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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [20r] (38/949)
The record is made up of 1 file (475 folios). It was created in 7 Nov 1901-23 Aug 1905. 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.
GENERAL REPORT ON BRITISH TRADE AND ENTERPRISE.
5
Fruits imported into Russia pay duty at the rate of 25 copecks per poud
When coming from Persia, and Rbls. r8o* per poud when coming from
other countries. The Russian market for these products seems insatiable,
and the important regions of production in Persia—Azerbaijan, Kazvin,
Damghan, Shahrud and Khorassan are more accessible to Russia than to any
other market. The trade in Ispahan, equidistant from the Caspian and the
Gulf, is divided. #
Raw cotton is a most remunerative product in Khorassan, and is freely ex
ported to Russia from Ispahan and even from Yezd and Kerman, but the exports
from the Gulf are precarious and show little sign of increase. Cotton pays
in Russia 40 copecks per poud from Persia, and Rbls. 4'15 per poud from
other countries. It is quoted in Moscow at about 2 roubles per poud less
than American cotton (say 20 per cent.), but is undoubtedly of poor quality,
and is said to yield 8 or 10 funts less of yarn per poud than American
cotton (40 funts equal one poud). The Russian and Persian production
combined is estimated at less than half the annual consumption in Russia.
I conclude, therefore, that the Persian producer is very much dependent
upon this difference in duty on exports to Russia {see pages 33 and 35).
Rice is grown for export in Ghilan and Mazanderan, and could not bear
the cost of transport to Trebizond or Bushire. Unhusked rice pays in
Russia 5 copecks per poud from Persia and 60 copecks per poud from other
countries. I have not obtained evidence as to whether this preference confers
any marked benefit on the Persian producer.
An increase in exports, it is said, causes an increase in imports from the
same country. The trader becomes familiar with the routine of business,
the agent who disposes of his produce serves also to effect purchases, and
suitable articles of commerce are brought to his notice. Banking commission
on the return of funds is saved.
Russia has taken measures to encourage the import into Persia of her
manufactures.
Special through rates for goods to Persia are accorded. I have not been
able, in Persia, to compare them with the rates charged to frontier
destinations within Russia, such as Erivan and Ashkabad. The steamship
line to the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
from Odessa has a subsidy of about 20,000/. per
annum or 4,000/. per trip on five trips effected, and refund of canal dues.
This expenditure secures to the Russian over the British shipper an
advantage of 12 to 15 shillings per ton weight on cotton goods to Bushire.
The Banque de Prets dePerse is connected with the Russian State Bank.
Its manager is also a Russian Government official. The standing of this
institution is therefore independent of current profits. For some years past,
and specially during the last two years, this bank has devoted its attention
to the development of Russian trade with Persia, particularly to imports into
Persia, and most particularly to the import of cotton textiles. It delivers
goods to clients at such prices as old-established Russian traders in Persia
have been unable to compete with. Its operations have had, without doubt,
a marked effect in increasing Russian trade with Persia.
Drawback, said to be the equivalent of duties previously imposed, is
granted in Russia on certain commodities exported to Persia f
*
t
International Customs Journal, No 23 , Russia, October 1896 .
Drawback is granted on the following exports to Persia :—
Cotton tissues Per poud.
A. Bleached or unbleached .... Rbls. 4’65
B. Dyed and printed, except “ Adrianople dyed ” . • . 4'87i
C. Dyed and printed, of “Adrianople ” dye .... 5'40
Linen textiles:—
Yarns, unbleached ...... 3°
Do. bleached 7°
Tissues, unbleached ...... 75
Do. bleached . ..... I’i5
Do. dyed or printed . . . » • i'40
Vodka :
Grain ...... 11 cop. per grade-
Fruit • • • • ■ • 7_ 11 »
Matches, petroleum, tea, tobacco, pass in transit, or obtain refund of Excise.
Sugar ...... Rs. 175 Per poud.
About this item
- Content
This part contains papers mostly relating to British interests in Persia [Iran] and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
It includes a copy of the Board of Trade Commercial Intelligence Committee ‘Report received from Mr. H. W. Maclean, the Special Commissioner appointed by the Commercial Intelligence Committee of the Board of Trade, on the conditions and prospects of British trade in Persia.’
A handwritten note at the front of the file, on folio 5, states ‘Spare copy of notes & correspondence of the “Helmand Control” file (with maps)’. Folio 110 consists of handwritten notes, including one dated 27 April 1904, which states ‘The secret Helmand papers have been printed up, and a set, with necessary maps, is submitted for H.E. the Viceroy to take to England.’ Much of the file concerns the question of controlling the water of the Helmand river and irrigating its whole delta, and the work of the Seistan Arbitration Commission to arbitrate between Persia and Afghanistan on the question of rights to the water of the Helmand in Seistan.
The file also includes reports by W A Johns on reconnaissances of potential railway routes made while he was attached to the Seistan Arbitration Commission, and other papers relating to railways and roads in Persia.
In addition, the file includes copies of the following Government of India Foreign Department Proceedings, which reproduce received Foreign Department correspondence on the following subjects: ‘Selection of a British naval base in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .’, November 1901, Nos. 74-83; ‘Visit of His Excellency the Viceroy to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. during November-December 1903.’, February 1904, Nos. 33-127; ‘Establishment of telegraphic communication with Henjam. Question of the selection of a naval base in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . Aggressive action of the Persians at Tamb and Abu Musa; their claim to the Islands.’, June 1904, Nos. 300-388; ‘Reports of the Commercial Mission to Persia.’, June 1905, Nos. 45-111; ‘Question of retaining flagstaffs erected in the neighbourhood of the Musandim Promontory’, August 1905, Nos. 288-307.’
The file also includes: brief handwritten notes written by Curzon on headed paper belonging to the Viceregal Lodge, Simla, relating to Seistan and to Lord Kitchener’s planned reforms for the reorganisation and redistribution of the Indian Army; and a printed copy of the report ‘A Note by Major H.L. [Herbert Lionel] Showers, C.I.E., on the present state of affairs in Kelat and a review of the system of Administration now being pursued.’
The file includes four maps: ‘Map of the Tail waters of Helmand River’ (13 July 1903), f 122; ‘Plan Shewing Proposed Routes for a Railway from Nushki to Afghan Frontier near Robat’ (10 April 1903), f 139; ‘Extract from Admiralty Chart No. 753. (Entrance to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ).’ (October 1901), f 219; and ‘Sketch of route Ram Hormuz to Fellahieh.’ (April 1904), f 230.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (475 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in no apparent order, apart from the Government of India Foreign Department Proceedings, folios 231 to 474, which are arranged in chronological order.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [20r] (38/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227828.0x000027> [accessed 26 June 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- Mss Eur F111/359/1
- Title
- ‘Persia – especially Seistan’
- Pages
- front, 2r:194v, 195v:196r, 197v:199v, 200v, 201v, 203r:272r, 273v:275v, 277r:405v, 408r:408v, 409v, 411r:413v, 414v:419v, 420v:424v, 425v:432v, 433v:435v, 436v, 437v:443v, 444v:471v, 473r:475v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence