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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 [‎272v] (544/678)

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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6
o
much of the stolen property is being recovered. Not a single European has lost his life
throughout, though a few have been robbed and maltreated.
The central Government is being carried on by the Sadr-i-Azam, and one cannot but
be struck by the capacity he shows now that his hands are free. Tehran is under thorough
control, and the attitude of the population towards Europeans is unquestionably much
more respectful than it was before. The troops and police have evidently got their orders
on this point, and the difference is marked. The perpetual salutes as one passes along
the streets are in fact somewhat embarrassing. Not a single affray or robbery has
occurred since the Shah died. The Imperial Bank has remained open throughout in spite
of a serious run upon it the day after the Shah’s death, and has been of great service to
the new 7 Government by freely supplying silver for the payment of troops and other
purposes. In so doing it has incurred some risk, but it has enabled the Sadr-i-Azam to
avoid opening the late Shah’s treasure, and he hopes to hand this over intact on His
Majesty’s arrival, which is to him a subject of much self congratulation. The Sadr-i-Azam
has also received from the various provincial authorities effusive protestations of attach
ment, and the Shah consults him on every detail. He is, in fact, at this moment much
stronger than before—too strong he tells me—for there will be many to play on the Shah’s
jealousy of so powerful a Minister.
The Shah himself still lingers at Tabriz. This does not matter so much now that
the Zil-es-Sultan has given in his adhesion, and the Naib-es-Sultaneh has effaced himself, but
it is a pity nevertheless. There is, however, some ground for His Majesty’s hesitation.
Though there are now no dangers in his front, his own province is not in good order, and
I can understand his reluctance to leave it behind him while bread is dear, and the Kurds
are threatening to raid the frontier, and the R-ussians are ready to “help him in case of
need,” as they have informed him they are.
This is the worst feature of the situation. If order can be kept in Azerbaijan, and no
pretext be given to the Russians for pushing troops forward, all will now go well, and the
Shah will begin his reign in peace with excellent prospects.
It is too early to form any confident opinion as to the course which the Shah will
pursue when once he becomes firmly settled on his throne. He is no doubt weak, and he
is said to be somewhat superstitious. But I see no reason w 7 hy we should anticipate that
he will be a very bad ruler; and it is more than possible that he may prove a fairly good
one. If he keeps the Sadr-i-Azam in Office, and abides by the Sadr-i-Azam’s advice, he
will probably be stronger than his father was. He mas possibly be under some embarrassing
pledges to Russia, and if not, the Russians will no doubt make a strong effort at first to
establish an influence over him. But he has shown that he can be obstinate enough at
times in his dealings with them, and there is, I think, no doubt that the Sadr-i-Azam will teach
him to rely upon us for help and support against Russian encroachments. So far it seems
to me the Russians have lost rather than gained ground since the Shah’s death, in spite of
the great advantage accruing to them from their having military officers in evidence at
Tehran. 1 do not think, therefore, that we need look forward to the future of Persia,
and of our influence in Persia, with any feeling of despondency. We may not see the
many reforms of which the Sadr-i-Azam is already beginning to talk, but I believe we
shall see an improvement in some respects, and at all events we have escaped the general
break up which so many people expected to occur whenever the late Shah should come to
die. Owing largely, I believe, to the suddeness of his death, which gave no time for
preparation, and to the strong felling of horror it called forth, we have succeeded in
establishing the precedent of an undisputed succession. That precedent will, I hope, be
followed in future, and if the Persians are prudent and careful in their attitude towards
Russia, there is no reason why the country should not retain its independence for many
years to come. The point of greatest danger has been safely passed.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. M. DURAND.

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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 [‎272v] (544/678), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/358, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100069731506.0x000091> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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