View source for Baloch people

{{Short description|Ethnolinguistic group native to South Asia and Iran}}
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{{excessive citations|date=September 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}{{EngvarB|date = December 2017}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Baloch
| native_name      = بلۏچ
| native_name_lang = bal
| flag_caption     = [[Flag of Balochistan, Pakistan|Flag of Balochistan]]
| image            = baloch_people_(8).jpg
| caption          =  Baloch people
| population       = {{plainlist|
c. 15 million
}}
| region1          = Pakistan
| pop1             = 8,117,795 ([[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]]){{efn|Only includes those who speak Balochi as mother tongue}}
| ref1             = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/national/table_11.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005130123/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/national/table_11.pdf|archive-date=5 October 2024|title=Table 11: Population by Mother Tongue, Sex, and Rural/Urban – 2023 Census}}</ref>
| region2          = Iran
| pop2             = 4.8 million<ref name=":unpo">{{cite web |title=West Balochistan|url=https://unpo.org/member/west-balochistan|website=[[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]] |access-date=December 18, 2024}}</ref>
| ref2             = 
| region3          = Afghanistan
| pop3             = 1.1 million
| ref3             = 
| region4          = [[Oman]]
| pop4             = 1,000,000
| ref4             = <ref>{{Cite book |last1=Long |first1=Roger D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzivCgAAQBAJ&dq=omani+baloch&pg=PA129 |title=State and Nation-Building in Pakistan: Beyond Islam and Security |last2=Singh |first2=Gurharpal |last3=Samad |first3=Yunas |last4=Talbot |first4=Ian |date=2015-10-08 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-44820-4 |language=en}}</ref>
| region5          = [[UAE]]
| pop5             = 383,000
| ref5             = <ref name="thebalochistanpost">{{Cite web|url=https://thebalochistanpost.net/2023/02/baloch-population-scattered-around-the-world/| title=Baloch population scattered around the world | date=20 February 2025 }}</ref>
| region6          = India
| pop6             = 64,000
| ref6             = <ref name="thebalochistanpost"/>
| region7          = [[Qatar]]
| pop7             = 53,000
| ref7             = <ref name="thebalochistanpost"/>
| region8          = [[Bahrain]]
| pop8             = 44,000
| ref8             = <ref>{{cite web|title=Baloch population scattered around the world |date=16 February 2023 |url=https://thebalochistanpost.net/2023/02/baloch-population-scattered-around-the-world|access-date=December 18, 2024}}</ref>
| region9          = [[Turkmenistan]]
| pop9             = 36,000
| ref9             = <ref>{{Cite book |last1=Long |first1=Roger D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzivCgAAQBAJ&dq=baloch+million+Afghanistan&pg=PA129 |title=State and Nation-Building in Pakistan: Beyond Islam and Security |last2=Singh |first2=Gurharpal |last3=Samad |first3=Yunas |last4=Talbot |first4=Ian |date=2015-10-08 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-44820-4 |pages=129 |language=en}}</ref>
| region10         = [[Kuwait]]
| pop10            = 20,000
| ref10            = 
| region11         = [[Saudi Arabia]]
| pop11            = 12,000
| ref11            = 
| region12         = [[Somalia]]
| pop12            = 11,000
| ref12            = <ref>{{cite web |title=Southern Baloch in Somalia|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/15034/SO|website=[[Joshua Project]] |access-date=December 18, 2024}}</ref>
| langs            = [[Balochi language|Balochi]], [[Brahui language|Brahui]], various other languages of host regions spoken by splinter groups

Other languages:
 [[Persian language|Persian]] (in Iran and Afghanistan), [[Urdu]] (in Pakistan), [[Pashto]] (in Afghanistan), [[English language|English]]
| religions        = [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]] Predominantly [[Islam]] (mainly [[Sunni Islam]])
| related          = [[Brahui people|Brahuis]], other [[Iranian peoples]]
| footnotes        = 
}}
{{Baloch people}}
The '''Baloch''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ə|ˈ|l|oʊ|tʃ}} {{respell|bə|LOHCH}}) or '''Baluch''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ə|ˈ|l|uː|tʃ}} {{respell|bə|LOOCH}}; {{langx|bal|بلۏچ|Balòc|engvar=gb}}) are an [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]] [[Nomadic pastoralism|nomadic pastoral]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Laura |first=Etheredge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IM6J4sgCU28C&dq=Baloch+nomads&pg=PA66 |title=Persian Gulf States: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates |date=2011-01-15 |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc |isbn=978-1-61530-327-4 |pages=66 |language=en |quote=The '''Baloch''' are traditionally '''nomads''', but settled agricultural existence is becoming more common; every chief has a fixed residence. The villages are collections of mud or stone huts; on the hills, enclosures of rough stone walls are covered with matting to serve as temporary habitations. The Baloch raise '''camels, cattle, sheep, and goats''' and engage in carpet making and embroidery. They engage in agriculture using simple methods and are chiefly Muslim.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bashir |first1=Shahzad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o1jvYqOkC0YC&dq=Baloch+nomads&pg=PA140 |title=Under the Drones |last2=Crews |first2=Robert D. |date=2012-05-28 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-06476-8 |pages=140 |language=en |quote=In southwestern Afghanistan the '''Baloch''' have traditionally been '''nomads''', and some of them continue to lead a '''nomadic''' way of life today. Over the course of the twentieth century most Baloch settled down in the southwest and started a sedentary way of life based on pastoralism and irrigated agriculture. Repeated droughts during the last two decades caused many Baloch to give up livestock farming and agriculture,}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gayer |first=Laurent |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BklRBAAAQBAJ&dq=Baloch+nomads&pg=PA128 |title=Karachi: Ordered Disorder and the Struggle for the City |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-935444-3 |pages=127_128 |language=en |quote=Lyari's first residents were Sindhi fishermen and '''Baloch nomads''' (pawans) from Makran, Lasbela and Kalat districts, flee- ing drought and tribal feuds. A first influx occurred around 1725, a few years before Sindhi banyas settled in Karachi and committed to expand it. A second wave of Baloch settlers arrived around 1770, when Karachi came under the control of the Khan of Kalat, following an accord between the Khan and the Kalhora rulers of Sindh. A third wave of Baloch migra- tion took place after 1795, following the annexation of the city by the Talpur rulers of Sindh, which attracted Baloch tribesmen from interior Sindh and the Seraiki belt, many of whom found employment as guards, particularly at the Manora fort.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Shahrani |first=M. Nazif |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wRlZDwAAQBAJ&dq=Baloch+nomads&pg=PA278 |title=Modern Afghanistan: The Impact of 40 Years of War |date=2018-02-10 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-03026-9 |pages=276 |language=en |quote=According to one of the members of the group's lead- ing (Sardar) family whom I met in Pakistan in 2012, the reason for abandoning the settlements in southern Nimruz was that the Sanjerani landowners were threatened by the "communist regime" in Afghanistan in the 1980s. So the Sanjerani moved almost completely to Baloch areas in Pakistan and Iran. At the same time the Brahui, '''Baloch groups of pastoral nomads''', established the main local mujahideen faction, the Jabhe-ye Nimruz and took over most of the for- mer property of the Sanjerani (see below).}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nahyan |first1=Mansoor Bin Tahnoon Al |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IICXDwAAQBAJ&dq=Baloch+pastoral+people&pg=PA73 |title=Tribes of Pakistan |last2=Hussain |first2=Jamal |last3=Ghafoor |first3=Asad ul |date=2019-05-09 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-5275-3439-1 |pages=73 |language=en |quote=The '''Baloch''', like the Brahuis, are divided geographically into two groups, the Suleimani (northerners) and the Makrani (southerners) occupying the respective parts of the province, with the central areas inhabited by the Brahuis." Historically, they have also been a nomadic '''pastoral''' people living in the open and avoiding towns.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Phillips |first=David J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=54gyRnhIugkC&dq=Baloch+pastoralit&pg=PA289 |title=Peoples on the Move: Introducing the Nomads of the World |date=2001 |publisher=William Carey Library |isbn=978-0-87808-352-7 |pages=289 |language=en |quote=They are united by language and a common culture, and the name '''Baluch''' has the connotation of a tent-dwelling '''nomadic pastoralist''', although most of them have never lived like that. The '''Baluch''' practice different combinations of agriculture and '''pastoralism'''.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dong |first1=Shikui |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JJjvDAAAQBAJ&dq=Baloch+pastoralists&pg=PA4 |title=Building Resilience of Human-Natural Systems of Pastoralism in the Developing World: Interdisciplinary Perspectives |last2=Kassam |first2=Karim-Aly S. |last3=Tourrand |first3=Jean François |last4=Boone |first4=Randall B. |date=2016-08-30 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-30732-9 |pages=4 |language=en |quote=Some pastoral groups in the world: (a) Tibetan in Qinghai, China; (b) Kirghiz in Badakhshan, Afghanistan: (c) Boran in Borana, Ethiopia; (d) Massai in Kenya; (e) Mongol in Inner Mongolia, China; (1) Tajik in Yangi Qala, Afghanistan; (g) Bedouin in Negev, Israel; (h) '''Baloch in northern Pakistan'''.}}</ref> ethnic group which speaks the [[Western Iranian|Western Iranic]] [[Balochi language]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zehi |first=Pirmohamad |title=A Cultural Anthropology of Baluchis |url=http://www.iranchamber.com/people/articles/cultural_anthropology_of_baluchis.php |website=Iran Chamber Society}}</ref> and are native to the [[Balochistan]] region of [[South Asia|South]] and [[West Asia]], occupying parts of [[Pakistan]], [[Iran]], and [[Afghanistan]]. There are also [[Baloch diaspora]] communities in neighbouring regions, including in [[Central Asia]], and the [[Arabian Peninsula]].

The majority of the Baloch reside within Pakistan. About 50% of the total Baloch population live in the Pakistani province of [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]],<ref>Blood, Peter, ed. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+pk0055) "Baloch"]. ''Pakistan: A Country Study''. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1995.</ref> while 40% are [[Baloch people in Sindh|settled in Sindh]] and a significant albeit smaller number resides in the [[Baloch people in Punjab|Pakistani Punjab]]. They make up 3.6% of Pakistan's total population, and around 2% of the populations of both Iran and Afghanistan<ref>{{cite web |last=Central Intelligence Agency |date=2013 |title=The World Factbook: Ethnic Groups |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2075.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116044500/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2075.html |archive-date=16 November 2018 |access-date=3 November 2014}}</ref> and the largest non-Arab community in [[Omani Baloch|Oman]].<ref name="Peterson2">{{cite web |title=Oman's Diverse Society: Northern Oman |url=http://www.jepeterson.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/oman_diverse_society_northern_oman.pdf |website=JE Peterson}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The exact origin of the word "Baloch" is unclear. According to the Baloch historian Naseer Dashti (2012), the name of the ethnic group derives from 'Balaschik' living in [[Balasagan]], between the [[Caspian Sea]] and [[Lake Van]] in present-day Turkey and Azerbaijan, who are believed to have migrated to Balochistan during the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian]] times.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=8,&nbsp;33–34,&nbsp;44}} The remnants of the original name such as "Balochuk" and "Balochiki" are said to be still used as ethnic names in Balochistan.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=33–34}}

Some other writers suggest a derivation from [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] words ''bal'', meaning strength, and ''och'' meaning high or magnificent.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=33–34}}

Regardless of its possible roots in ancient era, the ethnonym Baloch might be derived from a term cockscomb or crest used in [[Middle Persian]] that refer to the Baloch in [[Median kingdom]] and [[Kayanian dynasty]] who were part of the army of [[Astyages]] or [[Kay Khosrow]] troops.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=33}}<ref name=":The Baloch race2">{{cite book |last1=Dames |first1=Mansel Longworth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kf0RAAAAYAAJ |title=The Baloch race. A historical and ethnological sketch |date=1904 |publisher=London, Royal Asiatic society |pages=22, 26, 29}}</ref> In ancient time, the Baloch wore distinctive helmets decorated with a cock's comb.<ref name=":ashkash2">{{Cite web |title=AŠKAŠ |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/askas-an-iranian-hero-in-the-reign-of-kay-kosrow |website=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]}}</ref> It is presumably indicated to Turban that known as the "Paag" in Balochi language. The Baloch traditionally wear various styles of the turban, wrapped around the head.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=130}}

