Khushk

For the villages in Iran, see Khoshk and Khushk, Fars.
Khushk (خشک)
Total population
(150,000 (est:))
Languages
Siraiki, Balochi, Sindhi
Religion
Islam
Related ethnic groups
Other Baloch tribes

Khushk (Khushak, Khoshk, Khushik, Khushuk Koshk or Kushk) is a Baloch tribe located in Sindh, Baluchistan and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. It is a branch of the Rind and are descendants of Mir Chakar Khan.

Origin

The tribe is a sub-clan of the Rind and are descendants of Mir Chakar Khan Rind. After civil war between Rind and Lashar tribes, many groups and families of both tribes migrated to various parts of Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab which lateron became clans and sub-clans of respective tribes. Thus a family belonging to grandson of Mir Chakar Khan also left their homeland and settled themselves in south Balochistan in a valley namely Khoshk or Koshk adjacent to Buleda in district Kech Makran. Thereafter that family was designated as Khushk or Koshk.

According to a few authors such as Justice (R) Mir Khuda Bukhsh Marri the tribe had its root in Burdi (Buledi) tribe. In another research it has been mentioned that in Hajija, a family of Buledi tribe, there were two brothers Mugher Khan and Buland Khan. Mugher Khan had three sons namely Rozi, Khushal and Hassan. The descendants of Khushal Khan the second son of Mugher Khan, with the lapse of time were called Khushak. But recently it has been discovered and revealed by some historians that Khushal Khan was a great grandson of Mir Chakar Khan Rind.

History

They remained major supporter of Talpur Baloch dynasty and contributed for the supremacy of Baloch reign in Sindh. In the last tenure of Talpur dynasty Mir Sher Muhammad Khan Talpur sought help of Mir Muhammad Khan Khushak against Ismailis.

In 1843 Mir Muhammad Khan Khushk along with his 2000 tribesmen invaded Thatta, and fought against the Ismailis upon the instructions of Talpur of Hyderabad. After getting victory Mir Muhammad Khan Khushak joined the principal force of Mir Sher Muhammad Khan Talpur to launch their hostile operations against the Ismailis of Jerruk.

After fall of Talpur dynasty the tribe faced a lot of complications and misery. They were undermined by British Raj because of their association with Talpurs.

Language

A vast number of Khushk tribesmen in Balochistan speak Balochi while in Sindh and Southern Punjab the majority of tribe speaks Seraiki as their first language, even a small number of group speaks Sindhi as well. De facto it is the matter of regional settlement.

Distribution

People of this tribe are settled in various districts of Sindh i.e. Ghotki, Thatta, Dadu, Kandiaro, Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Matiari, Jhudo and Hyderabad.

In Baluchistan they are found in Sibi, Usta Muhammad, Turbat, Naseerabad, and Mand.

They are also located in southern districts of Punjab i.e. D.G. Khan, Rahimyar Khan, Muzaffarghar and Khanpur .

Traditions

The tribe follows Baloch Culture and believe on tribal system like other Baloch tribes but after vast migration from Balochistan to Sindh and Southern Punjab the tribe was heavily influenced by Sindhi traditions.

See also

References

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