Baluchistan: British Rule, an Era of Political Awakeng and Merger

Abstract

The British administration developed an immense interest in Baluchistan because of its geo-strategic significance. It had a desire to establish buffer states in extreme north-western regions to block the perceived Russian's intervention. The British authorities wanted to safeguard a line of communication with Afghanistan via Baluchistan. Their administration's efforts to make the Khanate as its vassal state under the treaty of 1841 met a stiff Baloch resistance. After the defeat of the British in the first Anglo-Afghan (War 1842), Kalat's independent status was recognized in the treaty of 1854. Afterwards, Closed Border Strategy (1854-72) was worked out towards Baluchistan, which was replaced by forward border policy.