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Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎243r] (485/678)

The record is made up of 1 file (337 folios). It was created in 4 Aug 1895-21 Nov 1903. It was written in English and French. 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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[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
NO. 1. PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY.
CONFIDENTIAL.
ASIA.
[November 19.]
Section 1.
2520
No. 1.
Sir M. Durand to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received November 19.)
(No. 61. Confidential.)
My Lord, Tehran, October 21, 1896.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith a Persian diary,
from the 27th September to the 23rd October, which has been drawn up by
Mr. Wyndham.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. M. DURAND.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Diary of Persian Affairs from September 27 to October 23, 1896, by Mr. Wyndham.
DURING the past month no particular events of importance have occurred.
Indeed, the Central Government appears too weak and timid to take any action,
although from nearly every part of the country accounts of misrule, or rather of no
rule at all, are received. The discontent is very general, and in the capital it is
increased by the presence of the Shah’s suite from Tabriz, who came here expecting
office, and have for the most part been disappointed. But no connected action is
taken on the part of-the people, partly because the strength of the tribal leaders
was thoroughly broken by the late Shah, partly because—and this is scarcely an
exaggeration—there are no Persians who thoroughly trust each other. It is for
this reason, to a great extent, that Government organization is so weak, and that
the Sadr Azam has to bear, with the necessary results, nearly the whole burden of
administration on his own shoulders. The Shah himself is feeble in health and ignorant,
and does not command, as his father did, the respect of the people. Popular songs
are sung in the streets of Tehran, describing him as a nurserymaid, and as “Sister
Muzaffar,” and an appeal to the people, said to be by the pen of Malkum Khan,
formerly Minister in London, and now living in Paris, in favour of a more liberal
Government, is being disseminated throughout the country.
From Khorassan, from Kerman, from Ears and Luristan, come the same reports
of anarchy. The Governor-General of Meshed is reported helpless in the hands of the
priests; the tribes on the Beluch frontier are refusing to pay taxes, saying that they
do not believe the Shah has been enthroned, and the nomads are still pillaging near
Shiraz, instigated, it is hinted, by the Deputy-Governor of the Province. When the
new Governor of Fars arrived on the frontier, he was met, it is said, by an influential
deputation, who told him he had better return; if he had come to govern, they
had had enough of Governorship under the Rukm-ed-Dowleh ; if he had come for
taxes, they had no money.
The assailant of Mr. Tanfield is now confined in the Shah’s prison in Tehran,
but it is characteristic of the weakness of the Government that they dare not let the
fact of his imprisonment be made public for fear of disturbances on the part of the
Mullahs.
An officer of the Japanese army, Colonel Fukushima, who has studied and
travelled in Europe, has lately passed through Persia and Transcaspia. He did
[1626 /—l]

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Content

The file contains papers relating to Persia [Iran] and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , including a document entitled ‘Notes on current topics prepared for reference during his Excellency the Viceroy’s tour in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , November 1903.’ It also includes printed extracts of letters relating to the tour from Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Arnold Kemball, 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. , and Major Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Maskat [Muscat], dated August to October 1903.

In addition, the file includes the following papers:

  • Handwritten notes by George Nathaniel Curzon, Viceroy of India, including notes on Muscat, Koweit [Kuwait], and the Mekran [Makran] Coast
  • Memoranda concerning Koweit
  • A copy of a letter from Colonel Charles Edward Yate, Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan, to the Secretary to the Government of India Foreign Department, forwarding the camp diary kept during his tour in Makran and Las Bela, from 1 December 1901 to 25 January 1902
  • A copy of a 'Report on a Journey from India to the Mediterranean via the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Baghdad and the Euphrates Valley, including a Visit to the Turkish Dependency of El Hasa' by Captain J A Douglas, Staff Captain, Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General’s Department in India, 1897 (which includes three sketch maps: Mss Eur F111/358, f 138; Mss Eur F111/358, f 158; and Mss Eur F111/358, f 141).

Folios 232 to 338 largely consist of printed copies of correspondence between Sir (Henry) Mortimer Durand, HM Minister at Teheran [Tehran], and the Marquess of Salisbury (Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil), Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated 1895-1896, relating to Persia.

The file includes a copy of a Collective Letter addressed by the Turkish, British and French Consuls to the Valiahd regarding the Tabriz Riots, 5 August 1895, which is in French (folios 332).

Extent and format
1 file (337 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in roughly chronological order from the rear to the front 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 339; 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 and French in Latin script
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Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎243r] (485/678), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/358, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100069731506.0x000056> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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