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
Gichki domains of Kech, Panjgur and Tump under the Khanate of Kalat in 1789
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	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 Dominion of Pakistan
Today part of	Pakistan

History

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

Establishment

Their ancestor, Jagat Singh, had migrated from Rajputana in the 17th century and converted to Islam. The Gichki now identify as Baloch.^[5] The political turmoil in Makran during the 17th and 18th centuries attracted several bands of raiders from the neighbouring regions; among them were Buledi, Gichki, and Nausherwanis, the latter of whom were said to have originated in northeast Iran,^[6] who later established their state in Kharan.

According to a locally well-known tradition from Makran, the ancestors of Gichki were forty Rajput horsemen from north; in an alliance with Buledi, Gichki killed the then ruler of Kech, a certain Malik Mirza. Soon conflict broke out between the two tribes and Gichki ousted Buledi as well, hence gaining complete control over Makran. Fabietti considers the factuality of some of the details mentioned in this account uncertain, although he believes that the migration of Gichki Rajputs and the struggle between them and Buledi probably had a historical basis.^[7]

Administration

The administration of the realm was subdivided between various branches. Two major branches of the Gichkis, Isazai and Dinarzai ruled Panjgur and Kech respectively.^[8]

British Era

The advent of British rule weakened the influence of Kalat, allowing Gichki Nawabs to assert their internal independence again.

Makran in British India 1940 (in red)

Architecture

Gichki castles in Kech were surveyed by Fiorani Piacentini et al. between 1987 and 1991, who described their architecture as a blend of Rajput heritage of Gichki Nawabs and the Persian culture followed by them.^[9]

Accession to Pakistan

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.^[10]The last Nawab, Mir Baian Gichki acceded to Pakistan in 1947.^[11][12]

Demographics

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

Religious group	1911[13]		1921[14]		1931[15]		1941[16]
	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
• Kadu Makrani, 19th century revolutionary.