Abstract
From its inception to the present, the globe has seen a wide range of religions and religious ideas. There have been
and continue to be hundreds of religions on the globe, some of which are conflicting and some of which are to some
extent acknowledged. This article is an effort to understand the religious dynamics in Southern Balochistan during
the British colonial period in Subcontinent. The Makran region is significant in this regard since it contains a
distinct ideological religious sect known as Zikri or Zikirism. This religious pattern has been a part of Makran's life
since the late sixteenth century and flourished during the British colonial period. Zikris' religious thoughts and
practices differ significantly from those of both orthodox and modern Muslims. They called themselves Muslims,
while the others regarded them as unbelievers. Makran society is religiously divided into two groups: the Namazis
(Muslims both Sunnis and Shias) and the Zikris, a division that existed even during the colonial era. Because the
area was less productive for them, the colonial government did not intervene in the people's social problems. The
Zikri community's standing has gone through several ups and downs. Before the arrival of the British in the region,
it was the state religion of the Makran state. Furthermore, the political role of the Zikri community is considered,
which was quite important throughout the colonial period. There was a big difference in British policy towards
Zikris as compare to other Muslims and non-Muslim sects of South Asia. They were more studied and the difference
among the religious communities is very clear in colonial literature but about Zikris there is very less division.
Ma Zheng, Mahboob Hussain. (2022) Religious Dynamics in Southern Balochistan (Makran) during colonial period: A case study of Zikri Sect, Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan, volume 59, issue 3.
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