Letter No.1199 of 1870 from Colonel Robert Phayre, The Political Superintendent, Upper Sind Frontier, Jacobabad to Colonel William Lockyer Merewether, Commissioner in Sind, Kurrachee [Karāchi]

Content

Letter forwarding the Khelat [Kalāt] Diary for 8-14 August 1870 and highlighting certain items which he wishes to draw attention to.

Firstly the Khan of Khelat's disinclination to leave Khelat during winter, which has not done since 1865 and which the Colonel states that Captain Charles Henry Harrison ( 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) has attempted to blame Captain Robert Sandeman as the cause of the Khan's decision.

Secondly the references to affairs in Lus Beyla [Lasbela] and the lack of information which suggests the Khelat Government have been failing to inform 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. of all that occurs there.

Thirdly regarding a report received by the Colonel that members of the Murree tribe had plundered a border area of about forty miles, and that they had used a force of about 1,100 men to do so.

The conclusion to the letter uses the recent report to demonstrate the unsettled nature of affairs in Khelat.

Enclosure to the letter:

• 'Diary by 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. , Khelat, from 8th to 14th August 1870' reporting on the Khan's plans for the cold season in which he had intended to visit Cutchee [Kutch] and other distant parts of his territory but that as Azad Khan had returned to Kharun it was instead necessary to find out whether he wished to be reconciled with Khelat. The diary entries also discuss reports in the Indian press of an incident at Beyla [Bela] which neither 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. nor the Khan had received any information about; an enquiry being undertaken by the Khan into Jaghires within his state; and reporting on Kafilas passing through Khelat.

Extent and format

2 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 146-147

History of this record

Date(s)

24 Aug 1870 (CE, Gregorian)

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Letter No.1199 of 1870 from Colonel Robert Phayre, The Political Superintendent, Upper Sind Frontier, Jacobabad to Colonel William Lockyer Merewether, Commissioner in Sind, Kurrachee [Karāchi], British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F126/22, ff 146-147, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024102474.0x00001f> [accessed 19 July 2026]

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