![‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎453v] (905/949)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0918.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎453v] (905/949)")
‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [453v] (905/949)
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.
2
See marginal remark on page 1.
I agree that no action need be taken at present. Both the courses suggested . by Major
Grey involve recognition of Maskat sovereignty over the peninsula, the reasons against which
” „ „ A , T „ policv are summed up in His Excellency’s Minute
See Pros., Secret E, November 1902, Nos. 7-21. c i rw\cw i u
of October 6 th, 190% (paragraph 4>). -Nothing has
since occurred to alter the force of His .Excellency's observations.
17-3-05. C. Somers Cocks.
17-3-05.
L Russell.
The letter of the Admiralty to the
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.
, dated 11th February 1905, is for informa
tion.
The question of the flags, if any, to bo flown on the flagstaffs recently erected in the
neighbourhood of Cape Musandim, will depend largely up ,n the decision of the point, to be
raised in connection with the Maskat Arbitration case, whether Cape Musandim and the
Maklab peninsula are included within the territory of the Sultan of Maskat or not. In view
of the fact that the hrench will challenge our position that this area is independent, it is un
fortunate that at any rate the reoccupction of the old telegraph buildings in Elphinstone In
let has not already been effected.
20-3-05.
S. M. Fraser.
^ Please telegraph to the Secretary of State :—
''.lot* 2 £ ft cc Admiralty letter to India OTice of llth February 1903.
you wish for our opinions either now or at a later stage ?”
21-3-05.
Flagstaffs on Musandim. Do
C[crzoN].
ftinvi'ZSJ
Telegram to His Majesty’s Secretary of State, No. 1213-E.B , dated 22nd March
1905.
Enquiring whether the opinion of the Government of India teas desired on the
Admiralty letter to the India Oflice, of the llth February 1905.regarding
flagstaff's on Musandim.
_ ^ ' '
i> 0 Endorsement to tub
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 Golf, No 1224-E B., dated thb
2 ’rd March 1905.
Forwarding for information a copy of the Admiralty letter to the
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.
.
’ / Telegram from the Secretary of State for India.
Makes certain comments with regard to the custody of the flagstaffs
Musandim. States that a despatch on the subject will follow by mail.
on
1 ending the receipt of the regular despatch a copy of the p 'esent reference may go, by
post, to the Political Reei lent in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
. Two of the flagstaffs are to be abandoned.
This presumably does not mean that they are to be removed : the p int is sure to be made
clear in the despatch, and the receipt of same may be awaited before any definite orders in the
matter are issued.
2. As for Lord Lansdowne's statement, to which reference is made, please see pages 87-
• See No. 2S7 in Secret E., July 1903, Nos. 286- 88 of Mr. Fraser’s “ Persian pledges.” The state-
287, , . _ ment in question was subsequently referred* to by
the Russian Ambassador in a conversation which he had with Lord Lansdowne. The statementf
t Copies m iy now go to Major Cox for ready re- itself has not been traced on any rec rded collection
ference. The statement itself might be reproduced c i.’L* n i l \ • i
and brought on to this file for ready reference ? tulS UepartmGQt nor has it OGGIl found that the
C. O’H. T.,- 5 - 4 - 05 . papersf were communicated to the Political Resi-
Yes.
6 - 4 - 05 . C. Soiiebs Cocks. dent in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
.
Draft below.
C. O’H. T.,—5-4-05.
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
Use and share this item
- Share this item
‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [453v] (905/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227832.0x00006a> [accessed 8 July 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227832.0x00006a
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227832.0x00006a">‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎453v] (905/949)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100093227832.0x00006a"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/Mss Eur F111_359_0918.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c3/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
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