![‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎239v] (477/949)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0490.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎239v] (477/949)")
‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [239v] (477/949)
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.
£.
Endorsexent 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. 2544-E. A., dated
the 25th October 1903.
Encloses, for information and guidance, copies of telegraphic correspondence with Sir A. Hardinge
regarding the approaching visit of Ilis Excellency the Viceroy to the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
.
~aZ~
J
Telegram 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 26th October 1903.
In reply to our telegram of the 21st October 1903, states that the average temperature on the
18th November next at Maskat will be about 77° and cool enough for ordinary uniform.
Slates that he is sending draft programme by post.
Telegram from Sir A. Hardinge, His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, dated the
26th October 1903.
Asks whether Ilis Excellency the Viceroy could, for the reasons stated, modify his programme
in the manner indicated.
I/UXs
ft)
*AA)'
d-CS-
Telegram from Sir A. Hardinge, His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, dated the
27th October 1903.
Says he is bringing one Secretary, and that Colonel Douglas meets him at Bushire.
Telegram to Sir A. Hardinge, His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, dated the
27th October 1903.
/
Replies to the above telegram.
Ml
Telegram to His Excellency the Naval Commanderhn-Chief, East Indian Station, dated
the 28th October 1903.
States that Major Cox proposes that His Excellency the Viceroy should cross from Karachi to
near Ras-al-Hadd, and thence cruise up the Oman coast on early morning of 18th Novem
ber. Asks whether this can be done, and whether it will be convenient to hold Darbars at
Maskat and elsewhere on the “ Argonaut.’ 3
Telegram to Sir A. Hardinge, His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, dated the
28th October 1903.
In reply to his telegram of the 26th October 1903, says His Excellency the Viceroy is unable
to alter his programme for the reasons stated.
[Demi-official.]
Dated Maskat, tlie 19th October 1903.
From— Major P. Z. Coi, C.I.E.,
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,
To— Libmtenant-Colonel the Hon’ble E. Baring, Military Secretary to His Excellency the
Many thanks for your note received by this mail in reply to mine.
1 fear Her Excellency will find things rather primitive here and elsewhere in the Gulf
but I hope that there will be no actual discomfort, and that there may prove to be sufficienl
^^“d 0 COmpenSate f ° r the S ea eral sordidness and poverty-stricken appearand
So far I know no details of the Viceroy’s programme, except that His Excellency wil
arrive here on the forenoon of 18th November, and leave sometime on the 19th • and al
present the intention is, subject to approval, to have the sea-front illuminated and a display ol
fireworks from the Sultan s two flanking forts, after dinner on 18th. The nieht will be darl
then and good for the purpose. a
On the afternoon of the ISth if this does not interfere with the Viceroy’s official arrange
ments I thought that some Arab and Seedi dancing might be amusing to Her Excellency anc
Viceregal party. Ihe natives would ordinarily dance as they do on the festive occasions or
vacant plots of ground outside the town gates, but on 18th November in the afternoon then
will be a very low tide and the dancing might take place on the broad stretch of sand on th<
sea fiont, and Lady Curzon could thus see it without tiring herself from our verandah. Wbei
she had seen enough of that Her Excellency might like to walk up and explore one of the ok
Portuguese Ports close by.
, T be A id .V 8 1 have “enfioned above, "”'11 be very low on the afternoon of the 18th
lowest at 2-50 p. m., so that the earlier the ladies land the less irksome it will be for them, anc
my wife hopes that Her Excellency and party will come ashore to the Consulate whenever i
suits them and wi at all events honour our humble board at lunch and tea. Colonel anc
Mrs. ixemball, will, we hope, be here at the time.
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’ [239v] (477/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00004e> [accessed 1 July 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00004e
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_100093227830.0x00004e">‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎239v] (477/949)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00004e"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0490.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