![‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎275v] (549/949)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0562.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎275v] (549/949)")
‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [275v] (549/949)
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.
4
26
and I will arrange accordingly. There is now no separate Chief of Ras-al-
Kheima, which is under Shargah. There is hardly time now to do as you
direct about Sheikh Ahmed, unless Gaskin can ascertain from the man’s friends
in Bahrein. May I tell him, in this case, to invite him over, otherwise to
write privately and suggest his coming ? Please telegraph reply immediately
as I must send a letter to Bahrein at once. Addressed Poreign with Viceroy,
repeated Simla.
Telegram, dated the 8 th November 1903.
From—The Foreign Secretary, Camp Patiala,
To— Colonel Kemball, Bushire.
Please send word as from yourself to Ahmed-bin-Thani, that as Viceroy is
coming to Bahrein you advise him to take any opportunity of paying his
respects and stating his views which may occur while His Excellency is there.
Repeated Poreign, Simla.
^ ^ f
Dated Bombay, the 3rd November 1903.
From—The Officer Commanding H.M.S. Argonaut,
To—The Private Secretary to His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of
India.
I having been informed by the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the East
Indies Station that it is intended to hold two
Durbars
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 board this ship during
the approaching visit to the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
, I have the honour to request that
you will be good enough to inform me as to the member of His Excellency’s
suite who is responsible for the
Durbar
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).
arrangements, and whether he will
acquaint me of the arrangements which His Excellency desires to be made
for the above.
2 Telegram, dated the 8 th November 1903.
From—The Foreign Secretary, Viceroy’s Camp,
To—The Officer Commanding H.M.S. Argonaut, Bombay.
Viceroy is much obliged to Naval Commander-in-Chief for arranging that
Durbars
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).
at Maskat and Shargah should be held on Argonaut. I will explain at
Karachi what arrangements are necessary. Please let me know measurements
of clear space available on deck suitable for purpose, and if an awning can be
erected over this.
Telegram, dated the 7th November 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.
, Mascat,
To—The Foreign Secretary with Viceroy.
In addition to formal welcome at return visit, Sultan is anxious to make
short address to His Excellency at the beginning of
Durbar
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 man-of-war, in
which he will publicly testify to obligations of self and ancestors to the British
Government, and express determination of self and children to be ever mind
ful of the obligations and loyalty, strong and ancient ties which bind them to
us. Translation by post. I hope His Excellency will approve this proposal, as
the language is appropriate and will also give His Excellency convenient
opening for what he may have to say. Please telegraph whether proposal
provisionally acceptable or not. Addressed to Eoreign with Viceroy, and
repeated to Eoreign, Simla.
Telegram, dated the 8 th November 1903.
From—The Foreign Secretary, Viceroy’s Camp,
To—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.
, Maskat.
Proposal contained in your telegram of 7 th regarding Sultan’s address is
approved. Addressed to Cox, Maskat, repeated Eoreign, Simla.
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’ [275v] (549/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x000096> [accessed 28 August 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x000096
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_100093227830.0x000096">‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎275v] (549/949)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x000096"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0562.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