Social media is abuzz on Maratha connections to current inhabitants of Baluchistan. To verify the authenticity of this I did some research.
Kanchan Banerjee
There are many theories about the origin of the name Baloch; one of them suggests that the region was sometimes referred to as Baloksh in a Sanskrit text. On the other hand, one of the oldest archaeological sites is found in Mhergarh – the oldest (at least 7000 BCE) farming and cattle growing region of South Asia – connected to the Indus-Saraswati civilization. Mehrgarh has a connection to Mehr (old Persian) and Mithra of the Vedas (both are related to the Sun). So Mehrgar can be translated as the Fort of Sun or Mithra.
Long before the arrival of Islam in the seventh century, parts of Baluchistan were ruled by the Paratarajas, a Hindu dynasty. At certain times, the Kushans also ruled parts of Baluchistan.
The Hindu Sewa Dynasty also ruled parts of Baluchistan, mainly Kalat region. The Sibi Division, which was carved out of Quetta Division and Kalat Division in 1974, derives its name from Rani Sewi, the queen of the Sewa dynasty. Sibi or Sewa has a connection to Shiva. (More about it later and more details in my first book, #thecrashofacivilization ).
Fast forward:
In 1947-48, though there was no consensus among the Baloch groups, Baluchistan was coerced or forced to join Pakistan, hence no end to the independence movements, which seems to be very close now.
Now the Maratha connection – What historical evidence says:
The Third Battle of Panipat, fought on January 14, 1761, between the Maratha Empire under the leadership of Sadashivrao Bhau faced a coalition led by Ahmad Shah Durrani, the King of Afghanistan, Rohilla Afghans, and the Nawab of Oudh.
The battle resulted in an Afghan victory, ending the Maratha’s attempt to succeed the Mughals as rulers of India. The battle marked a virtual end to the Mughal Empire and paved the way for the British East India Company’s expansion in India.
After the battle, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians (including women and children) were killed, and a large number of them were enslaved, taken captive by Abdali’s forces. Approximately fifty to seventy-five thousand soldiers of the Peshwas from Pune were captured and taken as slaves to Baluchistan, which was then a part of Afghanistan.
Many were taken to Afghanistan, Persia (Iran), and regions west of the Indus. Maratha prisoners were sold in slave markets of Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and parts of Persia. The enslaved Marathas were subjected to hard labor, forced conversions, and domestic slavery.
All above are from documented sources.
And then asked ChatGPT about Maratha-Baloch relations. As if someone told CGPT to hide something and responded:
“The historical and cultural connection between the Baloch people and the Marathas of India is subtle but interesting. … While the Marathas and Baloch don’t share a direct cultural or historical alliance, they have intersected in the larger geopolitical chessboard of South Asia, especially in the 18th century. Their shared warrior culture, resistance against empires, and strategic positions form an interesting comparative historical study.
.. While there is no direct, large-scale documentation that says “Maratha prisoners were specifically enslaved in Balochistan”, it is geographically plausible.”
Though online searches do not yield much, I shared the following with a couple of friends knowledgeable about Baluchistan, and they tentatively confirmed the following:
Once the army left the Indian border, they were in the province of Dera Bugti of Baluchistan. Few of the soldiers of the Baloch ruler had fought alongside Abdali in the Panipat war, and Abdali had to offer some compensation for the help.
Abdali offered all the slaves (prisoners of war) as a gift to the Baloch ruler. And these people have lived there since then. But the real reason why Abdali gave away the slaves was that the Maratha prisoners were tired after a long journey. Hence, he decided to get rid of them under the pretext of a gift.
Initially, it was a challenging time for these warriors. They were abandoned in an area where no farms existed, and the entire region was arid. They managed to find a source of water and started farming. Slowly, their life was beginning to look up. All these prisoners were forced to convert to Islam, but we can still find traces of Marathi culture in their lifestyle.
The evidence of their Marathi origin can be seen from their caste surnames. One of the sub-castes of Bugti is named after Shahu (grandson of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj). The Baloch Marathas also have the surname Peshwani, named after the Peshwas. The Shahu Marathas may have converted to Islam, but Marathi culture is evident in their marriages.
