Letter from Major-General Lionel Smith, at sea aboard the Byramgore to Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay

Content

The letter contains a report put together by the Major-General on the suitability of the town of Kishm [Qeshm], on the island of Kishme [Qeshm], as a base for a garrison and naval operations in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . A number of alternative locations are examined by the author; he recommends they stick with the current arrangements at Kishme. The report also makes a series of recommendations for preventing the resurgence of piracy in the Gulf. These recommendations include measures to ensure that the area is suitably covered by the company's cruizers, and claims that Indian Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. are ill suited for service in the Gulf and should be replaced by alternatives.

The author also encloses the instructions he has provided to the Acting 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. at Kishme (see ff. 108-11v).

Extent and format

11 folios

It is part of

Vol 23: Reports to the Government of Bombay respecting a British military expedition to the Persian Gulf

248 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/23

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/R/15/1/23, ff 97-107

History of this record

Date(s)

23 Apr 1821 (CE, Gregorian)

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Letter from Major-General Lionel Smith, at sea aboard the Byramgore to Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/23, ff 97-107, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023711596.0x00001a> [accessed 5 July 2026]

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