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Parallel to the continuing scholarly endeavours mentioned above, Baloch during his tenure at the Sindh University remained a guiding force for several institutes in Sindh. He worked as Honorary Secretary Bhitshah Cultural Centre<ref>web.culture.gos.pk/index.php/component/.../48-bhitshah-culture-center</ref>{{full}} where he organized literary conferences during the annual functions. He promoted the rural cultural milieu, spreading the message of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. In this regard he published studies on ''Shah Jo Risalo''. The first biographical work on Shah Abdul Latif written in Persian by Mir Abdul Hussain Khan Sangi, ''Lutaif-i-Lateefee'', was edited and introduced by Baloch and published by Bhitshah Cultural Centre in 1967. The manuscripts of ''Shah Jo Risalo'' were procured from London and published in 1969.<ref name=":0">World of Work-Predicament of a Scholar, edited Prof Umar Chand, Institute of Sindhology, 2007</ref>{{full}}
Parallel to the continuing scholarly endeavours mentioned above, Baloch during his tenure at the Sindh University remained a guiding force for several institutes in Sindh. He worked as Honorary Secretary Bhitshah Cultural Centre<ref>web.culture.gos.pk/index.php/component/.../48-bhitshah-culture-center</ref>{{full}} where he organized literary conferences during the annual functions. He promoted the rural cultural milieu, spreading the message of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. In this regard he published studies on ''Shah Jo Risalo''. The first biographical work on Shah Abdul Latif written in Persian by Mir Abdul Hussain Khan Sangi, ''Lutaif-i-Lateefee'', was edited and introduced by Baloch and published by Bhitshah Cultural Centre in 1967. The manuscripts of ''Shah Jo Risalo'' were procured from London and published in 1969.<ref name=":0">World of Work-Predicament of a Scholar, edited Prof Umar Chand, Institute of Sindhology, 2007</ref>{{full}}


Mehran Arts Council was established under the chairmanship of the commissioner of Hyderabad, Baloch as honorary secretary, worked out the scheme, persuaded authorities to give grants, bought a plot for the council in Latifabad and had a building constructed.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} Baloch wrote 'Musical Instruments of the Lower Valley of Sindh' (1966), and two articles as appendices: ‘Shah Abdul Latif as the Founder of a New Musical Tradition’ by Baloch and the ‘Traditional Music of Sindh’ by Ilyas Ishqie. This work was translated into Bengali by Folk Music Research Group, Dacca, East Pakistan in 1970. Baloch also edited Aziz Baloch's work, ‘Spanish Cante Jundo and its Origin in Sindhi Music’, published by Mehran Arts council in 1968. Among other articles and monographs, Mehran Arts Council also published ''Sabhai Rangga'' (All Hues) on all aspects of folkloric poetry in 1969 edited and introduced by Baloch.<ref name=":0" />{{full}}
Mehran Arts Council was established under the chairmanship of the commissioner of Hyderabad, Baloch as honorary secretary, worked out the scheme, persuaded authorities to give grants, bought a plot for the council in Latifabad and had a building constructed.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} Baloch wrote ''Musical Instruments of the Lower Valley of Sindh'' (1966), and an article as an appendix: '‘Shah Abdul Latif as the Founder of a New Musical Tradition'’. This work was translated into Bengali by Folk Music Research Group, Dacca, East Pakistan in 1970. Baloch also edited Aziz Baloch's work, ‘Spanish Cante Jundo and its Origin in Sindhi Music’, published by Mehran Arts council in 1968. Among other articles and monographs, Mehran Arts Council also published ''Sabhai Rangga'' (All Hues) on all aspects of folkloric poetry in 1969 edited and introduced by Baloch.<ref name=":0" />{{full}}


