Our westward march must
continue!
By:Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors
Forum
Dated 23rd July 2013
Major
Expansion of British Empire in 1870s
Major Robert Sandeman, then Commissioner
of Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Ghazi, went looking for a cool place near his post
and discovered a cluster of Green Mountain on the border of Baluchistan. Within
these cluster along the river he found a easy way up and reached KHAR, a small
town with abundant water and sizeable population supported by small agriculture
base besides large animal husbandry.
Just above KHAR stood a remarkable
landmark of high mountain which was later named FORT MUNRO, after the name of
the then Governor General of India. Fort Munro had a natural defense and was
considered invincible thus became a desirable base and look- out post over
Baluchistan to the west.
Contacts with Baluch tribes:
Within his jurisdiction Sandeman had
come into contact with Mazari, Laghari, Bijrani,
Golcharani tribes and developed good working relations. The relationship was
based on mutual respect. He made sure to show high respect to tribal leaders as
he knew that they were key to his success. Generally he found tribes quite
peaceful and humble people.
However he was constantly challenged by
more warlike tribes of Marri and Bugti who held a sway to the west just below
the heights of Fort Munro. They came and raided settled area under Sandeman’s
control frequently and looted and killed many. They also raided plains of Sibi
and Magsi which was within Khan of Kalat’s State but the Khan was not strong
enough to control fierce tribes like Marri and Bugti.
Sitting in Fort Munro, Sandeman
developed ideas of taking into control first the Marri and Bugti territory and
then taking control of Quetta. He
convinced the top policy makers in Delhi and London without much cost based on
his experience with tribes he already came in contact with. He put forward the
idea that these tribes were very poor and could be easily convinced to come
under British Rule if their members were given well paid secured jobs and given
grants for securing food supplies and other essentials.
Evolution of
‘Sandemanian Security System’
He proposed that such large extension of
territory may not be that expensive if the Tribes were left alone to manage
their villages and ancestral land under their existing SARDARS and WADARAS.
While British Government manages few key Towns and the connecting roads. He
proposed that in Towns a strong garrison be maintained and Civil Administration
be introduced. While the security of connecting roads would be the
responsibility of Tribe through which the road was passing. Local militia, of
the respective tribe, were supposed to guard their patch of road. Militia
members were paid Rs 21 pm at that time and this was considered a very
lucrative job, near home. In was made clear that in case of three violations
of agreed terms. Army from Garrison Towns
would come out and collectively punish the treaty breaching tribe, by
destroying property and arresting culprits.
This set of security and administrative
arrangement was later called “Sandemanian Security System” and became important
tool of “British Forward Policy”.
The Great debate:
Numbers of influential officials of the
British Empire were of the view that to contain Russian expansion towards India
it was prudent to capture as much western territory as possible. However on
cost consideration in terms of money and soldiers others opposed this view.
Most officials of Punjab and Sindh advised against these proposals of a junior
official like Major Sandeman, Commissioner of Derajat.
It is remarkable that Sandeman’s
arguments won over opposition of such high officials like Commissioner of Sindh
and Governor of Punjab. Perhaps hidden desire of the Crown for more territory
coincided with economical expansion proposal of Sandeman.
William Merewether, then Commissioner of
Sindh feared that such a policy will be very costly for Britain and spoil
the cordial relationship with the Khan of Qalat. Khan of Qalat in consideration
of Rupees 100,000 per annum cooperated with the British. Marri and Bugti who
raided weaker tribes within Khanate with impunity, besides raiding British
territories from time to time, where supposed to be under Khan of Kalat,
however the Khan was unable to control them. The behavior of Marri and Bugti
tribes gave moral justification of westward expansion.
British
Forward policy and its results:
British Forward policy followed during period
1866 to 1900 was responsible for adding the entire Baluchistan and all
mountainous regions of KP into Pakistan.
Prior to initiation of forward policy
the British, Sikh and Mughal authority was limited to low lands only while the
western mountains were” no go” area.
After getting a nod from high ups in
Delhi ignoring old wisdom and current advise , Sandeman, decided to enter
the forbidden western Marri and Bugti territory, in hot pursuit of tribal raiders.
He had a force of just 20,000 Scouts but a heavy purse.
No serious battle took place between
British and Marri and Bugti tribes. Small skirmishes ended in tribes fleeing
inwards. So Sandemen kept marching till he reached Quetta and captured the Fort
of Khan of Kalat.
