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The Annexation of Baluchistan and Kalat by the East India Company (1839 CE)
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In 1839, the British East India Company (EIC) expanded its influence into the region of Baluchistan, specifically targeting the Khanate of Kalat. This event was part of the broader geopolitical strategy of the British Empire during the "Great Game," a period of intense rivalry between the British and Russian Empires for control over Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
The Khanate of Kalat, located in present-day Baluchistan (Pakistan), was a semi-autonomous state ruled by the Khan of Kalat. The region held strategic importance due to its location along key trade routes and its proximity to Afghanistan, which was a focal point of British and Russian interests. The British were concerned about the potential for Russian expansion into Afghanistan and, by extension, India. To secure their northwestern frontier, the British sought to establish control over Kalat and Baluchistan.
In 1839, the British East India Company, under the leadership of Sir Alexander Burnes, negotiated a treaty with Mir Mehrab Khan, the ruler of Kalat. The treaty effectively placed Kalat under British protection, granting the EIC significant influence over the region's affairs. The British promised to support Mehrab Khan against internal and external threats in exchange for his cooperation and the establishment of British military outposts in the region.
However, tensions soon arose between Mehrab Khan and the British. The Khan was accused of failing to uphold the terms of the treaty, particularly in providing support to British forces during the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842). In November 1839, British forces, led by General Sir Thomas Willshire, launched an attack on Kalat. The city was captured, and Mehrab Khan was killed in the fighting. The British installed a new ruler, Shah Nawaz Khan, who was more amenable to their interests.
The annexation of Kalat marked the beginning of British dominance in Baluchistan. The region became a key part of British India's strategic buffer zone against potential Russian incursions. Over the following decades, the British consolidated their control over Baluchistan, integrating it into their administrative framework and using it as a base for further operations in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
The events of 1839 had long-lasting consequences for Baluchistan and its people. The region's incorporation into British India set the stage for its eventual inclusion in Pakistan following the partition of India in 1947. However, the legacy of British intervention also contributed to ongoing tensions and conflicts in Baluchistan, as local leaders and communities resisted external control and sought greater autonomy.
This chapter highlights the complex interplay of geopolitics, military strategy, and local resistance that characterized the British annexation of Baluchistan and Kalat in 1839, a pivotal moment in the history of South Asia.