‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [137v] (273/949)
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.
30
*The Akhundzada once told me in confidence that
he pays more in offerings to the small shrines in this
tract than he recovers in grazing-tax !
A. H. McMahon.
The amount collected is infinitesimal;*
in fact, little or no attempt is made to col
lect it.
'Revenue.
The total annual revenue of the district from all sources does not exceed
Us. 65,000, of which some Es. 2,000 or less comes from the tract on the left
bank of the Helmand.
Garrison.
One company of infantry from the regiment at Farrah
Killa-i-Kang.
600 khassadars stationed as follows :—
Killa-i-Kang
Chakansur
Nadali
KiHa-i-Fath
is stationed at
300
... 100
... 100
... loo
The khassadars are paid at the rate of 7 Kabuli
rupees
Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf.
per mensem, if
local men; and 8 Kabuli
rupees
Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf.
per mensem, if men of other districts. There
are also 130 Khawanin sowars scattered about the country in their own homes.
Population.
Except the Akhundzada and his family, numbering some 11 members, who
are by originf Tarins from Khanozai near
Quetta, the whole population are BaluchJ
and Brahui. There are ro Khans, Chiefs,
or headmen among this population, except
the few small Sinjerani Khans, and they
all of one family, who reside on the
Helmard from Band-i-Kamal Khan up
wards. The total population does not exceed 12,000 persons.
f They emigrated here 2 or 3 generations ago.
A. H. McMahon.
t I do not include a few poor and scattered
families of Ghilzais who have resided here for many
generations and have become to all appearances,
both in character and habits, Baluchis.
A. H. McMahon.
Arms.
There are only about 40 rifles in private possession, and these belong to the
Akhundzada’s family and Sinjerani Chiefs. Of these, about 10 are Martini-
Henry and the rest Snider.
Telegram, No. 445 , dated Camp, the 8th (despatched from Dalbandin on 12th) October
1903 .
From Colonel A, H. McMahon, C.S.I., C.I.E., British Commissioner, Seistan
Arbitration Commission,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
At end of paragraph 15 of my letter No. 1121, 1st October, after words
“ allowing their water”, please cancel remainder of paragraph and read ‘to pass
unused down the river ”. The Bud-i-Seistan, since the Band-i-Seistan was
repaired, is drawing away one-half of the total volume, the Rud-i-Pariun
one-third, and the Nadali channel only one-sixth.
No. 1124 , dated Camp Kohak, the 3 rd October 1903 .
From —Colonel A. H. McMahon, C.S.I., C.I.E.,
Arbitration Commission,
British Commissioner, Seistan
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
I have the honour to forward the following correction to a small copying
error in my letter No. 1121 of the 1st October 1903, i.e.,—
At end of paragraph 8, for words “ begins the Bolan Tahsil of Garmsel”
please read “ begins the Bolak, i.e., Tahsil of Garmsel ”.
foreign Office Press—No. 139—26 4-C4.
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’ [137v] (273/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227829.0x00004a> [accessed 29 June 2026]
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- 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
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