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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎266v] (531/949)

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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. .

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No. 148 of 1303.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.
SECRET.
External.
To
The Eight Hon’ble LOED GEOEGE F. HAMILTON, G.C.S.I.,
His Majesty's Secretary of State for India.
Simla, the 17 th September 1903 .
My Lord,
I have already had the honour to inform Your Lordship that it is
my desire to pay a visit in the forthcoming autumn to Maskat and the Persian
Gulf, in order to inspect the Indian establishments that are maintained in those
parts, to visit the Arab Sheikhs who are in Treaty relations with the British
Government, and to testify to the paramount political and commercial ascendency
that is exercised by Great Britain in those waters. Though I have reason to
believe that His Majesty’s Government are not opposed to this suggestion, I
desire to submit it to Your Lordship for official approval.
2 . I propose to leave India in the middle of November in a vessel of the
Eoyal Indian Marine, and I have been informed by the Admiral of the East
Indian Squadron that it is his intention to escort me upon the journey.
3. I have learned by telegram from Your Lordship that Sir A. Hardinge,
His Majesty’s Minister at Tehran, is also contemplating a visit to the Persian
Gulf at the same time: and I hope that he may be able to join me in my visits
to the principal Persian Ports.
4 . In Persian territory I shall not be called upon to do more than exchange
civilities with the Persian officials, and consult with the officers of the Indian
Government who are stationed at the principal ports, concerning the due
maintenance of British and Indian interests and trade in those regions.
5. On the opposite or Arabian shore of the Gulf, it does not seem likely
that any fresh arrangements will be required with the Trucial Chiefs or with
the Sheikh of Bahrein who are already under engagements with us that practi
cally constitute a British Protectorate. It is not impossible that the Sheikh
of Koweit may desire some more definite agreement than that which has so far
been concluded with him. On the other hand, the status of the Sultan of
Maskat is determined by international treaties and does not appear at present to
be susceptible of modification.
6. In none of these cases would it be right or proper that I should anti
cipate the consent of His Majesty’s Government to any new arrangements or
undertakings; and it may well be that at no point of my journey will any but
conventional declarations or assurances be required. These are matters upon
which I shall not be in a position authoritatively to advise Your Lordship until
I have heard from the Eesident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
7. In the meantime, however, I address this letter to Your Lordship, in
case His Majesty’s Government should desire to favour me with any instruc
tions as to the subjects which I should examine, or the manner in which I
should proceed.
I have the honour to be,
Mr Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient, humble servant,
(Signed) CUEZON.

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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
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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎266v] (531/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x000084> [accessed 20 August 2026]

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