The Lost Tribe

by Osama Hussain (Pakistan)

Making a local connection Pakistan

Shares

'I didn't expect to find' It was very rare for an Indian to see a rally in support from any other country let alone from the rival country Pakistan. I was intrigued. News was “Marathas in Dera Bugti district of Pakistan rally in support of Marathas”. Being a Maratha myself, I was happy seeing some support for a cause but instantly a thought occurred “what are Marathas doing their thousands of kilometers away from their homeland”. After Googling I found out they were taken as slaves in 1761, after the 3rd battle of Panipat. Fond of travelling, I knew my next stop was Pakistan. While it was not easy getting a visa of Pakistan, it was further difficult for a student of journalism to get a visa but of course if I had to meet my Lost part of tribe, I had to strive. So, I didn’t lie however concealed the truth. The visa policies of the countries of south Asia are complex as when I came to know I only have been allowed to visit the province of Punjab. I applied again asking to visit a holy Hindu site in Baluchistan, Hinglaj Mata. Having lost my hope, I was happy as I was allowed access to Baluchistan. Entering into a warn torn district, which rarely understands English while being form the enemy country and having no friend or someone known from the city, I was being left alone. But curiosity forced me to take the 2nd step. For I thought I am just one step away from meeting Mahratta bugtis (that’s what they call themselves now),I was wrong as I had only taken the first step. Seeing simple living people around me, mostly illiterate, I thought of becoming a journalist from Lahore, a Pakistani city. I started talking with the person giving him my brief introduction, of course the fake one. not wasting my time, I asked him that I wanted to meet their slaves. He laughed my question off. Why will there be slaves, he asked. I asked what about Mahrattas. They are our brothers, he replied. now I was a bit ashamed. He took me to his village as a guest. Here we had an introductory meeting with the elders of the village where we had to necessarily tell us our whole story since one started his journey or since the last time he met. Being fond of learning new customs and people it was a good meeting. I noticed that since the time I entered Dera bugti, It seemed like all women perished. Inquired about this fact, he told we present all the things to our ladies at home so they don’t need to visit market. The next day, with host I went to meet my long lost brothers of more than two centuries. I went full hugging on them passionately, maybe because of my ethnic love, having tear in my eyes. They don’t doubted this act however took it as and act of honest respect. We had a long conversation as we were lost brothers. He briefed me about how few centuries back, they converted to islam wilinglly and were freed in love for this conversion. He told me of how they still regard Peshwa Baji Rao Mahratta as their hero and how passionately they watched the movie “Bajirao Masani” based upon his life. He told me of many Hindus who live in Dera Bugti and practice their religion as they choose and How the sardars of the area respect and love them. I was amazed to see the level of inter faith harmony as the tribal regions are more often portrayed as savages with no tolerance for different ideology. I went for curiosity but came back with love in my heart for humankind. As in the words of Abdus Sattar Edhi “Humanity is the best Religion”