For Latifa Amani, in whosequiet graceI foundthe space to write.
Baloch Nationalism
ItsOriginand Development
Dr TajMohammadBreseeg
Impressum
©2025DrTaj Mohammad Breseeg
FirstPublishedatRoyalBookCompany,Karachi, 2004
RevisedEdition 2025:
Publisher: BoD· Books on Demand,Östermalmstorg1,114 42 Stockholm, Sweden,bod@bod.se
Print: LibriPlureos GmbH,Friedensallee273,22763 Hamburg, Germany
ISBN:978-91-8097-048-8
IN TR OD UC TI ON TO SE CO ND ED IT IO
N
This second editionof TheBalochNationalism:Its Origin and Development represents asignificant milestoneinthe evolutionofa work that beganasmydoctoralthesisatthe prestigiousSchoolofOrientaland AfricanStudies (SOAS),UniversityofLondon.Initially publishedovera decade ago, thebook hasresonated with adiverse audience of scholars, students,and thoseintrigued by thecomplexitiesofnationalism,subaltern identities,and theparticularities ofBalochpolitical consciousness. In this revisededition,I aimto reflectmyongoing engagement with thesubject both as an academic researcher andasanindividualwithdeeppersonal connections to theregionand itsongoingstruggles.The revisionsand additionsinthiseditionare notonlya reflection of newacademicinsights butalsoofthe evolving politicaland social landscapeofthe Baloch people themselves,who continue to fightfor theircultural, political, andterritorial rights.
This journey, both intellectual andpersonal, hasbeenlongand at times demanding, marked by numerous challenges,moments of intense reflection,and an ever-deepening understandingofthe complexities surrounding Baloch nationalism. In revisiting this work,I recognizethat such an undertakingwould nothavebeenpossiblewithout theunwavering support andencouragement from numerous individualsand institutions, some of whom aredeserving of specialacknowledgment.
Firstand foremost,I am profoundly indebted to my supervisor,Dr. David Taylor,whose mentorship during my doctoral studieswas notonly
academically enrichingbut also personally transformative.His patience, intellectual generosity,and steadfastencouragementsustained me throughout this entire journey.His abilitytooffer critical yetconstructive feedback,while simultaneously providing emotionalsupport in momentsof doubt, proved to be invaluable.Dr. Taylor’s insights notonlysharpened the academic rigorofthe work butalsoensured that theresearchremained grounded in adeepunderstanding of thesocial realitiesand historical contexts of theBalochpeople.
Iwould also like to expressmysincere gratitudetoDr. John Sidel, whose thought-provokingreflections on theories of nationalismsignificantly enriched my theoreticalframework.His critiquesoften challenged my assumptionsand pushed me to refine my approach to understanding nationalism. At critical junctures, he helped me focusonthe most pressing questions, ensuring that my studyavoided fallingintothe trap of speculative excess andremainedfirmlygroundedinanalyticalrigor.
Theresearchfor this book washeavily reliantonaccesstoa varietyof academic andarchivalresources,and forthat, Iamdeeplythankfultothe staffand librarians at both theIndia Office Library andSOASLibrary.Their generous support allowedmetoaccessraredocuments,manuscripts,and research materialsthatwerecrucial to thestudy of Baloch nationalism.
Throughout thefieldwork phaseand subsequent stages of my inquiry, Ihad theprivilege of engaging with anumberofscholarswho provided invaluable guidance andresources.Among them were Dr.InayatullahBaluchfrom Heidelberg University,Dr. SaberBadal Khan Baloch from Naples University,ProfessorAbdullahJan JamaldinifromBalochistan University, andDr. Carina Jahani from UppsalaUniversity. Theirexpertise,coupled with theirwillingness to shareinsightsand engage in meaningful academic
discourse, helped me access andinterpret keymaterials relatedtoBaloch historyand culture.
On amorepersonallevel,I am indebted to anumberoffriends and colleagueswho,beyondthe formalitiesofacademia, provided both emotionaland intellectual support. Khalid Azarpira,Naser Afraz, Taj Mohammad Mohtashami,Dr. Abdul-Sattar DoshokiinLondon, andAbulKasimArjomandi in Sweden allplayedvital rolesinencouraging me through theups and downsofthe research process. Theircamaraderie and friendship were constant sourcesofsupport,offeringbothpractical advice andmoral encouragement. AbdullahSiahui’sinsightsand warm wordsof encouragementduringcrucial stages of theworkkeptmegroundedand inspired,while Mohammad AkramDashti, theformerSpeaker of the BalochistanAssembly, andYar MohammadBadiniwelcomedmeintotheir homeswithunmatched generosity andwarmth. Theirhospitality, particularly in Karachiand Quetta,was notonlya logistical help butalsoa deeply symbolic gesturethatreinforcedmyunderstanding of thecultural importance of community andsolidarity within theBalochnation. In particular,Yar Mohammad’s kindness andcommitmenttothe causeof Baloch nationalismhas redefinedmyunderstanding of friendship and support.
