From the Archives

We are pleased to upload an “Occasional Paper” published in 1998 titled “Baluchistan and The Partition of India: The Forgotten Story”, by noted academic, Baren Ray.

Summary

The Baloch Quest for Sovereignty

In this paper, Baren Ray explores the historical struggle of Balochistan, tracing its evolution from a collection of princely states to a marginalised province within Pakistan. Ray highlights that the Baloch identity is deeply rooted in a distinct linguistic and cultural heritage that predates the religious nationalism used to justify the Partition of India.

A significant portion of the analysis focuses on the Kalat State. Ray explains that unlike many other princely states, Kalat sought to maintain its independence, which it briefly achieved in August 1947. This sovereignty was soon curtailed by a forced accession to Pakistan in 1948, a pivotal moment that Ray argues laid the foundation for decades of resentment and resistance.

The paper further critiques the British colonial legacy of “Sandemanisation,” which empowered tribal chiefs (Sardars) at the expense of democratic progress. Ray notes that post-independence, the Pakistani state continued this pattern of centralisation, exploiting Balochistan’s vast natural resources while neglecting the socio-economic needs of its people. This systemic marginalisation, combined with military intervention, shifted the Baloch movement from a quest for provincial autonomy toward a more radical struggle for self-determination. Ultimately, Ray portrays the “Baloch problem” as a testament to the unresolved tensions between a centralised Islamic state and a secular, regional identity.

Baren Ray had prepared this occasional paper for South Asian Centre for Strategic Studies (SACSS), a sister organisation of Centre for Peace Studies (CPS) in the year 1998. This paper is of great historical value and has a lasting appeal.

Ray was a distinguished Indian scholar and dedicated peace activist who served as a prominent member of the World Peace Council. His work focused heavily on the political history of South Asia, particularly the evolution of secular and democratic movements within the region.

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