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The Baloch (/bəˈloʊtʃ/ bə-LOHCH) or Baluch (/bəˈluːtʃ/ bə-LOOCH; Balochi: بلۏچ, romanized: Balòc, plural بلۏچانٚ) are a nomadic,[14][15][16][17] pastoral,[18][19][20] ethnic group which speaks the Western Iranic Balochi language[21] and is native to the Balochistan region of South and Western Asia, encompassing the countries of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. There are also Baloch diaspora communities in neighbouring regions, including in Central Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula.
بلۏچ | |
|---|---|
 A group of Baloch men | |
| Total population | |
c. 15 million
| |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Pakistan | 8,117,795 (2023 census) [only includes those who speak Balochi as mother tongue][1] |
 Iran | 4.8 million[2][3] |
 Afghanistan | 1.1 million[3] |
 Oman | 1,000,000[4] |
 United Arab Emirates | 383,000[5] |
 India | 64,000[6] |
 Qatar | 53,000[7] |
 Bahrain | 44,000[8] |
 Turkmenistan | 36,000[9] |
 Kuwait | 20,000[3] |
 Saudi Arabia | 12,000[3] |
 Somalia | 11,000[10] |
 United Kingdom | 3,000[11] |
 Canada | 1843[12] |
 Australia | 357[13] |
| Languages | |
| Balochi, Brahui, various other languages of host regions spoken by splinter groups
Other languages: Persian (in Iran and Afghanistan), Urdu (in Pakistan), Pashto (in Afghanistan), English | |
| Religion | |
Predominantly  Islam (mainly Sunni Islam) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Iranic peoples | |
The majority of the Baloch reside within Pakistan. About 50% of the total Baloch population live in the Pakistani province of Balochistan,[22] while 40% are settled in Sindh and a significant albeit smaller number reside in the Pakistani Punjab. They make up 3.6% of Pakistan's total population, and around 2% of the populations of both Iran and Afghanistan[23] and the largest non-Arab community in Oman.[24]
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The exact origin of the word "Baloch" is unclear. According to the Baloch historian Naseer Dashti (2012), the name of the ethnic group derives from 'Balaschik' living in Balasagan, between the Caspian Sea and Lake Van in present-day Turkey and Azerbaijan, who are believed to have migrated to Balochistan during the Sasanian times.[25] The remnants of the original name such as "Balochuk" and "Balochiki" are said to be still used as ethnic names in Balochistan.[26]
Some other writers suggest a derivation from Sanskrit words bal, meaning strength, and och meaning high or magnificent.[26]
Regardless of its possible roots in ancient era, the ethnonym Baloch might be derived from a term cockscomb or crest used in Middle Persian that refer to the Baloch in Median kingdom and Kayanian dynasty who were part of the army of Astyages or Kay Khosrow troops.[27][28][29] In ancient time, the Baloch wore distinctive helmets decorated with a cock's comb.[30] It is presumably indicated to Turban that known as the "Paag" in Balochi language. The Balochi traditionally wear various styles of the turban, wrapped around the head.[31]
Ernst Emil Herzfeld believes that the word Baloch is derived from the Median term "brza -vačiya" meaning "loud shouting".[32][33]
An earliest Sanskrit reference to the Baloch might be the Gwalior inscription of the Gurjara-Pratihara ruler Mihira Bhoja (r. 836–885), which says that the dynasty's founder Nagabhata I repelled a powerful army of Valacha Mlecchas, translated as "Baluch foreigners" by D. R. Bhandarkar. The army in question is that of the Umayyad Caliphate after the conquest of Sindh.[34]
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Balochi(بلۏچی, romanized: Balòci) is an Indo-European language, spoken by the Baloch and belonging to the Indo-Iranian branch of the family. As an Iranian language, it is classified in the Northwestern group,[35] spoken primarily in the Balochistan region of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. In addition, there are speakers in Oman, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Turkmenistan, East Africa and in diaspora communities in other parts of the world.[36]
There are a number of characteristic features that Balochi shares to Parthian and Median and close affinity with them.[37][38][39]
The Balochi dialects are classified as:[40]
- Eastern group (the Soleimani dialect group)
- Southern group (part of the Makrani dialect group)
- Western group (part of the Rakhshani dialect group)
Koroshi is also classified as Balochi.[41]
Many Baloch are either bilingual or multilingual, speaking the language of their respective nation of origin, such as Urdu, Persian, and Arabic as a second language alongside their native Balochi, while those in diaspora communities often speak three or more languages.[35]
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Antiquity
During the rule of Achaemenid, The Baloch were among rebellious Medes and Parthians who supported Bardiya against Darius I and later allied with Darius III in The Battle of Gaugamela with Alexander.[42][43]
Agha Mir Nasir Khan Ahmadzai the author of Seven-volume book on the history of Baloch and Balochistan, connects Balochs with medes[44] and considers them descendants of the Medes, the people of ancient Iran. He makes mention of all Baloch tribes[45][46] are descendants of the Medes, who came to Balochistan and settled in ancient time.
