The predominantly ethnic Baloch coastal indigenous communities, stretching from Kech to Keti Bandar, along the Pakistan—Balochistan and Sindh—and Iran-Baluchistan coast, have played an active role in the socio-economic connectivity and cultural history of the Indian Ocean region, from South India to the Persian Gulf and East Africa, over many centuries.
The current status of coast-to-coast connections between this transnational ethnic group remains an infrequently trodden path by academics and policymakers. Hence, its true potential in the present and future geoeconomics and politics of the Indian Ocean region has yet to be explored.
During an ethnographic study on the coastal communities of Balochistan, vis-à-vis the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) back in 2017-18, I was astonished to learn about the rich history of the indigenous Kalmati tribe and their rich political and economic contributions to the regional history, the geoeconomic importance of the Hormuz region in the pre-modern period, its colonisation by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the struggle of the locals against the colonisers and their Omani, Mughal and Safavid allies. The name of Hammal Kalmati in Baloch folklore, the allegiance of the Khan of Kalat with the Ottoman Caliph Sultan Sulaiman against the Portuguese invaders, the takeover of the Hormuz state by the Safavids after the exit of the Portuguese, and the emergence of Oman as a regional maritime power, and a coloniser itself, recruiting hundreds of thousands of Baloch and Jatt mercenaries from Makran and Sindh coast to subjugate the fiefdoms in the Gulf region and East Africa, the significance of Karachi, before the British Raj, as a slave trade hub with teenage slaves being brought to be sold from the Portuguese and Dutch colonies of Africa, was all a fascinating revelation.
I was surprised and shocked that even though I was born and raised in Karachi, and have a strong literary family background, I was not aware of all this amazing history of my region and its indigenous people; not even that the famous Chaukandi necropolis in Karachi mostly belongs to the Kalmati tribes or the Jokhias who defeated them and took over the coastal districts of Sindh from them. The more I explored and read about it, the more my fascination with these people and the society they have created across the Afro-Asian region grew more and more. Eventually, I developed my doctorate proposal on the subject, which I am currently pursuing at the Quaid-i-Azam University.
The Afro-Asian maritime region has been a hub of trade and connectivity for centuries. Long before the advent of colonialism, Indian trading communities linked the Middle East and Africa, with Baloch traders navigating the seas since the 12th century. They traded across a wide geographical area, spanning from Southeast Asia to Europe, and their maritime prowess made them significant players in the region.
Their presence on these sea routes also carried military significance. In the pre-colonial period, the Baloch's knowledge of sea routes posed a challenge to emerging powers seeking to control maritime trade through the region. Notably, their influence extended to the slave trade, with Makran (including Karachi) serving as a major market. Slaves from East and West Africa, the Persian Gulf, and South Asia passed through Baloch territories, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates, particularly with Pakistan's Sheedi community, mostly descendants of the African slaves.
Accustomed to travelling and interacting freely across the Afro-Asian region, the Baloch suddenly found themselves constrained by modern nation-state systems, which imposed new legal and economic structures that alienated them from their historical ways of life
Internal conflicts also contributed to the evolution of the Baloch diaspora. A civil war between the Rinds and Lasharis led some Baloch tribes to move inland towards present-day Pakistan, while others gravitated towards the coast. These coastal migrants intermingled with Gujaratis, East Africans, and other maritime communities, establishing settlements along various ports. The Baloch became a highly mobile seafaring people, reinforcing their role as a significant trading and military group.
Baloch military involvement spans centuries. Baloch soldiers fought for the Portuguese and, later, for the Omani rulers after the Portuguese lost their stronghold in Muscat. Even in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Baloch were found in the Arab world, particularly in Oman, where they defended Muscat and participated in various military campaigns. The relationship between the Baloch and their Omani rulers deepened, especially when the ruler of Kalat handed over control of Gwadar to an Omani prince in the 18th century.
The Omani conquest of East Africa in the 19th century, aided by Baloch soldiers, further cemented their presence in the region. Many Baloch families settled in East Africa, expanding from Zanzibar to mainland areas like Tanganyika and Kigoma, contributing militarily and economically. This military and trading involvement in Africa demonstrates the breadth of Baloch transnational connections, with their presence in African regions stretching from the slave trade to colonial military service.
The formation of nation-states after the colonial era significantly altered transnational identities of the Baloch. Before colonialism, the Afro-Asian region was characterised by fluid movement across borders, with no need for passports or visas. Coastal societies, including the Baloch, relied on this free movement for their livelihoods. However, the introduction of passports and border controls disrupted these traditional ways of life.
The British Empire's ban on the slave trade and its restrictions on the free movement of people had a profound impact on the Baloch. These changes curtailed their traditional mercenary and trading activities. The Baloch, accustomed to travelling and interacting freely across the Afro-Asian region, suddenly found themselves constrained by modern nation-state systems, which imposed new legal and economic structures that alienated them from their historical ways of life.
In the post-colonial period, transnational Baloch identity has faced significant challenges. The rise of autonomous Gulf states and the discovery of oil reshaped the socio-economic landscape for the Baloch in the Middle East. Previously valued for their bravery and military skills, the Baloch saw their social standing diminish as oil wealth brought new opportunities and foreign actors to the region. However, Baloch communities in Oman have maintained some of their traditions, including speaking Balochi and listening to Balochi music, preserving their distinct identity in the face of modern state formation.
Projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the development of the Gwadar Port offer new opportunities, but the Baloch lack the capacity to fully benefit from these developments
In the UAE, Baloch citizens face different challenges, often lacking full citizenship status and basic state-provided benefits. The UAE's plan to relocate non-Arab ethnic groups, including the Baloch, to the Comoros Islands further exemplifies the precarious position many Baloch find themselves in today.
The situation is similar in East Africa, where the Baloch have largely assimilated into local cultures. Few Baloch can speak their native language, and their transnational connections no longer provide the economic opportunities they once did. Despite these shifts, the Baloch are visible in diverse sectors, from medicine and business to law enforcement and governance.
In Pakistan, the Baloch population, concentrated in the geographically vast but sparsely populated province of Balochistan, faces marginalisation. Historically reliant on maritime trade and coastal economies, they were further marginalised by a land-focused economic policy that ignored the potential of the blue economy. Projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the development of the Gwadar Port offer new opportunities, but the Baloch lack the capacity to fully benefit from these developments.
Moreover, the exclusion of Baloch history and identity from national discourse has compounded their marginalisation. The lack of understanding of their historical, transnational connections, and colonialism's impacts have left many Baloch communities struggling to adapt to the modern nation-state model. This marginalisation is not unique to Pakistan; similar dynamics exist in other regions with Baloch populations.
Despite these challenges, the transnational Baloch identity remains a significant historical phenomenon across the Afro-Asian region. The Baloch played pivotal roles in trade, military service, and governance across the Indian Ocean and East Africa. Although the formation of nation-states and modern economic systems has disrupted many of their traditional roles, the Baloch continue to adapt, finding new opportunities in an ever-changing world.