The revolt of prince Abdul Kareem in May 1948 did not gain much
momentum. Along with his followers, he had entered Afghanistan with the
hope of getting assistance from the Afghan rulers. He harbored such hope
primarily because of the Afghan attitude towards. Pakistan, and secondly,
the traditional support the two peoples had given each other in time of
distress. But the prince received no substantial aid from his host, and
feeling extremely disappointed he surrendered to the Pakistani army.
Detained and subsequently released, he helped form the Ustuman Gal
and its successor the National Awami party. Prince Kareem’s revolt was
given the highest praise by the minstrels. He was made the symbols of
courage and velour. A poem composed after his return from Afghanistan
narrates the entire episode, lauding the Prince and his ‘valiant comrades
who are determined to upheld the Baloch cause’.
A poem by Azad
Jamaldini appeared in Balochi (January 1957) captioned ‘Paigam’ message,
to Agha Abdul Kareem Khan’. Beautifully composed, it mentions the Baloch
determination to fight for the great objective of achieving national
independence. The poem condemns ‘the three’, meaning Afghanistan. Iran and
Pakistan, for dividing the Baloch land among themselves. It criticizes the
sardars for bartering away the people and expresses the hope that the
Baloch will continue to offer sacrifices in blood for the noble cause.
Mir Namrouz got the highest tributes. Poems composed after the
event is still sung as lullabies and as traditional hallo in many parts of
Jallawan during social ceremonies. He is depicted as a hero and placed
amongst the greatest in the Baloch history. He is accorded a place next
only to Mir Chakar, Mir Gwarham and Mir Mehrab Khan in velour and
righteousness.
The treachery of Pakistani rulers in executing the
colleagues of Mir Namrouz Khan and. their going back on their promises is
regarded as the mean tactic of a contemptible enemy.
The Baloch
are exhorted to follow Mir Namrouz and his brave comrades, who fought for
a cause as glorious as that of Mir Mehrab Khan. Mir Gul Khan Nasser’s
poems before and after these executions are the most marvelous pieces of
literature ever composed on various aspects of a struggling people.
Compositions by minstrels had an immense lucidity and
forcefulness, which moved the common folk. In 1963 a poem published in
thus expressed deep resentment over the continued political subjugation.
Although it did not refer to Mir Namrouz rebellion, one can infer
that the poet is not unaware of the happening. The poet says he wants to
be the master of his own land and guide his own destiny. He has no
chauvinistic claims and wants the restoration of the honor of his
motherland.
