Anglo Marri wars

Anglo Marri Wars
Date1840, 1880, 1917 CE
LocationNorth-East region of Baluchistan (in modern-day Pakistan)
Result First War: Victory of Marri tribe, Second & Third Wars: British Victory
Territorial
changes		 Eastern Baluchistan
Belligerents
United Kingdom British Empire Independent Marri tribesmen
Commanders and leaders
Sir John Keane in 1840 CE, Brigadier-General Macgregor in 1880 CE Sardar Doda Khan Marri in 1840 CE
Strength
unknown Thousand of Marri warriors and Allies
Casualties and losses
unknown unknown

The Anglo Marri Wars were three major military conflicts between the Marri Baluch tribesmen, in the independent eastern Baluch tribal belt (now known as the North-Eastern region of Baluchistan Pakistan), and the British Empire in 19th and 20th century.

In these wars, battles were fought mostly in the mountainous tribal areas of Kohistan-e-Marri and adjacent localities. These areas are now under the administrative control of Kohlu, Sibi, Bolan, Barkhan, Nasirabad, and Dera Bugti districts of Baluchistan province.

First Anglo Marri War - 1840

Scenario

In the fourth decade of the 19th century Baluches had almost lost their national identity after the martyrdom of Mir Mehrab Khan (Baloch ruler) and subsequent British suzerainty over Kalat State.[1] At the same time, without the consultation and agreement from Baluches, a type of mutual understanding had been formalized between the Anglo Raj and kingdom of Iran for the distribution of Balochistan territories between them.[1] The people of Kalat State and the Baluch tribesmen felt that the British and Iranians were becoming masters of their fate. According to Mir Khuda Bakhsh Marri, the invasions of Kalat State and the martyrdom of Mir Mehrab Khan, at the hands of the British Army, no doubt opened the doors of Balochistan to British interference in political, as well as military affairs and finally introduced British suzerainty. At the same time it generated reactionary feelings of nationalism among the Baluches.[2]

Cause

The negative relations between the Marri people and the British started in 1840 with attacks made on the communications of Sir John Keane's army after it had passed through the Bolan Pass.[3] In March 1840 Sir John Keane had decided that there was a dire need to capture the Kahan and its fort from Marri tribesmen.[4]

Battles of Kahan

An attempt was made by the British Forces to punish the tribe, ending in failure. Major Claiborne was repulsed in an attempt to storm the Naffusak Pass, losing 179 of his troops, with an additional 92 wounded out of his force of 650 people. Many of his force died of heat and thirst. The fort of Kahan, which he was trying to relieve at the time, was forced to capitulate with the honors of war.[3]

Aftermath

The First Anglo Marri war proved to be a disastrous campaign for the Anglo forces. Although they held remain occupants in the fort of Kahan through whole of time but in efforts to establish a proper safe passage to Kahan and continuous reinforcing the Kahan Regiment in a form of fresh food and blood, they had got the taste of failure. On the other side, Marri tribesmen had faced no such difficulties in their chain of supplies in the area. They were the native of the region and they were very well aware about the terrain of their hilly areas, which they took advantage of.

After this war, in 1843, Marri once again gone in uprising against the British forces and they gave much trouble.[3] This time, the cause of clashes was the occupancy of Sindh by the forces of British Empire. Being a Baluch tribe, Marri feel worries about the fate of their neighboring state and their Baluch ruler. Richard Isaac Bruce writes about the Marris:[5]

The Marris were considered absolutely incorrigible, and were proclaimed out lawed and blockaded on all sides. A proclamation was issued on the Sind Frontier offering a reward of ten rupees for the capture of any Marri.

Second Anglo Marri War - 1880

In 1880, during the Second Afghan War, Marri tribesmen made frequent raids on the British line of communications, ending with the plunder of a treasure convoy. A force of 3070 British troops under Brigadier-General Macgregor marched through the country. The tribe submitted and paid Rs 1/4 lakh (£12,500) out of a fine of 2 lakhs (£20,000). They also gave hostages for their future good behavior.[3]

Third Anglo Marri War - 1917

During the middle of World War I, British Forces were facing a shortage of recruits and started a campaign that attempted to enlist the Marri. However, they refused to join the British ranks. Subsequently, clashes broke out in large areas of Marri land which lasted for many months under the leadership of General Mir Khuda e Dad Khan Marri, who embraced martyrdom with two of his younger brothers. Other Marri tribesmen, fought bravely until their death. Both sides suffered hundreds of casualties. At last Marri tribe agreed to support the British Forces, and were paid money for doing so. Despite this, they still refused to send their youth to join the war.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Baluchistan: Political Struggle by Justice Munir Ahmed Marri
  2. ↑ Search Lights on Baluches & Baluchistan, page-243
  3. 1 2 3 4 Encyclopedia of Britannica, 11th Edition
  4. ↑ Defense of Kahan by Charles Reynolds Williams
  5. ↑ The Forward Policy and its results by Richard Isaac Bruce

Bibliography

Sources

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