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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [72v] (143/949)
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.
20
G. C. Press, Simla.'—No. 666 F. D.-23*S»05.—82.
35- The above summary takes no account of the many long and important
tours performed, e g., three times to Mekran, twice with troops for operations
and negotiations in Persian territory and again when 180 leading men of Western
Baluchistan were collected and presented to His Excellency the Viceroy at
Pasni; and from Karachi to Quetta through the heart of the Jhalawan country.
Nor has any mention been made of the development of Pasni and the large increase
that has accrued to its revenues. Nor has any mention been made of Kharan
whose Chief, Sir Nauroz Khan, ha§ maintained a most friendly and satisfactory
attitude towards the
Political Agent
A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
and given no trouble whatever to the
Baluchistan
Agency
An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
in the last four years.
The above record of work done and improvements carried out far surpasses
in scope and importance anything that has been accomplished in Kalat before.
At the same time there has been no reversal of the policy hitherto followed in
the State and no new departures and drastic changes. As regards the Brahuis
all that has been done is to give more thorough effect to a system of administra
tion in force for several years past by the establishment of additional Brahui
thanas and the exercise through their means of a more effective control than
had previously obtained. A^ regards the Khan’s niabats the scheme now in
force was conceived in outline by Sir H. Barnes and generally approved by
Government. But effect had not been, given to the scheme and there was
every prospect of its being entirely lost sight of.
Further it is fair to claim that in the methods pursued there has been
nothing that either Khan or
Sirdars
Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
could take the least exception to. In fact
it is through the Khan and the
Sirdars
Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
that I have always worked paying every
possible attention to the Khan’s susceptibilities, to tribal usage, to the prejudices
of the tribes and their love of independence. Results speak for themselves
and I doubt if at any time in the history of the country has such peace and good
order prevailed as we have had during the past four years. The great body
of the
Sirdars
Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
are at this moment absolutely loyal to the
Political Agent
A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
and
the Agent to the Governor-General and the Government he represents with all
my relations with the Khan have been uninterruptedly cordial and at my last
meeting with him he expressed the earnest hope that I would return to Kalat
without fail on the expiry of my leave.
H. L. SHOWERS, Major,
Political Agent
A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
, Kalat.
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’ [72v] (143/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227828.0x000090> [accessed 9 July 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