Mansel Longworth Dames in 1902 stated that "a theory of the origin of the Baloch people, the largest ethnic group in the region, is that they are of Median descent."[47]
The Baloch were among Kay Khosrow allies and formed part of his army headed by General Ashkash.[30][28][29] This is depicted in the mythological part of the Shahnamah a prose work written in Middle Persian.[48]
Also in another piece of this pose which is depicted in the same work:
During the Sassanid era, Anoshervan and Ardashir fought against the Balochs and After initially sustaining a defeat, succeeded in subjugating the Baloch. The Baloch scattered in the Makran(modern-day Balochistan in Iran and Pakistan) and Kerman regions, areas that formed the southeastern frontier of the Sassanid Empire. Periodic uprisings or refusals to pay tribute might have been part of their interactions with the Sassanid kings.[50][28][35][37][51]
Medieval period
According to Baloch lore, their ancestors hail from Aleppo in what is now Syria.[52] After the fight against abbasid Caliph Harun under Ameer Hamza the Kharijites leader[48][53] migrated to east or southeast of the central Caspian region, specially toward to east or southeast of the central Caspian region, specially toward Sistan,[54] Iran.
Based on an analysis of the linguistic connections of the Balochi language, which is one of the Western Iranian languages, the original homeland of the Balochi tribes was likely to the east or southeast of the central Caspian region. The Baloch began migrating towards the east in the late Sasanian period. The cause of the migration is unknown but may have been as a result of the generally unstable conditions in the Caspian area. The migrations occurred over several centuries.[55]
By the 9th century, Arab writers Istakhri, Yaqut al-Hamawi and Al-Muqaddasī refer to the Baloch as a distinct ethnical group living in the area between Kerman, Khorasan, Sistan, and Makran.[37] Ibn Khordadbeh, in Kitab al-Masalik wal-Mamalik, describes the geography of Makran, and mentions the Baloch as They are powerful, numerous, and engaged in animal husbandry, their houses are made of wood. Al-Muqaddasī documented that Panjgur was the capital of Makran and that it was populated by people called Baloch.[56][48][57]
The 12th century Seljuk invasion of Kerman seemed to have stimulated the further eastwards emigration of the Baloch,[58] towards what is now the Balochistan province of Pakistan, although some remained behind and there are still Baloch in the eastern parts of the Iranian Sistan-Baluchestan and Kerman provinces. By the 13th–14th centuries, waves of Baloch were moving into Sindh, and by the 15th century into the Punjab.[37]
Dayaram Gidumal writes that a Balochi legend is backed up by the medieval Qarmatians.[59] The fact that the Kalmatis were ethnic Baluchis is also confirmed by the Persian historian in the 16th century Muhammad Qasim Ferishta.[60]
Traditionally, Jalal Khan was the ruler and founder of the first Baloch confederacy in 12th century. (He may be the same as Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu the last ruler of the Khwarezmian Empire.[61]) Jalal Khan left four sons – Rind Khan, Lashar Khan, Hoth Khan, Korai Khan and a daughter, Bibi Jato, who married his nephew Murad.[48] 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.[62] The great Baloch kingdom was based on tribal confederationn, Punjab and Balochistan remained under his rule for a period of time .[63][51]
