‘Papers regarding the Overland Communication between India and Europe’

Content

The item consists of copies of correspondence and a memorandum enclosed within a letter from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. [Mumbai] to the East India Company Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. . The correspondence, written by Dr John Milne, former President of the Bombay Medical Board, relates to Milne’s arguments for sending dispatches from Bombay to London via Ghrane [Kuwait]. He argues that this route is safer, cheaper, and just as quick compared to other proposed routes along the Euphrates river or over the Red Sea. Milne’s correspondence also outlines the commercial and political benefits he believes would arise from maintaining a British presence in Ghrane.

The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 1631, Draft 696, 1835’, ‘Collection N. 1 of N. 3’, ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Examiners Office, 1835’.

Extent and format

1 item (11 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the item. The item also contains two tables of contents: the first (f 38) notes ‘From’, ‘To’, ‘Subject’, ‘Date of Document’ and ‘Date of Consultation’; the second (f 39) notes ‘Page’, ‘Date of Document’, ‘From’, ‘To’ and ‘Date of Consultation’.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 37, and terminates at f 47, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

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/F/4/1519/59962

History of this record

Date(s)

20 Dec 1834-4 Feb 1835 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 29 Dec 1835, draft 696/1835, IOR/E/4/1059 p 751

Subjects

Overseas mailCommunication routes

Places

Ghrane

People & organisations

Government of BombayJohn Milne

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Cite this record in your research

‘Papers regarding the Overland Communication between India and Europe’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1519/59962, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001840.0x000299> [accessed 15 July 2026]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000001840.0x000299

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