[[Ernst Herzfeld|Ernst Emil Herzfeld]] believes that the word Baloch is derived from the [[Median language|Median]] term "*brza -vačiya" meaning "loud shouting".<ref>Iran in the Ancient East: Archaeological Studies Presented in the Lowell Lectures at Boston Hardcover by Ernst Emil Herzfeld – 1988. {{ISBN|9780878173082}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Frye |first=Richard N |year=1929 |title=Remarks on Baluchi History |journal=Central Asiatic Journal |volume=6 |pages=44–50 |jstor=41926492 |number=6/1}}</ref>

An earliest Sanskrit reference to the Baloch might be the Gwalior inscription of the [[Gurjara-Pratihara]] ruler [[Mihira Bhoja]] (r. 836–885), which says that the dynasty's founder [[Nagabhata I]] repelled a powerful army of ''Valacha Mlecchas'', translated as "Baluch foreigners" by [[D. R. Bhandarkar]]. The army in question is that of the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] after the conquest of [[Sindh]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Bhandarkar |first=D. R. |author-link=D. R. Bhandarkar |year=1929 |title=Indian Studies No. I: Slow Progress of Islam Power in Ancient India |journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute |volume=10 |page=30 |jstor=41682407 |number=1/2}}</ref>

==Language==
{{Main|Balochi language|Rakhshani dialect|Makrani dialect|Eastern Balochi (dialect)}}
{{See also|Balochi Standard Alphabet|Balochi Academy|Balochi literature|}}
Balochi ({{lang|bal|بلۏچی|rtl=yes}}, romanised: {{Transliteration|engvar=gb|bal|Balòci}}) is an [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European language]], spoken by the Baloch and belonging to the [[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]] branch of the family. As an [[Iranian languages|Iranian language]], it is classified in the [[Western Iranian languages|Northwestern group]],<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2">{{cite book |last1=Carina،Korn |first1=Jahani،Korn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3IMAQAAMAAJ&q=Scheming |title=The Baloch and Their Neighbours |date=2003 |publisher=Reichert |isbn=9783895003660 |pages=49,314–317,248,260}}</ref> spoken primarily in the Balochistan region of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. In addition, there are speakers in Oman, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Turkmenistan, East Africa and in diaspora communities in other parts of the world.<ref name=":The Iranian Languages2">{{cite book |last=Windfuhr |first=Gernot |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QtpQZ1DD6tEC |title=The Iranian Languages |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2013 |isbn=9781135797041 |page=636}}</ref>

[[Uppsala University]] offers a course titled Balochi A, which provides basic knowledge of the phonetics and syntax of the [[Balochi language]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Balochi Language Project |url=https://www.uu.se/en/department/linguistics-and-philology/research/proj/the-balochi-language |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=[[Uppsala University]] |date=25 November 2024 }}</ref> [[Carina Jahani]] is a prominent Swedish [[Iranian studies|Iranologist]] and professor of [[Iranian languages]] at Uppsala University, deeply researching in the study and preservation of the Balochi language.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jahani |first1=Carina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3XEbAQAAIAAJ&q=balochi |title=Standardization and Orthography in the Balochi Language |date=1989 |publisher=Uppsala University |isbn=978-91-554-2487-9}}</ref>

There are a number of characteristic features that Balochi shares to [[Parthian language|Parthian]] and [[Median language|Median]] and close affinity with them.<ref name="Spooner2">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Baluchistan i. Geography, History and Ethnography |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/baluchistan-i |access-date=30 December 2014 |last=Spooner |first=Brian |date=1988}}</ref>{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=32}}<ref>{{cite book |last=John |first=Wilson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XfI-hEI8a9wC |title=PakistanThe Struggle Within |publisher=Pearson Longman |year=2009 |isbn=9788131725047 |page=22}}</ref>

The Balochi dialects are classified as:<ref>{{cite web |date=25 November 2024 |title=The Balochi Language Project |url=https://www.uu.se/en/department/linguistics-and-philology/research/proj/the-balochi-language |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=[[Uppsala University]]}}</ref>

* [[Eastern Balochi (dialect)|Eastern group]] (the Soleimani dialect group)
* Southern group or [[Makrani dialect]] (part of the Makrani dialect group)
* Western group (part of the [[Rakhshani dialect|Rakhshani]] dialect group)

[[Koroshi dialect|Koroshi]] is also classified as Balochi.<ref>[[ethnologuefamily:90021|Ethnologue report for Southwestern Iranian languages]]</ref>

Many Baloch are either bilingual or multilingual, speaking the language of their respective nation of origin, such as Urdu, Persian, and Arabic as a second language alongside their native Balochi, while those in diaspora communities often speak three or more languages.<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" />

==History==
===Antiquity===
During the rule of [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid]], the Baloch were among rebellious [[Medes]] and [[Parthia]]ns who supported [[Bardiya]] against [[Darius the Great|Darius I]] and later allied with [[Darius III]] in the [[Battle of Gaugamela]] with [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]].<ref name=":Balochistan and its ancient civilization2">{{cite book |last1=Afshar |first1=Iraj |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uXFIAAAAMAAJ |title=Balochistan and its ancient civilization |date=1992 |publisher=Printing and Publishing Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance |pages=89–90,101,127,376 |language=fa}}</ref>{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=57}}

Agha Mir Nasir Khan Ahmadzai the author of seven-volume book on the history of Baloch and Balochistan,<ref name=":Ahmedzai2">{{cite book |author=Mir Naseer Khan Ahmedzai Kambarani Baloch |title=A History of the Baloch and Balochistan (2023) |asin=B0D66DTRMW}}</ref> connects Balochs with [[Medes]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ahmadzai Baloch |first1=Mir Naseer Khan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UYWGAAAAIAAJ |title=Tārīk̲h̲-i Baloc va Balocistān, Volume 1 |date=1988 |publisher=Balocī Ikaiḍamī |pages=36 |language=urdu}}</ref> and considers them descendants of the Medes, the people of [[ancient Iran]]. He makes mention of all Baloch tribes<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ahmadzai Baloch |first1=Mir Naseer Khan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UYWGAAAAIAAJ |title=Tārīk̲h̲-i Baloc va Balocistān, Volume 1 |date=1988 |publisher=Balocī Ikaiḍamī |pages=241–251 |language=urdu}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ahmadzai Baloch |first1=Mir Naseer Khan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8351AAAAIAAJ |title=Tārīk̲h̲-i Baloc va Balocistān, Volume 4 |date=1988 |publisher=Balocī Ikaiḍamī |pages=13–16 |language=urdu}}</ref> are descendants of the Medes, who came to Balochistan and settled in [[Ancient history|ancient time]].<ref name=":Ahmedzai2" />

[[Šahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr]] is a surviving Middle Persian text on Sasanian administrative geography and history,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ŠAHRESTĀNĪHĀ Ī ĒRĀNŠAHR |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/sahrestaniha-i-eransahr}}</ref> based on the source, Padishkhwārgar (located at the vicinity of [[Sakastan (Sasanian province)|Segistan]]) was a Sasanian province in [[Late antiquity|Late Antiquity]] and people who contributed to building 21 cities in Padishkhwargar were the Kōfyār "mountain dweller" people called Baločān "Balochs".<ref name=":Alimoradi2">{{cite book |last1=Alimoradi |first1=Pooriya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IxY4EQAAQBAJ&dq=baloch++++zorostian&pg=PA329 |title="The Wolf Era Ends, and The Sheep Era Starts": Zoroastrian Apocalypticism in The Maʿnī-yi Vahman Yasht |date=2024 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004710580 |page=329 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Mansel Longworth Dames]] in 1902 stated that "a theory of the origin of the Baloch people, the largest ethnic group in the region, is that they are of Median descent."<ref>M. Longworth Dames, Balochi Folklore, ''Folklore'', Vol. 13, No. 3 (29 September 1902), pp. 252–274</ref>

The Baloch were among [[Kay Khosrow]] allies and formed part of his army headed by General [[Ashkash]].<ref name=":ashkash2" /><ref name=":The Baloch race2" /> This is depicted in the mythological part of the [[Shahnameh|Shahnamah]] a prose work written in Middle Persian.<ref name=":Two Essays on Baloch History and Folklore2">{{cite book |last=Badalkhan |first=Sabir |title=Two Essays on Baloch History and Folklore |publisher=Universita degli studi di Napoli |year=2013 |isbn=978-88-6719-060-7 |series=Balochistan Monograph Series, V |location=Naples, Italy |pages=20,36,96–97,120}}</ref>
{{blockquote|<poem>
"Next after [[Gostaham]] came shrewd Aškash
endowed with prudent heart and ready brain
An army of warriors of the kuch and Baloch
Scheming war like the faighting-ram
No one in the word has seen(them tun) rheir backs
No one has seen(as much as) one of their fingers unarmed”<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours">{{cite book |last1=Carina،Korn |first1= Jahani،Korn|title=The Baloch and Their Neighbours |pages=49,314–317,248,260|date=2003|publisher= Reichert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3IMAQAAMAAJ&q=Scheming|isbn=9783895003660}}</ref><ref name="Ferdowsi 2006">Ferdowsi (2006). ''Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings''. Translated by Dick Davis. New York: Viking. {{ISBN|0670034851}}.</ref>
</poem>}}
Also in another piece of this pose which is depicted in the same work:
{{blockquote|<poem>
"Also from Pahlav and Pars and Koch o Baloch"
from the warriors of Gilan and Dasht-e Soroch"<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours" /><ref name=":The Baloch race">{{cite book |last1=Dames |first1= Mansel Longworth|title=The Baloch race. A historical and ethnological sketch |pages=22, 26, 29|date=1904|publisher= London, Royal Asiatic society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kf0RAAAAYAAJ}}</ref><ref name="Ferdowsi 2006">Ferdowsi (2006). ''Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings''. Translated by Dick Davis. New York: Viking. {{ISBN|0670034851}}.</ref>
</poem>}}
During the [[Sasanian Empire|Sassanid]] era, [[Khosrow I|Anoshervan]] and [[Ardashir I|Ardashir]] fought against the Balochs and After initially sustaining a defeat, succeeded in subjugating the Baloch. The Baloch scattered in the Makran (modern-day Balochistan in Iran and Pakistan) and Kerman regions, areas that formed the southeastern frontier of the Sassanid Empire. Periodic uprisings or refusals to pay tribute might have been part of their interactions with the Sassanid kings.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=50–55}}<ref name=":The Baloch race2" /><ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" /><ref name="Spooner2" /><ref name=":Zeb2">{{cite book |last=Rathore |first=Rizwan Zeb |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I3UgEAAAQBAJ |title=Ethno-political Conflict in Pakistan The Baloch Movement |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2019 |isbn=9781000729924}}</ref>

===Medieval period===
According to Baloch lore, their ancestors hail from [[Aleppo]] in what is now [[Syria]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Olson |title=An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires |date=1994 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0313274978 |page=101 |display-authors=etal}}</ref> After the fight against [[abbasid Caliph]] [[Harun al-Rashid|Harun]] under Ameer Hamza the [[Kharijites]] leader<ref name=":Two Essays on Baloch History and Folklore2" /><ref>{{cite web |title=meer hamza: a very famous personality in the baloch history |url=http://www.uob.edu.pk/Journals/Balochistan-Review/data/BR%2002%202012/23-31%20Meer%20Hamza,%20A%20very%20Famous%20Personality%20in%20The%20Baloch%20History,%20Ghulam%20Farooq%20Baloch.pdf |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=[[University of Balochistan]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=67}} migrated to east or southeast of the central Caspian region, specially toward to east or southeast of the central [[Caspian Sea|Caspian region]], specially toward [[Sistan]],{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=67}} Iran.

