'Precis of information on the political condition of the States situated on or connected with the North West and Western Frontier of British India'

Content

The item consists of a summary document 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 document, written by William Henry Wathen, Secretary in the Persian Department, provides brief details on the political status of 'states' under the following headings:

• 'Cashmere' [Kashmir]
• 'Chinese Tartary' [parts of modern-day China, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Bhutan and Nepal]
• 'Independent Tartary' [parts of modern-day Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan]
• 'Countries formerly dependent on or in the vicinity of Afghan states'
• 'Afghan territories'
• 'Beloocheestan [Balochistan] and Mukran [Makran]'
• 'Scind' [Sindh]
• 'Persia' [Iran]
• ' Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. '
• 'The Provinces of Oman in Arabia'
• 'Coast of Arabia from Muskat [Muscat] to the straights of Babeel Mandeeb [Bab el Mandeb]'
• 'Red Sea'
• 'Arabia'
• 'Egypt and Nubia'
• 'Abyssinia (Hubbush)' [Ethiopia]
• 'North East and East Coasts of Africa'
• 'East Coast of Africa called by the natives Suwahil [suwāḥil or ‘coasts’ in Arabic]'

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'P.C. [Previous Communication] 1631, Draft 696, 1835', 'Coll[ection] N. 4', 'Bombay Political Department', 'Examiner’s Office 1835'.

Extent and format

1 item (10 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the item. The item also contains a table of contents (f 61), noting 'Page', 'Date', 'From', 'To' and 'Date of Consultation'.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 60, and terminates at f 69, 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/4/1519/59964

History of this record

Date(s)

18 Feb 1835-5 Mar 1835 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 29 Dec 1835, draft 696/1835, IOR/E/4/1059 p 752

Subjects

Political information

Places

Arabian PeninsulaEast AfricaCentral AsiaPersian Gulf

People & organisations

Government of BombayGovernment of Bombay, Persian Secretary

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'Precis of information on the political condition of the States situated on or connected with the North West and Western Frontier of British India', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1519/59964, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001840.0x00029b> [accessed 15 July 2026]

Link to this record

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