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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎271r] (540/949)

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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. 2544-E. A., dated the 25th October 1903.
Endorsement by the Government of India, Foreign Department.
A copy of the foregoing telegram, with a copy of the telegram to which it
is a reply, is forwarded 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. for inform
ation and guidance.
Telegram, dated the 26th October 1903.
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, Maskat,
To-The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Your telegram demi-official 21st October. Average maximum tempera
ture 18 th November next about 77 and cool enough for ordinary uniform.
Draft programme by post.
Telegram, dated the 26th October 1903.
From—Sm A. Hardinge, His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, .
To—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla.
Governor-General of Pars who is travelling with a large retinue has asked
for more time to make his preparations and to reach the coast. Could your
Excellency so modify your programme as to visit Bunder Abbas on your way
hack and go straight from the Arab Coast to Bushire arriving there about two
or three days before December 2 nd. Governor-General would then take leave
of you at Bunder Abbas instead of at Bushire. We shall have to substitute
evening for midday entertainments as far as Persians are concerned as your
visit will be Ramazan. A representative of Persain Foreign Office has been
attached to Viceroy of Pars and leaves Tehran in few days’ time.
Telegram, dated the 27th October 1903.
From— Sir A. Hardinge, His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla.
Your telegram of yesterday. I am bringing one Secretary Churchhill.
Douglas meets me at Bushire. Would you like to see him ?
Persian Government wish Your Excellency to be their guest in Persian
Ports and are providing residence for you at Bushire and Bunder Abbas. I
have thanked them for this civility which you cannot, without hurting their
feelings, refuse.
Telegram, dated the 27th October 1903.
From—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla,
To— Sir A. Hardinge, His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran.
With reference to your telegram of 27 th October, I shall be glad to see
Douglas at Bushire. Wtih reference to the courteous offer of the Persian
Government of residences at Bunder Abbas and Bushire, could you explain
confidentially that Lady Curzon, who is accompanying me, is not in very
strong state of health, and cannot leave the ship, and accordingly I must not
leave her ? Moreover, I hope on some occasions to have the pleasure of enter
taining Persian authorities on board at night, and I could hardly go ashore
afterwards.
Telegram, dated the 28th October 1903.
From—-The Foreign Secretary, Simla,
To—His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, Bombav.
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, proposes that His Excellency the Viceroy should
cross from Karachi to near Ras-al-Hadd, and thence cruise up Oman Coast on
early morning of 18 th November. Can this be arranged ? It is also proposed
to hold the Darbars at Maskat and elsewhere on Argonaut. Will this be
convenient ?

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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’ [‎271r] (540/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00008d> [accessed 2 July 2026]

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