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File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎30r] (64/804)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (398 folios). It was created in 1916-1917. 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. .

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At Saidabad
f 1 Coy. 16tb Rajputs ...
^ 1 Sec. No. 16^ In. Pd. Amb.
200
At Tarum
... 1 Sqdn. Burma Mtd. Infty.
... 110
1,735
2. Proposed movements in September.—In September 1917, it is proposed
to bring m the Indian troops’ detachment from Dehbid to Shiraz, the
posts at, and near, Dehbid, being taken over again by South Persia Rifles*
detachments from Abadeh, which are at present concentrated for training.
In September 1917, it is proposed to send about 200 rifles (1 company) of
the 1st Infantry, South Persia Rifles, from Bunder Abbas to Tarum, when the
2nd Squadron, Burma Mounted Infantry would rejoin the Mounted Infantry
Head Quarters at Shiraz.
3. General situation .—The situation in the Kerman Province is quiet
and promises to improve constantly.
The Quyvam-ul-Mulk at present has his Areb tribes well in hand, thanks
to his operations during the spring of 1917.
The general situation in the Pars Province is promising, and law and
order is being restored along the main routes. The resumption of active
operations in the war by the Russians has had a good effect.
The recent minor operations near Abadeh and Deh Bid, against robber
Illiat tribesmen, have had considerable effect and caravans are moving freely
between Shiraz and Ispahan.
Practically the only unsatisfactory feature is the attitude of the chiefs and
tribes who inhabit the districts along the Khan-i-Zinian-Kazerun-Borasjun-
Bushire road.
The fanatical mullahs of Shiraz and a few Persian democrat emissaries
from the north, are the main fomenters of anti British doctrines in Pars, but
their actiyities are of a political nature, and are not likely, as far as can be
foreseen at present, to bring about any disturbance demanding serious military
action.
d. The Kazemn- Bushire road .—The Kazerun-Bushire road remains
closed to ordinary traffic. A considerable amount of Persian trade is passing
along the route via Piruzabad.
The Kazerun, Borasjun, &c M chiefs and people are the declared enemies
of the British and are rebels vis-a-vis the Persian Government, in that they
disregard orders from Tehran and refuse to pay any taxes. Wassmuss, the
German ex-Consul, still finds a refuge among these tribesmen.
Law and order is not likely to be established in this district until these
chiefs and tribesmen have received severe punishment by means of active
military operations. There is the chance, however, that the improvements in
other parts of Pars will re-act there, and that the local land-holders, cultivators
and tradesmen will themselves bring about the re-opening of the Kazerun
road, as tue material interests of these classes suffer by the closing of the road.
A temporary agreement has been made by the Consul, Shiraz, with Soulat-
ud-Dowleh, the lllkhani of the Qashqais. This agreement is of value, as
affording time and opportunity for organization and training of the South
Persia Rifles. Soulat-ud-Dowleh appears to be a man of considerable ability,
subtle and avaricious, but lacking in strength of character, and probably a
coward at heart. His control over the unruly and semi-independent branches
of the Qashqais does not appear to be a strong one.
It is not considered probable that the attitude of the chiefs and tribes
along the Kazerun-Busbire road will force any military operations upon us,
so long as this road is left entirely alone.

About this item

Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, and memoranda, comprising miscellaneous correspondence on British involvement in Persia in the period 1916-17.

Topics discussed include:

  • the activities of the German Vice-Consul, Bushire, Wilhelm Wassmuss, including reports of an attack on him (folio 312)
  • an account of the escape of German and Austrian prisoners (folio 281)
  • translations of letters from German prisoners transferred from Shiraz to Russia (ff 43-48) including a translation of Dr Zugmeyer's diary
  • discussion of German and Russian activities in Persia
  • tables, statistics and reports on troop numbers and weaponry, deployments, military engagements and casualties
  • British relations with local chiefs and their dealings with the Germans and Russians
  • transcripts of local newspaper articles on various topics including the Russian Revolution (folio 136v)
  • discussion of money required to pay to tribes
  • miscellaneous Army Department memoranda
  • general reports on the political and military situation in Persia including the 'Bakhtiari country' (ff 320-321)

The file is mainly divided into sections on events by weekly date period. Correspondents include: the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Department; HBM Minister, Tehran (Sir Charles Marling); HBM Consul, Bundar Abbas [Bandar Abbas]; HBM Consul, Shiraz; HM Consul-General, Meshed; HM Consul for Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, (David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer); HBM Vice-Consul, Ahwaz (Captain Edward Noel); HM Consul-General, Isfahan; General Officer Commanding, Sistan Field Force; The General Staff, South Persia Rifles, Shiraz; the Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles (Brigadier-General Sir Percy Molesworth Sykes); Chief of the General Staff, Simla; Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London; the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire; and the Deputy Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Bushire.

Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (398 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file. The subject 3360 (Persian Correspondence) consists of three volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/612-614. The volumes are divided into three parts, with each part comprising 1 volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 400; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎30r] (64/804), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/612, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044323281.0x000041> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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