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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎136v] (271/949)

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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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9
28
30. I append a brief note on the administrative boundaries, and some
useful details of the Afghan districts connected with the question above
discussed.
NOTE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES, &c., OF AFGHAN DISTRICTS
ON THE HELMAND RIVER.
The Pusht-i-Eud District.
Boundaries.
North. —From a hillock called Ghundi Khak-i-Chopan* on the Kandahar-
* This is about 2 miles west of the Mis Karez Herat Road, along that road to Hi la ram
Afghanistau° W11 °” 16 ”“ i ' < ’ 8=1 inC '‘ “’ P ° f 0n tho Khasll Rud.
A. H. McMahon.
East. —From Ghundi Khak-i-Chopan southwards crossing the Arghundab
at Band-i-Taimur, it runs through Eegistan to the British boundary, including
the Mingal country and excluding Shorawak.
South. —British boundary, as far as Kani, thence to Rudbar (Lat), leaving
to the south the Pusht-i-Koh tract as shown on the map, which belongs to
Chakansur.
Wed. —Across the Dasht-i-Margo to Deh Khan near Kadeh on the Khash
Rod, thence it follows the Khash Rud to Dilaram.
Sub-divisions.
It is divided into four Tahsils or Bolaks, i.e., —
t Also known Garn,ser. 0) HeltUand Or Girishk.
(2) Garmsel.f
(3) Naozad.
(4) Zamindawar.
The boundaries of (1) and (2) are shown on attached map.
Administra t'on.
The head-quarters of the district are at Girishk. This district till ten years
ago formed pan of the Kandahar province, but now the Governor deals direct
with Kabul. Each Tahsil except Naozad, which has only one Naib Tahsildar
has one Tahsildar and two Naib Tahsildars. These deal with revenue matters
only, and are subordinate to the Revenue Sarishtadar of Girishk, who, although
+ This revenue arrangement has only been in Subordinate in status to the Governor,
force about three years. ^ ^ McMahon deals direct on revenue mattersf with
. " " 0i AH ° N ’ Kabul. Judicial work is done by a
Hakim in each Tahsil, wbo is subordinate to the Governor of Girishk.
Besides above, there are four Tahsildars and four Naib Tahsildars, whose
duty is confined to collecting grazing-tax. They have no fixed head-quarters.
Garrison.
The garrison consists of—
1 Battery, Horse Artillery, of 6 guns.
1 Squadron Cavalry.
4 Companies ( 400) of khassadars.
These are all stationed at Girishk. There are also 700 Khawanin (tribal!
sowars scattered over the country in their own homes. V
B opulation.
The population is chiefly Durani Afghan, but in Garmsel there are many
Baluch and Brahm nomad graziers. ^

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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’ [‎136v] (271/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227829.0x000048> [accessed 11 August 2026]

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