Memoir of the Career of Thomas Edward Rogers [‎49r] (97/118)

4 $
In February, 1947 my old chief from Bushire, Sir Geoffrey Prior now Agent to
the Governor-General, reported after the annual Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). at Sibi attended by all
the leading tribal sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. that: "in- contrast with the tension in other
provinces, a very wide measure of goodwill for the Administration still exists
in Baluchistan".
Nevertheless, the clearly impending changes in the central government had
long spurred keen interest in the political opportunities now opening up. The
two Muslim organisations mentioned were jockeying for position as were also the
tribal leaders in their representative body, the Shahi Jirga, over such matters
as the choice of a representative from Baluchistan for the Constituent Assembly
at Delhi. Another significant development was the standing aside by the
Baluchistan branch of the Muslim League from political activity in the Province
until the All-India Muslim League agreed to join the Interim Government in October,
1946. As 1947 began the Baluchistan branch objected to a Congress resolution in
favour of Baluchistan being included in the North-West Frontier Region of British India bordering Afghanistan. Province. Over a
period there was fairly widespread renunciation of titles by notables to put
pressure on the Government of India. Then the Muslim League's wish for^Baluchistan
to join Pakistan was opposed by the Shahi Jirga's stance that the province
should be independent which, however, it renounced in June, 1947 when it voted
for union with Pakistan. In that month also there were messages to the minority
communities in the province both from Nehru calling upon them to shed their fears
for the future and from the provincial Muslim League leader, Qazi Mohammed Isa
assuring them that they would be well protected inside Pakistan.
These messages were in response to the growing fears of the Hindus and Sikhs
which beccyne acute. They had taken what steps they could to safeguard their position
[+ author's note: I had put 'bid' for 'independence' but this seems too
strong as the Jirga was feeling its way and making up its
position as events developed]