Noora Mengal

Name = Noor Mohammad Mengal

Native_name = نورا مینگل

Native_name_lang = Br

Born = 19 July 1851 Died = 30 August 1921

Noora Mengal Urdu (نورا مينگل) was a Baloch freedom fighter of Jhalawan (southern) Balochistan, Pakistan who continuously fought against British dominance for nine years. His full name was Noor Muhammad Alias Noora Mengal. He was the head of Hammalzai sub Caste of the Mengal tribe of Pallimas Valley Wadh District Khuzdar Balochistan.

Noora Mengal is Robinhood of Balochistan

Noora Mengal was a historical Baloch tribal fighter and resistance figure from Balochistan, often referred to as the "Robin Hood of Balochistan" by Aagha Gull, a renowned writer and philosopher from the region. He is remembered for his role in resisting British colonial rule during the early 20th century, particularly around the period of the Khilafat Movement in 1921.

Early Life and Background Noora Mengal belonged to the Mengal tribe, one of the prominent Baloch tribes of Jhalawan, Balochistan. He fought under the leadership of Sardar Noor ud Din Mengal, aligning himself with the broader tribal and political resistance against British colonial authority in the region. Details of his early life remain scarce, largely preserved through oral traditions and local historical accounts.

Noora Mengal and the Folk Song Tradition "Noora Noora Hamza Na Mare"

A well-known element of the oral tradition surrounding Noora Mengal is the folk song commonly referred to as “Noora Noora Hamza Na Mare.” According to Baloch folklore, this song was composed and sung by Noora Mengal’s mother when he departed to fight against his enemies. The song is regarded as one of the most famous heroic ballads in Baloch literature and has been transmitted orally from one generation to another, reflecting the region’s long-standing tradition of preserving history through music and poetry.

The song celebrates Noora Mengal’s bravery, resilience, and unyielding spirit, portraying him as a fearless warrior whose courage was deeply inspired by his mother. In local narratives, she is remembered not only as a grieving mother but as a symbol of strength and honor, encouraging her son to uphold the dignity of the Mengal tribe in times of conflict. This maternal encouragement is often cited as a central source of Noora Mengal’s moral and emotional strength.

Over time, the ballad has been performed by several renowned Baloch and Brahui singers, including Akhter Chanal Zehri, Kulsoom Noor, Jumma Khan Mastana, and others. The celebrated Baloch writer and philosopher Agha Gul also contributed to the preservation of this tradition by authoring a booklet that explores the cultural and historical significance of the song and its association with Noora Mengal.

Another frequently quoted line from the folk tradition is:

“O a Maïk kababoo keerat zakhm khaling, are Mengal na meeras.”

In contextual meaning, this verse conveys a message to women not to discourage themselves in the face of war and hardship, as bravery and the pursuit of battle are portrayed as inherent traits of the Mengal lineage. The line reflects the broader cultural theme of valor, sacrifice, and tribal pride that characterizes much of Baloch heroic poetry.

Together, these verses and performances have contributed significantly to Noora Mengal’s legendary status in Balochistan, embedding his story within the collective memory of the Baloch people as a symbol of resistance, courage, and ancestral honor.

Role in the Anti-Colonial Resistance During the era of the Khilafat Movement, Noora Mengal emerged as a significant local commander who actively opposed British forces and their administrative expansion in Balochistan. He participated in several armed confrontations and is credited in regional narratives with successfully resisting British colonial advances into Jhalawan and surrounding areas.

According to local historians and intellectuals, including Aagha Gull, Noora Mengal became a symbol of defiance and social justice, earning the comparison to Robin Hood for his alleged acts of protecting the poor and standing against oppressive authority.

Military Engagements Noora Mengal is said to have taken part in multiple battles against British colonial troops. These engagements, though not widely documented in mainstream colonial archives, are well-known in Baloch oral history. His strategic knowledge of the mountainous terrain of Balochistan allowed him and his forces to carry out effective resistance operations.

Legacy and Cultural Impact Noora Mengal remains an influential figure in Baloch nationalist history and folklore. He is celebrated in local poetry, storytelling, and cultural discussions as a hero who safeguarded the honour and land of Balochistan during a critical period of colonial domination.

His story continues to be passed down through generations as a symbol of bravery, resistance, and loyalty to the Baloch cause.

Noora Mengal andArmine Brereton Dew

During the period 1911–1921, Armine Brereton Dew, who served as Governor-General and Chief Commissioner of Baluchistan, was the top British official overseeing Jhalawan. During this time, Noora Mengal, a prominent Baloch tribal leader, led resistance campaigns against British authorities. Historical accounts suggest that Noora Mengal fought several engagements against Dew’s forces, reportedly inflicting significant casualties. Some sources claim that Dew himself acknowledged Noora’s extraordinary skill in guerrilla warfare, noting that he had never encountered such a leader who could fight effectively even without modern weaponry.

Arrest Chief Sardar of Mengal tribe Shaker Khan and his son Mir Nooruddin Mengal were arrested and imprisoned in Quetta whose offspring Mir Nooruddin Mengal II also remained political figure of Balochistan. After the arrest of his chief sardars, Noora Mengal together with his companions became against the British government and started gorilla war from 1910. His fight made him legendary in the region of Jhalawan and Lasbela Balochistan. While going to Afghanistan, Noora Mengal was captured by a chief Nawab Mir Habibullah Nosherwani in 1919. According to some other sources he was arrested in 1917.

Role of Nawab Nosherwani for capturing of Noora Mengal

During the period of British political and military expansion in Balochistan, Noora Mengal was engaged in armed resistance against British authority in Jhalawan and surrounding areas. According to accounts of the period, after facing shortages of ammunition, Noora Mengal travelled to Kharan and sought assistance from Mir Habibullah Khan Nosherwani, the ruler and chief of the Nosherwani tribe. He reportedly requested weapons and supplies to continue his resistance, or assistance in reaching Afghanistan, where he hoped to obtain arms and support.

According to later accounts, Nosherwani did not provide the requested assistance and informed the British authorities of Noora Mengal's presence. British forces subsequently captured Noora Mengal and took him into custody.Now Nawab Nosherwanifor traiter in Baloch society.

Death Noora Mengal was sentenced to life imprisonment. He died on 30 August 1921 The most famous old and historic jails in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma (Myanmar)