Sardar Rab Nawaz Khan Khetran Chief (Tumandar), head of Khetran tribe during British rule

The Khetrans are a tribe found primarily in Dera Ghazi Khan and Barkhan District of Balochistan. Their area is a large hilly tract in the Sulaiman Mountains comprising the whole of Barkhan and Dera Ghazi Khan District as well as small parts of neighbouring Kohlu District to the south-west, and Musakhel District to the north. The total population is about 150,000, and at least two-thirds are speakers of the Khetrani language. Khetrans who have settled to the east in the Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab; they speak the Saraiki language.[1] who are sometimes considered as decendents of chief or ancestors of khetrans. Khetrans are also present in Sindh.

For some unknown reasons most of the Khetrans moved to Barkhan later spread over the north of Balochistan. Some believe it was Mughal Emperor Akbar's era.

Origins

Different sources mention Khetrans to be either Jats,[2] balochs[3][4] or pashtuns,[5] it is possible that Khetran tribe is combination of these three ethinic groups.[6][7][8] But they speak a Sindhic Khetrani language.[9]

Khetran-Bugti relationships

In 1845 under the command of Sir Charles James Napier 7,000 men attacked the Bugtis, killing many of them. Khetrans provided sanctuary to hundreds of Bugtis who took refuge in their lands.[10]

In 1847 Sir William attacked the Bugtis with full strength; this time the Bugtis lost 500 fighting men and 120 were arrested. Marris took the opportunity and also attacked the Bugtis, seizing much of their area. The Bugtis went to the Khetran Sardar and asked for his help; that same year a combined attack of Khetrans and Bugtis drove the Marris off, killing more than 70 of their men and taking possession of their cattle.[11]

Struggle against the British

Main article: Operations against the Marri and Khetran tribes

Both war parties of Khetrans and the Marris attacked Kohlu police station. After looting and then burning it down they attacked a post of Gumband Lavy and also raised it do the ground. All entry points towards the city of Kohlu were sealed off by these war parties.[12]

February 1918, Dera Ghazi Khan District was facing a threat of Khetran and Marri army. On 1 March Khar was attacked. Post office and a rest house was burned down. They also cleaned their hands on some weapons stored in post office. On 5 March they looted the city of Barkhan where the government treasury was kept. The Khetran army gathered in Rakni and Bawoata and then attacked Border Military burning down three of their posts. On 15 March Khetrans were seen along with Marris inside Fort Minro. That night government buildings and Bungalows were burnt down.[13]

The Khetrans, Marris and Bugtis yearly did damage of 25,000 Rupees and killed 25 people.[14]

References

  1. ^ Birmani, Ali H.; Ahmed, Fasih (2017). "Language of the Khetrans of Barkhan of Pakistani Balochistan: A preliminary description". Lingua. 191–192: 3–21. doi:10.1016/j.lingua.2016.12.003. ISSN 0024-3841. pp. 3–5
  2. ^ Quddus, Syed Abdul (1990). The Tribal Baluchistan. Ferozsons. p. 63. ISBN 978-969-0-10047-4.
  3. ^ Malik, Fida Hussain (14 October 2020). Balochistan: A Conflict of Narratives. Saiyid Books. ISBN 978-969-2200-02-8.
  4. ^ Indus: Journal of the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority. The Authority. 1970.
  5. ^ Singh, Maya; Clark, Henry Martyn (1895). The Panjábí Dictionary. Munshi Gulab Singh & Sons.
  6. ^ Quddus, Syed Abdul (1990). The Tribal Baluchistan. Ferozsons. ISBN 978-969-0-10047-4.
  7. ^ 1998 District Census Report of Barkhan. Population Census Organisation, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan. 1999. p. 7.
  8. ^ Sabri, Masud-ul-Hassan Khan (1994). The Culture and Society of Pakistan. Publishers Emporium. p. 414.
  9. ^ Mission Life; Or Home and Foreign Church Work. 1878. p. 343.
  10. ^ 'Pakistan Kay Siyasi Wadairay' by Aqeel Abass Jafari, Publisher: Jahngir Books, pages 433–434
  11. ^ Pakistan Kay Siyasi Wadairay by Aqeel Abass Jafari, Publisher: Jahngir Books, pages 433–434
  12. ^ "Tareek-e-Balochistan Part 2 by Gul Khan Nasseer Page 394.
  13. ^ "War History of Dera Ghazi Khan District" page 8,9.
  14. ^ "Tareekh-e-Balochistan " by Bahadur Hattu Ram, summary by Saleem Akhtar page 80 ISBN 978-969-35-0496-5.
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