Khushk
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 150,000 (est:) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| Siraiki, Balochi, Sindhi | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Baloch tribes |
Khushk (Khushak, Khoshk, Khushik, Khushuk or Kushk) is a Baloch tribe located in Sindh, Baluchistan and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. It is a branch of the Rind and are descendants of Mir Chakar Khan.
Origin
The tribe is a sub-clan of the Rind and are descendants of Mir Chakar Khan Rind. After civil war between Rind and Lashar tribes, many groups and families of both tribes migrated to various parts of Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab which lateron became clans and sub-clans of respective tribes. Thus a family belonging to grandson of Mir Chakar Khan also left their homeland and settled themselves in south Balochistan in a valley namely Khushk or Kushk adjacent to Buleda in district Kech Makran. Thereafter that family was designated as Khushk.
History
They remained major supporter of Talpur Baloch dynasty and contributed for the supremacy of Baloch reign in Sindh. In the last tenure of Talpur Baloch dynasty Mir Sher Muhammad Khan Talpur sought help of Mir Muhammad Khan Khushak against Ismailis.
In 1843 Mir Muhammad Khan Khushak along with his 2000 tribesmen invaded on Thatta, and fought against the Ismailis upon the instructions of Talpurs of Hyderabad. After getting victory Mir Muhammad Khan Khushak joined the principal force of Mir Sher Muhammad Khan Talpur to launch their hostile operations against the Ismailis of Jerruk.
After fall of Talpur dynasty the tribe faced a lot of complications and misery. They were undermined by British Raj because of their association with Talpurs.
Language
A vast number of Khushk tribesmen in Balochistan speaks Balochi while in Sindh and Southern Punjab the majority of tribe speaks Seraiki as their first language, even a small number of group speaks Sindhi as well. De facto it is the matter of regional settlement.
Distribution
People of this tribe are settled in various districts of Sindh i.e. Ghotki, Thatta, Dadu, Kandiaro, Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Matiari, Jhudo and Hyderabad.
In Baluchistan they are found in Sibi, Usta Muhammad, Turbat, Naseerabad, and Mand.
They are also located in southern districts of Punjab i.e. D.G. Khan, Rahimyar Khan, Muzaffarghar and Khanpur .
Traditions
The tribe follows Baloch Culture and believe on tribal system like other Baloch tribes but after vast migration from Balochistan to Sindh and Southern Punjab the tribe was heavily influenced by Sindhi traditions.
See also
References
- The Musalman Races by Sheikh Sadik Ali Sher Ali Ansari
- The Castes, Tribes and Nations living in Sindh (in Sindhi Language) By Ayaz Bhaghat
- Searchlights on Baloches and Balochistan by Mir Khuda Bakhsh Marri
- Note on the Baloch and Birahoi Tribes by S. Sadik Ali
- Census of India 1911, Volume 7, Part 1
- Encyclopedia Sindhiana, Volume 4, by Prof. Dr. Fahmida Hussain