Khudadad Khan (Kalat)

For the soldier who won the Victoria Cross, see Khudadad Khan.

Khudadad Khan was the Khan (ruler) of the princely state of Kalat in what is now the Balochistan province of Pakistan from 1857 to March 1863 and May 1864 to 15 August 1893. During his reign the country experienced numerous revolts, and even his rule was usurped for more than a year by Sherdil Khan.^[1]

Khudadad's predecessor was his half brother^[2] Mir Nasir Khan II who also had experienced tribal unrest during his rule.^[3] Mir Nasir Khan II was poisoned to death when Khudadad Khan was a boy of sixteen.^[1][2]

In 1863, a general revolt broke out with most of the tribal chieftains siding against Khudadad Khan. Khudadad was forced to flee and the chieftains elected his cousin, Sherdil, as khan.^[4] Sherdil Khan did not last long as Khan being killed by his own mercenary guard.^[4] Despite being returned to the throne by the tribal chieftains, Khudadad continued to have troubles administering the kingdom, and revolts continued.

In 1875, British influence and money through the able assistance of Robert Sandeman resulted in the Mastung Agreement which formed the basis for the Brahui confederacy. That agreement succeeded in calming the revolts and they were over within a year.^[1]

In 1893, Khudadad has his chief accountant and staff murdered for allegedly planning to assassinate him. In the scandal that followed, Khudadad agreed to abdicate, and did so on 15 August 1893.^[5]

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} Hughes-Buller, R. (ed.) (1908) Imperial gazetteer of India: Provincial Series: Baluchistan Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, page 17
2. ^ ^{a b} Paget, William Henry (ed.) (1907) Record of the expeditions against the North-west frontier tribes, since the annexation of the Punjab Frontier and overseas expeditions from India, volume 3, Record of the expeditions against the North-west frontier tribes, since the annexation of the Punjab" British Army Intelligence, page 53
3. ^ Hughes-Buller, R. (ed.) (1908) Imperial gazetteer of India: Provincial Series: Baluchistan Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, page 16
4. ^ ^{a b} Paget, William Henry (ed.) (1907) Record of the expeditions against the North-west frontier tribes, since the annexation of the Punjab Frontier and overseas expeditions from India, volume 3, Record of the expeditions against the North-west frontier tribes, since the annexation of the Punjab" British Army Intelligence, page 55
5. ^ Hughes-Buller, R. (ed.) (1908) Imperial gazetteer of India: Provincial Series: Baluchistan Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, page 18