On an international level, Baloch collaborated with Dr. Knez in setting up the ‘Sindhi House of Pakistan’ at the [[Smithsonian Institution]], Washington D.C., and made arrangements for the relevant material to be exported.<ref>Register to the Papers of
On an international level, Baloch collaborated with Dr. Knez in setting up the ‘Sindhi House of Pakistan’ at the [[Smithsonian Institution]], Washington D.C., and made arrangements for the relevant material to be exported.<ref>Register to the Papers of

Revision as of 14:25, 8 July 2023

Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch
نبي بخش خان بلوچ‎
نبی بخش خان بلوچ
النبي بخش خان بالوش
Born(1917-12-16)16 December 1917
Sinjhoro, Sanghar District, Sind, Bombay Presidency, British India
Died6 April 2011(2011-04-06) (aged 93)
Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
HonoursPride of Performance (1979)
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
Sitara-e-Quaid-i-Azam
Sitara-e-Imtiaz (2002)
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (2011)

Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch (Template:Lang-sd; 16 December 1917 – 6 April 2011) was a Pakistani research scholar, historian, sindhologist, educationist, linguist and writer. He predominantly wrote in Sindhi, but sometimes in Urdu, English, Persian and Arabic. He has been described as the "moving library" of the Pakistani province of Sindh.[1][2]

The author of some 150 books, he contributed to many subjects and disciplines of knowledge which include history, education, folklore, archeology, anthropology, musicology, Islamic culture and civilisation. He contributed two articles - on Sindh and Baluchistan - which appeared in the Fifteenth Edition of Encyclopædia Britannica, 1972.

Baloch did pioneering work on the classic poets of Sindh, culminating in the ten-volume critical text of Shah Jo Risalo, the poetic compendium of the Sufi poet of Sindh, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. He edited 42 volumes on Sindhi folklore, with scholarly prefaces in English, under the heading of the Folklore and Literature Project.

In addition, he compiled and published a Sindhi dictionary, Jami'a Sindhi Lughaat[3] in five volumes which was later revised into three volumes. With Ghulam Mustafa Khan, he also compiled Sindhi-to-Urdu, Urdu-to-Sindhi dictionaries. His works also include the compilation and editing of classical Sindhi poets including Shah Inayat Rizvi, Qadi Qadan, Khalifo Nabibakhsh, and Hamal Faqir. In the field of history, he edited works including Tareekh Ma'soomee, Chachnama, Tuhfatul Kiram by Mir Ali Sher Qania, Lubb-i-Tareekh Sindh by Khudad Khan, Tareekh-i-Tahiree by Mir Tahir Muhammad Nisyani, Beglar Nama by Idrakee Beglaree.

Early life

Nabi Bakhsh Baloch, son of a farmer, was born in the village of Jaffer Khan Laghari, District Sanghar of Sindh, Pakistan on 16 December 1917. His secondary education was undertaken at Naushero Feroz High School. He attended Junagarh College at Bombay University, then studied further at Aligarh Muslim University.[1][4] He studied at Columbia University, New York, for a Ph.D. in education. After this, he declined a post with the United Nations and returned to Pakistan.[1]

Career

In 1950, Baloch joined the Pakistan Ministry of Information, as an officer on special duty. [citation needed] He initiated the monthly magazine Naeen Zindagi and numerous other publications about Pakistan to educate the public. In addition, he promoted the folk music and folk culture of the five provinces through radio.[citation needed]

In 1951, Baloch was appointed as Public Relations Officer for the Pakistan Mission in Damascus.[citation needed] However, he opted to participate in the establishment of the Sindh University, Hyderabad, Sindh, and once again returned to Pakistan.[citation needed] There he established the first Department of Education in Pakistan and later became Vice-Chancellor.[4] During his tenure at the university he was responsible for initiating several publications and editing monographs such as: Journal of Education, Journal of Research: Arts and Social Sciences, Historical Perspective on Education, Methods of Teaching Hasil-a-lNijh of Jafar al- Bubakani, and Report on Education in Sindh with an extensive introduction by Baloch (drawn by B.H. Ellis, first printed for the Government at the Bombay Education Society Press in 1856).[citation needed]