According to Dr. Akhtar Baloch, professor at University of Karachi, the Balochis migrated from Balochistan during the Little Ice Age and settled in Sindh and Punjab. The Little Ice Age is conventionally defined as a period extending from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries,[64][65][66] or alternatively, from about 1300[67] to about 1850.[68][69][70]
The area where the Baloch tribes settled was disputed between the Persian Safavids and the Mughal emperors. Although the Mughals managed to establish some control over the eastern parts of the area, by the 17th century, a tribal Brahui leader named Mir Hasan established himself as the first "Khan of the Baloch". In 1666, he was succeeded by Mir Aḥmad Khan Qambarani who established the Khanate of Kalat under the Ahmadzai dynasty.[note 1] Originally in alliance with the Mughals, the Khanate lost its autonomy in 1839 with the signing of a treaty with the British colonial government and the region effectively became part of the British Raj.[37]
Safavid period
The Baluch tribes revolted against the Safavid government. Engelbert Kaempfer writes about this: Despite their small numbers, they attacked Suleiman Shah with their fortifications.[42]
During the Safavid dynasty sought to incorporate the Baloch regions into its administrative structure, the Baloch tribes maintained their autonomy through resistance, strategic alliances. In the reign of Soltan Hoseyn, a number of Baloch chiefs, ruling Balochistan and neighbouring areas.[76]
Afsharid period
After the fall of the Safavids, Iran fell under the control of the Afsharid Empire ruled by Nader Shah. Nader Shah sought to consolidate and expand his empire, which brought him into contact with the Baloch. Mohammad Khan Baloch became military commander in Afsharid Iran[77] and Nader appointed Mohammad Khan Baloch the governor of fars, Kohgiluyeh and Khuzestan.[78] Many Baloch were moved to Khorasan in order to protect the eastern border from invading Afghans during the reign of afsharid dynasty.[79]
Khanate of Kalat
The Khanate of Kalat founded in the 16th century by Mir Altaz Sani Khan Qambrani and played an important part of Baloch history.[81] The major figure in its establishment was Mir Ahmad Khan, who, established his authority over Kalat.[82] The dynasty established as a tribal confederacy of Baloch and Brahui tribes and emerged as a political entity that consolidated the power of these tribes under a single ruler, known as the Khan.[35] Mir Ahmad Khan I was strong enough to capture Quetta, Mastung, and Pishin from the Mughal governor at Kandahar.
Nasir Khan I Ahmadzai the sixth ruler of kalat was one of the most prominent and influential rulers of the Khanate of Kalat. He played a crucial role in consolidating Baloch power, unifying the Baloch tribes, and shaping the political and administrative structure of the Khanate.[83] The border of Balochestan in the reign of Nasir khan stretched from across modern-day Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Northern Border in areas such as Helmand and parts of Kandahar(Balochistan, Afghanistan). In the East stretched as far as Punjab including Dera Ghazi Khan, in the south Makran coast along the Arabian Sea from karachi to bandar abbas, in the western included Persian Balochistan (modern-day Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Iran), Kerman and Bandar abbas.[84]
The Khanate of Kalat declined in the early 19th century, losing much of its territory to Qajar Iran, Emirate of Afghanistan and British Balochistan.