Based on an analysis of the linguistic connections of the Balochi language, which is one of the [[Western Iranian languages]], the original homeland of the Baloch tribes was likely to the east or southeast of the central [[Caspian Sea|Caspian]] region. The Baloch began migrating towards the east in the late [[Sasanian]] period. The cause of the migration is unknown but may have been as a result of the generally unstable conditions in the Caspian area. The migrations occurred over several centuries.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Baluchistan iii. Baluchi Language and Literature |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/baluchistan-iii |access-date=30 December 2014 |last=Elfenbein |first=J. |date=1988}}</ref>

By the 9th century, [[Arab people|Arab]] writers [[Istakhri]], [[Yaqut al-Hamawi]] and [[Al-Maqdisi|Al-Muqaddasī]] refer to the Baloch as a distinct ethnical group living in the area between [[Kerman]], [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]], [[Sistan]], and [[Makran]].<ref name="Spooner2" /> [[Ibn Khordadbeh]], in [[Book of Roads and Kingdoms|Kitab al-Masalik wal-Mamalik]], describes the geography of Makran, and mentions the Baloch as They are powerful, numerous, and engaged in animal husbandry, their houses are made of wood. Al-Muqaddasī documented that [[Panjgur District|Panjgur]] was the capital of Makran and that it was populated by people called Baloch.<ref>{{citation |last=Hansman |first=John |title=A Periplus of Magan and Meluhha |journal=Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies |volume=36 |number=3 |pages=553–587 |year=1973 |doi=10.1017/S0041977X00119858 |jstor=613582}}</ref><ref name=":Two Essays on Baloch History and Folklore2" />{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=85}}

The 12th century Seljuk invasion of [[Kerman]] seemed to have stimulated the further eastwards emigration of the Baloch,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-09 |title=Baloch {{!}} People, History, & Culture {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Baloch |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> towards what is now the Balochistan province of Pakistan, although some remained behind and there are still Baloch in the eastern parts of the Iranian [[Sistan and Baluchestan Province|Sistan-Baluchestan]] and [[Kerman province|Kerman]] provinces. By the 13th–14th centuries, waves of Baloch were moving into Sindh, and by the 15th century into the Punjab.<ref name="Spooner2" />

[[Dayaram Gidumal]] writes that a Baloch legend is backed up by the medieval [[Qarmatians]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gidumal |first=Dayaram |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ra86AQAAMAAJ |title=History of Alienations in the Province of Sind: Compiled from the Jagir and Other Records in the Commissioner's Office on the Authority of Bombay Government, Resolution No. 12, Dated 2nd January 1878, Revenue Department |date=1888 |publisher=Printed at the "Commissioner's Press" |language=en}}</ref> The fact that the [[Kalmati]]s were ethnic Baluchis is also confirmed by the Persian historian in the 16th century [[Muhammad Qasim Ferishta]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JH7q-DP30HUC |title=Gazetteer |date=1880 |publisher=Government Central Press |language=en}}</ref>

Traditionally, [[Jalal Khan]] was the ruler and founder of the first Baloch confederacy in the 12th century. (He may be the same as [[Jalal al-Din Mangburni]] the last ruler of the [[Khwarazmian Empire]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dashti |first=Naseer |title=The Baloch and Balochistan: A Historical Account from the Beginning to the Fall of the Baloch State |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4669-5896-8 |location=Bloomington, Indiana |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=xIjyLNpusbAC&pg=PA104 103–104]}}</ref>) Jalal Khan left four sons – [[Rind Khan]], Lashar Khan, [[King Hoth Baloch|Hoth Khan]], Korai Khan and a daughter, Bibi Jato, who married his nephew Murad.<ref name=":Two Essays on Baloch History and Folklore2" /> Since 12th century Baloch chieftains ruled over most of Balochistan. [[Jalal Khan|Mir Jalal khan]] and [[Mir Chakar Rind|Mir Chakar]] after the establishment of the Baloch Confederation, They extended their dominance on outside the borders of Balochistan, Mir Chakar seized control over Punjab and captured [[Multan]].<ref name=":Balochistan A Conflict of Narratives2">{{cite book |last=Malik |first=Fida Hussain |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VNwCEAAAQBAJ |title=Balochistan A Conflict of Narratives |publisher=Saiyid Books |year=2020 |isbn=9789692200028 |page=3}}</ref> The great Baloch kingdom was based on tribal confederation, Punjab and Balochistan remained under his rule for a period of time .<ref name=":Rathore2">{{cite book |last=Rathore |first=Azad Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I3UgEAAAQBAJ |title=Balochistan The Heights of Oppression |publisher=Partridge Publishing India |year=2021 |isbn=9781543706642}}</ref><ref name=":Zeb2" />

According to Akhtar Baloch, professor at [[University of Karachi]], the Baloch migrated from [[Balochistan region|Balochistan]] during the [[Little Ice Age]] and settled in [[Sindh]] and [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]. The Little Ice Age is conventionally defined as a period extending from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries,<ref name="Mann20032">{{cite book |last=Mann |first=Michael |url=http://www.meteo.psu.edu/holocene/public_html/shared/articles/littleiceage.pdf |title=Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change, Volume 1, The Earth System: Physical and Chemical Dimensions of Global Environmental Change |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |year=2003 |editor1-last=MacCracken |editor1-first=Michael C. |chapter=Little Ice Age |access-date=17 November 2012 |editor2-last=Perry |editor2-first=John S. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124223238/http://www.meteo.psu.edu/holocene/public_html/shared/articles/littleiceage.pdf |archive-date=24 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Lamb19722">{{cite book |author=Lamb, H. H. |title=Climate: present, past and future |publisher=Methuen |year=1972 |isbn=0-416-11530-6 |location=London |page=107 |chapter=The cold Little Ice Age climate of about 1550 to 1800}} (noted in Grove 2004:4).</ref><ref name="NASA Glossary2">{{Cite web |title=Earth observatory Glossary L-N | date=29 April 1999 |url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Glossary/?mode=alpha&seg=l&segend=n |access-date=17 July 2015 |publisher=NASA |place=NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Green Belt MD}}</ref> or alternatively, from about 1300<ref name="miller20122">Miller ''et al.'' 2012. "Abrupt onset of the Little Ice Age triggered by volcanism and sustained by sea-ice/ocean feedbacks" ''Geophysical Research Letters'' '''39''', 31 January: [https://web.archive.org/web/20120202002252/http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/pip/2011GL050168.shtml abstract (formerly on AGU website)] (accessed via wayback machine 11 July 2015); see [http://news.agu.org/press-release/unusual-volcanic-episode-rapidly-triggered-little-ice-age-researchers-find/ press release on AGU website] (accessed 11 July 2015).</ref> to about 1850.<ref>Grove, J. M., ''Little Ice Ages: Ancient and Modern,'' Routledge, London (2 volumes) 2004.</ref><ref>Matthews, J. A. and Briffa, K. R., [https://www.lakeheadu.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/53/outlines/2014-15/NECU5311/MatthewsBriffa_2005_GA_LIAconcept.pdf "The 'Little Ice Age': re-evaluation of an evolving concept"], ''Geogr. Ann., 87,'' A (1), pp. 17–36 (2005). Retrieved 17 July 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=1.4.3 Solar Variability and the Total Solar Irradiance – AR4 WGI Chapter 1: Historical Overview of Climate Change Science |url=http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch1s1-4-3.html |access-date=24 June 2013 |publisher=Ipcc.ch}}</ref>

The area where the Baloch tribes settled was disputed between the [[Persian people|Persian]] [[Safavids]] and the [[Mughal emperors]]. Although the Mughals managed to establish some control over the eastern parts of the area, by the 17th century, a tribal [[Brahui people|Brahui]] leader named Mir Hasan established himself as the first "Khan of the Baloch". In 1666, he was succeeded by [[Ahmad I (Kalat)|Mir Aḥmad Khan Qambarani]] who established the [[Khanate of Kalat]] under the Ahmadzai dynasty.{{refn|A number of unrelated tribes with the name ''Ahmadzai'' exist.<ref name=Iranica>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Kieffer |first=Ch. M. |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopædia Iranica]]|title= Aḥmadzī|url= http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ahmadzi-descendants-of-ahmad-sing|edition= Online|publisher= [[Columbia University]]|location= United States}}</ref> There are two [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] tribes who are unrelated to each other with this name: the [[Ahmadzai (Wazir clan)|Ahmadzai]] who are a [[Wazir (Pashtun tribe)|Waziri tribe]] and the [[Sulaimankhel]] [[Ahmadzai (Ghilji clan)|Ahmadzai]], part of the [[Ghilzai]] confederation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.edu/programs/ccs/Ethnic_identity.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118025854/http://www.nps.edu/programs/ccs/Ethnic_identity.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 November 2007 |publisher=Naval Postgraduate School |title=Ethnic Identity in Afghanistan |access-date=3 January 2015 }}</ref> However, the Ahmadzai Khans of Khalat were neither of these and belonged to a [[Brahui people|Brahui]] tribe.<ref name="BrunsMiggelbrink2011">{{cite book|author1=Bettina Bruns|author2=Judith Miggelbrink|title=Subverting Borders: Doing Research on Smuggling and Small-Scale Trade|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VlULn9od0HoC&pg=PA52|date=8 October 2011|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-531-93273-6|page=52, footnote 12}}</ref><ref name="Minahan2012">{{cite book|first=James|last=Minahan|title=Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=abNDLZQ6quYC&pg=PA48|year=2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-659-1|page=48}}</ref><ref name="Axmann2008">{{cite book|last=Axmann|first=Martin|title=Back to the Future: The Khanate of Kalat and the Genesis of Baloch Nationalism, 1915–1955|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ngMAQAAMAAJ|year=2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-547645-3|page=22}}</ref>|group="note"}} Originally in alliance with the Mughals, the Khanate lost its autonomy in 1839 with the signing of a treaty with the [[British Raj|British colonial government]] and the region effectively became part of the [[British Raj]].<ref name="Spooner2" />

===Safavid period===
{{further|Safavid dynasty}}
The Baluch tribes revolted against the Safavid government. [[Engelbert Kaempfer]] writes about this: Despite their small numbers, they attacked [[Suleiman I of Persia|Suleiman Shah]] with their fortifications.<ref name=":Balochistan and its ancient civilization2" />

During the Safavid dynasty sought to incorporate the Baloch regions into its administrative structure, the Baloch tribes maintained their autonomy through resistance, strategic alliances. In the reign of [[Soltan Hoseyn]], a number of Baloch chiefs, ruling Balochistan and neighbouring areas.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=273}}

===Afsharid period===
{{further|Afsharid dynasty}}
After the fall of the Safavids, Iran fell under the control of the [[Afsharid Iran|Afsharid Empire]] ruled by [[Nader Shah]]. Nader Shah sought to consolidate and expand his empire, which brought him into contact with the Baloch. [[Mohammad Khan Baloch]] became military commander in [[Afsharid Iran]]<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Floor |first1=Willem M. |title=The Rise and Fall of Nader Shah: Dutch East India Company Reports, 1730–1747 |date=2009 |publisher=Mage Publishers |isbn=978-1933823324}}</ref> and Nader appointed Mohammad Khan Baloch the governor of [[Fars province|fars]], [[Kohgiluyeh County|Kohgiluyeh]] and [[Khuzestan province|Khuzestan]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bastani Parizi |first1=Mohammad Ebrahim ([[Mohammad Ebrahim Bastani Parizi]]) |title=Kerman History |page=207 |language=fa}}</ref> Many Baloch were moved to Khorasan in order to protect the eastern border from invading Afghans during the reign of afsharid dynasty.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mīrńiyā |first1=Alī |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pizh%C5%ABhish%C4%AB_dar_shin%C4%81kht_i_%C4%AAlh%CC%81%C4%81_va/8IwdAAAAMAAJhl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%88%DA%86 |title=Nomadic clans of Khorasan, The political role of the heads of the great clans in the affairs of the country and their relations with the governments and colonialists(In Persian) |date=1990 |page=173 |language=fa}}</ref>

===Khanate of Kalat===
The [[Khanate of Kalat]] founded in the 16th century by Mir Altaz Sani Khan Qambrani and played an important part of [[History of Balochistan|Baloch history]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Hamdam |first=Hassan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_3ASEAAAQBAJ |title=The Right to Self-Determination Under International Law and Politics: the Case of the Baloch People |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2020 |isbn=9781698704364}}</ref> The major figure in its establishment was Mir Ahmad Khan, who, established his authority over Kalat.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sheikh |first=Salman Rafi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IA5ZDwAAQBAJ |title=The Genesis of Baloch Nationalism |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2018 |isbn=9781351020688}}</ref> The dynasty established as a tribal confederacy of [[List of Baloch tribes|Baloch and Brahui tribes]] and emerged as a political entity that consolidated the power of these tribes under a single ruler, known as the Khan.<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" /> Mir Ahmad Khan I was strong enough to capture [[Quetta]], [[Mastung District|Mastung]], and [[Pishin District|Pishin]] from the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal governor]] at Kandahar.

