‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [280r] (558/949)
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.
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35
Telegram No. 2712-E.-A., dated the 14th November 1903.
From—Foreign, Simla,
To—The Admiral, Bombay.
^ /d2
No. 2712 -E. A. Your letter No. 1171 , November 9 th. Ceremonial in
connection with Viceroy’s tour. Sheikh of Hamriyeh not entitled to salute.
No. 860, dated Simla, the 18th November 1903.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India, Military (Marine) Department,
To—His Excellency Rear Admiral George L. Atkinson Willes, Commanding
His Majesty's Naval Forces, East Indian Station.
His Majesty’s ships Hyacinth, Argonaut, Fox*
Pomone.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s letter
No. 1171 , dated 9 th November 1903 , stating that at the request of the Gov
ernment of India the ships named on the
margin will accompany the Viceroy on
His Excellency’s forthcoming cruise in
the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
, and enquiring whether the coal used by these ships between
the dates of leaving Karachi for the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
, and finally leaving the Gulf
will be paid for out of Indian funds. The concurrence of the Government of
India is also requested to the substitution of His Majesty’s 'Bomone for His
Majesty’s ship Perseus as a subsidised vessel during the cruise.
2 . In reply I am to say that the cost of the coal consumed by the vessels
named while employed in connection with His Excellency the Viceroy's cruise
will be borne by Indian funds. The Government of India also accept the
charge for the collier which it has been found necessary to order to the Gulf.
3 . I am to add that the Government of India also agree to the proposed
substitution of the Pomone for the Perseus as a subsidised vessel for the
period of the cruise.
Memo, by Officiating Assistant Secretary to the Government of India, Marine Department.
/A 3
Copy of the above forwarded to—
The Foreign Department,
The Finance Department,
Director, Royal Indian Marine, Examiner of Marine Accounts, Account
ant-General, Military Department, in continuation of Marine
Department telegram No. 859 , dated the 12th November 1903 .
Telegram, dated the 14th 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.
, Maskat,
To—*The Foreign Secretary, Viceroy’s Camp.
Sultan is anxious that his brother, Muhammad, being so much older
should take precedence for present purposes over Taimur, so as not to make
jealousy. Addressed Foreign with Viceroy, repeated Simla.
Telegram, dated the 15th November 1903.
/VaT
From—The Foreign with Viceroy, Karachi,
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.
Your telegram 14 th November. No objection to Sultan’s brother taking
precedence over Taimur.
Addressed
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, repeated Foreign ; Simla.
Telegram, dated the 15th 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.
, Maskat,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Viceroy’s Camp.
If possible, please provide for 200 persons at
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).
from Maskat itself.
Addressed to Foreign with Viceroy, repeated to 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
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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [280r] (558/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x00009f> [accessed 30 June 2026]
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- 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
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