Baloch also played a key role in the establishment of various institutes associated with the University of Sindh. The Department of Sindhi began work in 1953. A Sindhi Academy initiated earlier by Baloch developed into the concept of the Institute of Sindhology. Baloch worked out the draft of the scheme to establish it and served as the Director. He initiated the publication of the monthly journal of the Institute under the name Ilmee Aa'eeno (Mirror of Knowledge).[5]

Parallel to the continuing scholarly endeavours mentioned above, Baloch during his tenure at the Sindh University remained a guiding force for several institutes in Sindh. He worked as Honorary Secretary Bhitshah Cultural Centre[6][full citation needed] where he organized literary conferences during the annual functions. He promoted the rural cultural milieu, spreading the message of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. In this regard he published studies on Shah Jo Risalo. The first biographical work on Shah Abdul Latif written in Persian by Mir Abdul Hussain Khan Sangi, Lutaif-i-Lateefee, was edited and introduced by Baloch and published by Bhitshah Cultural Centre in 1967. The manuscripts of Shah Jo Risalo were procured from London and published in 1969.[7][full citation needed]

Mehran Arts Council was established under the chairmanship of the commissioner of Hyderabad, Baloch as honorary secretary, worked out the scheme, persuaded authorities to give grants, bought a plot for the council in Latifabad and had a building constructed.[citation needed] Baloch wrote Musical Instruments of the Lower Valley of Sindh (1966), and an article as an appendix: '‘Shah Abdul Latif as the Founder of a New Musical Tradition'’. This work was translated into Bengali by Folk Music Research Group, Dacca, East Pakistan in 1970. Baloch also edited Aziz Baloch's work, ‘Spanish Cante Jundo and its Origin in Sindhi Music’, published by Mehran Arts council in 1968. Among other articles and monographs, Mehran Arts Council also published Sabhai Rangga (All Hues) on all aspects of folkloric poetry in 1969 edited and introduced by Baloch.[7][full citation needed]

On an international level, Baloch collaborated with Dr. Knez in setting up the ‘Sindhi House of Pakistan’ at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., and made arrangements for the relevant material to be exported.[8][full citation needed]

It was also during Baloch's term as the vice chancellor of Sindh University (1973 - 1976)[2] that an International Conference ‘Sindh Through the Centuries’ was held from 2 to 7 March 1975 at Karachi, jointly hosted by Karachi and Sindh Universities. Baloch as one of the chief hosts took the delegates to visit the historical and archeological sites most of which had been discussed in the papers presented at the conference. Illustrious scholars from world over who participated in the conference included: H.T. Lambrick, J.E. van Lohuizen, J.A. Boyle, S.Digby, C.F. Buckingham, Annemarie Schimmel and E.I. Knez.[citation needed]

From January 1976 to June 1989, Baloch worked for the Government of Pakistan in Islamabad. He was Secretary for Culture, Archaeology, Sports and Tourism for one year. Important projects supervised and guided by Baloch include the Centenary Celebrations of Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1976) and Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1977). He also served as Member Federal Pay Commission and Member Federal Review Board.[citation needed]

From 1 July 1979 and up to October 1979, Baloch was chairman of the National Commission on Historical and Cultural Research.[citation needed]

Baloch planned a project of 25 volumes of history of the Muslim Rule in the Subcontinent to be published by the institute.[7][full citation needed]

In November 1980, Baloch was called upon to take charge as the first Vice Chancellor of the International Islamic University, Islamabad. He resigned in August 1982 and continued his work at the National Institute of Historical Research until October 1982. From 1983 to 1989, Baloch served as adviser to the National Hijra Council. Here, Baloch began work on the ‘One Hundred Great Books of Islamic Civilization’. In all, eleven works were published out of which five were produced under Baloch’s personal supervision. The work on remaining six was finalized, but published after he left the organization (1989) and returned to his hometown, Hyderabad.

