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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎91v] (181/949)

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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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It will, of course, be understood that I do not suggest making the junction
so far from Karachi as Malir. The actual position of a junction in such an
important locality can only be settled after long preliminary investigation and
discussion with the officers of the railway concerned; but for the purposes ot a
reconnaissance a mile or two one way or the other was of no consequence.
My surveyor made an alternative section of the Pabni Chauki route, but
it has no advantages over that now described.
At ordinary times water is scarce over
the greater part of the alignment.
I travelled through the country after heavy rains when there was
running water or pools in every fair-sized stream. It was, therefore, not
always easy to ascertain where a perennial supply existed and where the pools
were purely temporary. The various permanent springs and pools actually
on the alignment are marked on the section. Others will no doubt be
discovered during survey and construction, for the list cannot claim to be
exhaustive.
Water-supply.
At the following places water is obtainable in considerable quantities:
bz) All round the Mashkhel Hamun, in shallow
excavations
Brackish.
(b) Mashkhel River, in large pools near the bridge
site
Sweet.
Mile 147 (c) Palantak, in the nulla bed for about i mile ...
Do.
))
195 (d) Panjgur, in Karezes and in the Rakshan
Do.
261 (e) Kil Kaur, at the foot of the Madak north
approach
Do.
267 {/) Spring in the North Madak River, two miles
from proposed tunnel mouth ...
Do.
))
316 (q) At Mandai Af, in a spring near the camping
ground
Do.
»
332 {h) Pools in the Paho River
Do.
V
360 (t) Nal River, at Jhau (running water)
Do.
3 >
414 (j) Sir Kaur, in lake
Do.
33
428 (£) Las Bela, in the river and in wells
Do.
33
464 (q Uthal, in wells ... •
Do.
33
531 (m) Habb River, in pools
Do.
At the
following places small perennial pools, springs,
or wells exist:
Kondi has been already mentioned, Wells
...
Brackish.
Mile 159 (a) Palantak Thana, at the head of the Tangi
...
Sweet.
)>
173 (b) Sorenkik, pool in nulla bed
• • •
Do.
}>
213 (c) Chib well
• ••
?
»
228 (d) Wash Jaurakin, pool in nulla bed
...
Sweet.
240 (e) Mantr, pool in nulla bed ...
•« *
Do.
249 (f) Gumbak, pool in nulla bed..i
...
Do.
f
Wells of average depth Fairly sweet.
(^in Kolwa plain.
Not on line. Sahar Kalat, Madak Kalat,
Mile 289 Hor Kalat
„ 303 Regchahi
)} 347 Musjid Ziarat, pool in nulla ...
Kang nulla, pool on Damb-Bela caravan road
„ 378 Monro nulla, pool possibly not perennial
„ 395 Mar nulla, pool
„ 405 Kumbh nulla, pool (on caravan road)
„ 495 Sonmiani, shallow wells
„ 510 Naka Chauki or Khari, well ...
„ 524 Bawani Tombs. Well in nulla to south
„ 543 Magar Pir
The quality of the water is almost everywhere remarkably good.
Varies.
Sweet.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Brackish.
Sweet.
Do.
Do.

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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’ [‎91v] (181/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227828.0x0000b6> [accessed 1 July 2026]

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