Baloch people in Punjab
Punjabis of Baloch descent From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Balochs of Punjab (Urdu: پنجاب کے بلوچ; Saraiki, Punjabi: پنجاب دے بلوچ) are a community of Saraiki and Punjabi-speaking tribes of either full or partial Baloch descent settled in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The majority of which live in southern Punjab, including Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, which adjoin the province of Balochistan. Numerous of which no longer speak Balochi and instead speak Punjabi, Saraiki and Sindhi.[1][2][failed verification][3]
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ~ 6 million (1997 estimations) () | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Punjab Province, Pakistan | |
| Languages | |
| Punjabi • Saraiki • Urdu • English | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Baloch • Baloch diaspora • Sindhi Baloch • Baloch of India |
History
Since 12th century Baloch chieftains ruled over most of Balochistan. Mir Jalal khan and Mir Chakar after the establishment of the Baloch Confederation, They extended their dominance on outside the borders of Balochistan, Mir Chakar seized control over Punjab and captured Multan.[4] The great Baloch kingdom was based on tribal confederationn, Punjab and Balochistan remained under his rule for a period of time.[5][6]
According to Dr. Akhtar Baloch, Professor at University of Karachi, the Baloch migrated from Balochistan during the Little Ice Age and settled in Sindh and Punjab. According to Professor Baloch, the climate of Balochistan was very cold during this epoch and the region was inhabitable during the winter so the Baloch people migrated in waves and settled in Sindh and Punjab. Baloch people form majority in Dera Ghazi Khan or Rajanpur districts and found significant numbers in Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan districts, and Multan district.[7]
Demographics
In his book Searchlights on Baloches and Balochistan (1997), Justice Mir Khuda Bakhsh Marri estimated the Baloch population in Punjab to number 6 million, most of them not speaking Balochi as mother tongue anymore, but Punjabi and Saraiki; Marri concentrated on the statistics given by the British colonialists in British Punjab during their research, such as the Punjab Census Report of 1931, extrapolating the numbers by looking at the natural growth of Pakistan's overall population.[8]
See also
References
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