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‘Seistan’ [‎9r] (17/98)

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The record is made up of 1 file (49 folios). It was created in 25 Oct 1900-Dec 1901. 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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3
mentary presents to him, and link him more to India. A direction he views
with more favouahle glances than he does towards Tehran.
The Amir has suggested to me that much land now lying uncultivated
between this and Robat could be made productive, were it possible to arrange
with the Afghans to dig a canal from the Helmund river in a southerly direc
tion. As the Helmund above the bund-i-Seistan or Kohak is entirely in
Afghanistan, it would be necessary to arrange with the Afghans to bring the
canal to the Persian border watering their uncultivated portion first, and
allowing the water to flow on into Persian territory. He suggested that the kind
offices of the British Government might be asked for to move the Afghans.
I said it would be impossible to guess what view the Amir of Kabul would
take of the suggestion, but that it was possible for me to make the suggestion
to my Government. Later I saw the local Karguzar in whose province such
matters are. I said that it would be necessary that the A mir wrote to me on
the subject, and put his views clearly on paper. The Karguzar agreed and
said he would ask the Amir to address him on the subject, and he wmuld
forward the request to me for the favour of attention from the British Govern
ment.
Trade prospects I consider good. I am not able to keep any record of the
camels going to Quetta, but I am aware of many caravans going this year which
have not usually used the route. Later on statistics will show any increase
there may be. I have frequently called attention to the inhospitality of
Quetta, and the want of help there is to the Persian novice who arrives there
after having been enticed and urged by me from here.
I hear that a caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). is now about to be built in Quetta. This will
help considerably in attracting caravans to Quetta.
It is unfortunate that during the trading season most of the Quetta
officials are absent at Sibi. It appears to be no one’s business to dry nurse the
Persian trader who has ventured by a new route to a strange country. Bad
reports about Quetta are hard to eradicate here. It has been answered to
me that Persian reports about dishonest brokers and general discomfort are
exaggerated. This may be, but they are believed by the very men whom we
wish to induce to go to Quetta. During Captain Webb-Ware’s absence on leave
the greatest help has been afforded to the Seistani traders by Mr. Buller Hughes.
As first Assistant he has probably less time to spare than any other official, yet
he has found time to render the greatest assistance. We are much indebted to
him.
The establishment of Seth Suleiman here has been of great help to me. The
large profits which he will, I hope, make, and the Government patronage he
has received is sure to act as a good advertisement, and bring others in his
wake.
The planting of Indian merchants throughout Persia is, I believe, our best
way of securing a trade ascendancy and of increasing our influence. Persian
trade with conterminous countries is one of barter. Caravans leave Persia
carrying Persian products, and return with their requirements in exchange.
I have tried to reverse this, and to induce Indian merchants to send caravans
to Persia with tea, indigo, and cotton stuffs, bringing away Persian products in
exchange. My efforts at present have not been successful. Indian firms
have replied that they would prefer Persian traders to come to them, or else
have suggested that I should have respectable and trustworthy Persian firms
with whom they could deal. To induce the Persians to visit India is not easy,
and to name respectable Persian firms is beyond the scope of my power.
Indian merchants established in Persia would act as agents for Indian and
English manufacturers, or could be named by me as respectable firms with
whom Indian and English manufacturers could deal.
From Birjand I have promising accounts of trade prospects. After I
have visited Birjand on my way to Meshed, I hope that Birjand will show as
preponderating a British influence as Seistan at present enjoys.
G. CHENEVIX-TRENCH, Major,
Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, Seistan.
G I. C. P. 0.-No.771 F. D.—19-1-1901-31.-B. M.

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Content

The file contains papers mainly concerning Persia [Iran], largely relating to the province of Seistan [Sistan].

The file includes:

  • Printed copies of diaries of HM Consul for Seistan (Major George Chenevix-Trench) from 16 September 1900 to 8 February 1901 (not complete)
  • Printed copies of the Camp Diary of the Agent to the Governor-General of India and HM Consul-General for Khorassan and Seistan (Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Martindale Temple), for the periods 1 to 6 November 1900, and 6 November to 5 December 1900
  • A printed copy of the Camp Diary of Captain Robert Arthur Edward Benn, HM Vice-Consul for Seistan and Kain, for the period 17 January 1901 to 5 February 1901, forwarded through the Agent to the Governor General in Baluchistan (Charles Edward Yate)
  • A printed copy of a letter from Chenevix-Trench to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India Foreign Department (Captain Hugh Daly), enclosing copies of letters addressed to various trading centres and manufacturers in India, relating to the new trade route via Quetta to Persia through Nushki and Seistan
  • A letter to George Nathaniel Curzon, Viceroy of India, from the Earl of Ronaldshay (Lawrence John Lumley Dundas, later the second Marquess of Zetland), regarding Ronaldshay’s journey from Quetta to Nasratabad in Seistan
  • A newspaper cutting entitled ‘The Province of Seistan’ from the Times of India , dated 7 February 1901.

The file also includes a printed copy of a memorandum by Clive Bigham on the Upper Valley of the Yang-tsze Kiang [Yangtze] and the provinces immediately beyond its northern watershed, in China.

Extent and format
1 file (49 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 49; 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.

Written in
English in Latin script
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‘Seistan’ [‎9r] (17/98), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/355, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100059457879.0x000012> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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