[[Nasir Khan I Ahmadzai]] the sixth ruler of kalat was one of the most prominent and influential rulers of the Khanate of Kalat. He played a crucial role in consolidating Baloch power, unifying the Baloch tribes, and shaping the political and administrative structure of the Khanate.<ref name=":Balochistan In Quest of Freedom2">{{cite book |last=Ramsey |first=Syed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E3LOEAAAQBAJ |title=Balochistan In Quest of Freedom |publisher=VIJ Books (India) PVT Limited |year=2017 |isbn=9789386834393}}</ref> The border of Balochestan in the reign of Nasir khan stretched from across modern-day Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Northern Border in areas such as [[Helmand Province|Helmand]] and parts of [[Kandahar]] ([[Balochistan, Afghanistan]]). In the East stretched as far as Punjab including [[Dera Ghazi Khan]], in the south [[Makran coast]] along the [[Arabian Sea]] from [[Karachi]] to [[Bandar Abbas]], in the western included Persian Balochistan (modern-day Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Iran), [[Kerman province|Kerman]] and Bandar abbas.<ref name=":The Politics of Ethnicity in Pakistan2">{{cite book |last=Siddiqi |first=Farhan Hanif |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tDb6i9x1FKgC |title=The Politics of Ethnicity in Pakistan |publisher=Routledge |year=2012 |isbn=9780415686143 |page=54}}</ref>

The Khanate of Kalat declined in the early 19th century, losing much of its territory to [[Qajar Iran]], [[Emirate of Afghanistan]] and [[Baluchistan (Chief Commissioner's Province)|British Balochistan]].

===Talpur period===
{{further|Talpur dynasty}}
[[File:A_Nautch_in_the_Palace_of_the_Ameer_of_Sind.jpg|right|thumb|190x190px|Baloch [[Emir]] of [[Sindh]] in 1808]]
[[Talpur dynasty|Talpur]] was a Baloch dynasty that originated in the modern-day Sindh region of Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Talpur |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Talpur |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]}}</ref>

The Talpur ruled the Sindh until British conquest of Sindh in 1843. The [[Talpur]] Baloch were a prominent Baloch tribe that rose to power in Sindh during the late 18th century and established their rule. The [[Battle of Miani]] (1843), took place near [[Hyderabad, Pakistan|Hyderabad]], Baloch forces under the last Talpur ruler [[Amir Nasir Khan Talpur]] defeated by the [[East India Company]] led by [[Charles Napier (Royal Navy officer)|Charles Napier]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Beasley |first1=Edward |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiklDwAAQBAJ |title=The Chartist General |date=2016 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-315-51728-5 |page=214}}</ref>

===Modern era===
{{further|Baloch nationalism|Insurgency in Balochistan|Anjuman-e-Ittehad-e-Balochan-wa-Balochistan}}
For centuries, Balochistan was governed autonomously and local Baloch chieftains ruled Balochistan.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=177}}<ref name="Breseeg2">{{Cite book |last=Breseeg |first=Taj Mohammad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cw0DHAAACAAJ |title=Baloch Nationalism: Its Origin and Development |date=2004 |publisher=Royal Book Company |isbn=9789694073095 |pages=145 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Balochistan_region_in_the_year_1789.png|thumb|Balochistan in 1789, which included the Kalat Khanate and the states under its rule.]]
From 1666 Balochistan was continuously under the control of the Khanate of Kalat and ruled by confederacy of Baloch tribes, until the occupation of Balochistan by the British in 1839.<ref name=":The Baloch Conflict with Iran and Pakistan2">{{cite book |last=Dashti |first=Naseer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rutYnQAACAAJ |title=The Baloch Conflict with Iran and Pakistan Aspects of a National Liberation Struggle |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2017 |isbn=9781490780917 |page=11,52–53,66}}</ref>
[[File:Baloch_Khans.png|thumb|Sardar Ibrahim Khan Sanjrani, Baloch [[Sardar]] of [[Sistan]], {{c.|1884}}]]
Baloch tribes in the Sarhad resisted the Persian government force. Gamshadzai, [[Yarahmadzai tribe|Yar Ahmadzai]], Ismailzai and Kurd tribes fought against Persian force during 1888.<ref name=":The Baloch Conflict with Iran and Pakistan2" /> [[Sanjrani Chiefdom|Sanjrani]] Baloch ruled [[Seistan]] with its capital at [[Chakhansur District|Chakansur]] in the early and late 19th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ČAḴĀNSŪR |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/cakansur-principal-town-of-the-large-kasrud-delta-oasis-in-northeastern-sistan |website=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Baloch |first=Inayatullah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ox0NAAAAIAAJ&q=Kesmacoran+(+Kech+-+Makran+)+is+a+kingdom+having+a+king+of+its+own+with+a+peculiar+language+.+%22+It+seems+that |title=The Problem of "Greater Baluchistan": A Study of Baluch Nationalism |date=1987 |publisher=Steiner Verlag Wiesbaden |isbn=978-3-515-04999-3 |language=en}}</ref> In 1897 the western regions of Balochistan were under the leadership of the chieftains of the Narui tribe.<ref name="Breseeg2" />

Baloch nationalism in its modern form began in the form of the [[Anjuman-e-Ittehad-e-Balochan-wa-Balochistan]] based in [[Mastung, Pakistan|Mastung]] in 1929, led by [[Yousaf Aziz Magsi]], [[Abdul Aziz Kurd]] and others.<ref>{{cite news |last=Khosa |first=Tariq |date=20 July 2020 |title=Baloch Nationalism |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1570090 |access-date=11 January 2023 |newspaper=Dawn}}</ref> In Pakistan's Balochistan province, insurgencies by Baloch nationalists have been fought in 1948–50, 1958–60, 1962–63 and 1973–1977, with an ongoing low-level insurgency beginning in 2003.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Zahid |date=25 April 2013 |title=The battle for Balochistan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/794058/the-battle-for-balochistan |newspaper=Dawn}}</ref> The Baloch population in Pakistan has endured grave violations of human rights, which include extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture. These actions are purportedly perpetrated by state security forces and their associates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The untold story of human rights violations in Balochistan: Unveiling the historical context |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-the-untold-story-of-human-rights-violations-in-balochistan-unveiling-the-historical-context-3044953 |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Daily News and Analysis |language=en}}</ref>

The [[First Balochistan conflict|First Balochistan Conflict]] started when three of the princely states of Kalat acceded to Pakistan in 1947 after [[Partition of India|independence]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Syed Farooq Hasnat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KiELa2EoA04C |title=Global Security Watch—Pakistan |date=2011 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-34698-9 |page=78}}</ref>

During the [[Second Balochistan conflict]] The Baloch nationalist leader [[Nauroz Khan|Nawab Nauroz Khan]] led an armed rebellion against the central government, demanding greater autonomy. This triggered a major armed conflict, with over 50,000 Baloch fighters resisting the Pakistani military.<ref name="future2">{{cite book |last1=Axmann |first1=Martin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NSwauwAACAAJ |title=The Khanate of Kalat and the Genesis of Baluch Nationalism |date=2 August 2012 |publisher=OUP Pakistan |isbn=978-0-19-906592-9}}</ref>

The [[Third Balochistan conflict]] began and engaging in guerrilla warfare against the Pakistani military. [[Sher Mohammad Marri|Sher Muhammad Bijrani Marri]] led militants into guerrilla warfare from 1963 to 1969 by creating their own insurgent bases.<ref name="Soviet2">{{cite book |last1=Harrison |first1=Selig S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LLnCAAAAIAAJ&q=Third+Balochistan+conflict+-wikipedia |title=Baloch nationalism and Soviet temptation |date=1981 |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |isbn=978-0-87003-029-1}}</ref> This insurgency ended in 1969, with the Baloch separatists agreeing to a ceasefire granting general amnesty to the separatists as well as freeing the separatists.<ref>{{cite book |author=Farhan Hanif Siddiqi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0b0epgzkrz8C&pg=PA64 |title=The Politics of Ethnicity in Pakistan: The Baloch, Sindhi and Mohajir Ethnic Movements |date=4 May 2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-33696-6 |pages=64–}}</ref>

==Baloch communities==
=== Pakistan ===
{{Main|Baloch people in Punjab|Baloch people in Sindh|||||}}
[[File:Major_ethnic_groups_of_Pakistan_in_1980_borders_removed.jpg|thumb|Baloch-inhabited areas (pink) of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran in 1980]]
About 50% of the total Baloch population live in the Pakistani province of Balochistan while 40% are settled in Sindh and a significant albeit smaller number reside in the Pakistani Punjab.

In 2008, there were 180,000 [[Bugti]] based in [[Dera Bugti District]]. They are divided between the Rahija Bugti, Masori Bugti, Kalpar Bugti, Marehta Bugti and other sub-tribes.<ref name="Tahir20082">{{cite journal |last=Tahir |first=Muhammad |date=3 April 2008 |title=Tribes and Rebels: The Players in the Balochistan Insurgency |url=https://jamestown.org/program/tribes-and-rebels-the-players-in-the-balochistan-insurgency/#.VnssNfFRZ2I |journal=Terrorism Monitor |publisher=Jamestown Foundation |volume=6 |issue=7 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="piia20062">{{cite book |title=Pakistan Horizon, Volume 59, Issues 3–4 |publisher=Pakistan Institute of International Affairs |year=2006}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=January 2016}} led the Bugti as Tumandar until his death in 2006. Talal Akbar Bugti was the tribal leader and President of the [[Jamhoori Watan Party]] from 2006 until his death in 2015.<ref name="pktrib201504272">{{cite news |date=27 April 2015 |title=JWP leader Talal Bugti passes away in Quetta |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/876591/talal-bugti-passes-away-in-quetta/ |newspaper=The Express Tribune}}</ref>

There are 98,000 [[Marri (tribe)|Marri]] based in [[Kohlo]] district in 2008,<ref name="Tahir20082" /> who further divide themselves into Gazni Marri, Bejarani Marri, and Zarkon Marri.<ref name="Tahir20082" />{{update after|2024|1|18}}

As of 2008 it was estimated that there were between eight and nine million Baloch people living in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. They were subdivided between over 130 tribes.<ref name="Tahir20082" /> Some estimates put the figure at over 150 tribes, though estimates vary depending on how subtribes are counted.<ref>{{cite book |last=Baloch |first=Muhammad Amin |title=Inside Ormara |publisher=Muhammad Amin Baloch |year=1999 |page=83}}</ref> The tribes, known as ''taman'', are led by a tribal chief, the [[tumandar]]. Subtribes, known as paras, are led by a muqaddam.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bonarjee |first=P. D. |url=https://archive.org/details/ahandbookfighti00bonagoog |title=A handbook of the fighting races of India |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co. |year=1899 |page=[https://archive.org/details/ahandbookfighti00bonagoog/page/n71 47]}}</ref>

The Baloch holds a significant place in the [[history of Sindh]]. The Talpur, originally a Baloch tribe, ruled Sindh from 1783 to 1843. A significant population in sindh have Baloch root according unofficial estimates at about 4 million.<ref>{{cite book |last=Al Nahyan, Hussain, Ghafoor |first=Mansoor Bin Tahnoon, Jamal, Asad ul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IICXDwAAQBAJ |title=Tribes of Pakistan |date=2019 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=9781527534391 |page=112 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=John |first=Wilson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XfI-hEI8a9wC |title=PakistanThe Struggle Within |publisher=Pearson Longman |year=2009 |isbn=9788131725047 |page=28}}</ref>