At theheart of my work lies theunwaveringsupport of my family,who have been both thefoundationand themotivationbehindevery page of this book. My wife,LatifaAmani,deservesmy deepestgratitude.Her patience, understanding, andquiet strength carriedmethrough thelong, solitary hoursspent workingonthisproject.She stoodbymewithunmatched devotion,offeringloveand support during themostdemanding periods. My children Saeeda,Saeed,Duda, andMeeranalsodeserve specialmention. Theirinnocentawarenessoftheir father’s “important work”helpedmekeep
asense of perspective, remindingmeofthe larger purposebehindthis academic endeavour. Theirjoy,their questions, andtheir understandingof thesignificanceofthiswork have been aconstantsourceofmotivation.
This second editionof TheBalochNationalism:Its Origin and Development is,inmanyways, areflectionofthe ongoingconversation surrounding theBaloch struggle andthe broaderissuesofidentity, autonomy,and nationalism. It is amodest attempttoinvitenew readersinto thediscourse,torevisit key questionsthathaveemerged sincethe first editionwas published, andtoreaffirm theimportance of Baloch nationalism as an area of studydeserving of continued, rigorous,and compassionate academic inquiry. As Ilookforward to thefutureofthiswork, Iremain hopeful that it will continue to spark thoughtful debatesand contribute to a deeper understandingofthe Baloch peopleand theircomplex historical and politicalrealities.
TajMohammadBreseeg
01.07.2025
AB ST RA CT
This book is arevised versionofa PhD. dissertation in whichthe author discussesthe “Originand Developmentofthe Baloch Nationalism”.It examines thetheoreticalwritingsonthe subjectand concludesthat nationalismisthe senseofidentitysharedbya groupofpeoplewho are linked by either acivic-territorial or bya linguistic-ethnicbondand by the belief that theircorporate interestscan best be protectedbycontrol of their ownstate.
Thecentral themeofthe book revolves aroundtwo basicquestions:
1. Is therea Baloch nationalitywitha sufficientlydeveloped national consciousnessand distinctivecharacteristics shared by themembers of this nationality.
2. If so,isthe national consciousnessofthe Baloch,their determinationto maintain theirnationalidentity, and theirdesirefor politicalselfgovernment,strongenoughtosay that thereisa Baloch national movement.
Thebook serves severalpurposes. It fills agap in ourknowledge of Baloch nationalisminPakistanand Iran andexploresindetailits developmentin the1920-80 period.Byadoptinga comparativeapproach, it contributesto abetterunderstanding of sub-nationalmovements in both countries. The main approach to thestudy is historical:using primaryand secondary sources, it describesand analysesthe foundations, evolution, dynamics and implications of Baloch nationalism.
AN OT EA B OU TT RA NS LI TE RA TI ON AN D
CA LE ND AR
Thetransliteration of Balochi, Urdu,Arabicand Fasi namesand subject mattersinthisboo hadbeeninaccordancewithbothscholarly systemsand pronunciation. In themain, Ihaveattempted to preserve consistencyin pronunciation.
Priorto1990 thetransliteration of theethnonym“Baloch”was spelleda myriad of ways –“Baluch”, “Baloch”,“Belooch”,“Biloch”– themost commonbeing “Baluch” into English. In 1990the provincial government of PakistaniBalochistan decreed that theofficialEnglish spelling wastobe “Baloch”,and this hasbecomethe accepted standard in Pakistan.I have thereforeopted forthisspelling. Alloccurrenceofthe term in this thesis, except when used as apersonalname, in thetitle of abook,orina direct quotation, have been so standardised.
Thedates that appear next to theChristian datesinthe footnotesand bibliography arefor thebooks publishedinIranand Afghanistan, which correspondtoa civilsolarcalendar. Thebooks publishedinArabcountries aredated on thebasis of an Islamiclunar calendar,but in this book only the Christianequivalentdatehas been used.