Mir Chakar Rind

Mir Chakar Khan Rind or Meer Chaakar Khan Rind or Chakar-i-Azam (1468 – 1565[1]) (Persian or Balochi: میر چاکر خان رند) was a Baloch chieftain in the 15th century. He is considered a folk hero of the Baloch people and an important figure in the Baloch epic Hani and Sheh Mureed.

Mir Chakar lived in Sevi (the modern city of Sibi) in the hills of Balochistan and became the head of Rind tribe at the age of 18 after the death of his father Mir Shahak Khan. Mir Chakar's fiefdom was short-lived because of a civil war between the Lashari and Rind tribes of Balochistan.[2] Mir Chakar and Mir Gwaharam Khan Lashari, head of the Lashari tribe, went to war that resulted in thousands dead, including Mir Chakar's brother. The war and the gallantry of the two tribe leaders continues to be a part of the Baloch peoples' history. After the "Thirty Years' War" against the Lashari Tribe,[3] After the defeating Lashari tribe, Mir Chakar Rind went to war against Afghan King Sher Shah Suri. Mir Chakar Rind was defeated and he left Balochistan and settled in the Punjab region in 1518.

Mir Chakar settled in Satghara in Sahiwal District and gained power and respect in the area. Afghan King Sher Shah Suri approached Mir Chakar to unite with him to consolidate his gains. Mir Chakar appreciated the offer but refused to help Sher Shah Suri and managed to elude Afghan armies. 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, including horses and slaves, to Mir Chakar. Mir Chakar Rind died in 1565. People who accompanied Mir Chakar to Satghara after leaving Balochistan constructed a tomb for his body.

Many members of Mir Chakar's tribe still live in (satghara)sahiwal district. shahid rajab khan rind baloch and his brother nawaz rajab khan rind baloch advocate from 100/9-L are currently represent rind in sahiwal district. in southern Punjab to this day and speak Sulemani Balochi or the Seraiki language; they still exert considerable influence in the daily affairs of the district.

The Rind tribe is one of oldest and largest Baloch tribes. Its members are spread all over Balochistan, including the western (Iranian) Balochistan. With the passage of time, Rind clans have been formed. Domkhi|Domki|Dombki]] tribe in Sevi, Sibi, Bakhtiarabad, Bakhshapur, distt: Kashmore Sindh, Legharikhetran Qaisrani and Buzdar tribes in Dera Ghazi Khan, Bugti khetran and Marri tribes in eastern Balochistan and Askanis along the coastline.

References

  1. ^ S.A.J. Shirazi. "Heritage Village, Pakistan". Travelers Digest. http://www.travelersdigest.com/stories/heritage_village.htm. 
  2. ^ Overseas Pakistan Foundation. "Provinces of Pakistan (Balochistan)". Encyclopedia of Pakistan. http://www.opf.org.pk/almanac/P/provinces.htm. 
  3. ^ History of Civilizations of Central Asia By Ahmad Hasan Dani, Vadim Mikhaĭlovich Masson, János (Google Books)

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