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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎393r] (784/949)

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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. .

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Telegram prom the Political Huxidf.nt in teb Peestan Gulf,
10m) December IwOl.
DATED THE
9th (received
Repeats a telegram from Major Sykes, stating that certain advances have leen made to the
Mission, and asking how these are to be met. Resident enquires whether he can repay
these and subsequent advances debiting amounts in the accounts of his treasury which are
to be adjusted in India on return of the Mission.
Telegram from His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Kerman, dated the 9th (received 10th)
December 1904.
States that the Mission arrived at Sirjan safely on the 25th November last.
Our letter No. 4056-E. A., dated the 3rd December 1904, has not bad time to reach
Kerman yet.
In the letter referred to we have placed a sum of Rs. 11,000 at Major Svke’s disposal,
these advances can be met from this grant.
The draft below to the Resident may issue.
G. M. C.,—10-12-1904.
The telegram may issue.
I also put up a draft to the Chamber. I do not think it is necessary to take any notice
of points in Mr. Newcomen’s letter which have not been pressed on us by the Chamber, e.g.,
that about the Toshakhana. Nor need we take any extracts from the Hie for other files, such
as Henjam-Bunder Abbas extension.
A. Fremantle,— 12-12-1904.
L. Russell,— 12-12-1904.
Issue.
S. M. Fraser,— 12-12-1904.
Telegram 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. at Bushire, No. 4166-E.
DATED THE 12th DECEMBER 1904.
Informs him that Rs. 11,000 has been placed at the disposal of Major Sykes for expenses
Advances should be met therefrom.
Letter to W. Shakespbar, Esq., Acting Secretary, Upper India Chamber of Commerci, (pTrtsAjfnl
Cawnpors, No. 4193-E. A., dated the 14th December 1904. y /
Acknowledges, with remarks, Mr. Newcomen’s first report.
The Finance Department may perhaps be supplied with a copy of the present corre
spondence.
Draft below.
G. M. C.,—15-12-1904.
R. W. S.,—15-12-1904.
A. Fremantle,— 16-12-1904.
L. Russell,— 17-12-1904.
Tblegram from Mr. A. Gleadowe Newcomer, President of the Commercial Mission, to nyirv^o
Persia, dated the 17th (received 19th) Decbmber 1904.
States that the Mission has arrived at Kerman. Thanks Major Sykes for arrangements.
For information. No orders. This may be included in the endorsement in which we
are sending copies to Finance Department.
G. M. C.,—19-12-1904.
R. W. S.,—19-12-1904.
A. Fremantle,— 19-12-1904.
L. Russell,— 20-12-1904.
Endorsement to the Finance and Commerce Department, No. 4S11-E. A., dated the 22nd
December 1904.
Norwards, for information, a copy of the foregoing correspondence.

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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
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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎393r] (784/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227831.0x0000b9> [accessed 11 July 2026]

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