Khudadad of Kalat


Mir Khudadad Khan Baloch was the Khan of the princely state of Kalat in what is now the Balochistan province of Pakistan from 1857 to March 1863 and May 1864 to 15 August 1893. During his reign the country experienced numerous revolts, and even his rule was usurped for more than a year by Sherdil Khan.
Khudadad's predecessor was his half brother, Mir Nasir Khan II, who also had experienced tribal unrest during his rule. Mir Nasir Khan II was poisoned to death when Khudadad Khan was a boy of sixteen.
In 1863, a general revolt broke out with most of the tribal chieftains siding against Khudadad Khan. Khudadad was forced to flee and the chieftains elected his cousin Sherdil as khan. Sherdil Khan did not last long as Khan was killed by his own mercenary guard. Despite being returned to the throne by the tribal chieftains, Khudadad continued to have troubles administering the kingdom, and revolts continued.
In 1875, British influence and money through the able assistance of Robert Sandeman resulted in the Mastung Agreement, which formed the basis for the Baloch confederacy. A new treaty between the British and the Khan followed shortly which together with British assistance succeeded in calming the revolts within a year.
In 1893, Khudadad had his chief accountant and staff murdered for allegedly planning to assassinate him. In the scandal that followed, Khudadad agreed to abdicate, and did so on 15 August 1893.