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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎155r] (308/949)

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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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Statement showing approximate cost and ruling grades and curvature of lines to and "beyond
Nushki.
(i) Nusbki line under construction.
Length 82‘5 miles.
CostRs. 70,06,338.
Rate per mile Rs. 84,925.
Ruling grade. From Spezand to the top of the Nushki Kotal, mile 72, 1'6 per cent, and
from mile 72 to Nushki 2 per cent., both grades being compensated for curvature.
Curvature.—573 ft. radius, all of which occur on the Nushki Ghat between mile 72 and
Nushki.
(ii) Nushki via the Helmcnd to Bund-i-Seistan (in Afghan territory).
Length 335 miles.
Cost Rs. 2,63,00,000.
Rate per mile Rs. 78,500.
Ruling grades 1 in 50.
Curvature, easy, except near Galur, 90 miles.
(tii) Nushki to Robat (in British territory).
Length 360 miles.
Cost Re. 1,98,00,000.
Rate per mile, Rs. 55,000.
Ruling grade 1 in 100.
Curvature. Same as in ordinary plain country except among sand-hills crossed.
(iv) Kondi (on (iit) above) to Pasni on the Sea Coast.
Length (a) 424 miles via Nag Kalat.
(£) 404 ,, „ Kathag Pass.
Cost (a) Not given.
(b) Rs. 4,84,00,000.
Rate per mile (£) Rs. 1,18,000.
Ruling grade 1 in 40 to 1 in 50.
Curvature 8 ° to 9^°.
(v) Kondi (on (Hi) above) to Karachi.
Length 567 miles.
Cost Rs. 6,68,00,000.
Rate per mile Rs. 1,18,000.
Ruling grade 1 in 40 to 1 in 50.
Curvature 8 ° to 9| 0 .
F. D. Couchman,— 22-1-1904.
Returned to Foreign Secretary as desired.
C. W. Hodson, —22-1-1904.
Extract from a letter No. 185, dated the 10th December 1903, from Major P. M. Sykes,
C.M.G., His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, Kerman, to Colonel Kemball, C.I.E.,
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Gives his opinion as to the best alignment for a railway in South-East Persia.
There is a cutting from the Novoe Vremya on page 13 of the (i Statesman ” of January
24th, which should be taken and added to the confidential files about policy in Persia and
Railways in Persia.
L. W. Dane, —24-1-1904.
In order to facilitate the consideration in its widest aspect of the question of strategical
railways from Russia through Persia towards India, I have had shown on a copy of
Curzon’s map of Persia, not only the Russian lines mentioned in the papers attached to
Mr. Spring Rice’s despatch of 23rd November 1903, and the possible lines from Askabad and
4143 F D.
^r*

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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’ [‎155r] (308/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227829.0x00006d> [accessed 6 July 2026]

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