Baloch (Gujarat)

Baloch
Total population
19,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
•  India •  Pakistan
Languages
• Gujarati • Hindi • Kutchi
Religion
• Islam 100% •
Related ethnic groups
• Baloch • Baloch of North India • Makrani • Sindhi Baloch • Punjabi Baloch

The Baloch are a Muslim community found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are descended from Baluch tribesmen who settled in this region of Gujarat in the late Middle Ages. The community use the surname Khan. In Gujarat, the term Baloch is restricted to the Sulaymani Baloch, while Makrani Baloch now form a distinct community.[2]

History and origin

Main article: Baloch people

Balochi myths claims that they are the descendants of Hazrat Ameer Hamza, the uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad who settled in Halab (present-day Aleppo),[3][4][5] then to the Sistan region,[3] to Khvosh Mardan[3] into Sindh (where they are known as the Sindhi Baloch) and also into Punjab.[6]

In Gujarat, the earliest Baloch settlers came with Fateh Khan Baloch, who was given the jagir of Radhanpur and Sami by Sultan Ahmad Shah II of Gujarat.[5] Another Fateh Khan was given the jagir of Khadia in Junagadh by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.[5] In the 18th century, the Gohil Rajput rulers of Bhavnagar invited a number of Baloch to serve as their bodyguards.[5] They were granted the jagir in Sehor.[2]

Present circumstances

The Baloch are distributed in Rajkot, Junagadh, Khadia, Keshod, Veraval, Mangrol, and Bhavnagar.[5] Important Baloch villages include Budhana & pingali in Bhavnagar District, Kundhada village in Junagadh District and Baspa and Kerwada in Radhanpur. They tend to live in their own villages, or have distinct quarters in the towns they reside in. The community is split into six clans, or ataks as they are known in Gujarati. Their main clans are the Gabol, Lashari, Birri, Gopang, Sukhe, Hooth and Korai. A small number of Baloch have immigrated to Pakistan, and are now found in Karachi. The community speak Urdu mixed with Gujarati,[5][2] while using the Gujarati script.[5]

The Baloch are strictly endogamous, although there are some cases of inter-marriage with the Pathans and Muslim Rajput communities such as the Malik, Miyana and Molesalam. They prefer marrying close kins, and practice both parallel cousin and cross counsin marriages.

The Baloch are now mainly marginal farmers, with many also employed as agricultural labourers. Land reform has led to the breakup of the larger jagirs, and many jagirdars have emigrated to cities like Ahmadabad and Mumbai. Their villages now have electricity, and many now use electric pumps. Many Baloch are also employed as truck drivers, with a small number owning their trucks. Their general economic circumstances are poor. Like other Gujarati Muslims, they have a caste association, the Baloch Jamat. This acts as a welfare association, as well as an instrument of social control. Most Baluch are Sunni, but members of the Sukhe clan are Shia.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=11684&rog3=IN
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 People of India Gujarat Volume XXII Part One Editors R. B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan and M Azeez Mohideen pages 102 to 107
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kumar, Raj (2008). Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Gyan Publishing House. pp. 336–337. ISBN 8178356643. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  4. ↑ Tyagi, Vidya Prakash (2009). Martial Races of Undivided India. Gyan Publishing House. pp. 7–9. ISBN 8178357755. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Singh, Kumar Suresh; Lal, Rajendra Behari (2003). Gujarat, Anthropological Survey of India, Volume 22 of People of India. Popular Prakashan. pp. 103–107. ISBN 8179911047.
  6. ↑ Tribes and Castes of North Western Provinces and Oudh by William Crook