Taj Muhammad Breseeg in his research work entitled
‘Baloch Nationalism: its origin ar. development’ observes, even in the late
century when modernization and urbanization ha reduced the importance of tribes
and tribal organizations, the influence of tribal pattern was r. destroyed.
Baloch society adheres to traditional way of life. Despite the emergence of
politic. Parties there, tribal organizations still play a dominant role in the
local and provincial administration.
The British, in return for the chieftain’s loyalty
gave them free hand to keep the tribal v of life largely unchanged. But the
creation of Pakistan and annexation of western part Balochistan by Iran hanged
the situation Selg Harrison counted existence of 17 major tribal groupings in
Balochistan in 1981. Each of them was headed by a sardar, selected from the ma;
of the ruling clan in each tribe. Harrison mentions some 400 tribal
sub-groupings headed by lesser sardars. The most disliked features of the
Baloch society are the sardari and jirga institutions. The jirga acts as a
court of law. Other personalities of the tribal administration are muqqaddam,
wadera and motaber. Under the British rule, the traditional pattern of the
Baloch jirga began to change. Sir Robert Sandeman introduced a new kind of
jirga the Shahi jirga which was held at Quetta, Sibi and Fort Monro once or
twice a year. Its designs could be reviewed by Political Agent only. The Shahi
Jirga was a mechanism of indirect rule of the British with the help of tribal
elders loyal to the British who would not hesitate to act against their own
people, as and when required. The sardari system appears to have its origin in
the Mughal period. It is highly centralized and hierarchical. The sardar is the
hereditary chief from whom power flows downward to waderas, the section chiefs,
and beyond them to subordinate clan and subclan leaders of lesser tribal
status. The sardar’s extra-ordinary authority stems from the military character
of early Baloch society.
Modernization has changed much of the tribal
system. The change commenced with the demarcation of the international
boundaries at the end of the 19th century. The new frontiers partitioned
Balochistan between three states that divided some of the large tribes between
countries. The Naruis, the Sanjranis, the Rikis and the Brohis were divided
among Iran, Afghanistan and British Balochistan. The second change occurred
between the two world wars, Fron 1928 onwards. Tehran often used its Army to
forcibly subdue the Baloch destroying much of the tribe in the process.
The traditional social organization of the Iranian
Baloch has begun to change in the wake of rapid growth of urbanization,
expansion of modern means of communication, spread of education and economic
progress. The rate of change in Pakistani Baloch is slower. Islamabad however,
tends to ignore the emergence of Baloch nationalism. Most sardars have
attempted to remain away from these national movements to safeguard their
rights and privileges while keeping door open for supporting the l3aloch
nationalism in times of confrontation between the Balochis and the central
government as in the case of 1973-77 insurgency. The Iranian Revolution of 1979
inflicted the most significant blow to the influence of sardars in Western
Balochistan.
In traditional tribal societies a political
ideology such as Baloch nationalism would be unable to gain ground because the
loyalties of the members of a tribe do not extend to other tribes. The failure
of tribes to unite for the cause of Baloch nationalism so far is quite evident.
Within the tribe, an individual’s identity is based on his belonging to a
larger group. This larger group is not the nation but the tribe itself.
However, non-tribal movement of different tribal structures should not be
underestimated. In this respect the Baloch movements of 1920s, 1930s and I 940s
provide examples.
A process of de-triblization has set in due to
brisk urbanization and to some extent the land reforms of Bhutto. A Baloch
working class has formed up in the mine industry, construction activity and all
kinds of factories. People have become mechanics, electricians, plumbers,
painters and transporters. A middle class has also emerged consisting of small
entrepreneurs, doctors. nurses, engineers, teachers, bank managers, lawyers and
journalists. The migrant labour has traveled as far as Gulf States.
With the appearance of the middle class, the
traditional role of sardars has declined in importance. Baloch intelligentia
seems to be more eager to assume a political role on its own. Future leaders will be of non-sardari decent.
They should be groomed through a national education policy to rise above the
tribal prejudices and become part of the main national stream.