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Circular N. 4142 of the Territorial Department Revenue from the Officiating Secretary to the Government at Bombay Castle, Charles Edward Fraser Tytler, to the Resident in the Persian Gulf [‎17v] (24/44)

The record is made up of 22 folios. It was created in 7 Sep 1854. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .

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[ '4 ]
I allude more particularly to this recent recognition of the measures adopted in 1820,
because it seems to me to strengthen the right of the British Government to require that
the3 T should again be revived should this course be deemed advisable.
Cutch. —The engagements entered into by this Government in 1819 do not appear to
have been departed from, but remain in full force at the present day. The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
states in a letter dated the l k 2th March 1841, that opium is not imported by land in such
quantities as can supply any large export trade. Instead ot obtaining the supply required
for internal consumption from the depot at Ahmedabad, it was obtained at a cheaper rate
from Bombay, during the years 1840 and 1841. He does not think opium can be conveyed
through Cutch in such large quantities as to be of importance, though he has heard that it
is smuggled through Parkeen, direct from Marwar, and from Keraloo, a district belonging
to His Highness the Guicowar, in Guzerat, where there is a depot for smuggled opium. The
Cutch Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). affords "constant and ready co-operation " in checking the illict trade in opium.
Kaltiawar. —It would appear that the restrictive system in this province has very nearly
fallen into abeyance, although the engagements ol 1820 have never been formally rescinded.
The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. reports (letter dated the 20th February 1841) that the great diminution
which has of late years occurred in the quantity purchased from the Government depot at
Rajcote proves that the internal consumption must be provided from other sources. The
opium thus smuggled is of an inferior quality, and is therefore preferred on account of its
cheapness. He does not, however, believe that it is brought into Kattiawar for ultimate
exportation by sea, though he admits that there is scarcely any existing check against
exportation. The following table exhibits the decrease which has occurred in the sale ol
opium at the Government depot;—
Quantity of Opium sold from the Depot at jRajcote in each year from 1824-25 to 1839-40.
Seers.
Seers.
Seers.
Seers.
1824-25
4774
1828-29
20159J
1832-33
1486H
1836-37
8243g
1825-26
8927^
1829-30
15709
1833-34
]6764f
1837-38
7559
1826-27
11759
1830-31
16498
1834-35
12648
1838-39
3814|
1827-28
10861J-
1831-32
17048
1835-36
8853
1839-40
1903
On the recipt of this information, the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. was informed (letter dated the 13th
March 1841) that it established beyond doubt that a very large quantity of opium must
be clandestinely imported into Kattiawar, and that no check existed against opium finding
its way by the sea ports of the province to the Portuguese settlements of Diu and Demaun.
He was therefore instructed to be vigilant in endeavouring to discover the means by which
it was imported. The diminution in the sales at Rajcote is easily accounted for. In April
1841 the price of Malwa opium of good quality was from Rs. 4| to 5 per lb., and opium of
inferior quality, rejected by the examiners as unsuited for the China Market, was obtainable
for Rs. 3^ per lb. (Report from the Opium Agent, dated the 30th April 1841.) At this
time the price at the Rajcote depot was Rs. 8-12-0 per lb. When such a strong temptation
existed, it was impossible to prevent the illicit importation of the drug, especially in a coun
try like Kattiawar, where all direct authority is vested in Chiefs, many of whom are addicted
to the use of opium. The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. truly states (letter dated the 3rd June 1841) our
arrangements have not proved effectual, and that he is not aware of a single instance in
which either the Chiefs or their Agents have aided in preventing the trade, though cases
have occurred of their screening the smuggler. In 1828-29, 501^- maunds were issued from
the depot; in 1840 only 6 maunds and 30 seers, although consumption has increased instead
of diminishing. The inference, therefore, is inevitable, that if such a large quantity can be
clandestinely introduced, it can also be exported whenever the state of the foreign market
holds out a sufficient inducement. (Letter dated the 12th June 1841.) No check exists under
the present system, and if this is allowed to continue, Kattiawar must be permitted to become
" a mart for the contraband trade of Malwa." Large quantities of opium are stated to be
stored up in the Guicowar towns of Veesanuggur, Kurree, and Beejapoor, but especially in

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Circular N. 4142 of the Territorial Department Revenue from the Officiating Secretary to the Government at Bombay Castle, Charles Edward Fraser Tytler, to the Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , requesting a report to the Government of any traffic in opium in the Gulf.

In enclosure:

  • Extracts from a letter from Fraser Tytler, Officiating Secretary to the Government of India N. 106 dated 11 February 1837 regulating the opium trade with the Native States to prevent clandestine exports of Malwa opium;
  • Printed minutes from July 1846, July and September 1848, by Mr Willoughby and Mr Reid, regarding taking measures and reporting to the Government on Malwa opium traffic.
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22 folios
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Circular N. 4142 of the Territorial Department Revenue from the Officiating Secretary to the Government at Bombay Castle, Charles Edward Fraser Tytler, to the Resident in the Persian Gulf [‎17v] (24/44), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/146, ff 6-27, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023277562.0x000025> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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