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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎206r] (410/949)

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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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7
f*
is roughly four lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees sixty thousaud eight hundred acres, of which only about one lakh One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees forty-
one thousand acres are annually cultivated with spring crop. Allowing for present system of
leaving lands fallow for one year, an area of two lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees thirty thousand four hundred acres is
available for cultivation by spring crop. No need to consider autumn crop, as these in Seistan
are sown on lands chosen for next spring crop.
( 2 ) Your supposition regarding extension of irrigation on left bank of Rud-i-Seistan is
^ correct. \
( 3 ) Levels do admit of draining Hamuns through Shelagh, by broad shallow cuttings,
through the low ridges which now divide Hamuns area into compartments. This question has
been long under consideration, and necessary levelling is still in progress. It is useless to risk
any estimate at present stage, but we know magnitude of work is beyond power of Persian
Administration in Seistan, and I do not think that we need consider it in connection with
award. Success and profit of undertaking cannot compare with that of opening up Tarakun
system.
( 4 ) Failing drainage of Hamuns, no new extension of irrigation in Persian Seistan is
possible by works in Persian territory, but it should be remembered that extension of annual
irrigation and cultivation is possible up to limits of whole area of irrigable land as stated in
paragraph 1 .
(5) As stated in paragraph 1, the area irrigable below Band-i-Seistan is four hundred
and sixty thousand eight hundred acres, of which the portion actually irrigated varied in extent
and position according to the amount of annual cultivation. As regards possibilities above
Band-i-Seistan, I based my opinions on the supposition that if Afghanistan opened up Tarakun
canal, the Persians could reasonably claim to enjoy extension of that canal at Persian cost.
1 fully understand difficulty of mutual arrangement between Persians and Afghans which this
would involve without our assistance and supervision.
( 6 ) A map, coloured as requested, will be posted to you to-morrow.

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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’ [‎206r] (410/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00000b> [accessed 1 July 2026]

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