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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎44r] (86/949)

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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. .

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NOTES ON COMMERCIAL CENTRES, &C. 5
A Russian bale of prints (20 pieces) will have a board at top and bottom,
will be corded at each end, and then wrapped in three plies of matting.
Sometimes iron hoops are used instead of cords, and two plies of matting and
an outer canvas instead of 3 plies of matting; the difference in cost of this
superior packing is usually charged to the customer.
The matting, boards, ropes, and canvas of a Moscow bale (of 250 lbs.)
weigh r;o to 35 lbs. The packing of bales made up in Erivan is much
lighter, and weighs 16 to 18 lbs.
An inner wrapper is not generally used in Russian bales.
The Mexican wrap of the British bale is sold with it at about half value.
V.*—Notes on the Chief Commercial Centres—Local Trade Usages—
Trade Routes, &c.
Bunder Abbas.
Bunder Abbas is a port of some 6,ooo inhabitants. The climate is intensely
hot from mid-April to mid-October. There are, however, comparatively
cool and pleasant summer resorts in the hills within one or two days’ march.
The Customs Returns for 1901-02 and
values of imports and exports :—
1902-03 give the following figures
1901-02.
1902 - 03 .
£
£
Imports .....
■ 377 > 00 °
350,000
Exports . . . . .
• QOjOOO
104,000
The British India Mail Steamers outward and inward call weekly and
most of the steamers of other lines call to take or leave cargo.
Landings Warehousing^ &c.
Steamers anchor quite two miles out and discharge to or load from native
boats. There is a small pier opposite the Customs house which gives very
insufficient shelter for landing cargo.
For freight engaged in Bombay, landing charges are added to freight
in bi]l of lading, but on goods from elsewhere they are charged after arrival.
The landing agent’s tally clerk signs on board for cargo delivered, and*
the Customs Storekeeper (“ hamal bashi ”) signs to him on shore. Goods are
afterwards cleared at the Customs on delivery order from the landing agent.
When claims for shortage or damage arise there is consequently great
difficulty in fixing the fault.
There is a tariff for landing, sorting, and warehousing at the Customs
averaging about four annas (4^.) each on small bales or cases, and 8 annas (8dj.
on large.
Robbery and pilfering of goods in the Customs godowns was formerly much
complained of ; more recently, however, great improvement in this respect is
admitted by traders, and the staff is reported to be much better disciplined
under Belgian administration. The Customs godowns are commodious, but
other tenants have right of access to the enclosures, making it difficult to
prevent pilfering
The Customs farm out the post of hamal bashi for (March 1903) krans
2,500 per mensem. The governor also is reported to have a voice in the
nomination, and receives about krans 400 per mensem.

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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
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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎44r] (86/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227828.0x000057> [accessed 25 June 2026]

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