Bloch Swot Analysis

5.2 THE BALOCH RESPONSE TO THE ASSIMILATION PROJECT: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW The Persianization project in Balochistan dates back to 1928. After removal of Barakzi rulers, Reza Shah initiated a comprehensive Persianization policy in Balochistan. The first step was geographic changes and redrawing of provincial boundaries of Balochistan. Through a series of Administrative divisions in (1938), (1947), and (1955), various Baloch regions were given to other provinces adjacent to Balochistan. For instance, Narmashir and Rigan were given to Kerman province, and Jask, Minab and Bashagard were given to the newly formed province of Sahili.

Beside geographic changes, the Persianization project of Reza Shah also included demographic changes. Many

Dad Shah initiated its struggle against Persianization project of Pahlavi regime in 1944. Dad Shah’s movement is also important in the sense that it was amongst the first revolt led by a non-Saradar. Frustrated from the socio-economic situation, Dad Shah attacked government offices and pro established sardars of the region. Fighting for the rights of the oppressed people the movement gained supports from the Baloch masses. Dad Shah became one of the biggest challenges to Mohammad Reza Shah rule over Balochistan. He was suspicious to any Persian delegates to Balochistan including explorers, researchers, etc., attacking and killing several of them. Dad Shah and his men resisted against well-equipped Persian army for about two decades. Some of their attached brought significant popularity for the group. In this regards, one can mention shotting down of a military aeroplane with important figures such as Chief of Staff of the Jhandarmari on board in 1957. The other was an ambush on an amercian military convoy on 27th March 1957, in which Two American military aid official Mrs. Karol and his assistant were killed. The latter event was turned into a political crisis in Tehran. Hussain Ala, the then Iranian prime minister resigned, and a ful-fledge military campaign started against Dad Shah, the whole region became a military zone. A 10,000 US dollar was announced for the head of each member of Dadshah’s group. Despite all these operations they failed to stop him. To find a safe shelter for families and children Dadshah’s Brother Ahmad Shah along with many families took refuge in Pakistan, but he was arrested by Pakistani authorities and extradited to Iran where he was sentenced to