The Lessons Drawn From the British Rule in Balochistan: An Appraisal

Abstract

Balochistan, with its historically rich culture, is the largest province of Pakistan. It is located in a unique part of this region as it lies at the juncture of various civilizations, e.g. Iran in the West, Indus in the South, Gandhara in the NorthEast, and above all the Arabian Sea in the South-West directions. This has played a significant role in shaping the future fortune of Balochistan’s populace. Being at the crossroad of trade and military routes, Balochistan has always offered an attraction to the adventurers of international politics. In the same way, the British administration developed enormous interests in Balochistan because of its unique location. The paramount question in this paper is, why, despite all social, economic and political developments, is Pakistan still failing to solve the contemporary Balochistan issue? In this study, a historiographical technique of analysis is the base to evaluate the historical facts of the study critically. The lessons for a peaceful solution to this problem can be drawn from the history of Colonial (British) hundred-years-rule through effective policy manoeuvring according to the local and imperial interests