Chakar Khan Rind (1468–1565[1]) (Balochi: میر چاکَر خان رِند) was a Baloch chieftain who founded the Second Baloch Confederacy (1487–1512). He also aided Mughal Emperor Humayun in his reconquest of the Subcontinent.[2] He is considered a folk hero of the Baloch people and an important figure in the Baloch epic Hani and Sheh Mureed.[3]
Mir Chakar Khan Rind مير چاکرخان رند | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reign | 1487–1565 |
| Born | 1468 ashal kulwah, [Mandh], [makran], Balochistan |
| Died | 1565 (aged 97) |
| Family | Rind |
Family
editAccording to Baloch history, Mir Chakar Rind is descendant of Rind Khan, the son of the founder of Baloch Jalal Khan. Mir Chakar Rind's hometown was Mand, Balochistan. His descendants moved to different parts of the region and the Middle East. They often add Rind as a suffix to their name.
History
edit
Mir Chakar became the head of Rind tribe at the age of 18 after the death of his father Mir Shehaq Rind. Mir Chakar's fiefdom was short-lived because of the great civil war between the Lashari and Rind tribes of Balochistan.[4] Mir Chakar as head of his tribe went to war, which resulted in thousands dying. The war and the gallantry of the two tribes' leaders continues to be a part of the Baloch history. After the "Thirty Years' War" against the Lashari Tribe.[5] Mir Chakar was a very brave man who desired to make the Baloch nation powerful. When Mir Chakar left Dhadar, his next stop was Sanghar Desert, in Taunsa, Dera Ghazi Khan. He ruled the Sanghar area for many years until Mir Doda Khan arrived with his army. Although Mir Chakar had defeated Mir Doda once previously, Mir Doda's army defeated Mir Chakar in the desert of Sanghar. Mir Chakar and his army left Sanghar and moved to the Multan area where he shook hands with the Multan king. On the other side, Shehmureed had gone to Arabia. After Shehmureed, one of his best fighters was Mir Malagh Khan Rind.
It is said that Mir Malagh Khan's sword weighed 75 kg (165 lb). No one but Mir Malagh could handle it. Mir Qaiser Khan, Mir Sanjar Khan and Mir Mandar Khan were some of Mir Chakar's best fighters. Mir Chakar and the Multan king then planned to conquer Delhi. The Multan king asked for Mir Chakar's help, and he gave him his best fighters. The Lashkar (campaign) was led by Mir Malagh Khan and Mir Qaiser Khan, who went and they conquered Delhi. After this, the Delhi king purportedly said, "There was not a single nail uncovered of the Baloch. Their head could reach the glaring sun. They were united; they were brave!" On the other side, Mir Doda was gaining power. His grandsons Mir Ghazi Khan and Mir Ismail Khan were his best fighters. The Dera Ghazi Khan and Dera Ismail Khan districts of Pakistan are named after these two. The Multan king invited Mir Doda to dinner. When Mir Doda came, the Multan king said that from then on he would be his left hand. Mir Chakar became angry and planned to attack Mir Doda. In the battle, Mir Doda was badly defeated and his people and army moved to Sindh and never came back.
Near the desert of Sanghar he built 100 houses for his relatives to live in, and he named the place Sokar which is now part of Taunsa. This place is still located near the Sanghar desert in Tehsil Taunsa, Dera Ghazi Khan District. Mir Malagh Khan also lived there as he was the best fighter of Mir Chakar. Malghani Balochs are the descendants of this great man. Now Sokar and hassanabad(larra) is the hometown of Malghani Baloch Tribe.
Mir Chakar then settled in Satghara, Okara and gained power and respect in the area. Sher Shah Suri sent a message to Mir Chakar to unite with him and consolidate his gains. Mir Chakar appreciated the offer but refused to help Sher Shah Suri. Under the command of his son, Mir Shahdad Khan, his forces instead joined the Mughal army of Emperor Humayun in 1555 after a long exile in Persia. Emperor Humayun came back, recaptured Delhi, and ousted the Suri dynasty in 1556. As a reward, Emperor Humayun conferred a vast Jagir (lands), including horses and slaves, to Mir Chakar. He ruled this territory until he died in 1565. People who accompanied Mir Chakar to Satghara after leaving Balochistan constructed a tomb for his body. Noori Naseer Khan of Kalat and Meer Chakar are both Baloch heroes.
Historical Documents
editAccording to Tarikh - i -Farishtah ' , Mir Chákar Rind was a holder of big jāgir and commanded hordes of warriors in the Punjab. Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi in E.D., iv 389-397 gives - Chakur Rind correctly. Mansel Longworth Dames[6] The fact that Chakar Rind was powerful is also described by Munshi (Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh), Nihavandi and Tabakat-i Akbari.
Eponymous institutions
editFollowing two institutions, one in Balochistan and other in Punjab, are named after him:
References
edit- ^ S.A.J. Shirazi. "Heritage Village, Pakistan". Travelers Digest. Archived from the original on 22 November 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ Ibbetson, Sir Denzil; Maclagan, Sir Edward (December 1996). Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120605053.
- ^ "The armour of Chakar-e-Azam (Mir Chakar Khan Rind)". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 29 July 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "Balochistan History". Overseas Pakistanis Foundation website. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ khan Haran Dari; Vadim Mikhaĭlovich Masson; János (1999). History of Civilizations of Central Asia. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 305. ISBN 978-81-208-1595-7.
- ^ Dames, M. Longworth (28 July 2015). The Baloch Race: A Historical and Ethnological Sketch (Classic Reprint). Fb&c Limited. ISBN 9781332049899.