The Baloch in Iran(Balochi: ایرانءِ بلۏچ) are an ethnic group residing in the southeastern and east regions of Iran. [3]
 Baloch child from Iranian Balochistan. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 4 million[1][2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Mainly Sistan and Baluchestan Province | |
| Languages | |
| Balochi (Rakhshani dialect), Persian | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Baloch and other Iranian peoples |
Geographical distribution
editThe Baloch in are the majority ethnic inhabitants of the region of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Iran.The town of Jask in neighbouring Hormozgan Province is also inhabited by Baloch people. Baloch people also make up a minority in the eastern parts of Kerman, Razavi Khorasan and South Khorasan (Khorasani Baloch) and are scattered throughout other provinces of Iran.[4][5][6] They speak the Rakhshani and Sarawani dialects of Balochi, an Iranian language.[7] They mainly inhabit mountainous terrains, which have allowed them to maintain a distinct cultural identity and resist domination by neighbouring rulers.
Approximately 20-25% of the Baloch population live in Iran. Estimates of the Iranian Baloch population range from 2.5 to 4 million[8][2]
Religion
editThe Baloch are predominantly Muslim, with the vast majority belonging to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, but there is also tiny proportion of Shia in Balochistan.[9][10]
Geography
editIranian Balochistan is characterized by rugged mountains, deserts, and arid plains. It forms part of the larger Balochistan region, which extends into Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Iran, the Baloch are divided into two groups: the Makrani and the Sarhadi. The cities such as Iranshahr, Chabahar, Nikshahr, Sarbaz, and Saravan are known as the Makran region, while Zahedan and Khash are known as the Sarhad.region.[11]
Balochistan of Iran has been regarded as the most underdeveloped, desolate, and poorest region of the country. The government of Iran has been trying to reverse this situation by implementing new plans such as the creation of the Chabahar Free Trade Zone.[12]
Political history
editWorld War I & The British Campaign in 1916
editDuring the 19th century at time of World War I the British expanded their influence into Balochistan as part of their broader colonial strategy.[13] The Baloch tribes, resisted the influence of British powers.This resistance took the form of tribal rebellions and sporadic attacks in the border region. The Baloch tribes, resisted the influence of British powers.This resistance took the form of tribal rebellions and sporadic attacks in the border region.[14] The three major tribes that performed raids and disturbed the British line were the Yarahmadzais, Gamshadzais and Ismaelzais.[15] Sardar Jiand Khan Yarahmadzai, Juma Khan the tribal chief of the Ismaelzais and Khalil Khan Gamshadzai fought against Reginald Dyer, in the battle Jiand lost his son and the Gamshadzais chief (Khalil Khan) got killed during one of the battles. two of the yarahmadzais lost their lives while the losses for Dyer were devastating.[16]
Qajar-Pahlavi period
editBritain and Iran divided Balochistan into many parts, with the British creating the Balochistan Agency in 1877. In the 19th century, nationalists in western Balochistan revolted against the Persian occupation. At the end of the 19th century, when Sardar Hussein Narui Baloch started an uprising against Persia which was crushed by joint Anglo-Persian mission forces. The struggle between the Qajar dynasty, and the British in eastern Balochistan, gave western Balochis a chance to gain control of their territory in Western Balochistan. At the beginning of the 20th century. In 1916.[17] Mir Dost Muhammad Khan Baloch, Bahram Khan's nephew, succeeded to the throne, and in 1920, he proclaimed himself Shah-e-Balochistan (Persian for King of Balochistan) but in 1928, Reza Shah came into power and Persian forces started operations against Baluchi forces with the help of British. The Baluch were defeated and Mir Dost Muhammad Khan Baloch captured.[18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "West Balochistan". Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Tyagi, Vidya Prakash (2009). Martial races of undivided India. Kalpaz Publications. p. 12. ISBN 9788178357751.
- ^ Ahmady, Kameel (2013). From Border to Border Research Study on Identity and Ethnicity in Iran. Avaye Buf. p. 100. ISBN 9788794295314.
- ^ "KHORASAN i. ETHNIC GROUPS". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- ^ "The Balochi Language Project". Uppsala University. 23 May 2024.
- ^ Sir Charles Yate, 1st Baronet. "A travelogue of Khorasan and Sistan". Sharif University of Technology. Iran. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Frawley, William (2003). International Encyclopedia of Linguistics: 4-Volume Set. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-19-513977-8.
- ^ "Iran Minorities 2: Ethnic Diversity". iranprimer.usip.org. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
- ^ Korn, Jahani, Titus, Agnes , Carina , Paul Brian (2008). The Baloch and Others Linguistic, Historical and Socio-political Perspectives on Pluralism in Balochistan. Reichert Verlag. p. 12. ISBN 9783895005916.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Baloch people". Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ "BALUCHISTAN iv. Music of Baluchistan". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- ^ "Iran and India Revive Economic Relations with New Chabahar Agreement". Atlantic Council. 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
- ^ Malik, Fida Hussain (2020). Balochistan A Conflict of Narratives. Saiyid Books. p. 138. ISBN 9789692200028.
- ^ Ten Thousand Miles in Persia or Eight Years in Iran (ISBN 1430485973) by Percy Molesworth Sykes, pp. 107, 131, 230
- ^ The raiders of the Sarhad: being the account of a campaign of arms and bluff against the brigands of the Persian-Baluchi border during the great war, General Reginald Dyer
- ^ Suhail 1927 Kennard, Coleridge.
- ^ Breseeg, Taj Mohammad (2004). Baloch Nationalism: Its Origin and Development. Royal Book Company. p. 145. ISBN 9789694073095.
- ^ Dashti, Naseer (2012). The Baloch and Balochistan. Trafford Publishing. p. 132-133. ISBN 9781466958968.