Books that were edited with introductions by Baloch under the Great Books Project are as follows:

  1. Al Khawarazmi’s Algebra, original Arabic text with Rosen’s translation, introduction by Prof. Ayidin Sayili, and explanatory notes by Mullek Dous was published in 1989.
  2. Banu Musa, Kitab al-Hiyal (The Book of Ingenious Mechanical Devices), translated, annotated, and introduced by Dr. Donald Hill.
  3. Al-Jazari’s Kitabul Hiyal, (Integration between Theory and Practice in the Application of Mechanics), translated into English by Ahmad Y. al-Hassan and introduced by Donald Hill, 1989. This work speaks of 19 Sindhian Waterwheel that has erroneously been called Persian Wheel.
  4. Al-Biruni’s Kitab al-Jamahir fee Ma’ arifat al-Jawahir, translated by Hakim Mohammad Said, and edited by Dr. N.A Baloch, 1988. The work discusses al-Beruni’s experiment which for the first time introduced the concept of ‘Specific Gravity’.
  5. Hamidullah Khan, The Prophet Establishing A State, 1989.[9]

In 1989, Baloch began the compiling, rearranging and editing the text of the anthology of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Shah Jo Risalo. This project involved extensive research and deep understanding of the poet’s philosophy as well as expertise in the Sindhi language. In this regard he also produced a companion dictionary, Roshni, for the understanding of text.[10]

In 1991, the Sindhi Language Authority was established by the Government of Sindh, with Baloch as its chairman. He remained with this institute for 27 months during which numerous works were published on a multitude of topics pertaining the teaching and promotion of Sindhi Language. During his tenure, he was also given the additional charge of Minister for Education with the caretaker government for a period of three months.[10]

Baloch remained Professor Emeritus Allama I.I Kazi Chair, University of Sindh, established in 1990 until his demise.[citation needed]

Awards and recognition

Publications

  • Sindhi Jami'a Lughaat (Sindhi language dictionary) (First edition in 5 volumes 1960–1988 published by Sindhi Adabi Board; 2nd revised edition in 3 volumes, published by Sindhi Language Authority 2004–2006 (third volume in Press))[1][2]
  • Roshni, Sindhi to Sindhi one volume dictionary, 1998, published by Sindhi Language Authority
  • Sindhi Lok kahaniyoon (7 volumes)
  • Madahoon Ain Munaajaatoon
  • Munaqibaa
  • Moajiza
  • Molood
  • Teeh Akhriyoon
  • Hafta Deinh Ratyoon Ain Maheena
  • Jang Naama
  • Waqiaati Bait
  • Munazira
  • Sindhi Senghar (Shairy)
  • Paroliyoon, Dunoon, Muamaoon Ain Bol
  • Gujhartoon
  • Door
  • Geech
  • Lok Geet
  • Bait
  • Narr Ja Bait
  • Kafiyoon
  • Mashahoor Sindhi Qisa
  • Rasmoon Riwaj Ain Sanwan Saath
  • Sindhi Hunr Shairy
  • Kulyat-e-Hamal
  • Mubeen Shah Jo Kalam
  • Miyeen Shah Inaat [Inaayat] Jo Risalo
  • Khalifay Nabi Bakhsh Laghari Jo Risalo
  • Shah Lutfullah Qadri Jo Kalam
  • Nawab Wali Muhammad LAghari Jo Kalam
  • Kulyat-e-Sangi
  • Beylaain Jaa Bola
  • Laakho Phulani
  • Kazi Qazan Jo Kalam
  • Ragnamo
  • Soomran Jo Daur
  • Sindhi Mosiqee Je Mukhtasir Tarikh
  • Sindhi Boli Ain Adab Jee Tarikh
  • Sindhi Sooratkahti Ain Khatati
  • Gadah
  • Shah Abdul LAtif jo Risalo Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (10 volumes), 1989 to 1999, published by various publishers[1][2]
  • Sindh Main Urdu Shairy (Urdu)
  • Molana Azad Subhani (Urdu)
  • Deewan-e-Matam (Urdu)
  • Deewan-e-Shuq-e-Afza or Deewan-e-Shair
  • Talaba Aur Taleem (Urdu)
  • Advent of Islam in Indonesia, 1980
  • Muslim Luminaries: Leaders of Religious, Intellectual and Political Revival in South Asia, 1988
  • Kabul Ki Diary (Memoirs of Mawlana Obaidullah Sindhi during his days of residence in Kabul, compiled by Mawlana Abdullah Laghari, edited by N. A. Baloch
  • Sindh: Studies Historical (English)
  • Sindh: Studies Cultural (English)
  • Traditional Arts & Crafts of Hyderabad Region (Sindh, 1966, Mehran Arts Council)
  • Musical Instruments of the Lower Indus Valley of Sindh, 1966, Mehran Arts Council Hyderabad
  • Gosha-e-Baloch, published by Urdu Department, University of Sindh
  • Chachnama edited and translated into English (Persian, English)
  • Baqiyaat az Kalhora (Persian)
  • Beglar Naama by Idraki Beglari (Persian)
  • Takmilatul- Takmilah, Addendum to Qania's Maqalatush-Shu'raa and Takmilla of Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, published by Arts Faculty, Allama I.I. Kazi Campus, Sindh University, 2007 (Persian text, Sindhi preface)

