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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [245v] (489/949)
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
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[ 20 ]
Telegram, dated the 10th November 1903.
From—The Foreign Secretary, Viceroy’s Camp,
To'—The Commissioner in Sind.
Demi-official. Can you kindly arrange to send to Lorimer^ Political Department, who
reaches Karachi Friday next, two native gentlemen speaking Arabic and Persian dialects of the
Gulf to assist in translating Viceroy's speeches.
Telegram, dated the 10th November 1903.
From—Foreign, Viceroy’s Camp,
To—The Foreign Department, Simla.
Have you posted to me the note on the trade of Maskat and other ports in the Gulf which
His Excellency requires for his speech as soon as possible.
Dated the 3rd November 1903.
From—Major P. Z. Cox, CJ.E.j British Consul and
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—L. W. Dane, Esq., Secretary to the Government o£ India in the Foreign Department.
I have not heard finally yet regarding the details of the Maskat programme, meanwhile
there are one or two items in the draft under consideration with regard to which I have a few
more observations to submit.
I. The Sultan suggested sending his brother, Seyyid Mahomed, his son Seyyid Timur
and his Vazier to welcome His Excellency immediately on his arrival.
I think it would be graceful to give Seyyid Mahomed, the senior of the three, a salute on
the deputation’s departure. If given, it would be 13 guns.
II. Presentation of address by British subjects
( 1 ) I suppose about 20 persons selected from the various denominations would form the
deputation presenting the address ?
( 2 ) Among persons accorded British protection in Maskat are the Goanese and they will
participate in the celebration of the Viceroy’s visit equally with other British
subjects. I gather that there will be no objection as between ourselves and the
Portuguese, if their representatives are included in the deputation.
III. How many persons can be accommodated at 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 the Argonaut ?
IV. It has been suggested to me that at any rate one band will be present either with His
Excellency's entourage or with the Admiral; and that it would please the populace much, if a
band played, say on the Customs Wharf on the afternoon of the Viceroy’s visit to the Sultan.
V. Will His Excellency have any bodyguard with him ? People without local know
ledge may think it vain to set store upon numerical superiority in regard to funnels or
fighting-tops! but no one who has moved among the- uncivilised orientals of these parts
can fail to realise that such things constitute a factor which is worth considering and at one
time or another must be considered. It is not so much, or at all events not only, the
actual spectators who are affected by the impression which they derive, their fellow countrymen
far and wide receive and assimilate the exaggerated accounts they hear, and as at present no one
can compete with us ; or provide such a great occasion it seems worth making the most of details.
If His Excellency had a few files of the bodygard with him when he made official visits,
at all events at Maskat, and the Pirate Coast and Koweit, it would impress the public I am sure.
The usual functionaries macebearer, etc., I suppose he will have in any case; and perhaps the
other suggestion may already have been thought of; but I trust there is no harm in my men
tioning it.
AI. The French Consul has asked me to arrange, if possible for him, to pay his respects
to His Excellency. If that hour will suit the Viceroy, I should think the best time would be on
the 18th morning, when the Sultan has returned from the Hardinge. Monsieur Laronce will
hear the latter's salute and could take that as his cue for going off. He informs me that as
he is too young to promote to Consul he still remains Vice-Consul, but is in charge of a
consulate and is entitled to receive honours due to a Consul.
VII. Mr. Mackirdy the American Consular representative will no doubt express a similar
wish later on. He is in an analogous position to Monsieur Laronce. He has not taken the oath
of allegiance to America and so caonot be made “ Consul" but is in charge of the consulate,
signs himself “ Vice and Acting Consul,” and is treated by the American Government as Consul.
The above miscellaneous items are all that occur to me at present. If you could wire brief
replies to II, III and VI it would be convenient.
A
ll /
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’ [245v] (489/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00005a> [accessed 2 July 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