'The History of Seistan and Lash-Jowain' [‎66r] (23/76)

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v ..
* Mr. Thomson’s account enclosed in Mr. Alison’s
letter dated 27th December, to the Government of
India.
t Mr. Murray, to Lord Malmesbury, 1st June 1868,
and Taj Mahomed’s account in Mr. Alison’s letter
dated 27th December, to the Government of India.
by marriage with the Persian Court, or to his
being on terms of the closest friendship with the
Persian Government; but, on the other hand, it is
my duty to inform your Highness that, if the
Persian Government were to send troops into ;
Seistan, a Province which is much nearer to
Candahar, the centre of Afghanistan, and to the
British frontier, than Herat itself, Her Majesty^s
Government would consider such a step as being
a direct violation of the treaty of Paris.”
34. About the same time* the French.
Goyernment communicated to Lord
Malmesbury a despatch from the French
Minister at Teheran mentioning that,
however strenuously the Persian Govern
ment might insist on its right to Seistan,
they would not at present send troops
thither, or make any demonstration of
rule or sovereignty there. Lord Malmes
bury replied, describing the Persian inter
ference with Seistan as an aggression.
35. Mr. Murray’s remonstrances were
effectual. The Persian Governmentf con
tented itself with sending a small force of
300 sowars and two light field guns ostensi
bly as an escort for the Kajar Princess,
whom Ali Khan took back with him to
Seistan as his wife.
^ 36. During the next few months.
Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. , No. 1974 , dated 20 th the Sudr Azim had to contend J against a
strong attempt to oust him from power.
He triumphed; but, almost immediately
afterwards, died.
37. His policy, however, as regards
Seistan, survived him. Mr. Doria, who had
now succeeded Mr. Murray, sent on 27th
October to Lord Malmesbury the fqllow-
ing translation of the instructions, which
he found had been given to Mahomed
Saleh Khan, Koord Bachah, Commander
of the escort sent with Ali Khan: —
“ From what has lately been reported to us,
it appears that Shureef Khan and Ibrahim Khan
(Seistan Chiefs hostile to 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. Ali Khan) had
recently sent an Agent, named Sheer Khan, to
Teheran to communicate confidentially with the
English mission and minister, and that he had been
furnished with a letter of recommendation to the
authorities at Candahar, desiring them to afford
any assistance or support that might be demanded.
Now you will, on receipt of this firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). , lose
no time in carrying out the instructions sup
plied to you by the late Sudr Azim, Meerza Agha
Khan. You will send for horsemen and match-
lockmen from Kain and the frontiers of Toon and
Tabass, and give all the assistance that may be
necessary to 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. Ali Khan; and you null be firm,
and prevent any opposition being made by Ibrahim
and Shureef Khan. If the troops and. horsemen
and matchlockmen from these places should be
insufficient for the purpose, you will at once send
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