Dash lights not working 'Please help'

I have a 1996 xj the dash lights do not work nor does the auto gear shift lights but when I turn on key the seat belt and red
oil light comes on and battery light come on I have checked all fuses and yes underhood fuses too... the radio works and so does the glove box but it takes the light in the glovebox a few minutes to come on any help would be great by the way i pulled gauge cluster out to look at it and there seem to be no light bulbs for speedo
but does have the little bulbs for the warning lights on sides which do work

instrument lights should come on when parking lights are activated so first check if the parking lights also come on. if it's just the interior lights check fuses, then figure on replacing the headlight switch and/or finding a short on the interior circuit

Dumb question -- Is the headlight switch rotated to a position where the dash lights should be on brightly?

yes

So you need to check for juice coming out of the headlight switch reostat.