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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎277v] (553/949)

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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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It is difficult to say what the population of Abu Dhabi is, but the town
itself may have a fluctuating population of not less than 4,000. The Chief’s
territories extend inland almost as far as Brymee, and his subjects and depen
dents including the townsfolk of Abu Dhabi may amount to between five and
six thousand. Besides this he may have some 5,000 Bedouins who owe him
allegiance but pay no tribute. There are some 50 Hindu traders living at Abu
Dhabi. Most of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi live by pearl fishin 0 *, date
growing and camel transport.
The only recent event of any importance in the history of Abu Dhabi is
the intrigue which was got up in 1899 between the Darya Begi, the Persian
Governor of Bushire, and Sheikh Zaid bin Khaleefa, having for its apparent
object the separation of the Abu Dhabi Chief from the other Trucial Chiefs.
The outward signs of this intrigue were the adoption of a special fla^ by the
Chief of Abu Dhabi and a tirman and presents from the Shah and Darya Begi.
The Chief was made to revert to his former flag and his apology in regard to
the other matter was accepted. Since then nothing of any particular Impor
tance has occurred as regards the Chief of Abu Dhabi. * 1
C. A. KEMBALL, Lieut.-Col.,
Offg. 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. .
P S .—I have not been able to ascertain from my records the exact date
of Shaikh Z a id’s succession. It appears that it was in 1855 that he ousted
Shaikh Syeed bin Tahnoon. My records do not show that Shaikh Sveed was
killed by Shaikh Zaid but I was informed by the Chief of Bahrein who is well
up m all matters pertaining to the Chiefs on the Arab Coast that this was the
case.
DEBATE.
., The present Chief is Sheikh Makhtoom bin Bashar of A 1 bu Falasah
tribe. This tribe is a branch of the Benivas and seceded fmm A bn Tibon;
The Chief is ambitious and somewhat given to intrigue.
2
C. A. KEMBALL, Lieut.-Col.,
OffU' 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. .

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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’ [‎277v] (553/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00009a> [accessed 8 July 2026]

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