Previous 2/12'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.' [‎29r] (3/12)
4/12 Next'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.' [‎30r] (5/12)
View all items
'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.' [‎29v] (4/12)
Previous 2/12'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.' [‎29r] (3/12)
4/12 Next'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.' [‎30r] (5/12)
Skip to item: of 12
See full record
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.' [‎29v] (4/12)

This item is part of
'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.'
12 images
Ref: IOR/L/PS/18/C3

The record is made up of 1 file (6 folios). It was created in Jul 1859. 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.

Apply page layout

4
selected, and honest perseverance, such antagonism may be removed, and
a new relation, founded on good feeling, be commenced with the states
of Central Asia, tending to the advancement of civilization, where now all
is stagnation.
The impression left on the Afghan mind by our invasion was not
that we should be likely to repeat that egregious folly, but surprise at our
having ever committed it. This was the sentiment courteously but
unreservedly expressed by Dost Muhammad, in his many conversations
with Sir G. Clerk, then Mr. Clerk, Envoy at the Court of Lahore.
NOTE by SIR H. RAWLINSON.
Would not recommend missions to Afghanistan, could the neutrality
of that country be obtained by treaty or otherwise. But to shut ourselves
up within our own frontiers, would be to throw the Afghans into
the arms of our enemies, and thus invite, rather than postpone,
attack.
A war has broken out in which Russia and France will act in
concert, and against England. France is notoriously jealous of our
Eastern empire. Russia has to avenge injuries, and to gratify ambition.
Her influence in Persia has long been paramount: she is now extending
it eastward with alarming rapidity as follows:—She threatens Khiva from
the Aral; sends troops against the Turkumans of the Attrack ; is massing
her forces in Georgia; has made a treaty with Bukhara; has a formidable
mission at Herat, whence officers have visited Afzal Khan* at Balkh and
Kunduz, and Shir Ali Khan at Kandahar, and have been traced among
the Eimaks and Hazarahs at Khaf and Kain, and even in Sistan. They
may be expected on the frontiers of Sindh and the Panjab, and have failed
only at Kabul, and there solely on account of Dost Muhammad’s honesty
and sagacity. Russia, allied with Persia, and supporting the Afghans, is
more than a menace—is a danger on our frontier. But, besides, there is
the probability of Sultan Ahmad Khan’s consolidating the three Afghan
principalities under his sway at his uncle’s death ; and Russia has con
ciliated, we have exasperated him.
Sir J. Lawrence’s objections are for the most part self-evident; but
our course is but a choice of evils, and the question seems to resolve
itself into one of expense.
If the cost of the forts recommended by Col. Edwardes be calculated,
and of the other military preparations to meet invasion, we shall see
that it would be a saving to expend any sum, less than the interest of that
money, in keeping the danger at a distance from the frontier. Sums
* Son of Dost Muhammad, appointed by him Governor of Kunduz.

About this item

Content

This file contains a memorandum which provides summaries of three despatches sent from Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the Governor-General of Khorassan, conveying the British Government's proposals both to send a mission to Herat in order to prevent its annexation by Persia, and to continue the subsidy to Dost Muhammad [Dōst Moḥammad Khān Bārakzay], Amir of Afghanistan, with a view to maintaining British influence in Afghanistan.

The memorandum also summarises a report by Major Peter Stark Lumsden and notes written by political advisers, in which the authors state their opinions and make proposals regarding the state of politics and diplomacy in the countries lying between India and Russia, and with a focus on Afghanistan.

Extent and format
1 file (6 folios)
Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 28 and terminates at the last folio with 33; 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.

An additional foliation sequence exists in parallel throughout; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in
English in Latin script
View the complete information for this record

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.' [‎29v] (4/12), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/C3, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100033397303.0x000005> [accessed 20 April 2024]

Link to this item

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100033397303.0x000005

Embed this item

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_100033397303.0x000005">'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.' [&lrm;29v] (4/12)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100033397303.0x000005">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x00003b/IOR_L_PS_18_C3_0004.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

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_100000000833.0x00003b/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image
Reference
IOR/L/PS/18/C3
Title
'ABSTRACT of DESPATCHES and MEMORANDA on Asiatic Politics and European Diplomacy in the countries between India and Russia, and especially in Afghanistan; and as to the establishment of a British Agent at Herat, to watch the progress of events on the Perso-Afghan frontier and in other parts of Central Asia; and further as to the continuance of the subsidy to Dost Muhammad.'
Pages
28r:33v
Author
East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
Usage terms
Open Government Licence