuaded khan to
spend money to collect arms to protect khanate against any future retalliations
whether from the English or from Muslim League.
In 1940 ,Viceroy Lord Lilithgow promised to invite princes of indian
states to serve his council of defense
during world war. Khan was also invited
but he rejected it referring to himself as a prince of an independent state not
a native state and treatment given to khuda Dad khan in 1877 darbar. After
quite time In a letter to metcalfe Mir
ahmad khan accepted the invitation with three demands containing that his
involvement will not affect his position, he cannot be forced to attend its
meeting and he can send his representative and he can attend its all sessions.
Certainly these demands were unacceptable to the British so they threw Khan out
of Council. After that, Many British officials regarded Khan as an indecisive,
Untrustworthy and backward looking leader. According to the files regarding
those years, English regarded khan as an independent step but due to weakness
of many khans it had to intervene in it reducing its rank to a princely state.
In 1935 ,an Indian act was passed which was contradictory to article III of
Treaty of 1876 so khan put the demand to change this act. In reply British
replied that British respect khanate as an independent state but it also
commits that khan cannot enter in negotiation with other states without its
consent.
On one Hand he confirmed his position in relation to
the British and his disagreement with it and on the other hand postponed any
further decision until a more propitious time thus preventing the British from
solving the matter once and all.
At the end of war, Khan, sensing the imminent English
departure from the Sub-continent presented two memoranda to the British. The
first memoranda contained the future position of
kalat ,labela,kharan and marri/bugti areas and second
memoranda consisted of transfer of Leased areas from British to khanate of
Kalat. The surprising fact is that these memoranda were presented by Jinnah on
behalf of khan who was shrewd enough to achieve his goals by increasing his
personal relations with khan. But the British Failed to settle any of the
matters provided by khan because of loss of its authority and opposition done
by Muslim League. So it was in their interest to safeguard their economic links
with the jewel of the Empire by favoring the new state of Pakistan rather than
a khanate ruled by a politically immature leader.
The
British preferred direct negotiations between khanate and representatives of
Future state of pakistan leading to an agreement that after British Departure
khanate would be independent which pakistan itself pledged to recognize.
Representatives of the future state of pakistan recognized khanate as an
independent state officially on 2 August 1947.
On 15th August Khan claimed his state independence
and formed two Houses; the Upper House and the Lower House consisting of 55
members; 50 elected and 5 by Khan himself.
But this independence did not last enough. On March
19, 1948 Nawabs of Kharan, Makran and Lasbela requested Pakistan to include
them in it, Pakistan accepted it and the khan of Kalat was accused of giving
support to Nehru which raised much pressure on him. On March 27, Under military
Pressure He annexed his independent state
khanate of Kalat to a newly formed state pakistan.
