Makran (princely state)

For the region of the same name, see Makran.

Not to be confused with Sultanate of Makran.

Makran (Urdu: ریاست مکران) was an autonomous princely state in a subsidiary alliance with British India until 1947, before being absorbed as an autonomous princely state of Pakistan.^[1] It ceased to exist in 1955. It was located in the extreme southwest of present-day Pakistan, an area now parts of the districts of Gwadar, Kech and Panjgur. The state did not include the enclave of Omani Gwadar, which was under Omani rule until 1958.

Makran state Balochi: مکُران
c.1740s–1955
Flag
Makran state in Pakistan 1955 (in red)
Status	Independent Kingdom (1740s-1839) Princely state under British Raj(1839-1947) Princely state of Pakistan (1947-1955)
Capital	Kech(Main) Panjgur(Cadet branch) Tump(Cadet branch)
Common languages	Balochi Brahui
Religion	Islam
Demonym(s)	Makrani
Government	Absolute Monarchy
Nawab
• 1898-1917	Sardar Mir Mehrullah Khan (first known)
• 1948-1955	Nawab Mir Bai Khan Gichki (last)
History
• Mulla Murad Gichki conquers Kech valley	c.1740s
• Disestablished under One Unit Scheme	1955
Area
• Total	54,000 km2 (21,000 sq mi)
Preceded by Succeeded by Mughal Empire Pakistan
Today part of	Pakistan

Gichki domains of Kech, Panjgur and Tump under the Khanate of Kalat in 1789.

Makran in British India 1940 (in red)

History

Makran state was ruled by Gichki Nawabs,^[2] who were of Rajput origins.^[3][4]

Their ancestor, Jagat Singh, had migrated from Rajputana in the 17th century and converted to Islam. The Gichki now identify as Baloch.^[5]

On 21 March 1948, after the partition of India, the rulers of Makran, Kharan, and Las Bela all announced that they were ceding their states to the Dominion of Pakistan. Their rulers signed the official documents.^[6]

Demographics

Religious groups in the Makran Division of Kalat State (British Baluchistan era)

Religious group	1911[7]		1921[8]		1931[9]		1941[10]
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Islam	71,758	99.74%	71,625	99.67%	68,213	99.64%	86,406	99.72%
Hinduism	137	0.19%	216	0.3%	233	0.34%	206	0.24%
Christianity	40	0.06%	11	0.02%	11	0.02%	20	0.02%
Sikhism	2	0%	8	0.01%	3	0%	17	0.02%
Zoroastrianism	4	0.01%	0	0%	0	0%	1	0%
Buddhism	1	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%
Judaism	0	0%	0	0%	2	0%	1	0%
Jainism	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%
Tribal	—	—	—	—	0	0%	0	0%
Others	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%
Total population	71,942	100%	71,860	100%	68,462	100%	86,651	100%

See also

• Khanate of Kalat
• Baluchistan States Union