!['Memorandum on the Indo-European Telegraph Department and Narrative of Events to the end of 1898' [‎1r] (1/20)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x0002fb/IOR_L_PS_18_D148_0001.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "'Memorandum on the Indo-European Telegraph Department and Narrative of Events to the end of 1898' [‎1r] (1/20)")
'Memorandum on the Indo-European Telegraph Department and Narrative of Events to the end of 1898' [1r] (1/20)
The record is made up of 1 file (10 folios). It was created in 24 Jul 1899. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
1899.
Memorandum on the Indo-European Telegraph Depart
ment and Narrative of Events to the end of 1898.
The following are the dates on which the various lines to India were
completed:—
2. Under a treaty with the Ottoman Government dated 1864,* which still
Constantinople-Bagdad line from Bagdad to Khanikin on the Persian frontier
and from Bagdad to the mouth of the Shat-el-Arab (Fao), the Govern
ment of India undertaking to connect Bushire with Fao by a cable. The
materials for the land lines in Turkey were to be supplied by the Indian
Government, which was to be repaid by deductions from message revenue,
but the salaries of the British Engineers employed were to be defrayed by
the Indian Government. The sums advanced on account of materials for
the Turkish line amounted to 26,266^., and were finally paid off by Turkey
in 1875-76. The section from Bagdad to Khanikin and Teheran was
completed on the 13th October 1864, and that from Bagdad to Fao on the
2nd Februarv 1865.
3. At the end of 1864, under a convention between Russia and Persia*
the line from Moscow to Tiflis had been extended to Teheran, but the
service on this section was very indifferent. On the 27th January 1865 the
Teheran Bushire section, consisting of two wires, was also completed by the
Indo-European Telegraph Department.
4. At the beginning of 1865 there were, therefore, three routes from the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
to Europe, one via Bushire, Teheran, Tiflis, and Moscow;
another via Bushire, Teheran, Khanikin, and Bagdad, and a third via Fao
and Bagdad. The tariff for a message of 20 words from England to India
was 51. or Fes. 125, but the transmission was exceedingly slow and
unreliable, the average speed being about five days. The average traffic
receipts of the Department from March 1865 to 31st March 1869, were
about 94,882Z. per annum.
6. On the 15th August 1869 the Gwadur Jask section of the Mekran Coast
land line was completed, and, on the 6th November of the same year, a second
cable from Jask to Bushire was laid, thus completing a second through line
from Karachi to Bushire. From the 1st January 1869 the tariff was reduced
to 2Z. 17s. for 20 words and 1/. Us. for 10 words. The traffic earnings during
1869-70 amounted to about 76,370Z.
6. In 1874-75 iron posts were erected between Teheran and Bushire
instead of the old wooden ones, and a third wire was attached to them.
7. The delays to messages between England and India were at this time 1
subject of universal complaint. A Parliamentary Select Committee on E
India Communications, including Telegraph,” sat and took evidence in 18i
and various proposals were made for the improvement of the telegra
755G. I. 1130. 50.—9/99. A.
Indo-European Telegraph Department.
Mekran Coast land line from Karachi to Gwadur -
Cable from Gwadur to Mussendom, Bushire, and
April 1863
8th April 1864
Fao
(This cable was diverted from Mussendom to
Jask and Ilenjam in January 1869.)
Cable from Gwadur to Karachi
16th May 1864
* Appendix, No. 1.
remains in force, the Ottoman Government
agreed to extend their then existing
About this item
- Content
The memorandum concerns telegraphic communication between Britain and India, with a particular focus on the telegraph lines routed via the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. region, and therefore the Indo-European Telegraph Company. It was authored by Benjamin Traill Ffinch, Director-in-Chief of the Indo-European Telegraph Department; a department of the Government of India.
It outlines how the telegraph lines through the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. developed over time, and the concessions granted by various governments to permit their establishment. It also notes how charges have varied over time, and how various international telegraph conferences have affected them. It also explains the rise of competition — over traffic to India — between the Indo-European Telegraph and the Eastern Telegraph companies, and how this led to the signing of the Joint Purse Agreement between them. It also explains that the interests of the Indo-European Telegraph Company and the Indo-European Telegraph Department have diverged. It therefore claims that the prevailing circumstances make it very difficult for the Government of India to push down prices.
An appendices section is included with the following content:
- 'No. 1 Convention between Great Britain and Turkey for the establishment of Telegraphic communication between India and the Ottoman Territory'. 3 September 1864, ff 7-8;
- 'No. 2 Memorandum on Tariffs between Europe and India', f 8v;
- 'No. 3 Tariffs to India and beyond from 1863 to present time', f 9;
- 'No. 4 Statement showing Traffic Receipts of Departments from October 1864 to 31st March 1898', ff 9v-10.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (10 folios)
- Arrangement
The main body of the memorandum is located on folios 1 to 6, and the appendix follows on folios 7 to 10.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
'Memorandum on the Indo-European Telegraph Department and Narrative of Events to the end of 1898' [1r] (1/20), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/D148, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025538987.0x000002> [accessed 12 June 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100025538987.0x000002
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100025538987.0x000002">'Memorandum on the Indo-European Telegraph Department and Narrative of Events to the end of 1898' [‎1r] (1/20)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100025538987.0x000002"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x0002fb/IOR_L_PS_18_D148_0001.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x0002fb/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/18/D148
- Title
- 'Memorandum on the Indo-European Telegraph Department and Narrative of Events to the end of 1898'
- Pages
- 1r:10v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence