‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [408r] (814/949)
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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J / ' /
No. 270, dated Kerman, the 15th September (received 20th October) 19M
From Major P. M. Sykes, C.M.G., His Britannic Maiestv’s
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department erm1 ”’
In continuation of my N 0 26fTof 1904, and in reply to your telegram ^ ^ 7
giving details of constitution and itinerary of Commercial Mks.Vm T i ' "?, ^
honour to attach an estimate which should cancel former ones ’ 1 h the
If the personal baggage of the Mission be reasonable'in amount this
estimate should cover all expenses. “uiuuni;, ims
Section I.
Kerman to Bunder Abbat.
Khan Bahadur Asghar Ali, 4 mules at 5 krans per day, for 25 days
Hospital Assistant, 4 mules, ditto, ditto
Medicines, &c., 2 mules
Sowars (Indian), 3 (1 extra mule for rations)
Escort of 4 Persian soldiers, at 5 krans par day
4 mules for ditto
4 Persian sowars, at 18 krans per day
3 farrashes' outfit, krans 50 each
Pay of ditto, at 2 krans per day
3 mules for farrashes
Guides, &c.
Krs.
500
500
250
375
125
500
450
150
150
375
100
3,475
Section II.
Halt at Bunder Abbas.
(No exact estimate possible, but allow for 10 days.)
Kts.
Hire of 20 mules, for 10 days ... ... ... 1,000
Pay of 4 soldiers, at 5 krans per day ... ... ... 50
Pay of 4 soldiers, at 18 krans per day ... ... ... 180
Pay of 3 farrashes, at 6 krans per day ... ... ... 60
Outfit of 3 more farrashes to complete total of six, at 50 krs. ... 150
E a y ditto about 5 days ... ... ... 30
Cost of transport of gear from beach to quarantine camp and other
minor expenses ... ... ... ... 200
1,670
Section III.
Bunder Abbas to Kerman.
(Time 45 days.)
Pay of 6 farrashes, at 12 krans per day ... •••
Hire of 40 camels for transport, tents, forage, water, &c., at 3
krans per day ... ...
20 mules, at 100 krans per day
4 soldiers, at 5 krans per day ...
4 sowars (Persian), at 18 krans per day
Guides, &c.
Krs.
540
5,400
4,500
225
810
200
11,675
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’ [408r] (814/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/universal-viewer/81055/vdc_100093227832.0x00000f> [accessed 2 July 2026]
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- 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
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- Open Government Licence
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