Kadu Makrani

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Qadir Bukhsh Rind Baloch (famously known as Kadu Makrani) was a 19th-century insurgent ruler who operated mainly in Kathiawar, Gujarat and was born and raised in Makran. He often remembered as the "Robin Hood of the East" (The Eastern Robin Hood). He is famously known for opposing and resisting British rule and rule by the elite class of Gujarat in favor of the rights of the poor lower class. He was one of the greatest freedom fighters of British India. He conquered Uparkot Fort and Junagadh State.

Qadir Bukhsh Rind Baloch was martyred and buried in Karachi, Sindh in November 1887, with his final resting place in Mewah Shah Graveyard (Lyari).^[1] Descendants of Makrani still live in Junagadh, Veraval, Jamnagar, and Lyari, Karachi. Today, many people visit Kadu Makrani's final resting place to pay respect and remember him and his fight against imperialism and British occupation.

History[]

British Imperialist Conflict[]

Kadu Makrani migrated with his tribe from his birthplace of Makran to Vadal, Gujarat during the mid-19th century. Makrani and his tribe fought for territories and resources, receiving tribute from the Nawabs of Kathiawar in return. The ascension of Makrani's tribe troubled the British overlords, who sought to disarm and disable his tribe; a false reason was given when Makrani and his tribe rejected government social workers entering their homes on the pretense of registration and census. Given the option of armistice or dissension, the tribe rebelled. Makrani's small army with civilian support overcame British imperialist forces, and made them suffer many casualties. The British imperialist forces ultimately failed to capture Makrani's army, so they announced a bounty of Rs1,000/- and a 20-acre (81,000 m2) land reward for his head.

Return home[]

The stone dropped on Makrani, preserved next to his grave.

In October 1887, Makrani's companions suggested returning to Makran to avoid British pressure in Kathiawar. Accepting the advice, Kadu Makrani along with the rest of his tribe moved onto Ahmedabad and then to Sindh. A camel herder agreed to transport him to Makran, but he actually planned to betray him and then kill him in return for the bounty reward; However, when he attacked Makrani, he was overwhelmed by Makrani's superior sword fighting skills and Makrani eventually slayed him and fled. Makrani was later captured unconscious after being hit and then knocked out by a falling stone due to a landslide in the mountains. After a short mock trial, he was sentenced to death.

Death[]

Final resting place of Kadu Makrani.

Kadu Makrani was executed by hanging in the Karachi Central Jail in November 1887. He was buried in Mewah Shah Graveyard.

In popular culture[]

In 1960, Sadhana Chitra Film Company (India) made a Gujarati film titled "Kadu Makrani" to pay tribute to Makrani, directed by Manhar Rangildas Raskapur starring Arvind Ganpatram Pandya in the lead role of Makrani.^[2]

References[]

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