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File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎107v] (219/804)

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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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»' •
eager to hand over to the British the Batik affairs and is openly pleased that
thev have returned. We cannot intrust any important matters with him as he
ernes blabing about it with him. He would be pleased if we were sent to
Bushire and that he should remain here alone. We cannot regard him any
longer as one of us. Madam Roever has handed over the keys of the Bank to
the British. Colonel Gough says we are prisoners of war and probably will be
sent to India. Reuter. The cable has been interrupted here but this however
is only a local at Abadeh. All 700 Turki gendarmes have been dismissed.
17th October .—Six months in prison, 2 years in Asia. Declaration by
Roever. His letter to Colonel Gough. It is now very cold and two blankets
are required. It is said that the Kermanshah has been taken by the British.
The British Consul told Mrs. Roever that Azim-ul-Mulk brings replies
to our letters from the Barman Earma. Qawam & Co. not on the best terms
with Barman Barma and British. No Reuter but report of the fall of Basrah.
Wassmuss Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. writes that W. is better and that he is free and at laige.
Perhaps the Turks have arranged for a provisional Government under Mustaufi
(Mustaufi-ul-Mamalik). It is impossible to find out who is at the helm and
whether Tehran is occupied or not. At any rate it shows that all news of the
democrat * * * * It appears that Consul proposes to^ come to
the Ans with the Barman Barma. We propose to oppose his this visit. Tne
Qawam’s servants talk about making the Austrian Putullzanella the head of
Q'awam’s Artillery.
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38th October .—On the 28th October, the'British arrested the Armenian
telegraph clerk because he has let out the news of the declaration of war by
Scandinavia. Nazim-ul-Mulk is to go to Gayum. During the night Seiler
managed to get past the gate guard in Persian Costume. Besting and Sergeant
Przyszlak let themselves down over the wall by rope. The servant Jaffar is to
help them as guide. Up to 10 o’clock nothing is as yet discovered. English
Persian Consular Medical Officer goes to Abadeh to see Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Motazed. It
must therefore be inferred that Sykes party has not reached there nor likely
to be there very soon.
29th October. —Nazim-ul-Mulk has been away all day shooting or visit
ing. Returns only late in evening as yet no alarm on account of flight.
Long councils about our attempts at flight * * * * * *
in parts possible. Karl Mayish has fantastic ideas. Hopes rest on the
Moharram procession which will be taking place in about a week’s time.
Letter from Wassmuss. He has shin bone cut through and demands medical
help. Again long council whether a visit from one of our doctors will be
permitted, and whether it can be contrived with plans for our escape. Seiler
is supposed to be ill and every thing is done to keep up this deception.
Basting * * * will not keep any longer. No news from west. No Reuter.
Nothing sure about telegraphic communication. (Old) Abbas Ali departs with
letter giving news.
30th October —Nazim again goes away in early morning with horse
and mules. So far no source of alarm. The Swedish declaration of war is
considered as undoubted in whole town. Likewise the cause of the imprison
ment of the Armenian telegraphist. Haji Kasam came to us for a talk.
The gendarmerie demand our release which is to take place now in a few days.
Ispahan is said to be entirely in the hands of the Bakhtiaris and the Russians
to have fled. Tehran is said to be occupied entirely by Millet and Germans
and the Russians are surrounded in Kazvin.
* * * The soldier Causlishak falls from the verandah and
breaks his leg.
31st October .—In the morning a short talk with Nazim. Seiler supposed
to be suspected of typhoid fever. Note concerning winter clothing. Wass
muss box. Affair of Shoeder plundered box. The Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. is taken to a
friend of Barman Barma kept there in sort of freedom. Turks said to have
occupied Ispahan. Kasbgais are said to be planning attack on Shiraz.

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)' [‎107v] (219/804), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/612, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044323282.0x000014> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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