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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎157r] (312/949)

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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 ]
If a British line from the head of the Gulf via Shiraz and Kerman is built to Koh-i-Malik
Siah and Seistan, this branch to the entrance to the Gulf would form a useful support to that
line and strengthen our hold on South-Eastern Persia.
If Your Excellency considers that there is anything in the suggestion, the case as
regards estimates of cost, gradients, curvatures, and mean altitudes of the various lines shown
might be further worked up in the Public Works Department and Intelligence Branch. It is
submitted now as you wished to see the despatch from Mr. Spring Rice as soon as possible,
and it may be desirable either to add something about Khor Musa and possible connections
therewith to the despatch on British policy in Southern Persia or to send another despatch in
continuation of that dealing with Russian strategical railways in Persia and the possibility of
counteracting any move in this direction by Russia by railways constructed by British
companies.
At any rate, it seems open to question if Russia should be allowed to proceed with the
construction of railway formations in the guise of Chaussees in the north while we are con
tented with camel tracks in the south.
Kemp and Somerville’s charts are added, but these are very secret and we have no per
mission to reproduce them. The general chart of the Gulf gives a sufficiently clear idea of the
case.
L. W. Dane, —7-2-1904.
Linet from Russian territory converging by four routes on Tabriz in the direction of Tehran.
(1) From Kivrag.
Length {a) 202 miles, via Khoi and Dilmau
„ {b) 160 „ ,, Maraud.
Cost [a) Rs. 2,70,00,000.
„ {b) „ 3,30,00,000.
Rate per mile (a) Rs. 1,33,663.
„ „ (b) „ 2,06,250.
Gradient (a) ’015
„ (b) Not stated.
Profit. («) I’SS per cent.
(2) From Julfa to Tabriz.
Length 81 miles, rid Marand.
Cost Rs. 1,29,15,000.
Rate per mile Rs. 1,59,444
Gradient *028.
(3) From Evlak via Aslanduz and Ahar to Tabriz.*
Length 282 miles.
Cost Rs. 6,90,00,000.
Rate per mile Rs. 2,44,680.
Any of the above lines can be extended to Tehran from Tabriz.
Tehran is approached by lines from two points (a) from Tabriz, (£) from Allot south of
Baku, via Saliami, Lenkorau, Resht, and Kazvin.
(A) Tabriz to Tehran.
Length 342 miles.
Cost Rs. 4,83,30,000.
Rate per mile Rs. 1,41,315.
*Is an easy and cheap line for the first 102 miles which lies in Russian territory. The 180 miles in Persian
territory presents considerable technical difficulties.
(B) — Allat to Tehran.
Length 450 miles.
Cost Rs. 5,61,00,000.
Rate per mile Rs. 1,24,666.
From Resht to Kazvin Valley through the Elburz the country presents difficulties
including a tunnel of 1| versts and one of 2 versts (pages 13 to 15 of printed report). From
Kazvin to Tehran tract is level. Allat to Resht, gradient *005. Maximum gradient in hill
section through Elburz *028. Least radius 700 yards.

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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’ [‎157r] (312/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227829.0x000071> [accessed 28 August 2026]

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