![‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎291v] (581/949)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0594.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎291v] (581/949)")
‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [291v] (581/949)
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.
2
6'8
«
You have called attention to other symptoms of Indian interest in Bunder
Abbas. My Government is represented here by an officer, appointed for the
first time since I came to India, to safeguard the interests of British Indian trade
in this place, and I am glad to learn from you that bis arrival has been followed
by an extension in certain aspects of your business, and that you have already
derived benefit from his labours. It is to be remembered that Bunder Abbas
though it has been shorn of much of its ancient fame, is the starting point from
which almost immemorial caravan routes penetrate far into the interior, carry
ing what are for the most part British and Indian goods to the great towns of
Central Persia on the north and west, and to the bazars of Khorasan, Afghanistan,
and Central Asia on the north-east and east. This is a very important outpost,
therefore, of Indian trade.
Again, let it be remembered that India is no remote country which is here
busying itself at a great distance from its base. On the contrary, we are the
nearest neighbours of Persia along her entire eastern frontier, firstly in the
territories of Baluchistan, and next in those of the Afghan ruler, whose foreign
relations are in our hands. Countries and Powers which are thus placed in
relation to each other can hardly fail to develop, and ought to encourage, the
closest connections; and the more that those who are responsible for their
administration see of each other and learn of each other’s views and needs, the
better must it be for both.
I think that I have said enough, therefore, to show that if it is a novel
thing, it is yet no unnatural thing, that the Viceroy of India should come here
to pay you a visit, and .to see how Indian interests and Indian subjects are farino-
in this allied and adjacent country. Perhaps in my own case the justification
is not weakened by the fact that I have for many years taken a deep interest in
Persia, and have always entertained the warmest desire that the ancient friend
ship between the British Government and the illustrious Sovereign of this
country should be strengthened and deepened as time goes on.
Gentlemen, I concur with you in thinking that it would be a great
advantage to you to be connected by telegraph with the outer world; and
nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be instrumental, with the good
offices of the Persian Government, in bringing about such a consummation.
. In conclusion let me offer you my best wishes for your continued and
increasing prosperity in the future.
i
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’ [291v] (581/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x0000b6> [accessed 16 July 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x0000b6
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_100093227830.0x0000b6">‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎291v] (581/949)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227830.0x0000b6"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0594.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