=== Iran ===
{{Main|Baloch people in Iran|Khorasani Baloch|}}
[[File:Bazaar_of_Zahedan_-_18_March_2013_21.jpg|right|thumb|260x260px|Two Baloch men in the Zahedan market]]
Baloch in Iran are the majority ethnic inhabitants of the region of [[Sistan and Baluchestan Province]] in [[Iran]].The town of [[Jask]] in neighbouring [[Hormozgan Province]] is also inhabited by Baloch people. Baloch people also make up a minority in the eastern parts of [[Kerman]], [[Razavi Khorasan province|Razavi Khorasan]] and [[South Khorasan province|South Khorasan]] ([[Khorasani Baloch]]) and are scattered throughout other provinces of Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Khorasan i. Ethnic Groups |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/khorasan-1-ethnic-groups |website=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2024 |title=The Balochi Language Project |url=https://www.lingfil.uu.se/research/the-balochi-language-project/ |website=[[Uppsala University]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=[[Sir Charles Yate, 1st Baronet]] |title=A travelogue of Khorasan and Sistan |url=http://library.sharif.ir/parvan/resource/260027/%D8%B3%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86 |access-date=19 January 2024 |work=[[Sharif University of Technology]] |location=Iran}}</ref> They speak the Rakhshani and Sarawani dialects of [[Balochi language|Balochi]], an [[Indo-Iranian languages|Iranian language]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Frawley |first=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sl_dDVctycgC&q=iran+Rakhshani&pg=RA1-PA308 |title=International Encyclopedia of Linguistics: 4-Volume Set |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-19-513977-8 |pages=308 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:1986_"World_Handicrafts_Day_10th_June"_stamp_of_Iran_(3).jpg|thumb|Baloch needlework highlighted on a stamp of Iran, 1986]]
Sistan and Balochestan is one of the poorest and least developed provinces in Iran. Basic infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and hospitals, is lacking compared to other regions. The unemployment rate is disproportionately high, especially among Baloch youth.<ref name=":baloch in iran2">{{cite book |last1=Taheri |first1=Ahmad Reza |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lfpBgAAQBAJ&dq=baloch++khorasan&pg=PA13 |title=A Sociopolitical Study of Iranian Baloch Elites (1979–2013) |date=2014 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=9781312349681 |language=en}}</ref> The majority of Iranian Baloch are Sunni Muslims, which distinguishes them from the predominantly Shia Muslim population of Iran. This religious difference has often contributed to tensions between the Baloch and the central government.<ref name=":baloch in iran2" />

During the 1950s, tribal revolt led by a Baloch farmer [[Dad Shah|Mir Daad Shah]] struck south eastern Iran. Elements of Baloch nationalism were present in this movement, he participated in a rebellion and [[Sistan and Baluchestan insurgency|armed insurgency]] against the Shah of Iran, [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], in the 1950s.<ref name=":baloch in iran2" />

On September 30, 2022 ([[2022 Zahedan massacre|Bloody Friday]]) in Zahedan a large number of Baloch civilians gathered for Friday prayers at the [[Jameh Mosque of Makki|Grand Makki Mosque]], the largest Sunni mosque in Iran, located in Zahedan. After the prayers, peaceful demonstrations began, demanding justice for the sexual assault case of the alleged rape of a 15-year-old Baloch girl in June that by a commander of the police force in [[Chabahar]]. Iranian security forces, including the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC) and riot police, surrounded the area and opened fire on the protesters.<ref>{{cite book |last=Anderson |first=Kevin B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tyMREQAAQBAJ |title=A Political Sociology of Twenty-First Century Revolutions and Resistances |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2024 |isbn=9781040107423}}</ref><ref name="amnesty international baluchi2">{{cite news |date=6 October 2022 |title=Iran: At least 82 Baluchi protesters and bystanders killed in bloody crackdown |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/10/iran-at-least-82-baluchi-protesters-and-bystanders-killed-in-bloody-crackdown/ |access-date=13 October 2022 |work=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref> According to human rights organisations such as [[Amnesty International|Amnesty]] International and Baloch activist groups, at least 96 people were killed on the day of the massacre, and hundreds were injured.<ref name="amnesty international baluchi2" /> [[Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi|Molavi Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi]] called the incident a "catastrophe" and demanded "trial and punishment for those responsible for those who have killed people", adding that worshipers were shot in the head and heart by snipers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-02 |title="جمعه خونین" زاهدان؛ مولوی عبدالحمید: تیرها به سر و قلب نمازگزاران شلیک شده |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/articles/cgx9xvwvl49o |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=BBC News فارسی |language=fa}}</ref> From this event, a picture of [[Killing of Khodanur Lojei|Khodanur Lojei]], a Baloch protester whose hands were tied to a flagpole, with a cup of water put in front of him (but out of his reach) became a symbol in the ongoing protests.<ref>{{cite book |last=Azizi |first=Arash |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N6avEAAAQBAJ |title=What Iranians Want |publisher=Oneworld Publications |year=2024 |isbn=9780861547128}}</ref>

=== Afghanistan ===
{{Main|Baloch of Afghanistan|Balochistan, Afghanistan|Partisans of National Liberation of Afghanistan|}}
Baloch constitute approximately 2% of Afghanistan's population. They are the majority in [[Nimruz Province|Nimroz Province]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baloch Tribal Council |url=https://www.afghan-bios.info/index.php?option=com_afghanbios&id=2741&task=view&total=5083&start=867&Itemid=2 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Baloch also have a presence in [[Helmand Province|Helmand]], [[Faryab Province|Faryab]], [[Takhar Province|Takhar]], [[Herat]], [[Kandahar]], [[Badakhshan]] and other parts of Afghanistan.<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" /><ref name=":Under the Drones2">{{cite book |last=Crews, Bashir |first=Robert, Shahzad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VNwCEAAAQBAJ |title=Under the Drones |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=212 |isbn=9780674064768 |page=139,147,150,151}}</ref>
[[File:Naeem_Baloch.jpg|right|thumb|270x270px|Naeem Baloch, Former governor of Helmand province]]
Rug weaving is a common profession among the Baloch tribes of Afghanistan. Balochi rugs, floor coverings made by the Baloch, are often sold in the Herat local market and global market.<ref name=":Baluchi rug2">{{Cite web |title=Baluchi rug |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/Baluchi-rug |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]}}</ref> Needlework and handicrafts are the art of Baloch women in Afghanistan. Baloch women wear clothes called "Za Asteen Guptan", which are designed on Baloch needlework and embroidery. Keeping and breeding camels, as well as holding [[Camel racing|camel riding]] competitions in Nimroz province, is popular among the Baloch.<ref>{{cite book |last=Amiri |first=Ghulam Rahman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MGr60AEACAAJ |title=The Helmand Baluch |publisher=Berghahn Books |year=2024 |isbn=9781836950592 |pages=124–125}}</ref>

In the fall of 1978, Balochi was recognised as an official language of Afghanistan, alongside Pashto and Dari. A weekly newspaper in Balochi began publication in September 1978.<ref name="Breseeg2" /> The Baloch Council of Afghanistan is a Baloch socio-cultural organisation that celebrates Baloch Culture Day every year.

The government of Afghanistan (Before the Taliban came to power) has never employed the same level of brutality against its own Baloch like Pakistan, but it has always been implacably opposed to any suggestion of Baloch separatism.

[[Ghulam Mohammad Lalzad Baloch]], [[Naeem Baloch|Mohammad Naeem Baloch]], are some of the notable Baloch people in Afghanistan.

===Oman===
{{Main|Omani Baloch|Al-Balushi|}}
Baloch account for 20% of Oman's population, a total of around 1 million people and the largest non-Arab community in Oman. The first modern army of Oman was exclusively Baloch,<ref name="Peterson2" /> and even today around 40% of [[Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces|Omani Army]] consists of Baloch people.<ref name="AlSalhi 2021 248–249">{{cite book |last=AlSalhi |first=Ahmad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H1M3EAAAQBAJ |title=Music in Arabia |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2021 |isbn=9780253057525 |pages=248–249}}</ref>

the Baloch have been well integrated in political life in Oman. the Baloch hold positions in many high-ranking jobs and have played a significant role in the progress and development of Oman.<ref name="AlSalhi 2021 248–249"/>

===India===
{{Main|Baloch people in India|}}
There are around 300 Baloch families living in [[Mumbai]], numbering about 1,500 individuals. They are scattered across the outer western suburbs and ghettos of Mumbai's metropolitan area. The vast majority of them belong to a [[working class]] background, having little formal education, and are employed as manual labourers or drivers.<ref>{{cite news |author=Roshni Nair |date=3 December 2016 |title=Mumbai's filmi daredevils with a cross-border history |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mumbai-s-filmi-daredevils-with-a-cross-border-history/story-zZxj8hDGF0EiOahNCJmUTL.html |accessdate=9 July 2020 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

===Turkmenistan===
{{Main|Baloch of Turkmenistan|}}
[[File:Baloch_in_Turkmenistan.jpg|thumb|170x170px|Baloch in Turkmenistan]]
Baloch are also found in Turkmenistan mainly [[Merv]] and smaller numbers in other areas.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Barjasteh Delforooz |first=Behrooz |year=2010 |title=Discourse Features in Balochi of Sistan |url=http://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:345413 |pages=17–18 |website=[[Uppsala University]]}}</ref> They immigrated into the Merv and the Murghab River inland delta from the areas west and north of Herat, Afghanistan, [[Chakhansur District]] in the province of Nimruz and Iran in the mid 19th century.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Axenov |first1=Serge |title=Balochi Language of Turkmenistan: A Corpus-based Grammatical Description (Studia Iranica Upsaliensia) |isbn=9155467660}}</ref> In 1926 the Baluch of Merv Oasis numbered 9,974. Their numbers fell to 7,842 in the official statistics by 1959 but then rose to 12,582 by 1970 and 18,997 by 1979.

===Diaspora===
====Persian Gulf Countries====
{{Main|Baloch people in the United Arab Emirates|Ajam of Bahrain|}}
The Baluch people have a notable presence in the Persian Gulf countries, many of which are in [[Oman]], [[Kuwait]], [[UAE]], [[Qatar]], and [[Bahrain]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Potter |first1=Lawrence G. |url=http://www.jepeterson.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Peterson_Baluch_Presence_in_the_Gulf_2013.pdf |title=Sectarian Politics in the Persian Gulf |date=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press |pages=229–244 |access-date=2024-09-04 |archive-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=McCoy |first=Eric |url=https://repository.arizona.edu/bitstream/handle/10150/193398/azu_etd_10189_sip1_m.pdf |title=Iranians in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates: Migration, Minorities, and Identities in the Persian Gulf Arab States |publisher=The University of Arizona |year=2008 |isbn=9780549935070 |pages= |language=en |oclc=659750775 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219012742/https://repository.arizona.edu/bitstream/handle/10150/193398/azu_etd_10189_sip1_m.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2024 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=17 December 2024 }}</ref>

====North America====
{{Main|Baloch Americans|}}
There was substantial immigration of ethnic Baloch in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" /> who are mainly political refugees and immigrants seeking economic opportunity. A 2015 eight-part documentary by VSH News, the first Balochi language news channel, called Balochs in America, shows that Baloch Americans live in different parts of the United States, including [[Washington D.C.]], New York, Texas, North Carolina and Washington.<ref>{{cite web |title=Baloch in America |url=http://www.vshnews.tv/Documentary/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112084925/http://www.vshnews.tv/Documentary/ |archive-date=2016-11-12 |access-date=2016-12-18 |publisher=VSH News}}</ref>

====Australia====
{{main|Australian Baloch}}
There is a considerable number of [[Australian Baloch|Baloch]] who settled in [[Australia]] for education and employment opportunities.<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Westrip |first1=J. |title=Colonial Cousins: a surprising history of connections between India and Australia |last2=Holroyde |first2=P. |date=2010 |publisher=[[Wakefield Press (Australia)|Wakefield Press]] |isbn=978-1862548411 |page=193}}</ref> Small Baloch groups of cameleers were shipped in and out of Australia at three-year intervals, to service the Australian inland pastoral industry by carting goods and transporting wool bales by camel trains. Baloch cameleers who worked the [[Western Australian Goldfields]] in the late 1890s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Philip G. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34934991?selectedversion=NBD42302474 |title=Australia's Muslim Cameleers: Pioneers of the Inland, 1860s–1930s |last2=Jones |first2=Anna |date=2007 |publisher=Wakefield Press |isbn=9781862547780 |edition=Pbk |page=39,172}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Afghan camelmen |url=http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/afghans.htm |access-date=2 June 2019 |website=South Australian History: Flinders Ranges Research}}</ref>

