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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [150v] (299/949)
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.
sent him, however, intimation quietly 'that, in order to help Afghan interests. I
would begin demarcation first of the straight line from Baud-i-lvohak south
wards, and thus obviate all danger of Persian encroachments. I might at any
time, however, commence work on the line northwards. I may remark here
that the Afghan fears are absolutely groundless, as the Persians cannot possibly
get any water from the Pud-i-Seistan across the line without taking it consider
ably up hill!
«**«*»*
22 nd September, Camp Kohak .—I fixed, some days ago, the site for the
first pillar at the Band-i-Kohak, but the high wind has delayed the work of
laying out the straight line from there.
23 rd September, Camp Kohak .—I have explained the situation to the
Yamin, and informed him that l am commencing demarcation. He showed
an inclination to have a voice in fixing boundary pillars, but I have made him
clearly understand that this would necessitate the Afghans having a similar
right, and I decline to permit any arguments on the subject. I had previously
told the Akhundzada the same thing, and lie fully acquiesced in the wisdom
of it. Either Commissioner can, of course, inspect the line and pillars as much
as he likes, and I will always be willing to hear their objections regarding any
pillar which either of them"can prove not to be on the boundary line defined in
my award.
24 th September, Camp Kohak .—1 fixed the sites of several boundary
pillars on the straight line. Building work will commence forthwith. It
necessitates considerable arrangements and much camel transport, for there is
no water to be found on the whole length of about 90 miles, except at one place,
i. e ., the Shelagh. All water for building, and for the building camp, will have
to be brought from a distance. The task of building pillars has been undertaken
by Mr. Ward and his irrigation staff.
(Received on the 17th October 1904) under cover of a letter from His Britannic Majesty'
Minister, Tehran, No. 47, dated the 17th September 1904.)
No. 168 . Gulahek,
My Lord, 8th September 1904 .
I have the honour to report that on being informed by the Government
of India that the Amir of Afghanistan had consented to the demarcation of the
Seistan frontier, I sent a message to that effect to the Grand Vizier, who express
ed his great satisfaction at the news. I at the same time informed His High
ness of the representations which the Government of India had made at Kabul
respecting the encroachments at Musabad, of which the Persian Government
has of late been again making complaints. The Mushir-ed-Dowleh states that
the Afghans have encroached not merely at Musabad, but at a place in its
vicinity named “ Ayubi ”, respecting which 1 have so far no information.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect,
My Lord,
You Lordship’s most obedient, humble servant,
A. H. Hardinge.
The Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G.,
&c., &c., &c.
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’ [150v] (299/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227829.0x000064> [accessed 12 July 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