Nabi Bakhsh Baloch

In 1917, Nabi was born in Goth Jafar Khan Leghari, Sanghar District, Pakistan. His father's name was Ali Muhammad Khan, but he died just six months after Nabi Bakhsh's birth. His father made a last-minute will to educate his son, which was fulfilled by his uncle Wali Muhammad Khan. At that time, there was no formal school in Goth Jafar Khan Leghari, so his uncle sent him for his primary education to a Urdu teacher, Somal, from the village, where Nabi Bakhsh learned the basic alphabet and numbers. He then joined the primary school in Goth Pulyo Khan Leghari in 1924 . In March 1929 , Baloch Sahib entered the Madrasa and High School in Naushahro Feroze for further education. After this, Nabi Bakhsh enrolled in DJ College , Karachi , but due to financial difficulties, he could not continue his education there. Therefore, Nabi Bakhsh reached Junagadh where he enrolled in Bahauddin College, where Nabi Bakhsh did not face any financial difficulties. Baloch Sahib stayed at Bahauddin College, Junagadh from 1937 to 1941. From there, Nabi Bakhsh secured first position in BA Honours, on the basis of which he received the Mahabat Fellowship Scholarship for 36$ in present day terms. (in the name of Nawab Mahabat Khan Walai, Junagadh State ). Higher education Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch was a student of Aligarh Muslim University from 1941 to 1945, from where he passed LLB and later MA ( Arabic ) with first class first division. Under the guidance and continuous hard work of the Head of the Department of Arabic, Professor Allama Abdul Aziz Memon, he wrote his first research paper on the domination of Sindh by Mansur bin Jamhur, a rebel leader of the late Umayyad period, which was published in the renowned academic and research journal Islamic Culture of Hyderabad Deccan, for which he was assisted by Professor Sheikh Abdul Rashid of the Department of History , Aligarh Muslim University . In 1945 , the British government announced a scholarship for doctoral studies in the subcontinent at the central level . Baloch Sahib won this competition at the all-english level and left Bombay for America on August 16 , 1946, where he started a research paper titled A Programme of Teacher Education for the New State of Pakistan at Columbia University, New York . In 1949 , he wrote his doctoral thesis and obtained a PhD degree in the field of education and returned to Pakistan. == Career ==

In 1950, Baloch joined the Pakistan Ministry of Information. He initiated the monthly magazine Naeen Zindagi and numerous other publications about Pakistan to educate the public. In addition, he promoted the folk music and folk culture of the five provinces through radio. In 1951, Baloch was appointed as Public Relations officer for the Pakistan Mission in Damascus. However, he opted to participate in the establishment of the Sindh University, Hyderabad, Sindh, and once again returned to Pakistan. There he established the first Department of Education in Pakistan and later became Vice-chancellor. During his tenure at the university he was responsible for initiating several publications and editing monographs such as: Journal of Education, Journal of Research: Arts and Social Sciences, Historical Perspective on Education, Methods of Teaching Hasil-a-lNijh of Jafar al- Bubakani, and Report on Education in Sindh with an extensive introduction by Baloch (drawn by B.H. Ellis, first printed for the Government at the Bombay Education Society Press in 1856). He served as a first dean of Sindh University and later became the vice chancellor of the university. Baloch was proficient in Sindhi, Persian, Arabic and Urdu languages. Baloch also played a key role in the establishment of various institutes associated with the University of Sindh. The Department of Sindhi began work in 1953. A Sindhi Academy, initiated earlier by Baloch, developed into the concept of the Institute of Sindhology. Baloch worked out the draft of the scheme to establish it and served as the Director. He initiated the publication of the monthly journal of the Institute under the name ''Ilmee Aa'eeno (Mirror of Knowledge)''. Parallel to these scholarly endeavours, Baloch, during his tenure at the Sindh University, was a guiding force for several institutes in Sindh. He worked as Honorary Secretary Bhitshah Cultural Centre, where he organized literary conferences during the annual functions. He promoted the rural cultural milieu, spreading the message of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. In this regard, he published studies on Shah Jo Risalo. The first biographical work on Shah Abdul Latif, written in Persian by Mir Abdul Hussain Khan Sangi, Lutaif-i-Lateefee, was edited and introduced by Baloch and published by Bhitshah Cultural Centre in 1967. The manuscripts of Shah Jo Risalo were procured from London and published in 1969. Mehran Arts Council was established, with Baloch as the honorary secretary. He devised the idea, persuaded authorities to give grants, bought a plot for the council in Latifabad and had a building constructed. He wrote Musical Instruments of the Lower Valley of Sindh (1966), and an article as an appendix: '‘Shah Abdul Latif as the Founder of a New Musical Tradition'’. Baloch also edited Aziz Baloch's work, ‘'Spanish Cante Jundo and its origin in Sindhi Music'’, published by Mehran Arts Council in 1968. Among other articles and monographs, the Council also published Sabhai Rangga (All Hues) on all aspects of folkloric poetry in 1969, edited and introduced by Baloch. It was also during Baloch's term as the vice-chancellor of Sindh University (1973 - 1976) In 1989, Baloch began the compiling, rearranging and editing the text of the anthology of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Shah Jo Risalo. This project involved extensive research and a deep understanding of the poet’s philosophy as well as expertise in the Sindhi language. In this regard, he also produced a companion dictionary, Roshni, for the understanding of text. In 1991, the Sindhi Language Authority was established by the Government of Sindh, with Baloch as its chairman. He remained with this institute for 27 months, during which numerous works were published on a multitude of topics pertaining to the teaching and promotion of the Sindhi Language. During his tenure, he was also given the additional charge of Minister for Education with the caretaker government for a period of three months. Baloch remained Professor Emeritus Allama I.I Kazi Chair, University of Sindh, established in 1990 until his demise. ==Awards and recognition==

• Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (1962) • Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam (1971) • Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2002 • Kamal-e-Fun Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) by Pakistan Academy of Letters in 2005 • Conferment of Degree of Doctorate of Educational Management, (Honours Causa) Institute of Business Administration, University of Karachi (2009) • Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan (2011) • Appointed Life Patron of Dr. N.A. Baloch, Institute for Heritage Research, Department of Antiquities, Government of Sindh, 2009, founded after his name in recognition of his outstanding academic services to Pakistan and Sindh == Publications ==

• Sindhi Jami'a Lughaat (Sindhi language dictionary) (First edition in 5 volumes 1960–1988 published by Sindhi Adabi Board; 2nd revised edition in 3 volumes, published by Sindhi Language Authority 2004–2006 (third volume in Press)) • Roshni, Sindhi to Sindhi one volume dictionary, 1998, published by Sindhi Language Authority • Sindhi Lok kahaniyoon (7 volumes) • Madahoon Ain Munaajaatoon • Munaqibaa • Moajiza • Molood • Teeh Akhriyoon • Hafta Deinh Ratyoon Ain Maheena • Jang Naama • Waqiaati Bait • Munazira • Sindhi Senghar (Shairy) • Paroliyoon, Dunoon, Muamaoon Ain Bol • Gujhartoon • Door • Geech • Lok Geet • Bait • Narr Ja Bait • Kafiyoon • Mashahoor Sindhi Qisa • Rasmoon Riwaj Ain Sanwan Saath • Sindhi Hunr Shairy • Kulyat-e-Hamal • Mubeen Shah Jo Kalam • Miyeen Shah Inaat [Inaayat] Jo Risalo • Khalifay Nabi Bakhsh Laghari Jo Risalo • Shah Lutfullah Qadri Jo Kalam • Nawab Wali Muhammad LAghari Jo Kalam • Kulyat-e-Sangi • Beylaain Jaa Bola • Laakho Phulani • Kazi Qazan Jo Kalam • Ragnamo • Soomran Jo Daur • Sindhi Mosiqee Je Mukhtasir Tarikh • Sindhi Boli Ain Adab Jee Tarikh • Sindhi Sooratkahti Ain Khatati • Gadah • Shah Jo Risalo by Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (10 volumes), 1989 to 1999, published by various publishers • Sindh Main Urdu Shairy (Urdu) • Molana Azad Subhani (Urdu) • Deewan-e-Matam (Urdu) • Deewan-e-Shuq-e-Afza or Deewan-e-Shair • Talaba Aur Taleem (Urdu) • Advent of Islam in Indonesia, 1980 • Muslim Luminaries: Leaders of Religious, Intellectual and Political Revival in South Asia, 1988 • Kabul Ki Diary (Memoirs of Mawlana Obaidullah Sindhi during his days of residence in Kabul, compiled by Mawlana Abdullah Laghari, edited by N. A. Baloch • Sindh: Studies Historical (English) • Sindh: Studies Cultural (English) • Traditional Arts & Crafts of Hyderabad Region (Sindh, 1966, Mehran Arts Council) • Musical Instruments of the Lower Indus Valley of Sindh, 1966, Mehran Arts Council Hyderabad • Gosha-e-Baloch, published by Urdu Department, University of Sindh • Chachnama edited and translated into English (Persian, English) • Baqiyaat az Kalhora (Persian) • Beglar Naama by Idraki Beglari (Persian) • Takmilatul- Takmilah, Addendum to Qania's Maqalatush-Shu'raa and Takmilla of Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, published by Arts Faculty, Allama I.I. Kazi Campus, Sindh University, 2007 (Persian text, Sindhi preface) ==Death and legacy==

Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch died on 6 April 2011 at Hyderabad. ==See also==