====Europe====
{{main|Swedish Baloch|Baloch in the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Nation's_Evolution.jpg|right|thumb|232x232px|A Baloch Girl in [[Switzerland]]]]
There are also significant populations in [[Norway]], [[Sweden]], and other [[European countries]].<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" />

Most [[Swedish Baloch|Baloch people in Sweden]] live in the capital [[Stockholm]] or in [[Uppsala]]. A majority of Baloch political refugees<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2024 |title=Iranian Baloch Activist In Danger Of Deportation From Sweden |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202403078522 |access-date=2 January 2025 |website=Iran International |language=en}}</ref> and students choose Sweden as their host country and therefore they have a cultural presence in Sweden.<ref name=":carina2">{{cite book |last=Korn, Jahani, Titus |first=Agnes , Carina , Paul Brian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nNoRAQAAMAAJ |title=The Baloch and Others Linguistic, Historical and Socio-political Perspectives on Pluralism in Balochistan |date=2008 |publisher=Reichert Verlag |isbn=9783895005916 |page=19,223 |language=en}}</ref> [[Uppsala University]] offers a course titled Balochi A, which provides basic knowledge of the phonetics and syntax of the [[Balochi language]]. This course also includes a brief overview of the history of the Baloch people. The course is conducted in [[English language|English]] and is available as a distance learning option, making it accessible to a broader audience interested in learning about the Balochi language.<ref>{{cite web |title=Balochi A |url=https://www.uu.se/en/study/course?query=5BA001 |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=[[Uppsala University]]}}</ref>

There is a Baloch community in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], originating from the Balochistan province of southwestern Pakistan and neighbouring and other parts where Baloch populations reside. Estimates suggest that the Baloch community in [[London]] numbers in the thousands, though an exact figure is not available. There are many Baloch associations and groups active in the UK, including the Baloch Students and Youth Association (BSYA), Baloch Cultural Society, Baloch Human Rights Council (UK) and others.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 February 2013 |title=Balochistan: Important London Meeting For UK Baloch |url=http://www.unpo.org/article/15513 |access-date=1 June 2014 |work=[[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]]}}</ref>

====East Africa====
There is also a small but historic Baloch community in [[East Africa]], left over from when the [[Muscat and Oman|Sultanate of Muscat]] ruled over [[Zanzibar]] and the [[Swahili Coast]].<ref>Lodhi, Abdulaziz Y. 2000. A note on the Baloch in East Africa. In: Language in society: eight sociolinguistic essays on Balochi, Studia iranica upsaliensia, no 3, pp 91–95. Edited by Carina Jahani. Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis</ref><ref>[http://www.baluchii.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=2 Baluchis from East Africa: In Search of Our Roots] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514085509/http://www.baluchii.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=2 |date=14 May 2011 }}, Retrieved 27 June 2010</ref>

==Baloch culture==
{{main|Balochi Culture}}
{{See also|Balochi clothing|Baloch cuisine}}
Gold ornaments such as necklaces and bracelets are an important aspect of Baloch women's traditions and among their most favoured items of jewellery are ''dorr'', heavy earrings that are fastened to the head with gold chains so that the heavy weight will not cause harm to the ears. They usually wear a gold brooch (''tasni'') that is made by local jewellers in different shapes and sizes and is used to fasten the two parts of the dress together over the chest.<ref name="Baloch Society & culture2">{{cite web |title=Baloch Society & culture |url=http://baask.com/diwwan/index.php?topic=4273.0;wap2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916045319/http://baask.com/diwwan/index.php?topic=4273.0%3Bwap2 |archive-date=16 September 2011 |access-date=7 September 2010 |publisher=Baask.com}}</ref>

[[Balochi Culture|Baloch Culture]] Day is celebrated by the Baloch people annually on 2 March with festivities to celebrate their rich culture and history.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 March 2018 |title=Baloch Cultural Day celebrated with colourful functions, gatherings |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/03/02/baloch-cultural-day-celebrated-with-colourful-functions-gatherings/ |access-date=21 April 2018 |website=Pakistan Today}}</ref>

===Women===
[[File:Mahrang_Baloch.jpg|right|thumb|259x259px|Mahrang Baloch, Human Rights Activist]]
In general, Baloch women's rights and equality have improved in the recent years due to political movements within Baloch society. However, despite the progress, Baloch and international women's rights organisations still report significant human rights issues related to gender equality, forced marriages,<ref>{{cite book |last=Taheri |first=Ahmad Reza |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lfpBgAAQBAJ |title=A Sociopolitical Study of Iranian Baloch Elites |publisher=Lulu Press, Incorporated |year=2014 |isbn=978-1312349681 |page=11,45}}</ref> and honour killings.<ref>{{cite book |last=Enrile, Weiss, Zaleski |first=Annalisa V., Eugenia L., Kristen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OmmtDwAAQBAJ |title=Women's Journey to Empowerment in the 21st Century |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2020 |isbn=9780190927097 |page=117,144}}</ref>

Baloch women have taken the lead in the new wave of Baloch movements and have emerged as leaders and advocates for Baloch rights. In the movement of [[Baloch Long March]] two baloch women leading the movement for justice and equality in Baloch society against [[human rights violation]]s and [[Forced disappearances in Pakistan|enforced disappearances]] in Balochistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baloch |first=Kiyya |date=19 December 2023 |title=Women Are Leading an Unprecedented Protest Movement in Balochistan |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/women-are-leading-an-unprecedented-protest-movement-in-balochistan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222162945/https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/women-are-leading-an-unprecedented-protest-movement-in-balochistan/ |archive-date=22 December 2023 |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=thediplomat.com}}</ref> [[Mahrang Baloch]] and [[Sammi Deen Baloch]] the leader of the [[Baloch Yakjehti Committee]] and [[Voice for Baloch Missing Persons]] and have been prominent advocate for the rights of Baloch people.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ebrahim |first1=Zofeen T. |date=31 August 2024 |title='She has won our hearts and minds': can one woman unite the Baloch people in peaceful resistance? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/aug/31/can-one-woman-unite-the-baloch-people-in-peaceful-resistance-balochistan-pakistan-mahrang |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Balochistan, Families Demand Answers for Forced Disappearances |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/in-balochistan-families-demand-answers-for-forced-disappearances/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2024, Marang Baloch was included on the [[BBC]]'s [[100 Women (BBC)|100 Women]] list.<ref name="bbc2">{{cite web |date=3 December 2024 |title=BBC 100 Women 2024: Who is on the list this year? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/resources/idt-4f79d09b-655a-42f8-82b4-9b2ecebab611 |accessdate=3 December 2024 |publisher=BBC |language=}}</ref> Sammi Baloch has been honoured with the Asia Pacific Human Rights Award for 2024, presented by [[Front Line Defenders]]. The award ceremony took place in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-31 |title=Sammi Deen Baloch honoured with human rights award |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1195462-sammi-deen-baloch-honoured-with-human-rights-award |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The News International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=Sammi Deen Baloch |url=https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/sammi-deen-baloch |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Front Line Defenders |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Secretary_of_State_Antony_Blinken_and_First_Lady_Jill_Biden_with_award_recipient_Fariba_Balouch_of_the_2024_International_Women_of_Courage_Award_(IWOC)_at_the_White_House_on_March_4,_2023_(cropped).jpg|thumb|200x200px|Fariba Baloch in the 18th annual International Women of Courage Award Ceremony at the White House in Washington]]
[[Fariba Balouch|Fariba Baloch]] is another Baloch women who works for women's rights and human rights in Balochistan in Iran. She is particularly outspoken about the challenges faced by women in Balochistan region, advocating for gender equity and justice amidst widespread human rights abuses. She received the 2024 [[International Women of Courage]] award.<ref>{{cite web |last=Service |first=VOA Persian |date=3 March 2024 |title=Iranian Activist Among Recipients of 2024 International Women of Courage Awards |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iranian-activist-among-recipients-of-2024-international-women-of-courage-awards/7512052.html |access-date=15 April 2024 |website=Voice of America}}</ref><ref name="United States Department of State 2024 f2432">{{cite web |date=6 March 2024 |title=2024 International Women of Courage Award |url=https://www.state.gov/2024-international-women-of-courage-award/#iran |access-date=15 April 2024 |website=United States Department of State}}</ref><ref name="IranWire 2023 h0222">{{cite web |date=21 June 2023 |title=Son, Brother of Exiled Iranian Rights Activist Arrested |url=https://iranwire.com/en/news/117755-son-brother-of-exiled-iranian-rights-activist-arrested/ |access-date=16 April 2024 |website=IranWire |ref={{sfnref | IranWire | 2023}}}}</ref>

[[Karima Baloch]] was a human rights activist and was included in the [[100 Women (BBC)#2016|100 Women List]] by the ''[[BBC]]'' in 2016, where she was identified as a political activist campaigning for the independence for Balochistan from Pakistan.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-38012048 BBC 100 Women 2016: Who is on the list?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711230227/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-38012048|date=11 July 2017}}, BBC, 7 October 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2016.</ref> Her inclusion in the BBC 100 list as a Baloch woman was repeated in 2024 when the Iranian [[Zhina Modares Gorji]] bookseller was also named for her struggle for freedom of speech.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Women Activists from Balochistan and Kurdistan Nominated to BBC's 100 Influential Individuals |url=https://balochwarna.com/2024/12/03/women-activists-from-balochistan-and-kurdistan-nominated-to-bbcs-100-influential-individuals/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Balochwarna |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Baloch Women have played numerous roles, and contributed in many ways, to Baloch society. Historically, tradition maintained. [[Banadi Shehak]] the sister of Mir Chakar Rind was a Baloch woman who led the war and participated in the battlefield.

===Folklore===<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Mir Chakar Rind.jpg|220px|thumb|Mir Chakar Rind - One  of the folk hero of the Baloch people]] -->
Baloch folklore ({{langx|bal|بلوچ لوک}}) consists of [[Folklore|folk]] traditions which have developed in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] over many centuries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-03-08 |title=Remembering the tragedy and legend of Hani and Sheh Mureed |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/362725/remembering-the-tragedy-and-legend-of-hani-and-sheh-mureed/ |access-date=2020-05-09 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The majority of such folk traditions are preserved in the [[Balochi language|Balochi]] language and deal with themes such as tragic love, resistance and war.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-26 |title=Baloch literature is the repository of love and romanticism |url=https://nation.com.pk/26-May-2017/baloch-literature-is-the-repository-of-love-and-romanticism |access-date=2020-05-09 |website=The Nation |language=en}}</ref> The history of Baloch tribes is captured in the ballads which narrate the conflicts and wars fought by various clans, celebrating the valor of tribal chiefs and heroes.

