Khetran
The Khetran (Balochi: کھیتران) is a Baloch tribe originally from Balochistan.Khetran's mostly live in Barkhan and Kohlu districts of Balochistan And Dera Ghazi Khan district of Punjab.Their mother tongue is Khetrani language but they also use other languages of Pakistan.
Population statistics
The total Khetran population is estimated to be between 125,000 to 150,000 individuals. Almost 80,000 individuals are situated in Barkhan District and 70,000 individuals are situated in Dera Ghazi Khan District. Many of them have migrated towards cities. The last confirmed statistics available of Khetran population are of 1998 census which records its population as 110,000 individuals. According to Pakistan's 1981–82 census, Khetrans in Dera Ghazi Khan District were 31,897 individuals.
Detailed population and area statistics of major Khetran towns in Dera Ghazi Khan District around Vehowa are as follows according to 1981–82 census.
| Serial Number | Town/Village | Area (acres) | Population (individuals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Vehowa | 45359 | 12501 |
| 2. | Qaisrani Wala | 1201 | Not Determined |
| 3. | Mathay Wali | 9794 | 3280 |
| 4. | Litra | 20696 | 4662 |
| 5. | Kuhar | 8742 | 3868 |
| 6. | Jallu Wali | 7343 | 2133 |
| 7. | Kutani | 12844 | 3942 |
| 8. | Chatri | 10980 | 1511 |
The population and area of Barkhan city and Barkhan District is not included here.
Khetran-Bugti relationships
In 1845 under the command of Sir Charles James Napier 7,000 men attacked the Bugtis, killing many of them. Khetrans provided sanctuary to hundreds of Bugtis who took refuge in their lands.[1]
In 1847 Sir William attacked the Bugtis with full strength; this time the Bugtis lost 500 fighting men and 120 got arrested. Marris took the opportunity and also attacked the Bugtis, seizing much of their area. The Bugtis went to the Khetran Sardar and asked for his help; that same year a combined attack of Khetrans and Bugtis drove the Marris off, killing more than 70 of their men and taking possession of their cattle.[2]
Struggle against British
Both war parties of Khetrans and the Marris attacked Kohlu police station. After looting and then burning it down they attacked a post of Gumband Lavy and also raised it do the ground. All entry points towards the city of Kohlu were sealed off by these war parties.[3]
February 1918, Dera Ghazi Khan District was facing a threat of Khetran and Marri army. On 1 March Khar was attacked. Post office and a rest house was burned down. They also cleaned their hands on some weapons stored in post office. On 5 March they looted the city of Barkhan where government treasury was kept. Khetran army gathered in Rakni and Bawoata and then attacked Border Military burning down three of their posts. On 15 March Khetrans were seen along with Marris inside Fort Minro. That night government buildings and Bungalows were burnt down.[4]
Khetrans, Marris and Bugtis yearly did damage of 25,000 Rupees and of 25 lives.[5]
Khetrans did not surrender easily to the Britishers, Sir Denzel Ibbetson acknowledges it in these words:
"Khetran is an independent Baloch tribe which is situated behind Leghari, Lund and Khosas. Their original homeland is Vehowa"[6]
Khetrani language
| “ | The Khetrans .It is certain that the whole of the triangular block of hill now occupied by the Marris was in the possession of Indian tribes before the Baloch invasion .They were gradually destroyed or absorbed by the Baloch from the south and the Afghans from the north and such names as Shahdedja among the Marris and Haripal among the Afghans to the north indicate that fragments of these tribes remain among the Baloch and the Afghans .The Khetrans however between the Afghan and the Baloch have preserved their identity and their peculiar Indian dialect (of the Sindhi type) to the present day .[7] | ” |
References
- ↑ 'Pakistan Kay Siyasi Wadairay' by Aqeel Abass Jafari, Publisher: Jahngir Books, Page 433-434
- ↑ Pakistan Kay Siyasi Wadairay by Aqeel Abass Jafari, Publisher: Jahngir Books, Page 433-434
- ↑ "Tareek-e-Balochistan Part 2 by Gul Khan Nasseer Page 394.
- ↑ "War History of Dera Ghazi Khan District" page 8,9.
- ↑ "Tareekh-e-Balochistan " by Bahadur Hattu Ram Summary by Saleem Akhtar page 80 ISBN 99908158.
- ↑ "Punjab Castes" by Sir Denzel Ibbetson page 49.
- ↑ E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam 1913–1936 By M. Th. Houtsma, A. J. Wensinck page 631