Long ago, in the 1200s and 1300s, a group of fierce warriors called the Mongols swept across many parts of the world. They conquered lands from China to Europe, and one of the places they reached was Baluchistan, a region that’s now part of Pakistan and Iran. This story is about how the Mongols and the people who lived there changed Baluchistan.
The Mongols were led by influential leaders like Genghis Khan and his family. They were known for being tough fighters who could conquer huge areas quickly. In 1258, a Mongol leader named Hulagu Khan captured Baghdad, a significant city for Muslims then. This showed how strong the Mongols were and scared many people.
After conquering Iran, the Mongols established a government called the Ilkhanate. They put people in charge of different areas, and one of these people was Malik Shamsuddin Kurat. He was given control over parts of Central Asia, Afghanistan, and northern Baluchistan. Malik Shamsuddin Kurat was a harsh ruler who often attacked cities and villages in Baluchistan.
The way the Mongols ruled Baluchistan was complicated. In some places, Malik Shamsuddin Kurat was directly in charge. In other areas, local leaders were allowed to keep ruling but had to obey the Mongols. This meant there were often fights and arguments about who was in control.
Malik Shamsuddin Kurat was very cruel to the people of Baluchistan. He attacked many towns, especially places like Mastung, Teri, and Nushki. He killed lots of innocent people and destroyed villages. Because of this, many of the local Baloch tribes were very angry with him. Some of these tribes decided to run away to safer places in the deserts of Iran or the mountains near the sea.
Not all the Baloch people agreed on what to do about the Mongols. Some local leaders, including some from a tribe called the Kurds, decided to work with Malik Shamsuddin Kurat. But others, like Malik Miran Shah Kurd and Malik Salar Kurd, fought against him. Many people only obeyed Malik Shamsuddin Kurat because they feared being killed if they didn’t.
One important group of people in Baluchistan was the Sanjrani tribe. They had lived in the area for a very long time and used to rule parts of it. Malik Shamsuddin Kurat fought with this tribe, too, and even killed their leader, Ali Masud Sanjrani.
The Mongols were vital for a long time, but their power eventually weakened. By the 1400s, they were less potent than before. This gave the Baloch tribes a chance to regain control of their lands. They started to form alliances and set up their governments. For example, the Kambrani tribe took control of Sorab, and the Rind and Lashar tribes joined to rule in Makran.
The Mongols’ rule had long-lasting effects on Baluchistan. Many people had to move to new places, which changed where different groups lived. The way tribes worked together or fought each other also changed. The Mongols brought new ideas about running a government, which influenced how things were done in Baluchistan for a long time.
Even though Mongol times were tough for the people of Baluchistan, with lots of fighting and suffering, they also led to new ways of organizing their society. The tribes that joined together to fight the Mongols or to rule themselves after the Mongols left became important in shaping the future of Baluchistan.
Understanding this part of history helps us see why Baluchistan is the way it is today. It shows how people can adapt to difficult situations and how events from long ago can still affect how people live and think hundreds of years later.
The story of the Mongols in Baluchistan reminds us that history is often complicated. It’s about how different groups of people interact and how those interactions can change entire regions. It also shows that even in tough times, people find ways to survive and eventually rebuild their communities.
Today, Baluchistan is still an important region with a rich culture shaped by many different influences over the centuries. The time of the Mongols was just one chapter in its long history, but it was a chapter that helped make Baluchistan what it is now—a place with a unique identity formed by centuries of struggle, adaptation, and resilience.
Article written by Faryal Baloch – an independent researcher.
