![‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎365v] (729/949)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0742.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎365v] (729/949)")
‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [365v] (729/949)
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.
The roadstead south of the harbour in which are south-east and south coves
is free from danger, but open to the Sharml and therefore not a good anchorage.
South cove is protected from sea-ward and would afford anchorage tor torpedo
boat destroyers, &c., hut is too limited for larger vessels At both these coves
there is level ground for about 150 yards to the foot of t e c i s.
2 . I would respectfully submit that this harbour is excellently fitted for
a flying naval base in the event of naval operations in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
.
In addition to its natural advantages as an anchorage given above, it also
appears to me to possess tbe following from a tactical pom o \ lew.
(1) The great advantage fora flying base of possessing two entrances
easily navigable by day or night. . #
(2) Good look-out and signal stations from the neighbouring ml s.
(3) Protected by high land all round from gun fire, except immediately
opposite the entrance.
( 4 ) Easily defended against attack by land, though such an operation
would not presumably be undertaken against a fhing base.
( 5 ) Sufficient level ground in Seedie Bay for the erection of temporary
hospitals, store-places, or workshops.
( 6 ) Easily capable of a basty defence. With regard to this, heavy guns
could be landed and mounted on pier point which would cover the whole of
the northern entrance. The defence of the southern entrance would be more
difficult. The best place for improvised batteries would, in my opinion, be south
east cove where there is a level space for a sufficient number of heavy guns ;
at all other points the cliffs and hills are too steep and high for heavy (4 and
above) guns to be mounted without great difficulty. Light guns could be put
anywhere. Guns could not be mounted on the hills facing and commanding
the south entrance of the harbour without great difficulty and the woik carried
on without interruption. Guns could be mounted in south cove, but would
fvply command the extreme western side of the harbour. In my opinion the
harbour could be defended with observation mines, good stations for which,
perfectly concealed, could be made in the various gullies running into the
hills.
Foreign Office Press—No. 3^3—4-2«04r—-44
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’ [365v] (729/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227831.0x000082> [accessed 20 July 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227831.0x000082
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_100093227831.0x000082">‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎365v] (729/949)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227831.0x000082"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0742.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