Baloch people in Iran

Ethnic group

Iranian Balochis

Baloch child from Iranian Balochistan.

Total population
4 million[1][2]
Regions with significant populations
Mainly Sistan and Baluchestan Province

* (Kerman
* Hormozgan
* Khorasan
* )

Languages
Balochi (Rakhshani dialect), Persian
Religion
Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Baloch and other Iranian peoples

Part of a series on

Baloch people

Community

* Homeland

* Balochistan

* Pakistan (Eastern Balochistan)

* Iran (Western Balochistan)

* Afghanistan (Northern Balochistan)

* Diaspora

* Sindh
* Punjab
* Oman Turkmenistan
* Australia
* Sweden
* UK
* United States
* India
* United Arab Emirates
* Bahrain
* Afghanistan
* Iran

History

Ancient

Achaemenid Empire
Medes
Sasanian Empire
Ashkash

Medieval
Jalal Khan . Mir Chakar Rind . Mir Gwahram Khan Lashari . Khanate of Kalat . Nasir Khan I Ahmadzai . Mohammad Khan Baloch . Hammal Jiand . Hoth Khan Baloch . Banadi Shehak . Mehrab Khan II of Kalat . Sanjrani Chiefdom Amir Nasir Khan Talpur . Mirani . Langah sultanate . Talpur dynasty

Modern
Baloch nationalism . Insurgency in Balochistan . Dad Shah . Baloch people in Iran . Baloch of Afghanistan

Culture

* Handicrafts
* Clothing
* Cuisine
* Dance
* Literature
* Music
* Rug&Carpet
* Embroidery

Languages

* Balochi . Brahui . Rakhshani .  Makrani . Eastern Balochi . koroshi . Balochi alphabets . Balochi Academy

Religion

* Islam
* Zoroastrian
* Zikri

* v
* t
* e

The Baloch in Iran (Balochi: ایرانءِ بلۏچ) are an ethnic group residing in the southeastern and east regions of Iran.[3]

## Geographical distribution

[edit]

The distribution of Baloch people based on their mother tongue in the provinces of Iran

The Baloch in 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 and South Khorasan (Khorasani Baloch) and are scattered throughout other provinces of Iran.[4][5][6] They speak the Rakhshani and Sarawani dialects of Balochi, an Iranian language.[7] They mainly inhabit mountainous terrains, which have allowed them to maintain a distinct cultural identity and resist domination by neighbouring rulers.

Approximately 20-25% of the Baloch population live in Iran. Estimates of the Iranian Baloch population range from 2.5 to 4 million[8][2]

## Religion

[edit]

The Baloch are predominantly Muslim, with the vast majority belonging to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, but there is also tiny proportion of Shia in Balochistan.[9][10]

## Geography

[edit]

Iranian Balochistan is characterized by rugged mountains, deserts, and arid plains. It forms part of the larger Balochistan region, which extends into Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Iran, the Baloch are divided into two groups: the Makrani and the Sarhadi. The cities such as Iranshahr, Chabahar, Nikshahr, Sarbaz, and Saravan are known as the Makran region, while Zahedan and Khash are known as the Sarhad.region.[11]

Balochistan of Iran has been regarded as the most underdeveloped, desolate, and poorest region of the country. A 2024 report by the Majlis Research Center found Sistan and Baluchistan to be the country's most deprived province "by a significant margin."[12] The government of Iran has been trying to reverse this situation by implementing new plans such as the creation of the Chabahar Free Trade Zone.[13]

## History

[edit]

### Kerman

[edit]

Abu 'Ali Muhammad b. Ilyas a member of the Samanid army and was of Sogdian origin. After the rebellion failed he fled south, eventually arriving at Kerman in 932. He managed to extend his control over the northern part of the province, while the southern and eastern mountainous portions remained under the control of the Baloch.[14]

### Sarhad

[edit]

The Raiders of the Sarhhad written by Reginald Dyer, translated version(In Persian)

Firuz Shah and Edro Shah were one of the ancestors of Baloch tribe of Tamandani, who ruled the Sarhad until the Safavid dynasty.[15]

Mir Bolan Rigi was a Baloch general who accompanied Nader Shah Afshar in the Battle of Karnal. His assistance to Nader paved the way for the conquest of India. Nader Shah granted Mir Bolan Rigi the region of Mirjaveh in return for Mir Bolan’s assistance in the battle against India. The name Mirjaveh in the Balochi language means “place of the Mir” (residence of the Emir) and refers to this historical event.[15]

#### World War I & The British Campaign in 1916

[edit]

