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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [279r] (556/949)
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.
33
Telegram, dated the 11th November 1903.
From—Mu. Grant Duff, Tehran,
To—The Viceroy, Viceroy's Camp.
Persian Government informs me officially that Ala-ed-Dowleh will receive
Viceroy, Bushire, December 2 nd. Salar Moazzam, Governor of Gulf Ports,
will receive Viceroy, November 22 nd at Bunder Abbas. Hussein Kuli Khan
Nawab
An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India.
will represent Persian Foreign Office and ranks with but after Governor
of Gulf Ports.
Telegram, dated the 10th November 1903,
From—The Secretary of State, London,
To—The Viceroy, Viceroy's Camp.
Your Secret Despatch No. 148 , dated September 17 th, visit to Persian
Gulf. Following summary of despatch dated November fc'th:—
Paragraph 1 .—Formal approval.
2. Accepts description of objects of visit, notes statement that possibly
only conventional declarations may be required, but that should modification
of existing arrangements appear necessary you will refer proposals to me.
3 . His Majesty’s Government agree visit will strengthen British interests
in Gulf, but feel sure you appreciate disadvantages resulting from any impres
sion that tour indicates intention on their part to alter status quo.
4 . Position at Maskat and Koweit is (? specially) difficult. At Maskat any
modification of Sultan’s status could require consent of other Powers. Koweit
Sheikh will inevitably press for further assurances, but international considera
tions govern situation. You are referred to telegram of 26 th August in regard
to permanent B.esident, and are reminded of necessity to bear in mind in
communications with Sheikh obligations imposed by our repeated admissions
that Koweit is within Turkish Empire. See despatch to British Ambassador,
Constantinople, 234 of August 20 th.
5. Expresses confidence in Your Excellency’s thorough appreciation of
force of these considerations.
No, 1171, u Hyacinth" at Bombay, the 9 th November 1903.
From-»-llEAR-A dmiral George Atkinson - Willes, Commanderdn-Chief, East
Indian Station,
To— The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
In reply to your letter of November 6th, I have the honour to offer the
following remarks for the consideration of His Excellency the Viceroy and
Governer-General of India:
<c Arrival of His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General at Miskat
at 11 A.M.” May I be informed if His Excellency’s proposal to arrive at Itas-el
Hadd at daylight has been abandoned, because the ships would not steam the
83 miles in less than 7 hours which would bring them off Maskat at 1 p.m.
On the Squadron approaching the Harbour a salute of 21 guns will be
fired by the Flagship. If the ships immediately dress on anchoring I submit
to His Excellency that the compliment will be taken to belong to the Sultan,
and therefore I would suggest that Dressing Ship shall mark every movement
from the ship to the shore of. His Excellency, and also the occasions on which
the Viceroy holds a
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).
. At other times Masthead flags only should be
displayed or the dignity of Dressing Ship for His Excellency will be lost.
Naval Officers will wear full Dress on the occasions of the
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
other times in harbour, they will wear Frock coat and epaulettes and cocked
hats with swords in cool weather, and its equivalent in weather which neces
sitates the white clothing being worn. Naval Full Dress is reserved for
occasions of great State.
On the Sultan of Maskat visiting the Viceroy,—all ships will parade a
Guard and the Hyacinth and Argonaut their bands. Each ship visited will fire
a salute of 21 guns on His Highness leaving that ship. One of t he Squadron will
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’ [279r] (556/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00009d> [accessed 12 July 2026]
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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