![‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎236v] (471/949)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0484.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎236v] (471/949)")
‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [236v] (471/949)
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.
\
Letter fkom the
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 Gulp, dated the 29th August
1903.
>
Replies to Foreign Department letter of the 13th August 1903, regarding the Viceroy s
proposed visit to the Fenian Gulf, and makes certain suggestions in connection therewith.
Letter from the
Political Agent
A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
at Maskat, dated the 6th September 1903.
Replies to Foreign Department letter of the 23rd August 1903, relating to the Viceroy’s
proposed visit to the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
, and states his views thereon.
Colonel KembalFs letter of 29th August and Major Cox’s of 6 th September show that
they both are delighted at Your Excellency’s idea of a tour in the Gulf. If their suggestions
are adopted, the route would be—
Karachi.
Eas-el-Hadd.
Maskat.
Bandar Abbas.
Elpbinstone Inlet.
Bushire.
Some little time may be wasted in crossing and recrossing the Gulf and perhaps it
might be better to do Bassidore and Lingah after Bandar Abbas and then go over to Shargah,
or even to go on from Bassidore to Bushire and Koweit and to take Bahrein, Shargah and
the Elphinstone Inlet on our way back so as to get it as cool as possible there and finish up
Persia before dealing with our Protectorate. On the way back I venture to hope that Your
Excellency will find time to see Gwettar, where Major Sykes and his magnates might perhaps
meet lour Excellency, and Pasui and Gwadar, as the question of our position in Mekran will
shortly be submitted. This would also break the longish run from Bushire or Shargah to
Karachi. Major Showers and the Nazims and Khans could meet us at either place. Major
Cox’s suggestion about a 1 st class cruiser is for Your Excellency’s consideration. Colonel
Kemball also advocates the collection of as imposing a fleet as possible, and this is clearly
desirable. 3
The weather aud climate will probably be all that can be desired, and I presume that we
shall be able to wear the ordinary uniform, though it may be well to be prepared for eventuali
ties with white uniform. Presents we shall certainly have to provide on a somewhat exten
sive scale and we might ask Colonel Kemball by telegraph to submit what he considers a
suitable list of recipients and values and class of gifts required.
The Maskat Sultan should certainly visit Your Excellency first. The Admiral might
enter first and receive his salute and then Your Excellency’s ship would be saluted. The
Admiral could pay his visit as usual aud then the Sultan should visit Your Excellency and
return the Admiral’s visit. J
I see no objection to, and some advantages in, the declarations suggested by Major Cox
but His Majesty’s Government must be consulted.
Your Excellency will perhaps give me orders to-morrow and the case can then go into the
office, though I venture to think that no formal announcement of the tour need be made for
the present.
Shargah.
Bassidore,
Lingah.
Bahrein.
Koweit.
L. W. Dane,—14-9-1903.
, L dr ? fte e a tel ®» ram Col 1 onel Kemball, and gave it to Secretary. I now also enclose
a draft ot a Secret Despatch to be printed, and sent off by outgoing mail to Secretary of State
signed by myself alone. ° ° j
« v . i I -
C [urzon],—15-9-1903.
Telegram to the
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.
, No. 2190-E. A., dated the
15th September 1903.
Asks him uhether the plans stated in connection with His Excellency the Viceroy’s tour in
the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
are suitable.
*
->>
-
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
‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [236v] (471/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x000048> [accessed 13 July 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x000048
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_100093227830.0x000048">‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎236v] (471/949)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x000048"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0484.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
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
Copyright: How to use this content
- 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