Hinduism is a minority religion in Balochistan followed by 0.4% of the population of the province. It is the largest minority religion in Balochistan. The Balochistan is home to the shrine of

Shri Hinglaj Mata temple Hinglaj Mata (Hindi: हिंगलाज माता, bal, هنگلاج ماتا, ), also known as Hinglaj Devi, Hingula Devi and Nani Mandir, is a Hindu temple in Hinglaj, a town on the Makran coast in the Lasbela district of Balochistan, ...

, which is one of the most sacred Hindu temples. The annual Hinglaj Yatra to the temple is the largest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan.

History

The earliest people in Balochistan were the Brahui people, a Dravidian speaking people closely related to the Dravidian speaking people of South India. They were originally

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

s and Buddhists. The Hindu Sewa Dynasty ruled much of region of Balochistan up until the 7th century AD. The Sibi division which was carved out of the Quetta division still derives its name from Rani Sewi, the queen of the Hindu Sewa dynasty. In , the Hindu

Brahman dynasty The Brahmin dynasty of Sindh (), also known as the Chacha dynasty, were the Brahmin Hindu ruling family of the Chacha Empire. The Brahmin dynasty were successors of the Rai dynasty. The dynasty ruled on the Indian subcontinent which originated i ...

of Sindh controlled parts of Balochistan. During the 7th century, Arab forces invaded Balochistan subsequently converting a large majority of the Baloch people from Hinduism to Islam. After the partition of British India and the ensuing creation of Pakistan, much of the Hindu Baloch migrated to India, particularly the

Bhagnaris Bhagnari is a Hindu Baloch community living in India. They trace their origin to Southern Balochistan. They migrated to India after Partition. History The Bhagnaris were inhabitants of the city of Bhag in the plains of southern Balochistan. The ...

community.

Demographics

According to the 1998 Census, Balochistan had approximately 39,000 Hindus (including the Scheduled Castes) constituting 0.59% of the population. In the 2017 Census, the absolute number of Hindus increased to 49,000 but their percentage decreased to 0.4%. However,

Pakistan Hindu Council Pakistan Hindu council () is the representative body of all Hindus of Pakistan which was formed in the year 2005 by Ramesh Kumar Vankwani. History The Pakistan Hindu Council was founded by the Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Hindu activist and member o ...

estimates that there are 117,345 Hindus in Balochistan.

Community life

Only a minority of Baloch people are Hindus. There are Hindu Balochs in the Bugti, Bezenjo, Marri, Rind and other Baloch tribes. Compared to the rest of the country, the Hindus in Balochistan province are relatively more secure and face less religious persecution. The tribal chiefs in Balochistan, particularly the Jams of Lasbela and Bugti of Dera Bugti, consider non-Muslims including Hindus as members of their own extended family and allows religious freedom. They have never forced Hindus to convert. In Balochistan Hindu places of worship are proportionate to their population. For example, between Uthal and Bela jurisdiction in Lasbela District, there are 18 temples for 5,000 Hindus living in the area, which is an indicator of religious freedom. However, in Khuzdar District and Kalat District, Hindus face discrimination. The Hindu marriages in Punjab are registered under the Hindu marriage act of 2017. In Balochistan provincial assembly, there are three seats reserved for minorities. Hindus usually get elected on 1 or 2 seats.

Temples

File:Preperation of Hawan at Hinglaj Mata (Rani ki Mandir) During Yanglaj Yatra 2017 Photo by Aliraza Khatri.jpg, Hawan at Hinglaj Mata mandir File:Baba Chandragup volcano.jpg, Baba Chandragup is an important stop during Hinglaj Yatra File:Kalat Kali Temple at Kalat City.jpg, Kalat Kali Temple in Kalat, Pakistan. File:View of Sidh Pani Nath Ji Temple (After Renovation) at Mirri Fort (Quetta Fort)..jpg, Sidh Pani Nath Ji Temple in Quetta.

References

External links