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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [367r] (732/949)
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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No. 50 of 1904.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.
SECRE T.
External.
The Risht Hon’ble St. JOHN BRODRICE,
Sia Majesty's Secretary of State for India.
Sir,
Fort Willie m, the 3rd March 1904.
In continuation of our Secret despatch No. 16 (External), dated the
21st January 1904, we have the honour to forward, for your information, a copy
No. 1171 , dated the 19 th January 1904 , with of the marginally noted communication
enclosure. £ r0rn ;N ava j Commander-in-Chief,
East Indies Station, forwarding a copy of a report on Khor Kawi. The
information now furnished confirms the view expressed in paragraph 5 of our
despatch of the 21st January.
2. With reference to Commander Kemp’s remark, about the presence of a
Wali of the Sultan of Maskat in Kamzar, we would invite attention to the
account, which is given of this place and of the nature of its connection with
Maskat, in Major Cox’s letter No. 290, dated 2nd July 1902, which formed
an enclosure of our Secret despatch No. 192 (External) of 23rd October 1902.
Then, as now, there was apparently no regular Wali, hut the elders acknowledged
the sovereignty of the Sultan of Maskat, though they paid no dues, and the
Sultan’s authority was so shadowy and ineffective that both Colonel Kemball
and Major Cox considered that it might he ignored, and in this view we con
curred. At any rate, our present proposals do not involve any interference
with the status quo at Kamzar, which is situated on the northern face of the
Mussandim promontory and at some distance from Khor Kawi.
3. It appears from Commander Kemp’s report that the Khor is admirably
suited for a flying naval base, and we have no hesitation in endorsing our
former recommendation that early steps should be taken to secure this base for
our own purposes by planting a flagstaff on Sheep Island which encloses the
Khor on the w’est.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servants,
(Signed)
CURZON.
5>
KITCHENER
T. RALEIGH.
»*
E. F.-G. LAW.
It
E. R. ELLES.
>1
A. T. ARUNDEL.
»
DENZIL IBBETSON.
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’ [367r] (732/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227831.0x000085> [accessed 15 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