Let us remember our heroes that have been forgotten by us but they continue to remembered by others!

by Khalid Hashmani, McLean, Virginia, USA

Here comes another legend from neighboring Kathiawar who is a celebrated hero in Gujrat. A Gujrati film “Kadu Makrani” pays tribute to his bravery and sacrifice. Kadu Makrani is buried in Karachi, Sindh but is remembered in Gujrat and Balochistan, hundreds of miles away. Attached is a short story from Wikipedia that talks about this legendary hero, who fought with British with honor and bravery. He was later captured in Karachi and hanged by British.

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[From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia] Qadir Bukhsh Rind Baloch alias Kadu Makrani was a 19th century’s archetypal figure who was born and brought up in Makran, Balochistan. He rose as an insurgent in Kathiawar, Gujarat, martyred and buried in Karachi, Sindh in 1878. His final resting place in Mewah Shah Graveyard (Lyari) which has become the center of inspiration today. He is also remembered as the eastern Robin Hood.

When life became hard for the working classes in Makran, Balochistan due to British colonists, Kadu Makrani, with his tribe, migrated to Kathiawar, Gujarat in mid of 19th century. Due to their courage and bravery, Nawabs of Kathiawar acquired their services to eliminate dacoits of Kathiawar. Kadu Makrani and people of his tribe earned territories and properties as rewards of their services. The rise of Kadu Makrani was disturbing to British imperialists. They were looking for an excuse to disarm Kadu Makrani and his tribe to break their power. With little effort an excuse was avail when Kadu Makrani rejected social workers to enter their houses in the name of registration and census. When he was given a choice to either give away his weapons or be ready for a fight. He, with his tribe, chose to be insurgents instead of laying down their weapons. British imperialists were not surprised by Kadu’s decision as it was a typical move by a Baloch warrior. When British forces moved to Baloch villages in Kathiawar with heavy weapons, Kadu Makrani with his small army resisted very courageously. Lots of people died from both sides. This followed by series of guerilla attacks on British forces and their local friends by Kadu Makrani. This distressed British forces as they failed to counter Kadu Makrani and his little army. Although British government announced Rs1,000/- and 20 acre land reward for his head.

In late 1870s Kadu Makrani’s companions suggested him to go back to Makran for a while to ease British pressure in Kathiawar, a common practice in guerilla-warfare. From Kathiawar he moved to Ahmedabad and from there he came to Karachi, Sindh by train. In Lyari town of Karachi he set a deal with a Camel-Man (a man with Camels) to transport him to Makran. Camel-Man recognized Kadu Makrani and became greedy to get rewards on his head. Camel-Man asked Kadu to meet him behind Baghdadi police station. Camel-Man with a policeman tried to capture Kadu Makrani when he arrived behind Baghdadi police station. Kadu killed both of them with his dagger and tried to escape from there. While he was running in narrow streets of Baghdadi, a laborer dropped a heavy stone on his head to stop him without knowing who he is. Kadu was captured unconscious and after a short trial he was sentenced to death. Kadu Makrani was martyred in Karachi central jail in 1878. His body was received by Waja Dura Khan and at his burial; he was washed by Mulla Ghulam in Dura Line Kalacot, Lyari Town. This brave son of Baloch was buried in Mewah Shah Graveyard (Lyari) with honor.

Source – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadu_Makrani

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