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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [379r] (756/949)
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.
ance to the report of the words used by the Customs officials, the letter is use-"
ful as showing the views held by the people of Lingah in the matter.
6 . The Government of India will remember that last year I brought, to
notice the possibility of the Persians attempting to take possession of the island
of Bu Moosa vide my letter No. 3, dated the 12 th January 1903 In view of
this letter and the correspondence which followed, it is not necessary for me to
say anything more now regarding the undoubted rights of the Joasmis to the
ownership of these islands.
It is possible that when the Chief of Shargah comes to hear of the action
at Bu Moosa he may take his own measures to assert his rights, though I think
it is more probable that he will appeal to us for redress. It is in my opinion
of urgent importance that steps should at once be taken to remove the Persian
signs of ownership from the islands of Tamb and Bu Moosa.
[Confidential.]
Dated Bushire, the 9th April 19(H.
From— Commander C. R. Rowsell, R.I.M., Commanding R. I. M. S. Lawrence,
To— Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, C.I.E., Officiating
Political Resident
A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency.
in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
,
In compliance with the request contained in your No. 311 of 1901, dated
Bushire, 1st April 1901, I have the honor to report that I landed on the island
of Tamb on the 8 th instant and found that a new flagstaff had been erected
there and that the Persian flag was flying on it. The Persian Customs guards
were there. They produced a letter, in French and Persian, copy of which is
herewith forwarded, as their authority. They informed me that they had been
placed there on or about the 31st March by the Moznfferi, and that Customs
guards had also been posted on the island of Abu Musa, by the same vessel. I
gathered the following information from Arabs resident on the island.
Tliat Muhammad Said was in charge of the Joasmi flag, which was hoisted
on the island at the time of the Mozaff'eri’s arrival. He was one of the Sheikh
of Debai’s men and he had with him two of the Sheikh's servants who were in
charge of horses and donkeys which the Sheikh had placed there. The Mo-
zafferis people pulled down the flag and flagstaff, and threw the flag aside, and
told the Sheikh’s men to leave the island, which they did, taking with them
the Sheikh’s horses. They left in a
buggalow
Large trading vessel.
a few days ago.
I personally inspected the old flagstaff, which was lying on the ground, and
considerable force must have been used to pall it down as it was planted in a
firm cement foundation.
The residents appeared very anxious that the Customs guard should he
removed, and the latter themselves said they were quite willing that I should
take them away from the island.
Translation.
Dated Tamb, 31st March HOk
His Excellency the Director of all Persian Customs in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
has appointed Ali and his companion (Afra) as guards at flie Island (lamb).
They should he recognised as the Customs officials.
It is bv order of His Majesty MozafFer*ud Din, the Shah of Persia.
C. DAMBRAIN.
3
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’ [379r] (756/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227831.0x00009d> [accessed 11 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