Talpur period
Talpur was a Baloch dynasty that originated in the modern-day Sindh region of Pakistan.[85]
The Talpur ruled the Sindh until British conquest of Sindh in 1843. The Talpur Baloch were a prominent Baloch tribe that rose to power in Sindh during the late 18th century and established their rule. The Battle of Miani (1843), took place near Hyderabad, Baloch forces under the last Talpur ruler Amir Nasir Khan Talpur defeated by the East India Company led by Charles Napier.[86]
Modern era
For centuries, Balochistan was governed autonomously and local Baloch chieftains ruled balochistan.[87][88]
From 1666 Balochistan was continuously under the control of the Khanate of Kalat and ruled by confederacy of Baloch tribes, until the occupation of Balochistan by the British in 1839.[89]
Baloch tribes in the Sarhad resisted the Persian government force. Gamshadzai, Yar Ahmadzai, Ismailzai and Kurd tribes fought against Persian force during 1888.[89] Sanjrani Baloch ruled Seistan with its capital at Chakansur in the early and late 19th century.[90] In 1897 the western regions of Balochistan were under the leadership of the chieftains of the Narui tribe.[88]
Baloch nationalism in its modern form began in the form of the Anjuman-e-Ittehad-e-Balochan-wa-Balochistan based in Mastung in 1929, led by Yousaf Aziz Magsi, Abdul Aziz Kurd and others.[91] In Pakistan's Balochistan province, insurgencies by Baloch nationalists have been fought in 1948-50, 1958–60, 1962–63 and 1973–1977, with an ongoing low-level insurgency beginning in 2003.[92] The Baloch population in Pakistan has endured grave violations of human rights, which include extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture. These actions are purportedly perpetrated by state security forces and their associates.[93]
The First Balochistan Conflict started when three of the princely states of Kalat acceded to Pakistan in 1947 after independence.[94]
During the Second Balochistan conflict The Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Nauroz Khan led an armed rebellion against the central government, demanding greater autonomy. This triggered a major armed conflict, with over 50,000 Baloch fighters resisting the Pakistani military.[95]
The Third Balochistan conflict began and engaging in guerrilla warfare against the Pakistani military. Sher Muhammad Bijrani Marri led militants into guerrilla warfare from 1963 to 1969 by creating their own insurgent bases.[96] This insurgency ended in 1969, with the Baloch separatists agreeing to a ceasefire granting general amnesty to the separatists as well as freeing the separatists.[97]
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Pakistan
About 50% of the total Baloch population live in the Pakistani province of Balochistan while 40% are settled in Sindh and a significant albeit smaller number reside in the Pakistani Punjab.
In 2008, there were 180,000 Bugti based in Dera Bugti District. They are divided between the Rahija Bugti, Masori Bugti, Kalpar Bugti, Marehta Bugti and other sub-tribes.[98][99][full citation needed] led the Bugti as Tumandar until his death in 2006. Talal Akbar Bugti was the tribal leader and President of the Jamhoori Watan Party from 2006 until his death in 2015.[100]
There are 98,000 Marri based in Kohlo district in 2008,[98] who further divide themselves into Gazni Marri, Bejarani Marri, and Zarkon Marri.[98][needs update]
As of 2008 it was estimated that there were between eight and nine million Baloch people living in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. They were subdivided between over 130 tribes.[98] Some estimates put the figure at over 150 tribes, though estimates vary depending on how subtribes are counted.[101] The tribes, known as taman, are led by a tribal chief, the tumandar. Subtribes, known as paras, are led by a muqaddam.[102]
The Baloch holds a significant place in the history of Sindh. The Talpur, originally a Baloch tribe, ruled Sindh from 1783 to 1843. A significant population in sindh have Baloch root according unofficial estimates at about 4 million.[103][104]
Iran
Baloch in Iran are the majority ethnic inhabitants of the region of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Iran.The town of Jask in neighbouring Hormozgan Province is also inhabited by Baloch people. Baloch people also make up a minority in the eastern parts of Kerman, Razavi Khorasan and South Khorasan (Khorasani Baloch) and are scattered throughout other provinces of Iran.[105][106][107] They speak the Rakhshani and Sarawani dialects of Balochi, an Iranian language.[108]
![Thumb](#/media/File:1986_"World_Handicrafts_Day_10th_June"_stamp_of_Iran_(3).jpg)
