‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, Oct 30.1856’

Content

This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 September 1856, Numbers 41-44) and the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. (30 September and 3 October 1856, Numbers 71 and 74-76). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.

The despatches from the Governor General (folios 55-68) cover the following topics: the submission of the Bussa Kheyl Afreedes [Khel Afridi] to the British authorities; operations against Karens led by Min Soung; an offer by Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister-regent of Herat] to hold Herat on behalf of Britain in return for military aid against Persia; obstacles in sending a British Indian force, or British officers, to aid Herat; Futteh Khan's report on his mission to Afghanistan carrying the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of Friendship (1855); discussion over the composition of a military expedition to be sent against Persia; and arrangements for sending the expedition from Bombay.

The section from Bombay (folios 69-79) is concerned with the supply of British arms, ammunition, and finance for Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan]; preparations by Dost Mahomed to return from Candahar [Kandahar] to Cabool [Kabul]; Persian attacks against Herat; information on Bushire; the survey of Perim island in the Red Sea by Lieutenant Lamb; and recommendations for the occupation of the island for the establishment of naval forces and navigational aids.

Extent and format

1 item (25 folios)

It is part of

Summaries of official secret despatches from the Government of India, the Government of Bombay, HM Minister to Persia, and HM Consul at Tehran

270 images

Ref: Mss Eur F231/29

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

Access & Reference

Original held at

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.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

Mss Eur F231/29, ff 55-79

History of this record

Date(s)

30 Oct 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

DiplomacyMilitary operationsMarine navigation

Places

HerātPersiaBushirePerim Island

People & organisations

Government of Bombay, Political DepartmentChief CommissionerKing of AfghanistanViceroy and Governor-General of India in CouncilCommissioner, Sind

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‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, Oct 30.1856’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F231/29, ff 55-79, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100049910361.0x000009> [accessed 18 April 2024]

Link to this record

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