Nal, also spelled Naal (; , ) is the third largest urban centre in the

Khuzdar District Khuzdar (Balochi language, Balochi: ; Urdu and Brahui language, Brahui: ) is a Districts of Pakistan, district in the Balochistan (Pakistan), Balochistan province of Pakistan. The city of Khuzdar serves as the district's headquarters. Until its e ...

, in the province of

Balochistan Balochistan ( ; , ), also spelled as Baluchistan or Baluchestan, is a historical region in West and South Asia, located in the Iranian plateau's far southeast and bordering the Indian Plate and the Arabian Sea coastline. This arid region o ...

Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...

. Home to 6,167 households, it serves as the administrative centre of

Nal Tehsil Nal, also spelled Naal (; , ) is an administrative subdivision (Tehsil) of Khuzdar District in Balochistan, Pakistan. The tehsil covers an area of 1,791 square kilometres, Nal is predominantly defined by mountainous and arid terrain. It is o ...

History

The town and its surroundings are historically significant due to its association with the prehistoric Amri-Nal culture, which flourished between 3800–2300 BCE. The nearby archaeological site of Sohr Damb (also known as Red Mound) has yielded artifacts indicative of early urban planning and distinctive pottery styles. These findings suggest that Nal was part of a complex society that predated the

Indus Valley Civilisation The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Indus Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilisation in the Northwestern South Asia, northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 Common Era, BCE to 1300 BCE, and in i ...

. The Nal pottery (3100-2800BC) have figurative motifs and polychrome decoration. In modern history, Nal has been notable as the hometown of prominent Baloch leaders, including

Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo (Urdu/ Baloch: میرغوث بخش بزنجو ) was a Pakistani politician from Balochistan. He served as the 3rd Governor of Balochistan. Early life He was born in Nall Khuzdar Balochistan in either December 1917 or 19 ...

, who played a pivotal role in Balochistan's political landscape. The town's water needs were supported by Karez system, a traditional water channel that flown from the nearby mountains in series of connected underground wells and channeled water across the valley using gravity as a force.

Economy

The economy of Nal primarily revolves around agriculture, livestock rearing, and mining. The fertile valley supports the cultivation of crops such as wheat, barley, and dates. Livestock, including goats and sheep, are reared for meat and wool. Additionally, the region is rich in mineral resources, with marble and chromite mining contributing to the local economy. Town's hand-made Balochi embroidery, locally known as ''Doch'', is well-known across the district.

Demographics

Population

According to

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) () is a federal agency under the Government of Pakistan. It is an attached department of the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives. It works for collecting statistics in the country. Hi ...

survey in 2023, Nal has a total population of 48,481. In total, the town encompasses 6,167 households. The

literacy rate Literacy is the ability to read and write, while illiteracy refers to an inability to read and write. Some researchers suggest that the study of "literacy" as a concept can be divided into two periods: the period before 1950, when literacy was ...

in Nal stands at 54.44%, reflecting ongoing challenges in access to education. This includes a male literacy rate of 59.49% and a significantly lower female literacy rate of 48.48%, indicating a persistent gender gap in educational attainment.

Language

Nal's population predominantly comprises Baloch. The predominant spoken languages are Balochi and Brahui, whereas

Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...

is used for official and educational purposes.

Culture

The community maintains rich traditions in music, dance ( do-chaapi), and storytelling.

Archaeology

The Sohr Damb site near Nal has been the focus of archaeological excavations revealing a sequence of cultural phases. Artefacts unearthed include polychrome pottery, terracotta figurines, and evidence of early urban planning. These discoveries provide insight into the social and economic structures of the Amri-Nal culture and its connections to other contemporary civilisations. The excavations has taken place in different periods, for instance,

Harold Hargreaves Harold Hargreaves (born 29 May 1876) was a British Indian archaeologist who served as Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1928 to 1931. Early life Born on 29 May 1876, Hargreaves specialized in Buddhist iconography ...

led an excavation party in 1924s.

References

{{Reflist Archaeology Populated places in Khuzdar District Khuzdar District