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‘Seistan Persia & Seistan’ [117v] (239/617)
The record is made up of 2 volumes (301 folios). It was created in 22 Jun 1896-3 Mar 1900. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
“ Russia turns a longing eye southwards and yearns for an outlet upon the Persian
Gulf and on the Indian Ocean. The
Vol. II, 597.
movements ... along the south and
east borders of Khorassan, the activity of her agents in regions far beyond the
legitimate radius of an influence restricted to North Persia, her tentative experi
ments in the direction of Seistan—are susceptible of no other interpretation than a
design to shake the influence of Great Britain in Southern Persia, to dispute the
control of the Indian Seas, and to secure the long-sought base for naval operations
in the east. This can only be accomplished in either of two directions—by a war
with Turkey and the capture of Baghdad, or by a semi-peaceful advance through
Persia to the Gulf
“We may make it certain that, whatever destiny befall her in the north, in regions
Yol. II, pages 620-621. beyond the sphere of our possible
interference, Persia shall retain in
violate the centre and south and be able to say to an invader, f thus far and no
further/ British ascendency, commercial and political, in the southern zone
is the only means by which this aim can be secured. A line can be drawn across
Persia from Seistan. on the east, via Kerman and Yezd, to Ispahan, and prolonged
westward to Burujird, Hamadan and Kermanshah, south of which no hostile
political influence should be tolerated/'’
9. In 1894, Colonel Yate, then Officiating Agent to the Governor-General at Meshed, sent in
Secret F., August 1894, Nos. 3-25. some papers relating to Russian intrigues in
Seistan. The case was fully noted on by
Mr. Clarke. Sir George White was of opinion that “ it would be unsound military policy to
contemplate and prepare for separate operations in Seistan/’ J
Sir Henry Brackenbury referred to the memoranda* he had written at the War Office and
* See paragraph 7(v) above. said—
' AM Colonel Ante’s proposals are based on the supposition that we want to push
forward into Seistan... I hold that both from a military and a political
point of view such an advance would be a grave error. I regret that we have
me died so much m Seistan. It is our sending emissaries there which has led the
Russians to do the same Political activity in Persia that cannot be
Kpp^tedV-^ " ^ in ° iteS EUSSia t0 CaQ
The Viceroy noted-" I agree with the Hon’ble Military Member, and I have reason to
believe that the same view will be taken at home.” Colonel Yate was answered aceordimrlv
part'™ the country ThZ “ futUre ’ aS ^ as Pf sibIe > an Y appearance of interference in thli
part ot the country. The papers were reported to the Secretary of State, and Sir Henry
f No. 46 in Secret F., November 1894, Nos. 44-53. Powlerf answered—“ I quite agree with the view
with the Earl of Kimberley, I endorse the inswLnYXh^'^^To/iiavl 0 ZZTTo
your Agent and Her Majesty’s Consul-General for Khorassan and'Seistan.” “^veyed to
No. 568 in Secret E„ March 1893, Noe. 562.578. 10. In 1892 the Secretary of State invited any
observations which the Government of India
might desire to make upon certain suggestions
as to consular representation at Yezd and
Kerman The Bombay Government, who were
consulted gave the following figures of tradet
between the ports of that
Presidency
The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent.
and the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
:— J
J The trade (in merchandize) of India with Persia bv
sea is given at page 7 of the current notes as
1892- 93
1893- 94
1894- 95
1895- 96
1896- 97
Ms.
2,58,6 s,786
2,57,13,248
3,17,47,526
2,58,72,364
2,02,19,936
1887- 88
1888- 89
jRs.
1,79,87,373
1,95,13,654
and Said-
2,26,04,805
2,22,26,599
2,47,20,296
that exist between Bombaj
1889- 90
1890- 91
1891- 92
and the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
ports and the importance to^the^f exist between Bombas
for its yarn and cloth, the Governor i^^ouneinq^nop 6 ° f doping outlet
of such moderate emoluments as would be likelv to t0 J hmk that a eout ribution of one-hal:
of Yezd and Kerman as Consullr lints ml^t th ! Ser ? Ces of leadin ^ Musalmam
of five years.” consular Agents imght with advantage be recommended for a perioc
of altng^ was in favour of the appointmeffi
ftSiWrtSSrtr.'!*:
Eastevn Pci,” The Seccetavy of State was iuf/mTd ttf A Ki^^f
About this item
- Content
The volumes contain papers relating to Persia [Iran], including Seistan, and the tract of land south of the Baluch-Afghan boundary between Nushki and Persia, which had become British territory following the demarcation of the Afghan-Baluch border.
