'Persia. Bakhtiari Offer of Military Assistance.'

Content

This file consists of a note, written by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Secretary, Political Department, India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. . It concerns a recent offer of military assistance, which was reportedly made to the British Vice-Consul at Ahwaz [Edward William Charles Noel, British Vice-Consul, Ahvāz, Iran] by the Bakhtiari [Baḵtīārī] Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. , Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Zafar. The Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. is reported to have offered to place at the disposal of the British '5000 good cavalry for service against the Kashgais [Qashqais] or elsewhere'.

The file goes on to state a series of concrete proposals, formulated by Captain Arnold Talbot Wilson [Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia], following his discussions with the Vice-Consul at Ahwaz. Wilson reportedly proposes that the Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. should be invited to maintain a force of 1500 men under his own command, with the objectives being to stabilise the situation in Ispahan and maintain the authority of the Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. in Bakhtiari territories.

Also discussed are the views of Sir Charles Murray Marling [British Minister, Tehran] (who fears that the proposal will bring about a split in the Bakhtiari tribe) and of Sir Herbert Cox [Secretary, Military Department, India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ] (who strongly supports the proposals).

Shuckburgh concludes that the Political Department is strongly inclined to the opinion that Wilson's proposals should be approved by His Majesty's Government, since Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Zafar's offer affords the British a favourable opportunity of committing the Bakhtiari tribe to their cause.

Extent and format

1 file (2 folios)

Arrangement

The file consists of one report.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 153, and terminates at f 154, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/PS/18/C183

History of this record

Date(s)

9 Aug 1918 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Military strategy

Places

PersiaIspahan

People & organisations

HM Ambassador to IranIndia Office, Secretary to the Political and Secret DepartmentIndia Office, Military SecretaryIlkhani, Bakhtiari tribeBritish Vice-Consul, AhwazBaḵtīārī (Tribe)

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'Persia. Bakhtiari Offer of Military Assistance.', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/C183, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x00017c> [accessed 24 April 2024]

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