Makran (Urdu: ریاست مکران) was an autonomous princely state in a subsidiary alliance with British India until 1947, before being absorbed as an autonomous princely state of Pakistan.[1] It ceased to exist in 1955. It was located in the extreme southwest of present-day Pakistan, an area now parts of the districts of Gwadar, Kech and Panjgur. The state did not include the enclave of Omani Gwadar, which was under Omani rule until 1958.
Makran Balochi: مکُران | |
---|---|
Princely state of Pakistan | |
18th century–14 October 1955 | |
Flag | |
Map of Pakistan with Makran highlighted 1955 (in red) | |
Makran in British India 1940 (in red) | |
Capital | Kech (Turbat) |
Area | |
• | 54,000 km2 (21,000 sq mi) |
History | |
• Established | 18th century |
• Disestablished | 14 October 1955 |
Today part of | Balochistan, Pakistan |
History
editMakran state was ruled by Gichki Nawabs,[2] who were of Rajput origins.[3][4] Their ancestor, Jagat Singh had migrated from Rajputana in the 17th century and became Muslim. Gichkis now consider themselves as Baloch.[5] On 21 March 1948, the rulers of Makran, Kharan and Las Bela all announced that they were acceding their states to the Dominion of Pakistan.[6]
Demographics
editReligious group |
1911[7] | 1921[8] | 1931[9] | 1941[10] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
Islam | 71,758 | 99.74% | 71,625 | 99.67% | 68,213 | 99.64% | 86,406 | 99.72% |
Hinduism | 137 | 0.19% | 216 | 0.3% | 233 | 0.34% | 206 | 0.24% |
Christianity | 40 | 0.06% | 11 | 0.02% | 11 | 0.02% | 20 | 0.02% |
Sikhism | 2 | 0% | 8 | 0.01% | 3 | 0% | 17 | 0.02% |
Zoroastrianism | 4 | 0.01% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 1 | 0% |
Buddhism | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Judaism | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 2 | 0% | 1 | 0% |
Jainism | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Tribal | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Others | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Total population | 71,942 | 100% | 71,860 | 100% | 68,462 | 100% | 86,651 | 100% |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Pillalamarri, Akhilesh. "A Brief History of Balochistan". The Diplomat.
- ^ Malik, Fida Hussain (14 October 2020). Balochistan: A Conflict of Narratives. Saiyid Books. p. 11. ISBN 978-969-2200-02-8.
- ^ Quddus, Syed Abdul (1990). The Tribal Baluchistan. Ferozsons. p. 63. ISBN 978-969-0-10047-4.
The former rulers of Makran and Lasbela, Gichki and Jamots respectively, are Rajputs.
- ^ Spooner, Brian (1964). "Kūch u Balūch and Ichthyophagi". Iran. 2: 53–67. doi:10.2307/4299552. ISSN 0578-6967. JSTOR 4299552.
The Gichki are the descendants of a Rajput family which settled in 17th century.
- ^ Ahmed, Manzoor; Khan, Gulawar (2017). "The History of Baloch and Balochistan: A Critical Appraisal" (PDF). A Research Journal of South Asian Studies. 32: 39–52.
The Gichki (the ruling family of British Makran during mid 18th century) are said to have migrated from the Rajputana under Jagat Singh and settled in Kech (Makran) and their descendants are called Gichkis who ruled over Makran for decades. The Gichkis have been living in Balochistan since 18th century and consider themselves as Baloch.
- ^ Siddiqi, Farhan Hanif (2012), The Politics of Ethnicity in Pakistan: The Baloch, Sindhi and Mohajir Ethnic Movements, Routledge, p. 60, ISBN 978-0-415-68614-3,
The rulers of the states of Kharan, Makran and Lasbela announced their decision to join the Pakistan dominion on 21 March 1948 and their respective rulers signed the official documents
- ^ "Census of India 1911. Vol. 4, Baluchistan : pt. 1, Report; pt. 2, Tables". 1911. p. 11. JSTOR saoa.crl.25393764. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Census of India 1921. Vol. 4, Baluchistan : part I, Report; part II, Tables". 1921. p. 165. JSTOR saoa.crl.25394124. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Census of India 1931. Vol. 4, Baluchistan. Pts. 1 & 2, Report [and] Imperial and provincial tables". 1931. p. 390. JSTOR saoa.crl.25797115. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Census of India, 1941. Vol. 14, Baluchistan". 1941. p. 17. JSTOR saoa.crl.28215993. Retrieved 8 September 2024.