Khudadad of Kalat

Mir Khudadad Khan Baloch (Urdu: میر خداداد خان بلوچ) was the Khan (ruler) of the princely state of Kalat in what is now the Balochistan province of Pakistan from 1857 to March 1863 and May 1864 to 15 August 1893. During his reign the country experienced numerous revolts, and even his rule was usurped for more than a year by Sherdil Khan.[1]

For soldier who won the Victoria Cross, see Khudadad Khan.
Mir Khudadad Khan Baloch I
Khan of Kalat
Mir Khudadad Khan Baloch with Baloch Chiefs.
Khan of Kalat
ReignMay 1864–15 August 1893
1857 – March 1863
Coronation1857
PredecessorMir Nasir Khan II
SuccessorMir Mahmud Khan II
BornKalat, Baluchistan Agency, British India
DiedPishin Baluchistan Agency, British India (present-day Balochistan, Pakistan)
IssueMir Mahmud Khan II
ReligionSunni Islam
Palace of Mir Khudadad Khan Baloch.

Khudadad's predecessor was his half brother,[2] Mir Nasir Khan II, who also had experienced tribal unrest during his rule.[3] Mir Nasir Khan II was poisoned to death when Khudadad Khan was a boy of sixteen.[1][2]

In 1863, a general revolt broke out with most of the tribal chieftains siding against Khudadad Khan. Khudadad was forced to flee and the chieftains elected his cousin Sherdil as khan.[4] Sherdil Khan did not last long as Khan was killed by his own mercenary guard.[4] Despite being returned to the throne by the tribal chieftains, Khudadad continued to have troubles administering the kingdom, and revolts continued.

In 1875, British influence and money through the able assistance of Robert Sandeman resulted in the Mastung Agreement, which formed the basis for the Baloch confederacy.[1] A new treaty between the British and the Khan followed shortly which together with British assistance succeeded in calming the revolts within a year.[1]

In 1893, Khudadad had his chief accountant and staff murdered for allegedly planning to assassinate him. In the scandal that followed, Khudadad agreed to abdicate, and did so on 15 August 1893.[5]

Notes and references
  1. Hughes-Buller, R. (ed.) (1908) Imperial gazetteer of India: Provincial Series: Baluchistan Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, page 17
  2. Paget, William Henry (ed.) (1907) Record of the expeditions against the North-west frontier tribes, since the annexation of the Punjab Frontier and overseas expeditions from India, volume 3, Record of the expeditions against the North-west frontier tribes, since the annexation of the Punjab" British Army Intelligence, page 53
  3. Hughes-Buller, R. (ed.) (1908) Imperial gazetteer of India: Provincial Series: Baluchistan Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, page 16
  4. Paget, William Henry (ed.) (1907) Record of the expeditions against the North-west frontier tribes, since the annexation of the Punjab Frontier and overseas expeditions from India, volume 3, Record of the expeditions against the North-west frontier tribes, since the annexation of the Punjab" British Army Intelligence, page 55
  5. Hughes-Buller, R. (ed.) (1908) Imperial gazetteer of India: Provincial Series: Baluchistan Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, page 18
Preceded by:
Mir Nasir Khan II
 Mir Khudadad Khan Followed by:
Mir Mahmud Khan II
 
The Khans of Kalat

Mir Ahmad I | Mir Mehrab | Samandar Khan | Mir Ahmad II | Mir Abdullah | Mir Muhabbat | Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan I | Mir Mahmud Khan I | Mir Mehrab Khan | Mir Shah Nawaz Khan |Mir Nasir Khan II| Mir Khudadad Khan | Mir Sherdil Khan | Mir Mahmud Khan II | Mohammad Azam Jan Khan | Ahmad Yar Khan |

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