The Bugti Marathas have a Haldi ceremony, tying the knot (as in Saptapadi) and entering the new house by crossing over a rice bowl (माप ओलांडणे). Along with traditions and culture, the Baluchi language has a lineage with Marathi. The Shahu Marathas address their mother as Aai (आई), and the overall Bugti tribe has also accepted that. The women are named as Godi (गोदी), Kamol (कमोल), which used to be typical Marathi names in the past.
Multiple Attacks in Balochistan – What , Where, How, Who, Why – by Tazeen Akhtar
These people are still known by these names:
* Peshwani Maratha (These were relatives of the Peshwas who were captured. A brother of the then Peshwa (?) was also captured and taken to Baluchistan).
* Bugti Maratha.
* Kalpar Maratha.
* Nothani Maratha.
* Shambani Maratha.
* Mosni Maratha.
* Shou Maratha.
There are 20 such Marathi communities (?) whose surnames end with “Maratha.” All of them are still connected to the customs and traditions of Maharashtra, and even today, these Marathas celebrate all festivals in the Maharashtrian way and arrange marriages among themselves. [source not verified]
These Marathas still don’t call their mother “Ammijan”; they call her “Aai” (mother) like us in Marathi. They still devoutly worship Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Peshwas. In every Baloch Maratha’s house, a hidden picture of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is kept. (The Pakistani Army searches houses there, and if these photos are found, it is considered a major act of treason). And even today, these Baloch Marathas fight the Pakistanis using guerrilla warfare tactics.
There have been four major rebellions in recent times in Baluchistan , and Marathi descendants led these rebellions. The following rebel groups (banned by Pakistan) are currently in daily conflict with Pakistani Army.
* Baloch Liberation Army.
* Baloch Republican Army.
* Baloch Republican Guard.
* United Baloch Army.
* Baloch Liberation Front.
* Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS).
* Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA).
* Jundallah.
Wadera Din Muhammad Marhtta Bugti serves as the chief of the Marhtta Qaumii Itehad, the principal organization representing the Maratha-descended community in Balochistan, Pakistan.
Despite forced conversions to Islam and initial hardships, the community has preserved elements of their Marathi heritage. Cultural practices such as the marriage related Haldi ceremony, Saptapadi rituals, and the use of Marathi terms like “Aai” for mother remain prevalent. Surnames like Shahu and Peshwani also reflect their ancestral roots.
In a message, its Chief, Wadera Din Muhammad Marhtta Bugti and other members like Wazir Khan Marhtta, Zafar Marhtta Bugti and Nasrullah Marhtta Bugti echo the sentiments such as:-
• We have not forgotten our roots.
• We have conserved the century-old traditions in our everyday lives.
• We are warriors by birth.
• We have established ourselves here in all major fields such as the military, education, politics, agriculture, telecom, etc.
Several Marathi words and dishes are still part of our culture. Due to religious restrictions, we cannot celebrate the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji, but we keep his memories alive.
[sources not verified]
There is an annual fair called Sibi Mela. After some deep research I could not trace the origin of this mela where the Britishers introduced selling of horses and other cattle. Sibi sounded like has to do with Shiva. Also, the fair happens around the Shivaratri in February.
About Kanchan :
Kanchan Banerjee was born in a small village of West Bengal, India, where he had the first-hand experience of the Communist movements, including the rise of the Left Front and Naxalism. He also has excellent experience through his interaction with the Muslim community in his native place in Barddhaman. Later, he moved to the USA to study Computer science.
As it happens with anybody living far away from his or her native place, he also feels a deeper connection to the roots. From far Kanchan could see India in a different light. The India of the past, invaded, colonized, yet survived along with its cultural history and heritage.
He started questioning many facts about India learned from textbooks in India and the West, media, and literature. That’s when he began researching and studying Indian history in world contexts to determine why Indians are so naïve about their past and completely callous about their future and the way out for India to become.
