Skip to item: of 1,061
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎191v] (381/949)

This item is part of

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.

Apply page layout

30
6. From Bam to Bigan :—
“ The route described is suited to the advance of a force—a regiment,
accompanied by mountain artillery and pack-saddle train ; better
still, camels.”
7. From Bigan to Bampur : —
“ The route described is suited for the advance of an inconsiderable
force—one battalion, accompanied by mountain artillery and camel
train. All the forage and provisions must be taken with the force,
according to the number of ‘ etapes ’ from Bigan to the site of
Noksam.”
8. From Bampur to Kasrkend : —
“ The path described is quite suitable for the advance of an inconsiderable
force—one battalion, accompanied by mountain artillery and camel
train. On the passes will be required inconsiderable works for
widening the path and easing the ascents and descents.”
9. From Kasrkend to Chahbar :—
“ The path described is perfectly suited for the advance of a small force—
one battalion, with mountain artillery and camel train. There is
much work to be done in improving the pass.”
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
JUci^s of Rittich s Routs and ths projected Railway to Chahbar.
[ Not printed ]
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Memorandum by Lieutenant- Colonel Napier.
. Beport of Colonel Bittich is of great interest as showing the far-reach
ing nature of Bussia’s schemes in Persia.
As regards the figures and estimates of the proposed lines, there is not
sufficient detail to form a judgment of their value, but the estimates appear
low, and the cost per verst of different lines more uniform than one would
expect.
. Captain Bittich travelled in Persia during or before 1900, and was at the
time a subaltern in a guard infantry regiment. He was accompanied, it is
believed, by an engineer and staff.
But, whatever the value of the estimate may be, one cannot ignore the
possibility of such lines being constructed as are here mentioned, in view of
what Bussia has already accomplished, and the rapidity with which work once
decided upon is carried into effect.
. . The line fr o m the Trans-Caucasus Railway to Chahbar is the most pre
judicial to our interests. 1
It is satisfactory to note on page 6 of the General Beport that the Bussian
Government is inclined to waste money on endeavouring to improve the very
bad harbour of Enzeli, in preference to carrying a line round the south-western
shore of the Caspian.
But whether this latter line is made or not, it is probable that before very
long Tehran will bo joined to the Trans-Caucasian Bailway system via. Erivarl,
and though the Ime round the Caspian would be more convenient for the direct
transport of troops from Europe, its construction is not essential.
however, the Bussinns succeed in making a railway across Persia from
e ran as ar as Bam, along the Tehran-Chahbar route, which lies parallel to
the general trend of the mountains, and must therefore be quite a feasible line
for a railway, they will be able to construct a branch line from Bam to Seistan,
an . * 18 n } e ? ns a nd maintain an independent force against a vital
point in the defences of India.

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

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎191v] (381/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227829.0x0000b6> [accessed 4 July 2026]

Link to this item
Embed this item

Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.

<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227829.0x0000b6">‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [&lrm;191v] (381/949)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227829.0x0000b6">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0388.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image