[[Hani and Sheh Mureed]], a [[Tragedy|tragic]] love story. It tells of the deep love between Hani and Sheh Mureed and the societal pressures that ultimately lead to their separation.{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=8,&nbsp;33–34,&nbsp;44}}

[[Hammal Jiand|Mir Hammal Jiand]] is a significant figure in Baloch folklore, Baloch culture and Balochi literature ,<ref name=":The Baloch and Their NeighboursThe Baloch race2">{{cite book |last1=Carina،Korn |first1=Jahani،Korn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3IMAQAAMAAJ&q=Scheming |title=The Baloch and Their Neighbours |date=2003 |publisher=Reichert |isbn=9783895003660 |pages=260}}</ref> particularly noted for his role during the conflicts with Portuguese colonial forces in the 16th century. He is celebrated as a heroic leader and is often compared to other notable Baloch leaders like Mir Chakar Rind.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Windfuhr |first1=Gernot |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C7au4-y3Q-AC |title=The Iranian Languages |date=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781135797034 |page=635}}</ref>

Widely varying in purpose and style, among the Baloch folklore one will find stories about nature, anthropomorphic animals, love, heroes and villains, mythological creatures and everyday life. Baloch mythology often intertwines with their beliefs and geography, featuring the supernatural. A number of these mythological figures can be found in other cultures, like stories of [[Shahnameh]] and [[Persian mythology|Iranian Mythology]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOLK POETRY |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/folk-poetry- |website=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]}}</ref> [[Ashkash]] is introduced in several verses in the Shahnameh as the commander of the Baloch army.<ref name=":ashkash2" /> This work has inspired Baloch heroic tales and has appeared in the works of Baloch writers and Baloch folklore.<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" />

===Music and Dance===
{{Main|Chaap|Balochi Music}}
[[File:Traditional_dance_of_Baloch_tribes.jpg|thumb|Baloch men performing a traditional dance.]]
In ancient times, especially during the pre-Islamic era, it was common for Baloch women to perform [[Chaap|dances]] and sing [[Balochi music|folk songs]] at different events. The tradition of a Baloch mother singing lullabies to her children has played an important role in the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation since ancient times. Apart from the dressing style of the Baloch, indigenous and local traditions and customs are also of great importance to the Baloch.<ref name="Baloch Society & culture2" />

[[Zahirok|Zahīrōk]] is one of the musical forms of Baloch and in the beginning, was only sung by two groups of Baloch women.<ref name=":BALUCHISTAN iv. Music of Baluchistan2">{{Cite web |title=Baluchistan iv. Music of Baluchistan |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/baluchistan-iv |website=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]}}</ref>

[[Suroz]] and [[Ghaychak]] are popular instrument between Balochs such as craftspeople, folk artists, folk musicians and dance groups.<ref name=":BALUCHISTAN iv. Music of Baluchistan2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghaychak Instrument; What Iran is known for |url=https://iranpress.com/ghaychak-instrument-what-iran-is-known-for |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref>
[[File:Balouchi_rug.jpg|thumb|173x173px|Balouchi rug]]
[[File:نمونه_سوزندوزی_لباس_زنان_بلوچ.jpg|thumb|120x120px|Needlework of Baloch women's clothes]]

===Weaving===
{{See also|Balochi rug|Balochi needlework}}
Balochi weaving is renowned throughout the world, with fine specimens of both rugs and carpets. The most famous balochi rugs are those from [[Nimruz Province|Nimruz]] and [[Khorasan province|Khorasan]].<ref name=":Baluchi rug2" /> Wool is the primary material used, sourced from sheep and goats. In some cases, camel hair or a mix of natural fibres is also used.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sabry |first=Fouad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TkgQEQAAQBAJ |title=War Rug |publisher=One Billion Knowledgeable |year=2024}}</ref> Mehrabi is a [[prayer rug]] designed in the Balochi style, and it typically features a [[mihrab]] or arch at one end of the rug.<ref>{{cite web |title=Investigating the types, methods and geography of Iranian carpet production in the first five centuries of Hijra, based on written sources(In Persian) |url=https://congress2.iranology.ir/pdf/tarikh%20o%20joghrafiaye%20iran/Persian.pdf/408.pdf |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website=[[Shahed University]] |language=fa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Aesthetics of color and design of Baloch Mehrabi carpets(In Persian) |url=https://paykareh.scu.ac.ir/article_13206_45c0a33ff87fa184de18574271bf47e4.pdf |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website=[[Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz]] |language=fa}}</ref>

===Handicrafts===
{{See also|Balochi handicrafts}}
[[File:Baloch_handicrafts.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Balochi mirror embroidery]]
[[Balochi handicrafts]] are handicraft or handmade crafted works originating from Baloch people.<ref name=":iranica2">{{Cite web |title=CLOTHING xviii. Clothing of the Baluch in Persia |url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/clothing-xviii |website=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]}}</ref>

[[Balochi handicrafts#Balochi mirror work embroidery|Balochi mirror work embroidery]] is a type of traditional Balochi embroidery<ref name=":iranica2" /> and art that is used to decorate coats, cloth, hat(pag), cushion covers, tablecloths, bags, shoes, vests, local clothing between [[Baloch of Afghanistan|Baloch of afghanistan]] and pakistan.<ref name=":iranicaonline2">{{Cite web |title=CLOTHING xix. Clothing of the Baluch in Pakistan and Afghanistan |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/clothing-xix |website=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]}}</ref>

[[Balochi handicrafts#Balochi coin work embroidery|Balochi coin work embroidery]] is one of the handicrafts of [[Balochistan]] that the Baloch generally use to decorate bedspreads or camel necks during weddings, and they often hang them on the walls to decorate rooms.<ref name=":Balochistan and its ancient civilization2" /> Balochi coin embroidery is very popular among the [[Baloch people in Iran]] and has created a large market.<ref name=":Effects of nomadic tourism2">{{cite book |last1=Zendeh del |first1=Hasan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7oqgAAAAMAAJ&q=%D8%B3%DA%A9%D9%87%20%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C |title=Effects of nomadic tourism |date=2000 |publisher=Irangardan |isbn=978-964-6635-29-6 |pages=176&179 |language=fa}}</ref>

Outside of weaving and clothing, there are many other [[Balochi needlework|Baloch needleworks]], decorations on [[Balochi clothing|balochi dress]] is a tradition in Baloch culture including Balochi cap, jackets, belts, ladies purse, shoulder bags, and many other items.<ref>Rehman Khan, F. and Malghani, M. and Ayyaz, S., [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342375348_Construction_of_Baloch_Ethnic_Identity_through_Ethnolinguistic_Awareness_and_Cultural_Dynamics.pdf "Construction of Baloch Ethnic Identity through Ethnolinguistic Awareness and Cultural Dynamics"], ''Clark,'' pp. 440 (2005). Retrieved 2 January 2024.</ref> These crafts are known for their intricate designs, vibrant colours, and high-quality craftsmanship. They are often made by women artisans and serve both functional and decorative purposes, playing a significant role in the economy and identity of the Baloch community.<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" /> Notable Balochi needlework artisans include [[Mahtab Norouzi]]. [[Farah Pahlavi|Farah Diba Pahlavi]], the former [[Shahbanu]] of Iran, was particularly drawn to Balochi needlework handcrafts and incorporated them into many of her formal dresses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2012 |title=مهتاب نوروزی؛ نماد نیم قرن سوزن دوزی در بلوچستان |trans-title=Mahtab Norouzi; Symbol of half a century of needlework in Balochistan |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/arts/2012/07/120716_l44_pics_mahtab_needlework |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=BBC News فارسی |language=fa}}</ref>

Among crafts are coin embroidery and cream embroidery that are made with natural materials.<ref>{{cite book |last=Carr, Butler |first=Anna, Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H_kcEQAAQBAJ |title=The Routledge Handbook of Tourism and Indigenous Peoples |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2024 |isbn=9781040086629 |page=373}}</ref>

== Genetics ==
For most Balochs, [[haplogroup R1a]] is the most common paternal [[clade]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=R-Y920 YTree |url=https://www.yfull.com/tree/R-Y920/ |access-date=2021-01-20 |website=yfull.com}}</ref> The majority of Balochs belong to R1a, with a frequency of 34–36%.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ikram |first1=Muhammad Salman |last2=Mehmood |first2=Tahir |last3=Rakha |first3=Allah |last4=Akhtar |first4=Sareen |last5=Mahmood Khan |first5=Muhammad Imran |last6=Al-Qahtani |first6=Wedad Saeed |last7=Fatmah |first7=Ahmed Safhi |last8=Hadi |first8=Sibte |last9=Wang |first9=Chuan-Chao |last10=Adnan |first10=Atif |date=2022 |title=Genetic diversity and forensic application of Y-filer STRs in four major ethnic groups of Pakistan |journal=BMC Genomics |language=en |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=7–11 |doi=10.1186/s12864-022-09028-z |issn=1471-2164 |pmc=9714238 |pmid=36451116 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite bioRxiv |biorxiv=10.1101/392456 |first1=Atif |last1=Adnan |first2=Shao-Qing |last2=Wen |title=Forensic features and genetic legacy of the Baloch population of Pakistan and the Hazara population across Durand-line revealed by Y chromosomal STRs |date=22 November 2020 |last3=Rakha |first3=A. |last4=Alghafri |first4=R. |last5=Nazir |first5=Sh. |last6=Rehman |first6=M. |last7=Wng |first7=Ch.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FamilyTreeDNA – " Al-Baloushi " Group Project – مشروع البلوشي الجيني |url=https://www.familytreedna.com/public/albaloushi?iframe=yresults&srsltid=AfmBOoovE8kGBr-8MCrJxJTdXrprkBJglVbiUGDQhACzGZT3sywEFnin |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=www.familytreedna.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FamilyTreeDNA – |url=https://www.familytreedna.com/public/albloushi_tribe/default.aspx?section=yresults |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=www.familytreedna.com}}</ref>

==Religion==
=== Islam ===
The Baloch are predominantly [[Muslims|Muslim]], with the vast majority belonging to the [[Hanafi]] school of [[Sunni Islam]], but there is also tiny proportion of [[Shia Islam|Shia]] in Balochistan.<ref>{{cite book |last=Korn, Jahani, Titus |first=Agnes , Carina , Paul Brian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nNoRAQAAMAAJ&q=baloch%20shia%20sunni |title=The Baloch and Others Linguistic, Historical and Socio-political Perspectives on Pluralism in Balochistan |date=2008 |publisher=Reichert Verlag |isbn=9783895005916 |page=12 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Baloch people |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Baloch |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]}}</ref>

In the case of Pakistan, breakdown by religious movements or sub-groups among the ethnic Baloch in the country as a whole is as following: 64.78% are Sunni-[[Deobandi]]s, 33.38% are Sunni-[[Barelvi]]s and 1.25% are Sunni-[[Ahl-i Hadith]]; Shia's are 0.59%. Inside Pakistan's Balochistan province more specifically, the religious affiliation among the Baloch is: 68.75% Sunni-Deobandi, 30.38% Sunni-Barelvis, 0.79% Sunni-Ahl-i Hadith and 0.07% Shi'as.<ref name="nsuworks.nova.edu2">[[C. Christine Fair|Fair, C. Christine]] and Hamza, Ali (2017) [https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1405&context=pcs "Rethinking Baloch Secularism: What the Data Say,"] ''Peace and Conflict Studies'': Vol. 24 : No. 1, Article 1, see Table 2 & Table 4. [https://web.archive.org/web/20241219092437/https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1405&context=pcs Archived] on 19 December 2024.</ref>

==== Islamism ====
Although Baloch leaders, backed by traditional scholarship, have held that the Baloch people are secular, [[Christine Fair]] and Ali Hamza found during their 2017 study that, when it comes to [[Islamism]], "contrary to the conventional wisdom, Baloch are generally indistinguishable from other Pakistanis in Balochistan or the rest of Pakistan". There are virtually no statistically significant or substantive differences between Baloch Muslims and other Muslims in Pakistan in terms of religiosity, support for a sharia-compliant Pakistan state, liberating Muslims from oppression including [[Kashmir conflict|Kashmir]], etc.<ref name="nsuworks.nova.edu2" />

==== Zikri sect ====
In 2020, 800,000 Pakistani Baloch were estimated to follow the [[Zikri]] sect.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Victoria R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_zRDwAAQBAJ&dq=zikris&pg=PA141 |title=Indigenous Peoples: An Encyclopedia of Culture, History, and Threats to Survival [4 volumes] |date=2020-02-24 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-4408-6118-5 |language=en}}</ref>

===Zoroastrian influences===
{{Main|Zoroastrianism}}
Before the Islam era, the Baloch were the followers of [[Mazdakism|Mazdakian]] and [[Manichaeism|Manichean]] sects of [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]].{{sfn|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012|pp=142}}<ref name=":From Border to Border Research Study on Identity and Ethnicity in Iran2">{{cite book |last=Ahmady |first=Kameel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2VXeEAAAQBAJ |title=From Border to Border Research Study on Identity and Ethnicity in Iran |publisher=Avaye Buf |year=2013 |isbn=9788794295314 |page=100}}</ref><ref name=":Zeb2" />

A number of Baloch tribes still preserve and adhere to pre-Islamic traditions, including the Nal oath (a type of [[oath]] to prove innocence by passing through fire)<ref name=":Balochistan and its ancient civilization2" /> which is common among the Baloch around [[Taftan (volcano)|Taftan]], and they are bilingual, speaking Parsiwani in addition to the Balochi language.<ref name=":The Baloch and Their Neighbours2" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jahani,Karina |first=Agnes,Korn |title=The Baloch and their Neighbours, Ethnic and Linguistic Contact in Balochistan in Historical and Modern Time |publisher=[[Cambridge University]] |year=2022 |isbn=978-3-89500-366-0 |page=248}}</ref>

