‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [237v] (473/949)
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.
L
X. J* 6~L
Telegram, dated Simla, the 3rd October 1903-
From—Foreign Secretary, Simla,
To—The Viceroy’s Camp.
Kemball telegraphs 1st October. Begins: —Viceroy's Tour. I agree with C' 0 !** Ends.
Shall we arrange for presents specified and for steamer ? No orders have been received aoout
cable for Kishm, or Patrick Stewart might have taken this out. Other matters can awai
His Excellency’s return.
Telegram, dated the 7th October 1903.
From—The Viceroy’s Camp,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Kemball's telegram of the 1st October.
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
. I agree about steamer and
presents.
Durbar
A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family).
will presumably be held on Argonaut.
1. The memorandum below may issue to the Marine Department.
2. The Registrar may at once arrange to obtain the presents required.
3. Secretary doubtless understands the allusion to the Argonaut. The ship is a 1st
^ ^ . _ T T . , . class cruiser on the China Station. I presume
F<* Eoyal N.vj List, April 1903. that His Excellency has arranged for her to be
placed at his disposal for the tour.
L. Russell,— 8-10-1903.
The office memorandum to the Marine Department may issue. Action may betaken about
the presents. Please let me know what probable cost will be. Ranken & Co. have some
sealskin coats which they want to dispose of, hut they are very costly and we may be able to
get wbat Colonel Kemball specifies from Hamilton & Co., and the other shops here. I know
His Excellency wanted to have a 1st class cruiser and he has probably arranged for the
Argonaut to stop on her way home from China. If she comes, it would obviously be desir
able to hold the
Darbar
A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family).
on her if we can get her near enough to the shore.
L. W. Dane,— 9-10-1903.
Office Memo, to the Military (Marine) Department, No. 2413-E. A., dated the 9th
October 1903.
Bequests that arrangements may he made for the despatch to Bahrein of an extra vessel for
duty in connection with the visit of His Excellency the Viceroy.
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 4th (received 10th) October
1903.
States that the British Indian subjects at Maskat are desirous of presenting an address to
His Excellency at Maskat.
Letter from 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.
, dated the 2nd October
1903.
Reports his return to Bushire and makes certain suggestions in connection with His
Excellency’s tour in the Bersian Gulf.
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. 2503-E.A., dated the
20th October 1903.
Asks him to supply narratives of each Chief and his State for the information of His
Excellency.
As to Major Cox's letter of October 4th. Your Excellency will perhaps agree to receive
Yes, but it must be suitably presented. A
Viceroy cannot receive a mere roll of paper in a
bamboo cylinder. •
C[tjbzon].
I am afraid that there could not be a more
unsuitable opportunity. Any public declaration
must of course be made at the
Durbar
A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family).
, not at a
meeting of Bombay and Kutchy traders.
C[ubzon].
the address of the British subjects at Maskat, a
copy of which should be sent to us iu advance.
The reply to this would be a suitable opportunity
to make any declaration of policy which may
have been decided.
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
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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [237v] (473/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00004a> [accessed 30 June 2026]
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- 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
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