Interaction with the tribes soon
revealed internal weakness of Khanates politics with each tribal leader
intriguing against the other and against the Khan of Kalat. To his surprise
Sandeman found people within Khans household and Court who were ready to help
him achieve his objective of getting a foot hold in the Khanate for a
consideration. Thus in 1876 the Treaty of Mustung was signed which gave Quetta
valley to the British, as well a permanent Resident in the Court, with
authority to advice on all major issues.
A Base at Quetta in 1877
and its impact:
For the first time British cantonment
was thus established at Quetta, initially with only 300 Sikh soldiers and
handful of British Officers. Possession of Quetta valley proved to be immense
value as it commanded a huge territory from Bolan Pass to Kojak pass, on the
important trade route between India and Afghanistan. While Baluch
accepted this arrangement, as decreed by their Sardars, the independent minded
Pakhtoon of area did not accept British presence in their midst. They regularly
conducted suicide attacks with swords and simple guns killing Sikh and British
soldiers before being killed. Richard Bruce the able assistant of Sandeman
mentions in his book’ British Forward Policy and its results’, those attacks
happened almost every month.
Pakhtoon resistance and
how it was overcome:
As a result of 2nd Afghan war, in terms
of the Treaty of Gandamak (1879), with defeated Afghan Ruler Yaqub Khan, Afghan
territories of Sibi, Pishan and Kurram were
ceded to the British.
However the accepted wisdom of the time
was that the ease at which British influence was established in Baluch area due
to their obedience to their Sardar may not be possible in the Pathan areas.
Sandeman and Bruce therefore advanced in
these areas with lot of caution and patients. Kakar, Shinwani, Tareens, Orakzia
tribes were known for their fighting skills and courage. The most formidable
foe of the British however was Sardar Shahjahan of Zhob, who was said to have super
natural powers. He claimed to be the rightful Ruler of the Pathan region based
on a decree of Amir of Afghanistan.
Sandeman with an overwhelming force
first took Lora lai and then moved on Kila Saif Ullah and Zhob. Apart from
small encounters no fighting of significance took place and one by one local
Chiefs surrendered and offered their close relatives as hostages. When
Shahjahan’s fort at Zhob was blown up in front of leading Sardars; they were
convinced of military superiority of the British, who already had support of
the Baluch. The Pakhtoons agreed to remain peaceful under British rule and till
today they have remained so.
Sandeman along with his loyal and able
assistant Robert Bruce gradually expanded his authority using military force,
diplomacy and above all money. He extended proper British rule all over
present Northern Baluchistan including Zhob, Sibi, Pishan, Chaman, Qila Abdullah,
Gulistan, Bustan and Muslim Bagh.
Sandeman’s master stroke won him support
from Higher British authorities and Merewether’s concerns were found baseless.
In the dyeing days of the empire, addition of such a large territory, made
Sandeman stand out among builders of the British Empire.
While another set of Administrators in KP
thought it was better to leave all mountainous areas outside British Control
and contend with limited control. Northern Baluchistan and KP are both
populated by Pathans and the topography is similar yet two different set of administrators
thought so differently leading to such different results.
The
cost of not absorbing FATA---9/11:
The success in Baluchistan was not followed
in KP mainly on the mindset of the Administrators of Punjab who controlled
them. Financial consideration also played a crucial role. As FATA region was
not expected to yield a positive return in terms of revenue, the additional
expense of extending British rule would have been a great burden on Punjab
Government.
The argument that these areas were left
out due to fierce resistance of the tribes may also be true to some extent who
ever based on Baluchistan experience with equally fearsome tribes and a much
more hostile topography this may not be the whole truth. The Toba and Kakar
range, Suleimanian range are much higher mountain range than the once in FATA.
Except for a small portion of South Waziristan and Parachinar area most of FATA
area is low lying and easily accessible compared to Northern Baluchistan.
Similarly to suggest that Afridis, Waziries or other FATA tribes are better
fighters than the Pakhtoons of Northern Baluchistan is also not fair.