=== Hindu and Sikh minorities ===
{{See also|Hinduism in Balochistan}}
[[File:A_ride_to_India_across_Persia_and_Baluchistan_(1891)_(14782067294).jpg|thumb|A ''zigri'', a type of folk dance, in Gwarjak in 1891]]
A small number of Balochs are non-Muslims, particularly in the [[Bugti]] clan which has [[Hindu]] and [[Sikh]] members.<ref name="HingolTemple2">{{Cite news |author=Kamal Siddiqi |date=30 July 2009 |title=Hingol Temple Symbolises Baloch Secularism |url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/world/hingol-temple-symbolises-baloch-secularism/story-yOyVxu6v2DeBdC9obUAwsN.html |access-date=20 October 2020 |newspaper=Hindustan Times }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Most of these Hindus or Sikhs are not ethnic Baloch, or not fully; for example, many [[Maratha (caste)|Marathas]] were captured following their defeat at the [[Third Battle of Panipat]] in 1761 and were integrated within the Baloch tribal system (taking names like Bugti and more), their history having been covered in the 2023 [[Marathi cinema|Marathi]] movie ''[[Baloch (film)|Baloch]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohta |first=Nikita |date=22 November 2024 |title=From Panipat to Balochistan: Tracing the Maratha community's journey through history |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/from-panipat-to-balochistan-tracing-the-maratha-communitys-journey-through-history-9670804/ |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

Likewise, the [[Bhagnaris]] are a Hindu community living in India<ref name="BalochMumbai2">{{cite news |author=Roshni Nair |date=3 December 2016 |title=Mumbai's filmi daredevils with a cross-border history |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mumbai-s-filmi-daredevils-with-a-cross-border-history/story-zZxj8hDGF0EiOahNCJmUTL.html |access-date=9 July 2020 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> who trace their origin to southern Balochistan but migrated to India during the [[Partition of India|Partition]].<ref name="BalochPartition2">{{Cite news |author=Sadaf Modak |date=7 November 2016 |title=A piece of Balochistan in Mumbai since Partition – 150 families & Khatti Dal |url=https://www.indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/a-piece-of-balochistan-in-mumbai-since-partition-150-families-khatti-dal-3740905/lite/ |access-date=20 October 2020}}</ref> Numbering around 2,500 in [[Mumbai]] they identify as [[Sindhis]] in terms of ethnicity and speak [[Saraiki language|Saraiki]], a language close to [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maskeri |first=Anju |date=20 November 2016 |title=A century here, but still not at home |url=https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/A-century-here--but-still-not-at-home-17771158 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225180059/https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/A-century-here--but-still-not-at-home-17771158 |archive-date=25 December 2024 |website=[[Mid-Day]] |quote=For the Bhagnari community of Mumbai, who also originate from Balochistan and date their presence in this city to the Partition, there's no identity conflict. "We are identified as Sindhis. Although we speak Sairaki (a dialect spoken in the southern half of the province of Punjab in Pakistan), there's never been a clash," says Lalit Jham, a businessman and member of the community. According to statistics, there are approximately 2,500 Bhagnaris living in Mumbai. "Since we come under the Sindhi caste, we can avail of benefits like reservation."}}</ref>

==Notable people==
===Pakistan===<!-- Please maintain alphabetical order. -->
{{Div col}}
*[[Abdul Rashid Ghazi]] (1964–2007), Pakistani diplomat and Islamic scholar<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Walsh |first=Declan |title=The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches from a Divided Nation |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2021 |pages=32–33}}</ref>
* [[Muhammad Abdullah Ghazi|Maulana Muhammad Abdullah]] (1935–1998), Islamic scholar who served as Chairman of [[Ruet-e-Hilal Committee]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Mansoor |first=Riaz |url=https://archive.org/details/SHAEEDISLAM |title=Hayat Shaheed E Islam (حیات شہید ای اسلام) |publisher=[[Jamia Faridia#Maktaba Faridia|Maktaba Faridia]] |year=2006 |pages=57}}</ref>
* [[Nabi Bakhsh Baloch]] (1917–2011), research scholar, historian, educationist and linguist in [[Urdu]], English, [[Persian language|Persian]] and [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] languages.
* [[Aftab Baloch]] (1953–2022), a former Pakistani cricketer.
* [[Abdul Qadir Baloch]] (born 1945), a retired General in the Pakistan army. Currently a Pakistani politician.
* [[Mahnoor Baloch]] (born 1970), Canadian Pakistani actress.
* [[Naz Baloch]] (born 1981), Pakistani female politician.
* [[Quratulain Balouch]], Pakistani American singer and songwriter.
* [[Kiran Baluch|Kiran Maqsood Baluch]] (born 1978), a Pakistani woman cricketer.
* [[Akbar Bugti]] (1926–2006), the former Tumandar of the Bugti tribe and Minister of State of Balochistan Province.
* [[Abdul Aziz (Pakistani cleric)|Maulana Abdul Aziz]], (born 1960), Imam of [[Lal Masjid, Islamabad|Red Mosque]]
* [[Sarfraz Bugti]] (born 1981), former member of the Pakistani Senate and current chief minister of Balochistan.
* [[Usman Buzdar|Sardar Usman Buzdar]] (born 1969), former chief minister of Punjab province.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haider |first1=Sikandar |title=Poorest Baloch tribe's chief set to rule Punjab |url=https://nation.com.pk/19-Aug-2018/poorest-baloch-tribe-s-chief-set-to-rule-punjab |website=The Nation |language=en |date=18 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CM Usman Buzdar's resignation accepted, Punjab cabinet dissolved |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/946521-cm-usman-buzdar-resigns-punjab-cabinet-dissolved |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |date=April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Eva B]], hip hop rapper and singer.
* [[Mir Jafar Khan Jamali]] (1911–1967), a veteran politician from [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] and a tribal leader from Balochistan<ref>{{cite web |author1=Dr Shahida Jaffrey Jamali |title=Remembering Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/18852/remembering-mir-jaffar-khan-jamali/ |website=Daily Times |date=6 April 2017}}</ref>
* [[Zafarullah Khan Jamali]] (1944–2020), the 15th prime minister of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zafarullah Khan Jamali – Age, Political Party, Family and Education |url=https://arynews.tv/en/zafarullah-khan-jamali/ |website=ARYNEWS |date=11 August 2018}}</ref>
* [[Kaifi Khalil]] (born 1996), singer-songwriter.
* [[Sardar Muhammad Ayub Khan|Sardar Mohammad Ayub Khan Gadhi]], (born 1961) [[Member of the Provincial Assembly]] and ex-Minister for Counter Terrorism Punjab. 
* [[Zulfiqar Ali Khosa]] (born 1935), a former governor of Punjab province.
* [[Latif Khosa]] (born 1946), a former Governor of Punjab.
* [[Asif Saeed Khan Khosa]] (born 1954), the 26th chief justice of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Justice Asif Saeed Khosa to be sworn in as 26th Chief Justice of Pakistan |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/420271-justice-asif-saeed-khosa-to-be-sworn-in-as-26th-chief-justice-of-pakistan |website=thenews.com.pk |date=17 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Mir Hazar Khan Khoso]] (1929–2021), jurist and [[caretaker prime minister of Pakistan]] from 25 March to 5 June 2013. 
* [[Muhammad Muqeem Khan Khoso]] (1949–2016), a former Chief Sardar of the Khoso Tribe and former Member of the Provincial Assembly from PS-14 Jacobabad.
* [[Bilal Lashari]] (born 1981), Pakistani filmmaker, cinematographer, screenwriter and actor.
* [[Farooq Leghari]] (1940–2010), the 8th president of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Farooq Ahmad Khan: Bhutto's pick, until he sacked her |url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/asia/farooq-ahmad-khan-bhutto-s-pick-until-he-sacked-her-1.545647 |website=The National |date=30 October 2010 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Hasnain Lehri]] (born 1989), Pakistani actor and model.
* [[Khair Bakhsh Marri]] (1928–2014), was a Baloch politician from the province of [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] in Pakistan.<ref name=Dawn>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1111939 |author=Hasan Mansoor|title=Khair Bakhsh Marri: a fighter all the way |date=11 June 2014|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref>
* [[Sherbaz Khan Mazari]] (1930–2020), a Baluch veteran politician.
* [[Shireen Mazari]] (born 1949), the federal minister for human rights and a member of Pakistan [[Tehreek-e-Insaf]].
* [[Muniba Mazari]] (born 1987), human rights activist, artist and motivational speaker.
* [[Balakh Sher Mazari|Sardar Mir Balakh Sher Mazari]] (1928–2022), the interim prime minister of Pakistan in a 1993 caretaker government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Balakh Sher Mazari – Age, Son, Family, Political party |url=https://arynews.tv/en/balakh-sher-mazari |website=ARYNEWS |date=15 July 2018}}</ref>
* [[Yasir Nawaz]] (born 1970), director, producer, screenwriter and actor.
* [[Danish Nawaz]] (born 1978), television actor, director and comedian.
* [[Siraj Raisani]] (1963–2018), a member of [[Balochistan Awami Party]].<ref>{{cite web |title=I am Siraj Khan Raisani Baloch & I will die a Pakistani |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/341638-i-am-siraj-khan-raisani-baloch-i-will-die-as-pakistani |website=thenews.com.pk |date=14 July 2018 |language=en}}</ref> He is also a recipient of the [[Sitara-e-Shujaat]] (star of bravery).<ref name=militaryawards>{{cite web |title=President Alvi confers top civil, military awards for excellence on Pakistan Day |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1471417/president-alvi-confers-top-civil-military-awards-for-excellence-on-pakistan-day |work=Dawn|location=Pakistan |language=en |date=23 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Mir Chakar Rind]], (1468–1565), Baloch folk hero
* [[Asif Ali Zardari]] (born 1955), the 11th and 14th president of Pakistan.
* [[Sanaullah Khan Zehri]] (born 1961), the 15th chief minister of Balochistan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Notezai |first1=Muhammad Akbar |title=Profile: Sanullah Zehri – more of a Sardar than a politician |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1381921 |work=Dawn|location=Pakistan |language=en |date=10 January 2018}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}

==See also==

* [[Baloch of Iran]]
* Baloch of Pakistan
** [[Baloch people in Punjab]]
** [[Baloch people in Sindh]]
* [[Baloch people in the United Arab Emirates]]
* [[Baloch of Turkmenistan]]
* [[Omani Baloch|Baloch of Oman]]
* [[Australian Baloch]]
* [[Baloch people in India]]
* [[Al Balushi]]
* [[Balochi cuisine]]
* [[Indo-Iranian peoples]]
* [[Baloch nationalism]]
* [[1898 Baloch uprising]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group="note"}}{{notelist}}

== Citations ==
{{reflist}}

== General and cited references ==

* {{Cite book |last=Dashti |first=Naseer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xIjyLNpusbAC&pg=PA33 |title=The Baloch and Balochistan: A Historical Account from the Beginning to the Fall of the Baloch State |date=2012 |publisher=Trafford Publishing |isbn=978-1-4669-5896-8 |pages=33– |ref={{sfnref|Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan|2012}}}}

==Further reading==

* {{EI3|last=Axmann|first=Martin|title=Baluchistan and the Baluch people|year=2019|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/baluchistan-and-the-baluch-people-COM_25188?s.num=0&s.f.s2_parent=s.f.book.encyclopaedia-of-islam-3&s.q=baluch}}
* {{Encyclopaedia Islamica|last1=Bulookbashi|first1=Ali A.|last2=Asatryan|first2=Mushegh|title=Balūch|year=2013|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-islamica/baluch-COM_00000057?s.num=12&s.f.s2_parent=s.f.book.encyclopaedia-islamica&s.q=azerbaijan}}
* Elfenbein, J. "Balochi Literature". P. G. Kreyenbroek and U. Marzolph, eds. ''Oral Literature of Iranian Languages. Kurdish, Pashto, Balochi, Ossetic, Persian & Tajik''. A History of Persian Literature. ed. E. Yarshater. vol. 18. Companion vol. 2. London: [[I. B. Tauris]], 2010. pp.&nbsp;167–198.

==External links==
{{Sister project links}}

* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iran/ Iran]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* {{Wikiatlas|Iran}}
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