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Manuscript of Persia and the Persian Question (Continued) [‎49v] (98/690)

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The record is made up of 1 file (218 folios). It was created in 1890. 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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and in process of time cut for themselves their present narrow and
sinuous tia'-k, which has only to be followed down to llund-i-Kir to
show that it cannot at any time have been artificially cut by man.
Such is the explanation which I offer of the hydraulic and
engineering works of Shuster. They may be summed up in the
following propositions:—Valerian’s bunl was built (the br dge being
raised upon it so as to admit of communication with the opposite
bank, and particularly with Dizful) in order to hold up the waters
of the J^arun for irj igation purposes^ The Mina^ Canal was cut in
order to convey the waters thus dammed to the lands behind the
to .vns, which were otherwise wholly without water siij ply. The
g^r Canal was cut, not for independent purposes of irrigation, but
simply in order to facilitate the above operations, and to carry off
the surplus w r aters of the main riveiCV In fact, a utilitarian purpose
was behind each of these great undertakings, which, at a distance of
sixteen hundred }ears, survive to demonstrate the public spirit and
the spacious conception of their illustrious founder.
Upon arriving at Shuster—which, thanks to my just appreciation
both of the steam-power of the Sum and of the mendacity of her
engineer, I succeeded in doing about nine hours in advance of the
passengers by the canal — I forwarded my credentials to the
Governor, and intimated my desire to pay an early call. The cus
tomary civilities passed in the interim, consisting of presents of
cakes, fruit, and sweetmeats from the Nizam, and tips of correspond
ing or superior value to his servants from myself. In the afternoon
I rode to the citadel at the hour fixed for the interview. This
building, to which are annexed barracks and an arsenal, is situated
on the summit and extremity of the rock, where it rises with a pre
cipitous face of over one hundred feet from the river-bed. Nature
has designated this locality as the obvious site for a citadel, and from
the days of Shapur downwards, it has been occupied by a kaleh, or
fort, which at tj^e time of the Arab conquest was known by the
name of SelasilV^The present edifice is a modern structure, contain
ing no remains of the ancient castle, while it has been further
altered and modernised by the reigning Governor, who fias rebuilt
the habitable portion in the shape of a lofty two-stor**yed tow r er,
from whose summit a magnificent panorama is enjoyed of the river
^cenery and town. The entire space occupied by the buildings is said
Consequently I reject the theory of Loftun, for which I do not see any. foundation,
that the Bund-i-Mizau was constructed, partly so as to provide a foundation for the
bridge, partly to accumulate a she et of water before the castle for the delectation of its
occupant. £, &
[T) The irrigation theory, and the recent date of the contraction of the G^rg^r, which
have both been verged, are negatived by the fact mentioned by Layard, that “ the ex
cavations at Shuster, and particularly the steps leading from the town to the bed of the
cajial,^which are evidently very ancient, are carried to the present level of the Ab-i- .
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About this item

Content

This file contains sections of the handwritten manuscript of the book Persia and the Persian Question by George Nathaniel Curzon. These papers come as part of the full handwritten draft of the book that comprises the shelfmarks Mss Eur F111/30-32. The printed edition of the book can be found in the file with the shelfmark Mss Eur F111/33.

Eventually published in 1892, the papers in this file cover the ancient and modern history, geography, and social and political aspects of Persia during the late nineteenth century when George Curzon temporarily lived in Persia. The manuscript also discusses the Russian and British presence in Persia and the author's views on the two countries' respective strategies in the country. The papers also include some of George Curzon's own travel writing while in Persia.

Extent and format
1 file (218 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged by chapter as part of a handwritten manuscript.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-220) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 221-345); 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-344; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

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English in Latin script
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Manuscript of Persia and the Persian Question (Continued) [‎49v] (98/690), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/32, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100076276758.0x000063> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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