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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [391v] (781/949)
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
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1
[ ]
I agree in tlie proposed draft telegram to Major Sykes. Please telegraph to Foreign with
Viceroy as follows: —
Upper India Chamber of Commerce write that after enquiry in Bombay and on arrival in
Persia Newcomen proposes that Mission instead of following previously proposed itinerary
through scantily populated country from Bampur vid Magas and Kuhak to Gwadur, should
visit 0 Yezd, and return thence either (1) vid Shiraz and Bushire or (2) vid Narmeshir or
Bampur through Rudbar District to Jask. They request issue of telegraphic orders _ to
Newcomen, care of Consul at Kerman. We propose to telegraph to Sykes as follows Begins.
Please inform Mr. Newcomen with reference to his proposed change of itinerary that object or
Mission is to examine Kerman Province and South-hastern Persia. Government ha\e no
objection to modification of original itinerary decided by him after consultation with you—
provided it covers that ground. Proposal to visit Shiraz or Bushire is contrary to oiiginal
idea. Ends.
2. Then please speak as to the remaining points referred to in the Chamber’s letter.
L. Russell,— 3-12*1904.
Telegram, dated the 3rd December 1904.
From—Foreign, Calcutta,
To—The Foreign with Viceroy, Viceroy’s Camp.
Upper India Chamber of Commerce write that after enquiry in Bombay and on arrival in
Persia Newcomen proposes that Mission, instead of following previously proposed itinerary
through scantily populated country from Bampur vid Magas and Kuhak to Gwadur, should
visit Yezd, and return thence either (1) vid Shiraz and Bushire or (2) vid Narmeshir or Bampur
through Rudbar District to Jask. They request issue of telegraphic orders to Newcomen, care
of Consul at Kerman. We propose to telegraph to Sykes as follows :— Begins : —
Please inform Mr. Newcomen with reference to his proposed change of itinerary that
object of M ission is to examine Kerman Province and South-Eastern Persia. Government
have no objection to modification of original itinerary decided hy him after consultation with
you—provided it covers that ground. Proposal to visit Shiraz or Bushire is contrary to
original idea. Ends.
As this is a Commercial Mission, I think we should allow them to vary their route, if they
think that a change will promote their object, provided that—
{a) The change is compatible with the aid promised by Government in the way of
protection, which involves that
(£) The consent of the Persian Government is given to furnishing the same escort.
Major Cox may be consulted on these two points. The telegram may be repeated to
Major Cox, down to the word “ Karman,” and then proceed: —
“We see no objection provided, first, change of route involves no serious difficulty to
Government of India in affording the same facilities for protection and transport; secondly,
Persian Government consent and furnish similar escort throughout. Please give your opinion
after consulting Sykes.” If Major Cox agrees we shall then have to gain the concurrence of
the Persian Government through the Legation, Tehran.
S. M. Erases, —4-12-19 04.
!
I agree.
A [mpih ill], —4-12-1904.
His Excellency has agreed to the following addition being made to the above telegram.
After the words “ we have no objection ” insert “ provided firstly that it is borne in mind
that primary object of tour is to explore commercially South-East Persia. Visit to Yezd
would be useful, but visit to Shiraz or Bushire seems inconsistent with this object.”
The other two conditions will be introduced as “ secondly ” and “ thirdly.”
S. M. PEiSER,— 6-12-1904.
fyyw® /--i Tklegeam to the
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.
, No. 4032-E. A., dated thb
• ^ / 6th Deckmbie 1904.
Agrees to the proposed plans of the Uptper India Chamler of Commerce on certain conditions
and ask for his opinion after consulting Major Sykes.
G. I. C. P. O.—No. 3100 F. D.—23-12.1904.-33—B. S. W.
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’ [391v] (781/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227831.0x0000b6> [accessed 11 August 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