During the 19th century at time of World War I the British expanded their influence into Balochistan as part of their broader colonial strategy.[16] The Baloch tribes, resisted the influence of British powers.This resistance took the form of tribal rebellions and sporadic attacks in the border region. The Baloch tribes, resisted the influence of British powers.This resistance took the form of tribal rebellions and sporadic attacks in the border region.[17] The three major tribes that performed raids and disturbed the British line were the Yarahmadzais, Gamshadzais and Ismaelzais.[18] Sardar Jiand Khan Yarahmadzai, Juma Khan the tribal chief of the Ismaelzais and Khalil Khan Gamshadzai fought against Reginald Dyer, in the battle Jiand lost his son and the Gamshadzais chief (Khalil Khan) got killed during one of the battles. two of the yarahmadzais lost their lives while the losses for Dyer were devastating.[19]

### Qajar-Pahlavi period

[edit]

Britain and Iran divided Balochistan into many parts, with the British creating the Balochistan Agency in 1877. In the 19th century, nationalists in western Balochistan revolted against the Persian occupation. At the end of the 19th century, when Sardar Hussein Narui Baloch started an uprising against Persia which was crushed by joint Anglo-Persian mission forces. The struggle between the Qajar dynasty, and the British in eastern Balochistan, gave western Balochis a chance to gain control of their territory in Western Balochistan. At the beginning of the 20th century. In 1916.[20] Mir Dost Muhammad Khan Baloch, Bahram Khan's nephew, succeeded to the throne, and in 1920, he proclaimed himself Shah-e-Balochistan (Persian for King of Balochistan) but in 1928, Reza Shah came into power and Persian forces started operations against Baluchi forces with the help of British. The Baluch were defeated and Mir Dost Muhammad Khan Baloch captured.[21]

In Sarhad, Sardar Said Khan Kurd, who was the chief of Baloch tribes resisted the Qajar attack, but Ebrahim Khan Zahir al-Dawlah, the governor of Bam, defeated him with government forces. However, Ebrahim Khan was failed to capture the whole of the Sarḥadd.[22]

### Pahlavi period

[edit]

During the 1950s, tribal revolt led by a Baloch farmer Mir Daad Shah struck south eastern Iran. He participated in a rebellion and armed insurgency against the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in the 1950s.[23]

### Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran

[edit]

On September 30, 2022(Bloody Friday) in Zahedan a large number of Baloch civilians gathered for Friday prayers at the 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.[24][25] According to human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Baloch activist groups, at least 96 people were killed on the day of the massacre, and hundreds were injured.[25] 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 head and heart by snipers.[26] From this event, a picture of 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.[27]

## Culture

[edit]

Baloch playing street football - Kerman province

Rug weaving is a common profession among the Baloch nomads of Khorasan.[28] Balochi rugs, floor coverings made by the Baloch, are often sold widely in the carpet market and rug weaving industry of Iran.

The Baloch have their own dress code and have preserved the Baloch dress, which is their culture. Balochi needlework and Balochi handicrafts are the art of Baloch women in Iran. Among the most important centers of Balochi embroidery are Espakeh, Fanuj, Bampur, Irandegan, Marandegan and Jaleq.

Balochi music is popular among the Baloch people of Iran, and many artists are active in this field.

## Notable people

[edit]

* Shir-Mohammad Espandar
* Din Mohammad Zangshahi
* Abd-ur-Rahmân Surizehi
* Rostam Mirlashari
* Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi
* Mahtab Norouzi
* Fariba Balouch

## See also

[edit]

* Khorasani Baloch
* Sistan and Baluchestan province
* Ethnic-based discrimination in Iran

