'Seistan arbitration case' [‎93r] (1/12)

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Seistan Arbitration Case.
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Any settlement of the long-disputed boundaries between Persia and Afghanistan
is obviously a question of great importance to our interests in the East.
It is difficult to realize the value of British arbitration as to Seistan without
entering into the history of that province; our past line of policy in regard to it;
its geographical and political value, and the probable effect of Sir Frederic
Goldsmid’s decision, now under review.
I propose to do this in four separate sections for the sake of clearness and to
^ save trouble of reading to those already acquainted with any particular section.
I.
Brief abstract of Persian and Affghanistan History as connected with Seistan,
including our policy in reference to that district.
II.
Geographical and Political value of Seistan.
III.
Progress of Arbitration in 1871-72, including a short account of Sir F.
Goldsmid’s journev.
IV.
Abstract of General Goldsmid’s Arbitral Opinion.
Kv
Section I.—Abstract of Persian and Affghanistan History in regard
to Seistan, &c.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, Seistan, Herat,' and Candahar were
more or less subject to the Suffaveean dynasty of Persia.
Shortly afterwards Candahar and Herat threw off the Persian yoke, and the
Afghans under Meer Mahmoud of Candahar overran and conquered Persia.
Persia became totally dismembered; she was unable to resist the encroach
ments of Russia, Turkey, and Affghanistan; and, distracted by internal strife, she
was compelled to resign to them some of her best provinces.
It was not long, however, before a celebrated robber chief, Nadir Shah, sprang
up on the ruins of his country. Seizing the crown of Persia, he quickly re
acquired the majority of the districts which had been detached from the Persian
Empire.
He brought into subjection not only Candahar, Herat, Seistan, and Cabul,
but even Balkh, Bokhara, and, in a lesser
degree, the Punjaub. The Mogul Emperor
of Delhi, terrified by his victorious entry into
his capital and the slaughter of 1,000,000 of
its inhabitants * gave his daughter in marriage
to one of the conqueror’s sons, assigning as
her dowry all the provinces west of the Indus.
The Ameer of Bokhara at the same time paid
* The gate at Delhi where Nadir Shah
sat to witness the slaughter is still pre
served and shown.
The 12,000 Persian families transported
by Nadir Shah to Cabul at this period
have played, and may yet play, an im
portant part in Affghan politics. They
are called Kuzzilbashes, or “ Red Caps.”
homage to the new Persian ruler.
L4751.
1
A. D. 1700.
1713—23.
1723.
A