The papers largely consist of printed copies of correspondence between the Governor General of India in Council (Government of India Foreign Department) and the Secretary of State for India (Lord George Francis Hamilton), and enclosed correspondence and papers.
Letters from the Governor General of India in Council to the Secretary of State for India include:
- Number 170, 16 September 1896, relating to the opening up of a trade route between Nushki and the Persian frontier, crossing the tract of British territory south of the Baluch-Afghan boundary, and the protection of the newly-demarcated frontier, with enclosed memorandum by Captain Arthur Henry McMahon, British Commissioner, Baluch-Afghan Boundary Commission, containing his proposals for the management and administration of the tract and for the protection of the trade route
- Number 58, 31 March 1898, concerning the trade route between Baluchistan and Persia, including the suggestion that Consular Agents should be appointed at central points along it between Seistan and Meshed, with enclosures including a report by Lieutenant Frank Webb-Ware, Political Assistant at Chagai, on his visit to Seistan at the beginning of 1896, and the measures introduced for the development of trade between Baluchistan and Persia (which includes a blueprint map, Mss Eur F111/350, f 33)
- Number 163, 15 September 1898, forwarding copies of papers regarding the situation in Makran and Panjgur, following recent ‘disturbances’ in Makran.
The file also includes:
- Copies of Government of India Foreign Department papers numbered 40-58 relating to the Kerman Consulate and British interests in Southern Persia, including correspondence between the Government of India Foreign Department and the Secretary of State for India
- A letter from the Secretary of State for India to the Governor General of India in Council, with enclosed despatch from Sir (Henry) Mortimer Durand, HM Minister at Tehran, to the Foreign Office, dated 12 February 1899, in which he gives his opinion on suggestions for the appointment of additional consular officers in Persia (this includes a map titled ‘Skeleton Map of Telegraph Lines in Persia.’ Mss Eur F111/350, f 187)
- A letter from Durand to the Secretary to the Foreign Department of the Government of India, 24 February 1899, enclosing a copy of his memorandum (with appendices) drawn up in 1895 on the situation in Persia, and the steps he proposed should be taken to improve the British position there
- Copies of a draft despatch from the Governor General of India in Council, 2 September 1899, regarding relations between Great Britain and Persia, including improving the British Political and Consular service in Persia, and the extent of the share of responsibility for Persia that should be devolved upon the Government of India, followed by printed comments upon the draft
- Copies of a minute by George Nathaniel Curzon, Viceroy of India, on Seistan, dated 4 September 1899, including the question of a railway connection between India and Seistan
- Handwritten pencil notes by Curzon relating to Persia and the ‘Seistan Question’.
In addition to the two maps noted above, the file also includes the following maps: map of the area south of the border between Afghanistan and Baluchistan (Mss Eur F111/350, f 300); map of the area west of the border between Persia and Afghanistan (Mss Eur F111/350, f 301); and ‘Route Plan of Robat Nala’ (Mss Eur F111/350, f 302).
- Extent and format
- 2 volumes (301 folios)
- Arrangement
Most of volume A is arranged in reverse chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume (from folios 6 to 76); volume B is arranged is rough chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover of volume one (ff 1-150) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 151-304); 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 View the complete information for this record
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‘Seistan Persia & Seistan’ [117v] (239/617), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/350, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100072740554.0x000028> [accessed 18 July 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- Mss Eur F111/350
- Title
- ‘Seistan Persia & Seistan’
- Pages
- front , back , spine, edge , head , tail, front-i, 2r:32v, 34r:62v, 64r:84r, 86r, 89r:93v, 96r:96v, 99v:100v, 101v:128v, 129v:149v, back-i, front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 152r:186v, 188r:189r, 190r:299v, 303r:304v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence