Skip to item: of 1,061
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎25v] (49/949)

This item is part of

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.

Apply page layout

~ ——
16
REPORT ON TRADE OF PERSIA.
Number in
Table of
Statistics,
Arms and Ammunition.
4
Import prohibited, except under special permission.—
Weapons of British make are, however, much appreciated. There
was for a time a brisk and profitable trade in percussion caps
imported through Tabriz for Afghanistan and Bokhara. The price
has fallen from krs. 2,150 to krs 1,400 per case.
^ Beverages.
Beer.
Import. —Teheran is the only market. English or Continen
tal beer cannot be delivered at prices to compete with Russian beer.
Liqueurs, Spirits, Wines.
Import. —The consumption of wines, whisky, and liqueurs is
limited to foreign residents and occasional entertainments by
Persian officials, and for the most part these liquors are imported
direct by the private consumer. There is a somewhat greater
consumption of inferior brandy, chiefly from Russia and Greece.
Native wine and arrack find an extensive but clandestine sale in
the large towns such as Teheran, Tabriz, and Ispahan.
Export,—None. . The vine flourishes in most parts of Persia,
and the vintages of Shiraz, Ispahan, and Hamadan are renowned
in the country, but wine making for export has not been
attempted.
Butter, Clarified. Ghee (Pers. Rogan).
Import.— Has been largely imported to Gulf ports from India
during the last few years on account of drought in Southern Persia,
but is usually an article of export from Bushire, Large quantities
are consumed in the fishing fleets of the Gulf. Value at Bushire
8J to 9 krans per Bushire man (7*7 lbs.) (5^. per lb.).
8
Candles (Composite).
Import.— The demand for candles is declining on account of
| the increased use of petroleum lamps. The import, wa the Gulf,
is chiefly of Belgian and Dutch candles. A class of candles of
British Indian origin has been introduced recently with success.
Hard candles with a high melting point are desirable to resist the
heat of the Gulf. Shipments should be made in winter. The chief
demand is for 12 oz. candles in cases of 30 packets. Value, c.i.f.
Bushire say 5^. per lb.; in Shiraz krs. 36 to krs. 37 (135. 3^.) per
case. Austrian candles were formerly imported via Trebizond,
value Tabriz krs. 140 to krs. 200 per case of 300 packets, but have
been driven out by the Russian article. Russian candles in cases
of two pouds net, 2J pouds gross, in packets of four to seven
candles per lb. Rus., cost c.i.f. Astara or Enzeli Rs. 9-10 per
poud. Value Tabriz krs. 115 to krs. 130 per case. (Annex G,
Specimen Invoice, p. 84). The southern markets, including
Ispahan and Hamadan, are supplied from the Gulf. Priced
Teheran, per case of 80 packets Russian krs. 125 to krs. 140
(45^. 6d. to 5 15 -)* Tallow candles are manufactured in the
country, value, krs. 12 to krs. 13 per shahman (4^. per lb.).
7 1
Carriages.
There is an import of Russian carriages (chiefly small phsetons)
via Resht for Teheran. In Tabriz, Meshed, and Ispahan carriages
| are used by the wealthy, but there is not sufficient demand lor
a regular trade.

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

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎25v] (49/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227828.0x000032> [accessed 16 July 2026]

Link to this item
Embed this item

Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.

<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227828.0x000032">‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [&lrm;25v] (49/949)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227828.0x000032">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0052.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image