Sistan and Balochestan is one of the poorest and least developed provinces in Iran. Basic infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and hospitals, is lacking compared to other regions. The unemployment rate is disproportionately high, especially among Baloch youth.[109] The majority of Iranian Baloch are Sunni Muslims, which distinguishes them from the predominantly Shia Muslim population of Iran. This religious difference has often contributed to tensions between the Baloch and the central government.[109]
During the 1950s, tribal revolt led by a Baloch farmer Mir Daad Shah struck south eastern Iran. Elements of Baloch nationalism were present in this movement, he participated in a rebellion and armed insurgency against the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in the 1950s.[109]
On September 30, 2022(Bloody Friday) in Zahedan a large number of Baloch civilians gathered for Friday prayers at the Grand Makki Mosque, the largest Sunni mosque in Iran, located in Zahedan. After the prayers, peaceful demonstrations began, demanding justice for the sexual assault case of the alleged rape of a 15-year-old Baloch girl in June that by a commander of the police force in Chabahar. Iranian security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and riot police, surrounded the area and opened fire on the protesters.[110][111] According to human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Baloch activist groups, at least 96 people were killed on the day of the massacre, and hundreds were injured.[111] Molavi Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi called the incident a "catastrophe" and demanded "trial and punishment for those responsible for those who have killed people", adding that worshipers were shot in head and heart by snipers.[112] From this event, a picture of Khodanur Lojei, a Baloch protester whose hands were tied to a flagpole, with a cup of water put in front of him (but out of his reach) became a symbol in the ongoing protests.[113]
Afghanistan
Baloch constitute approximately 2% of Afghanistan's population. They are the majority in Nimroz Province.[114] Baloch also have a presence in Helmand, Faryab, Takhar, Herat, Kandahar, Badakhshan and other parts of Afghanistan.[35][115]
Rug weaving is a common profession among the Baloch tribes of Afghanistan. Balochi rugs, floor coverings made by the Baloch, are often sold in the Herat local market and global market.[116] Needlework and handicrafts are the art of Baloch women in Afghanistan. Baloch women wear clothes called "Za Asteen Guptan", which are designed on Baloch needlework and embroidery. Keeping and breeding camels, as well as holding camel riding competitions in Nimroz province, is popular among the Baloch.[117]
In the fall of 1978, Balochi was recognized as an official language of Afghanistan, alongside Pashto and Dari. A weekly newspaper in Balochi began publication in September 1978.[88] The Baloch Council of Afghanistan is a Baloch socio-cultural organization that celebrates Baloch Culture Day every year.
The government of Afghanistan(Before the Taliban came to power) has never employed the same level of brutality against its own Baloch like Pakistan, but it has always been implacably opposed to any suggestion of Baloch separatism.
Ghulam Mohammad Lalzad Baloch, Mohammad Naeem Baloch, are some of the notable Baloch people in Afghanistan.
Oman
Baloch account for 20% of Oman's population, a total of around 1 million people and the largest non-Arab community in Oman. The first modern army of Oman was exclusively Baloch,[24] and even today around 40% of Omani Army consists of Baloch people.[118]
the Baloch have been well integrated in political life in Oman. the Baloch hold positions in many high-ranking jobs and have played a significant role in the progress and development of Oman.[119]
India
There are around 300 Baloch families living in Mumbai, numbering about 1,500 individuals. They are scattered across the outer western suburbs and ghettos of Mumbai's metropolitan area. The vast majority of them belong to a working class background, having little formal education, and are employed as manual labourers or drivers.[120]
Turkmenistan
Baloch are also found in Turkmenistan mainly Merv and smaller numbers in other areas.[121] They immigrated into the Merv and the Murghab River inland delta from the areas west and north of Herat, Afghanistan, Chakhansur District in the province of Nimruz and Iran in the mid 19th century.[122] In 1926 the Baluch of Merv Oasis numbered 9,974. Their numbers fell to 7,842 in the official statistics by 1959 but then rose to 12,582 by 1970 and 18,997 by 1979.
In other regions
Persian Gulf Countries
The Baluch people have a notable presence in the Persian Gulf countries, many of which are in Oman, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.[123][124]
North America
There was substantial immigration of ethnic Baloch in the United States and Canada[35] who are mainly political refugees and immigrants seeking economic opportunity. A 2015 eight-part documentary by VSH News, the first Balochi language news channel, called Balochs in America, shows that Baloch Americans live in different parts of the United States, including Washington D.C., New York, Texas, North Carolina and Washington.[125]
Australia
There is a considerable number of Baloch who settled in Australia for education and employment opportunities.[35][126] Small groups of cameleers were shipped in and out of Australia at three-year intervals, to service the Australian inland pastoral industry by carting goods and transporting wool bales by camel trains. Dost Mahomet and Dervish Bejah Baloch were Baloch cameleer who worked the Western Australian Goldfields in the late 1890s.[127][128]
Europe
There are also significant populations in Norway, Sweden, and other European countries.[35]
There is a Baloch community in the UK, originating from the Balochistan province of southwestern Pakistan and neighbouring and other parts where Baloch populations reside. Estimates suggest that the Baloch community in London numbers in the thousands, though an exact figure is not available. There are many Baloch associations and groups active in the UK, including the Baloch Students and Youth Association (BSYA), Baloch Cultural Society, Baloch Human Rights Council (UK) and others.[129]
East Africa
There is also a small but historic Baloch community in East Africa, left over from when the Sultanate of Muscat ruled over Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast.[130][131]
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Gold ornaments such as necklaces and bracelets are an important aspect of Baloch women's traditions and among their most favoured items of jewellery are dorr, heavy earrings that are fastened to the head with gold chains so that the heavy weight will not cause harm to the ears. They usually wear a gold brooch (tasni) that is made by local jewellers in different shapes and sizes and is used to fasten the two parts of the dress together over the chest.[132]
Baloch Culture Day is celebrated by the Balochi people annually on 2 March with festivities to celebrate their rich culture and history.[133]
Women
In general, Baloch women's rights and equality have improved in the recent years due to polotical movements within Baloch society. However, despite the progress, Baloch and international women's rights organizations still report significant human rights issues related to gender equality, forced marriages,[134] honor killings.[135]
Baloch women have taken the lead in the new wave of Baloch movements and have emerged as leaders and advocates for Baloch rights. In the movement of Baloch Long March two baloch women leading the movement for justice and equality in Baloch society against human rights violations and enforced disappearances in Balochistan.[136] Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch the leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and Voice for Baloch Missing Persons and have been prominent advocate for the rights of Baloch people.[137][138] In December 2024, Marang Baloch was included on the BBC's 100 Women list.[139] Sammi Baloch has been honored with the Asia Pacific Human Rights Award for 2024, presented by Front Line Defenders. The award ceremony took place in Dublin, Ireland.[140][141]
Fariba Baloch is another Baloch women who works for women's rights and human rights in Balochistan in Iran. She received the 2024 International Women of Courage award.[142][143][144]
Karima Baloch was a human rights activist and was included in the 100 Women List by the BBC in 2016, where she was identified as a political activist campaigning for the independence for Balochistan from Pakistan.[145] Her inclusion in the BBC 100 list as a Baloch woman was repeated in 2024 when the Iranian Zhina Modares Gorji bookseller was also named for her struggle for freedom of speech.[146]
Baloch Women have played numerous roles, and contributed in many ways, to Baloch society. Historically, tradition maintained. Banadi Shehak the sister of Mir Chakar Rind was a Baloch woman who led the war and participated in the battlefield.
