Reflections of the Baloch-Portugese Combats in Blochi Epic Poetry

Abstract

The paper discusses some evidence regarding the Baloch-Portugese confrontation, attested in Balochi epic poetry. Due to the scarcity of reliable historical sources particularly on the encounters of the Portuguese with the Baloch, the information gathered from the epic poetry comes to fill that gap; it provides detailed description of not only the invasion of the Portuguese in Persian Gulf, but also the heroic battles the Baloch fought against the formers. In this particular cycle the famous epic figure of Hammal from the Hut clan appears as a central hero who eventually dies in captivity after numerous successful combats.

Keywords

• baloch-portugese combats
• persian gulf
• makran costal
• baloch epic poetry
• hammal the hut