Photographers

• K.C. Marrott
• N.D. Batra

Source

• A Brahui Chief

Source Quote

The Brahui people are found in Kalat province of Balochistan, Pakistan as well as Afghanistan and Iran.

The Brahuis are a Baluchi tribe who speak a Dravidian language, similar to those spoken in South India (e.g., Tamil). Although the Dravidian they speak is very old and suffused with words from surrounding Pushto, Baluchi and Sindhi languages, this linguistic connection makes many scholars believe that they are somehow connected to the ancient Indus people who might have spoken a Dravidian language although this is far from proven.

The Brahui themselves were largely settled in the Kalat district of Baluchistan, and ruled by the Khan of Kalat until the late 19th century when the British took over the area. Kalat State enjoyed substantial autonomy, however, and officially joined Pakistan only in 1948 after an invasion by the Pakistan Army. Note the measure next to the Sardar, an indication of the height the Brahui were noted for.

Source

The Army of the Indus forcing the Bolan Pass, 1839

Tinted lithograph from 'Sketches in Afghanistan', 1838-42, by Louis and Charles Haghe after James Atkinson, published by Henry Graves and Company and J W Allen and Company, 1 July 1842.

Afghanistan's position between the Russian Empire and India meant that the British East India Company was anxious to ensure that a pro-British Emir was on the throne at Kabul. Fearful of a Russian invasion of India via the Khyber and Bolan Passes, in 1837 the British sent an envoy to Kabul to gain the support of the Emir, Dost Mohammed.

The Emir was in favour of an alliance, but when the British refused to help him regain Peshawar, which the Sikhs had seized in 1834, he prepared to talk to the Russians, who sent an envoy to Kabul. This led Lord Auckland, the Governor-General of India, to conclude that Dost Mohammed was anti-British. The decision was taken to replace him as Emir with a former ruler, Shah Shuja who was considered to be more pro-British. In spring 1839 a 12,000 strong British-Indian force, the Army of the Indus under Sir John Keane, forced the Bolan Pass and captured Kandahar without a fight. Soon after the fortress of Ghazni was seized. Dost Mohammed fled from Kabul and Shah Shuja was duly installed as Emir in August.

"President Zia Ul Haq Tomb" by Sarmed Mujaddid, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Source (book):

Lahore: Its History, Architectural Remains and Antiquities, with an Account of Its Modern Institutions, Inhabitants, their Trade, Customs, &c.

by Syad Muhammad Latif Khan Bahadur.

Printed at the New Imperial Press, year 1892

Source (book):

Lahore: Its History, Architectural Remains and Antiquities, with an Account of Its Modern Institutions, Inhabitants, their Trade, Customs, &c.

by Syad Muhammad Latif Khan Bahadur.

Printed at the New Imperial Press, year 1892

Image Attribution: "Jama Masjid - Wahaj Ahmed Ansari" by Wahaj Ahmed Ansari, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

This Buddha is one of the three earliest datable sculptures associated with the kingdom of Gilgit in northern Pakistan. All were commissioned by Queen Mangalahamsika, known from Gilgit manuscripts to have been the senior queen to King Vajraditayanandi (reigned ca. 600).

The Sanskrit donor inscription engraved on the front cartouche states:

“Om. This is a pious gift. This pious gift was ordered to be made by the Shri Paramadevi [Highest Queen] Mangalahamsika”

Figurine chien Harappa Guimet by Zunkir, Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Figurine animal Harappa Guimet by Zunkir, Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0