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "West Balochistan". Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
2. ^ a b Tyagi, Vidya Prakash (2009). Martial races of undivided India. Kalpaz Publications. p. 12\. ISBN 9788178357751.
3. ^ Ahmady, Kameel (2013). From Border to Border Research Study on Identity and Ethnicity in Iran. Avaye Buf. p. 100\. ISBN 9788794295314.
4. ^ "KHORASAN i. ETHNIC GROUPS". Encyclopædia Iranica.
5. ^ "The Balochi Language Project". Uppsala University. 23 May 2024.
6. ^ Sir Charles Yate, 1st Baronet. "A travelogue of Khorasan and Sistan". Sharif University of Technology. Iran. Retrieved 19 January 2024.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
7. ^ Frawley, William (2003). International Encyclopedia of Linguistics: 4-Volume Set. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 308\. ISBN 978-0-19-513977-8.
8. ^ "Iran Minorities 2: Ethnic Diversity". United States Institute of Peace. 3 September 2013. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
9. ^ Korn, Jahani, Titus, Agnes, Carina, Paul Brian (2008). The Baloch and Others Linguistic, Historical and Socio-political Perspectives on Pluralism in Balochistan. Reichert Verlag. p. 12\. ISBN 9783895005916.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
10. ^ "Baloch people". Encyclopædia Britannica.
11. ^ "BALUCHISTAN iv. Music of Baluchistan". Encyclopædia Iranica.
12. ^ "Iranian Parliament Names Sistan and Baluchistan as Most Deprived Region". IranWire. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
13. ^ "Iran and India Revive Economic Relations with New Chabahar Agreement". Atlantic Council. 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
14. ^ Bosworth, C. E. "ĀL-E ELYĀS". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
15. ^ a b Afshar, Iraj (1992). Tribes and clans of Sistan and Baluchestan (in Persian). Nasle Danesh. pp. 74, 45.
16. ^ Malik, Fida Hussain (2020). Balochistan A Conflict of Narratives. Saiyid Books. p. 138\. ISBN 9789692200028.
17. ^ Ten Thousand Miles in Persia or Eight Years in Iran (ISBN 1430485973) by Percy Molesworth Sykes, pp. 107, 131, 230
18. ^ The raiders of the Sarhad: being the account of a campaign of arms and bluff against the brigands of the Persian-Baluchi border during the great war, General Reginald Dyer
19. ^ Suhail 1927 Kennard, Coleridge.
20. ^ Breseeg, Taj Mohammad (2004). Baloch Nationalism: Its Origin and Development. Royal Book Company. p. 145\. ISBN 9789694073095.
21. ^ Dashti, Naseer (2012). The Baloch and Balochistan. Trafford Publishing. pp. 132–133\. ISBN 9781466958968.
22. ^ "BALUCHISTAN i. Geography, History and Ethnography (cont.)". Encyclopædia Iranica.
23. ^ Taheri, Ahmad Reza (2014). A Sociopolitical Study of Iranian Baloch Elites (1979-2013). Lulu.com. ISBN 9781312349681.
24. ^ Anderson, Kevin B. (2024). A Political Sociology of Twenty-First Century Revolutions and Resistances. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781040107423.
25. ^ a b "Iran: At least 82 Baluchi protesters and bystanders killed in bloody crackdown". Amnesty International. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
26. ^ ""جمعه خونین" زاهدان؛ مولوی عبدالحمید: تیرها به سر و قلب نمازگزاران شلیک شده". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). 2022-10-02. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
27. ^ Azizi, Arash (2024). What Iranians Want. Oneworld Publications. ISBN 9780861547128.
28. ^ "Baluchi rug". Encyclopædia Britannica.

* v
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Iranian peoples

Ethnic groups|

* Achomis
* Aimaqs
* Balochs
* Baloch tribes
* Bashkardis
* Dehwaris
* Farsiwan
* Gilaks
* Kumzaris
* Kurds
* Kurdish tribes
* Yazidis
* Lurs
* Bakhtiaris
* Shehnis
* Feyli Lurs
* Hadavand
* Hasanvand
* Southern Lurs
* Mamasanis
* Mazanderanis
* Ossetians
* Digors
* Irons
* Kudars
* Jaszs
* Pamiris
* Chinese Tajiks
* Shughnis
* Badzhuis
* Oroshoris
* Wakhis
* Yidgha–Munji
* Pashtuns
* Pashtun tribes
* Persians
* Arab-Persians
* Banderis
* Basseries
* Sistanis
* Semnanis
* Shabaks
* Tajiks
* Talyshs
* Tats of the Caucasus
* Tats of Iran
* Yaghnobis
* Zazas

Related ethnic groups|

* Ajam of Bahrain
* 'Ajam of Kuwait
* Iranians in the United Arab Emirates
* Iranians in Qatar
* Armeno-Tats
* Bukharan Jews
* Hazaras
* Persian Jews
* Shihuh

Ancient peoples|

* Ancient Iranian peoples
* Arya

Origin|

* Indo-Iranians
* Proto-Indo-Europeans

Languages|

* Iranian languages

Iranian religions|

* Proto-Indo-Iranian paganism
* Ancient Iranian religion
* Assianism
* Bábism
* Baháʼí Faith
* Khurramites
* Manichaeism
* Mazdakism
* Mazdaznan
* Scythian
* Yarsanism
* Yazidism
* Zoroastrianism

* v
* t
* e

Ethnic groups in Iran

Iranians|

* Persians 53%
* Azerbaijanis 16%
* Kurds 10%
* Gilaks 4%
* Mazandaranis 4%
* Lurs 6%
* Arabs 2%
* Balochs 2%
* Turkmens and other Turkic people 2%
* Others 1%
* Talysh
* Tats
* Armenians
* Georgians
* Assyrians
* Circassians
* Jews
* Afro-Iranians
* Zagari

Foreigners|

* v
* t
* e

Immigration to Iran

By country|

* Afghans
* Chinese
* Indians
* Iraqis
* Lebanese
* Kazakhs
* Koreans
* Russians
* Pakistanis

See also|

* Demographics of Iran
* Ethnicities in Iran
* Human trafficking in Iran
* Iranian citizens abroad

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