The Pakhtoon of Northern Baluchistan soon
released the benefits of British rule and accepted their rule in their best
interest and decided to take economic advantage of a peaceful and orderly
country rather than resist and linger poverty and misery. The appeal of people
like Shahjahan was lost. Shahjahan advocated rebellion in the name of Islam
with a view to continue the indirect rule by Amir of Afghanistan. While the
British with their advanced technologically promised better life. British Rule
soon provided secure and busy trade routes like Bolan and Kojak Pass, better
internal Roads, Railways, Telephone and Telegraph, Hospitals and School and
above all well paid and secure government jobs. Practical minded Pakhtoon chose
British rule over that of a medieval Afghan overlord who not in foreseeable
future could deliver these benefits.
The results are for all to see. While
Pakhtoon of Baluchistan are wealthy, educated, healthy and happy lot, people of
FATA suffer endlessly.
It may be said that perhaps 9/11 would not
have happened if the British authorities had decided to include all of FATA
into KP as was urged by the people of the Area and British administrators like
Robert Bruce, who was the Political Agent of Waziristan, as his last posting in
sub continent.
If Bruce’s recommendations were accepted
Waziristan which is the largest part (60%) of FATA could have been included
either in Baluchistan or KP. He contended that 56% of the people of the area were
property owners and wished that their area be included in Crown area with usual
protection of live and property. Bruce contended that a small portion of about
15% people who were property-less and used to banditry wished that their area
remain outside the orbit of British rule, so that they may continue their
activities unhindered. He also mentioned that the class of Mullahs sided with
both sides from time to time and had no character. He considered them source of
constant trouble with no integrity in their stand. He thought that these rouge
elements could be ignored and wishes of the majority peaceful people should be
accepted.
9/11 and its imperatives:
9/11 may be considered a God sent blessing
for Pakistan to expand its territory into FATA and perhaps take the rest of
Afghanistan’s Pakhtoon belt into Pakistan continuing the west ward march
started by Sandeman.
Circumstances have developed whereby either
we should secede the entire FATA, Northern Baluchistan and KP to Afghanistan or
take away the divided Pakhtoon area into Pakistan. A referendum may be held
under UN supervision to decide this. While some may fear that Pakhtoons may opt
for Afghanistan, based on Northern Baluchistan history and given my
understanding of the pragmatic mindset of Pakhtoon, I am convinced that they
will opt for Pakistan. Even if given a choice they will also not opt for an
independent Pakhtoonkhwa.
Conclusion and recommendations:
1.It was the unconventional,
eccentric, rebellious behavior of Major Sandeman that Baluchistan is part of
Pakistan otherwise its Northern Pakhtoon belt would have been part of
Afghanistan and rest Kalat State.
2. The system of administration
which Sandeman developed and Bruce implemented in Baluchistan could have easily
be copied in all of FATA but it was not done. We have paid a heavy price for
leaving FATA unattended and closing 4 key Cantonments of Tank, Wana, Jandola
and Ramzak in 1947 as part of deal with Tribal leaders.
3. In 2010 Pakistan army
started entering FATA and now 90% area is well within their control. It is
recommended that Sandemanian security system be applied there to safe cost and
our forces should withdraw to major bases.
4. The westward march
started by Sandeman from Fort Munro in 1870s has now reached the current
Durrand Line. However for lasting peace in the Region remaining Pakhtoon belt
may also be incorporated in Pakistan after a referendum.
5. After the 3rd Afghan War
under a treaty Kandahar was handed over to the British and they remained there
for sometime before withdrawing to Chaman. Given the fact that Kandahar is the
political capital of Pakhtoon in Afghanistan its reincorporation into Pakistan
may help bring lasting peace in the Region. It is from Kandahar that all major
Pakhtoon Dynasty including Durranis have risen. Mohammadzai tribe has led most
of the movements. Incidentally the current Taliban movement also rose from this
city. Its occupation under the old treaty is highly recommended. Thereafter
incorporation of remaining Pakhtoon territory into Pakistan may be initiated.
6. All Pakhtoon under one
flag is very desirable. Pakistan is the obvious choice. They may seek their
better future within Pakistan and let the remaining Afghan tribes have
Afghanistan.
7. Two thousand histories
suggests that coexistence of Pakhtoon with non Pakhtoon tribes as equal or in
lesser position as is the case now is impossible. Pakhtoon who have ruled the
Country completely for two thousand years with other tribes as subordinates
will never accept a lesser position and civil war will continue forever. The
best course is to separate them completely. All Pakhtoon as part of Pakistan
while remaining tribes live in peace in Afghanistan.
