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Some personalities are so multitalented and the fields of their achievements so diverse and extensive that it seems not an easy task to discuss their academic achievements within the space of a single article. Prof Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch is one such personality. He possessed multi-dimensional attributes. This article aims to capture at least some glimpses of his intellectual achievements particularly in the field of Sindh's history and historiography.
Introduction
Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch (sometimes written as Dr. N.A. Baloch), was a versatile and erudite writer, scholar and researcher having mastery over Sindhi, Persian, Arabic, Urdu and English languages. He contributed several books and research articles on the history, folklore, linguistics, literature, education, civilization and culture of Sindh.
Besides serving as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh in 1976, he was called upon to join as Secretary Ministry of Education in Islamabad where he established the first International Islamic University. He further initiated a scheme under Pakistan National Hijra Council to translate 100 top books on Islamic Civilization in Urdu from different western languages, but due to some hurdles the project could not materialize. He worked as a secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Education and also served as the Chairman of National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NlHCR), Islamabad. He was elected as a member of UNESCO's international scientific committee on the history and civilization of Central Asia. Aside from his other achievements as director of the National Commission for Research, History and Culture, Dr. Baloch also chalked out a grand plan to compile the history of the Indo-Pak subcontinent in 25 volumes since he believed that the western scholars and historians have not done justice to the history of the region and have largely ignored some very vital source materials such as books and letters written by the Süfis and Muslim scholars.'
However, Dr. Baloch was not only an eminent educator but also made substantial contribution in the field of history and historiography. As the director of National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR), Islamabad and member of the UNESCO's International Scientific Committee, he participated in the compilation of ? History of Central Asian Civilization'. His book 'Lands of Pakistan: Perspectives Historical and Culturar2 is...