Letter No.519 of 1870 from William Lockyer Merewether, Colonel, The Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karāchi] to Colonel Robert Phayre, The Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind

Content

Letter expressing Merewether's regret at the tone which Colonel Phayre has adopted towards 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. at Khelat [Kalāt], Captain Charles Henry Harrison and also his disapproval of the attitude he had assumed in regards to Khelat affairs generally.

The letter commences by outlining Merewether's opinion that the attitude commenced in March 1869 following a visit at Jacobabad from Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moolla Mahomed [ 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. Mullah Mohammed Raisani] which led to the mistaken view that he and other Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. 's in Beloochistan [Baluchistan] were victims of a great oppression by the Khan of Khelat and that it was the British Government's responsibility to compel the Khan to comply with their demands; all despite evidence to the contrary.

The letter goes on to discuss the instructions issued by Merewether regarding relations and communication with Khan and the Beloochistan tribes and occasions on which the Colonel had directly disobeyed those instructions. Also discussed is Phayre's decision to censure Captain Harrison, which Merewether wishes to be removed, and a reminder of the policy in regards to Khelat which was laid down by the Government of India in July 1869.

The letter also responds to Colonel Phayre's comments in relation to Captain Sandeman's actions, stating that he views these actions has much serious than the Colonel has and also stating that he does not see the interpretation which the Colonel has attempted to apply to correspondence from the Khan, who was well within his rights to complain about British officers communicating with his Chiefs.

The letter concludes by discussing complaints made by His Highness the Khan of Khelat and attempting to correct Colonel Phayre's 'misconceptions' of the situation before instructing the Colonel to strictly adhere to the orders laid down in Merewether's letters and to ensure that all Captain Sandeman's dealings with the Murree and Boogtee tribes go through himself (Phayre), excepting where they relate to those members of the tribes in Government employ.

Extent and format

4 folios

It is part of

Printed copies of correspondence relating to relations between the British Government and Khelat [Kalāt] state

312 images

Ref: Mss Eur F126/22

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Letter

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

Mss Eur F126/22, ff 100-103

History of this record

Date(s)

20 Aug 1870 (CE, Gregorian)

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Letter No.519 of 1870 from William Lockyer Merewether, Colonel, The Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karāchi] to Colonel Robert Phayre, The Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F126/22, ff 100-103, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024102474.0x00000d> [accessed 26 June 2026]

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