Music and Dance
In ancient times, especially during the pre-Islamic era, it was common for Baloch women to perform dances and sing folk songs at different events. The tradition of a Baloch mother singing lullabies to her children has played an important role in the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation since ancient times. Apart from the dressing style of the Baloch, indigenous and local traditions and customs are also of great importance to the Baloch.[132]
Zahīrōk is one of the musical forms of Baloch and in the beginning, was only sung by two groups of Baloch women.[147]
Suroz and Ghaychak are popular instrument between Balochs such as craftspeople, folk artists, folk musicians and dance groups.[147][148]
Weaving
Balochi weaving is renowned throughout the world, with fine specimens of both rugs and carpets. The most famous balochi rugs are those from Nimruz and Khorasan.[116] Wool is the primary material used, sourced from sheep and goats. In some cases, camel hair or a mix of natural fibers is also used.[149] Mehrabi is a prayer rug designed in the Balochi style, and it typically features a mihrab or arch at one end of the rug.[150][151]
Handicrafts
Outside of weaving and clothing, there are many other Baloch needleworks, decorations on balochi dress is a tradition in Baloch culture including Balochi cap, jackets, belts, ladies purse, shoulder bags, and many other items.[152] These crafts are known for their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and high-quality craftsmanship. They are often made by women artisans and serve both functional and decorative purposes, playing a significant role in the economy and identity of the Baloch community.[35] Notable Balochi needlework artisans include Mahtab Norouzi. Farah Diba Pahlavi, the former Shahbanu of Iran, was particularly drawn to Balochi needlework handcrafts and incorporated them into many of her formal dresses.[153]
Among crafts are coin embroidery and cream embroidery that are made with natural materials.[154]
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For most Balochs, haplogroup R1a is the most common paternal clade.[155] The majority of Balochs belong to R1a, with a frequency of 34-36%.[156][157]
Islam
The Baloch are predominantly Muslim, with the vast majority belonging to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, but there is also tiny proportion of Shia in Balochistan.[158][159]
In the case of Pakistan, breakdown by religious movements or sub-groups among the ethnic Baloch in the country as a whole is as following: 64.78% are Sunni-Deobandis, 33.38% are Sunni-Barelvis and 1.25% are Sunni-Ahl-i Hadith; Shia's are 0.59%. Inside Pakistan's Balochistan province more specifically, the religious affiliation among the Baloch is: 68.75% Sunni-Deobandi, 30.38% Sunni-Barelvis, 0.79% Sunni-Ahl-i Hadith and 0.07% Shi'as.[160]
Islamism
Although Baloch leaders, backed by traditional scholarship, have held that the Baloch people are secular, Christine Fair and Ali Hamza found during their 2017 study that, when it comes to Islamism, "contrary to the conventional wisdom, Baloch are generally indistinguishable from other Pakistanis in Balochistan or the rest of Pakistan". There are virtually no statistically significant or substantive differences between Balochi Muslims and other Muslims in Pakistan in terms of religiosity, support for a sharia-compliant Pakistan state, liberating Muslims from oppression including Kashmir, etc.[160]
Zikri sect
In 2020, 800,000 Pakistani Balochis were estimated to follow the Zikri sect.[161]
Zoroastrian influences
Before the Islam era, the Baloch were the followers of Mazdakian and Manichean sects of Zoroastrian.[162][163][51]
A number of Baloch tribes still preserve and adhere to pre-Islamic traditions, including the Nal oath (a type of oath to prove innocence by passing through fire)[42] which is common among the Baloch around Taftan, and they are bilingual, speaking Parsiwani in addition to the Balochi language.[35]
Hindu and Sikh minorities
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A small number of Balochs are non-Muslims, particularly in the Bugti clan which has Hindu and Sikh members.[164] There are Hindu Balochs in the Bugti, Marri, Rind, Bezenjo, Zehri, Mengal and other Baloch tribes.[165]
Most of these Hindus or Sikhs are not ethnic Baloch, or not fully; for example, many Marathas were captured following their defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 and were integrated within the Baloch tribal system (taking names like Bugti and more), their history having been covered in the 2023 Marathi movie Baloch.[166]
Likewise, the Bhagnaris are a Hindu community living in India[167] who trace their origin to southern Balochistan but migrated to India during the Partition.[168] Numbering around 2,500 in Mumbai they identify as Sindhis in terms of ethnicity and speak Saraiki, a language close to Punjabi.[169]
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File:Balochi National dress use as a uniform in Taftan air.
