‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [263v] (525/949)
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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2
concluded. In this context I am to ask you carefully to think over and review
the situation, in reply indicating whether it would he, in your opinion, desir
able to modify or expand the status quo in any of these cases, what would be
the probable expectation of the Chiefs, what would be the best solution for
British interests, and what specific ideas are capable of being pursued. It
would be a pity to raise expectations only to disappoint them. On the other
hand, it would probably be a greater pity to lose so rare an opportunity of forti
fying our position and influence.
Any advice that you may offer on these points or on any other that may
occur to you will be welcome, and the sooner you can reply, of course, the
better, since time is speeding along.
Telegram, dated the 22nd August 1903.
From—The Foreign Secretary, Simla,
To— Colonel Kemball, Shiraz.
Important letter sent to you on 13 th August regarding Viceroy’s tour.
Please telegraph on receipt if proposals generally suitable. It will be well
that you should proceed Bushire at early date to facilitate arrangements and
preliminaries. Have sent copy of letter to Cox to save time.
Dated Simla, the 23rd August 1903.
From—L. W. Dane, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign
Department,
To— Majob P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., His Britannic Majesty’s 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.
,
Maskat.
At Viceroy’s request I enclose a copy of a letter which has been sent to
Kemball about His Excellency’s proposed tour in the Gulf. Kemball is away
in Shiraz and, though I have now telegraphed to him, I think it will be well if
you will let us have your ideas on the proposals so far as they affect Maskat at
a very early date, sending a copy of your letter to Kembal). You will know if
it is desirable or not at this stage to sound the Sultan personally, but it is of
course desirable that the proposal should not leak out prematurely.
I am sorry that events prevented you from going to Karachi. "We are
asking Mr. Whitby-Smith to send you the papers that you require.
Kind regards and hope that we shall soon meet.
Telegram, dated the 23rd August 1903.
From— Colonel Kemball, Shiraz,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Your telegram of the 22 nd August. Letter referred to will probably
reach me 3rd September. Will it do if I am back Bushire end of September?
Telegram, dated the 26th August 1903
From—The Foreign Secretary, Simla,
To— Colonel Kemball, Shiraz.
Your telegram of 23 rd August. End of September will do.
Telegram, dated the 31st August 1903.
From— Colonel Kemball, Shiraz,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Confidential. Your telegram of the 22 nd instant. Viceroy’s tour. Letter
received. Proposal seems generally suitable. I have suggested some minor
modifications in my letter which should reach you 12th September.
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’ [263v] (525/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00007e> [accessed 6 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
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