Death and legacy

Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch died on 6 April 2011 at Hyderabad.[1] Among his survivors are five sons and three daughters. Among the personalities attending his funeral were Pir Mazharul Haq, Sassui Palijo, Dr Ghulam Ali Allana and Imdad Hussaini.[2] Tributes were paid to him at an event organized by the Pakistan Academy of Letters. Mir Mukhtar Talpur of Sindh Adabi Sanghat said that Baloch worked hard all his life to document everything about Sindh and recalled his lifelong contributions in preserving the culture and folklore of Sindh. He added that Baloch visited every nook and corner of Sindh to preserve its history and culture.[1]

In 2017, a tribute was paid to him on his 100th birthday by Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairperson Muhammad Qasim Bughio.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Newspaper, the (14 April 2011). "Dr Nabi Bakhsh Baloch remembered". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Dr Nabi Bakhsh Baloch is no more". Dawn (newspaper). 6 April 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  3. ^ a b Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch passes away (includes info on his award) Dawn (newspaper), Published 6 April 2011, Retrieved 8 July 2019
  4. ^ a b Zamir Sheikh (7 April 2011). "Educationist Dr Nabi Bux Baloch passes away". The Nation (newspaper). Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  5. ^ Chand, Prof. Mohammad Umar (2007). World of Work-Predicament of a Scholar. Hyderabad, Pakistan: Institute of Sindhology. pp. 19–20.
  6. ^ web.culture.gos.pk/index.php/component/.../48-bhitshah-culture-center
  7. ^ a b c World of Work-Predicament of a Scholar, edited Prof Umar Chand, Institute of Sindhology, 2007
  8. ^ Register to the Papers of Eugene I Knez (Part 6) 1920s–2000, With Information Dating Back to 1481 By Alan L. Bain National Anthropological Archives Smithsonian Institution December 2002, Retrieved 7 July 2019
  9. ^ Chand, Prof.Mohammad Umar (2007). World of Work-Predicament of a Scholar. Hyderabad, Pakistan: Institute of Sindhology. pp. 38–39.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Transitions: Scholar Dr Nabi Bux Baloch, who compiled the first Sindhi-English dictionary, dies at 93 The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 7 April 2011, Retrieved 8 July 2019
  11. ^ HYDERABAD: Dr Baloch receives Shah Latif Award Dawn (newspaper), Published 10 February 2003, Retrieved 8 July 2019
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tribune was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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