Baloch men and women, South East Museum Zahedan
Baloch men.Quetta.1867
Lifestyle of Baloch nomads
The life of the Baloch people in southern Kerman Province
A Baloch woman weaving a blanket
Baking bread in handmade ovens among the Baloch people
_05.jpg)
Pakistan
- Maulana Abdul Aziz, (born 1960), Imam of Red Mosque
- Nabi Bakhsh Baloch (1917–2011), research scholar, historian, educationist and linguist in Urdu, English, Persian and Sindhi languages.
- Aftab Baloch (1953–2022), a former Pakistani cricketer.
- Abdul Qadir Baloch (born 1945), a retired General in the Pakistan army. Currently a Pakistani politician.
- Mahnoor Baloch (born 1970), Canadian Pakistani actress.
- Naz Baloch (born 1981), Pakistani female politician.
- Quratulain Balouch, Pakistani American singer and songwriter.
- Kiran Maqsood Baluch (born 1978), a Pakistani woman cricketer.
- Akbar Bugti (1926–2006), the former Tumandar of the Bugti tribe and Minister of State of Balochistan Province.
- Sarfraz Bugti (born 1981), former member of the Pakistani Senate and current chief minister of Balochistan.
- Sardar Usman Buzdar (born 1969), former chief minister of Punjab province.[170][171]
- Eva B, hip hop rapper and singer.
- Abdul Rashid Ghazi (1964–2007), Pakistani diplomat and cleric[172]
- Maulana Muhammad Abdullah (1935–1998), Islamic scholar who served as Chairman of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.[173]
- Mir Jafar Khan Jamali (1911–1967), a veteran politician from Muslim League and a tribal leader from Balochistan[174]
- Zafarullah Khan Jamali (1944–2020), the 15th prime minister of Pakistan.[175]
- Kaifi Khalil (born 1996), singer-songwriter.
- Sardar Mohammad Ayub Khan Gadhi, (born 1961) Member of the Provincial Assembly and ex-Minister for Counter Terrorism Punjab.
- Zulfiqar Ali Khosa (born 1935), a former governor of Punjab province.
- Latif Khosa (born 1946), a former Governor of Punjab.
- Asif Saeed Khan Khosa (born 1954), the 26th chief justice of Pakistan.[176]
- Mir Hazar Khan Khoso (1929–2021), jurist and caretaker prime minister of Pakistan from 25 March to 5 June 2013.
- Muhammad Muqeem Khan Khoso (1949–2016), a former Chief Sardar of the Khoso Tribe and former Member of the Provincial Assembly from PS-14 Jacobabad.
- Bilal Lashari (born 1981), Pakistani filmmaker, cinematographer, screenwriter and actor.
- Farooq Leghari (1940–2010), the 8th president of Pakistan.[177]
- Hasnain Lehri (born 1989), Pakistani actor and model.
- Khair Bakhsh Marri (1928–2014), was a Baloch politician from the province of Balochistan in Pakistan.[178]
- Sherbaz Khan Mazari (1930–2020), a Baluch veteran politician.
- Shireen Mazari (born 1949), the federal minister for human rights and a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
- Muniba Mazari (born 1987), human rights activist, artist and motivational speaker.
- Sardar Mir Balakh Sher Mazari (1928–2022), the interim prime minister of Pakistan in a 1993 caretaker government.[179]
- Yasir Nawaz (born 1970), director, producer, screenwriter and actor.
- Danish Nawaz (born 1978), television actor, director and comedian.
- Siraj Raisani (1963–2018), a member of Balochistan Awami Party.[180] He is also a recipient of the Sitara-e-Shujaat (star of bravery).[181]
- Mir Chakar Rind, (1468–1565), Baloch folk hero
- Asif Ali Zardari (born 1955), the 11th and 14th president of Pakistan.
- Sanaullah Khan Zehri (born 1961), the 15th chief minister of Balochistan.[182]
- A number of unrelated tribes with the name Ahmadzai exist.[71] There are two Pashtun tribes who are unrelated to each other with this name: the Ahmadzai who are a Waziri tribe and the Sulaimankhel Ahmadzai, part of the Ghilzai confederation.[72] However, the Ahmadzai Khans of Khalat were neither of these and belonged to a Brahui tribe.[73][74][75]
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