!['Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎31v] (67/131)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0002fd/Mss Eur F111_299_0067.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎31v] (67/131)")
'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [31v] (67/131)
The record is made up of 1 volume (62 folios). It was created in 1897-1898. 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.
Many of the Malias also all over the country come to camp and the head Mullas have*
been gooYenough to invite my clerks to their houses, entertain them and send kindly presents
of fruit, etc., and enquiries for myself.
17. After the stormy events of the past six months it is quite a relief to be able to report
a cessation of all hostility, opposition, etc., and a general peaceful state of a ans.
IK The mortality amonsrst my camels continues. From post-mortems made it
appears' thf cause of death /due to tuberculous disease of the lungs, associated with acute
inflammation of the cardiac sack. „ „ . . ,
19 There is a report current here that the Hashmat-u -Mulk, Governor of Seistan and
Tabas, has lost or may lose the Governorships of both places and that the Governor of
Nishapur may possibly be appointed.
It is currently reported too that he has left Tabas, having duly handed over to another
and is proceeding to Mashad.
Some 40 000 Krans under charge of Pasand Khan of Sehkoh and others have been sent
by urgent despatch to meet him, required possibly as piskish to square matters on arrival at
Muitihad head Mulla also received a letter from Ali Akbar requesting him-the
Mulla—to write an appeal on his behalf with all the seals attached of the eis an clei gy,
stating « that the Hashmat-ul-Mulk being a most merciful man, a kind Governor, etc., etc.,
cannot be held accused of Darwish Khan's murder."
The head Mulla—report states— appears to have “ put back his ears and kicked ” at
this request and emphatically declined to do so.
Beino- independent of Governors and holding a Royal Warrant for his glebe and lands
he can well do so, as also can the High Priests of Banjar and Killa Nao who possess a similar
Royal
Firman
A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’).
. - .
20. The health of the party continues satisfactory with the exceptions noted : to-night
beino* the anniversary of our six months' absence is being celebrated by the men, they have
sacriliced 3 sheep and are now enjoying the banquet with song, etc., very merry and quite
happy.
21. Havino* carried out all the political, professional and other duties, deemed advisable
durino’ our six months' stay and travelled every acre of the country, which has enabled me to
compile very complete statistics on all subjects of interest, both political and strategical, as
well as a thorough survey, there does not appear to me to be any special cause for my remain
ing any longer in the country.
22. In anticipation of recall, during the past six weeks, all necessary supplies to carry the
party up to Kondi or Amir Chah have been stored at Robat and the Agent to the Governor-
General, Quetta, has been advised as to the laying oat supplies up to that place. The only
difficulty that possibly may arise in case of any further delay in the country is the transport
supply. At this period of the year all available camels are employed on
Kafila
A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers.
duty and leave
the country, and unless I make some arrangements beforehand, it would be very difficult to
ensure that, when required, they would be forthcoming.
G. W. BRAZIER-CREAGH, Surgeon-Major,
Army Medical Staff, On Special Duty, Seistan*
About this item
- Content
The volume is Report on The Mission to Seistan by Surgeon-Major George Washington Brazier-Creagh, 1897. The report is based on a return journey to, and tours of, the Seistan [Sistan] region of eastern Persia [Iran] between April and October 1897. The report, marked confidential, was printed at the Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India, in 1898.
The objective of the mission was ostensibly to investigate the risk of the plague spreading into Seistan from Baluchistan, but this was largely a cover for intelligence gathering, particularly with regard to Russian activity in the region.
The first part of the report consists of five chapters that cover the following matters:
- Their journey from Quetta to Nasratabad [Zabol], Seistan
- Their arrival in Nasratabad and reception by the Deputy Governor, Mir Mahsum Khan [Mīr Ma‘ṣūm? Khān]
- Local politics and administration
- The closing of the trade routes between Seistan and British India (now Pakistan) by the Persian Government under the suspected influence of Russia
- Russian influence and propaganda in the region more generally
- Criticism of elements of the Perso-Baluch Boundary Commission
- Raids on merchants along the Quetta-Seistan trade route
- The postal system along the Quetta-Seistan route
- British treatment of refugees of regional conflicts
- British strategical policy in the region, particularly in light of Russian activities and with reference to railway construction.
The second part of the volume consists of eleven appendices containing the following information (often tabulated):
- Genealogical charts of the region’s tribes and powerful families
- Meteorological data
- Topographical data
- Details of water sources
- Lists of villages.
The appendices section also contains copies of some of Brazier-Creagh’s diary entries and correspondence written during the mission, as well as letters from local officials and leaders.
At the back of the volume are the following plans:
- ‘Plan Showing the Waterways & Distribution of Helmund Delta’ (folio 62)
- ‘Nasratabad Fort’ (folio 63).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (62 folios)
- Arrangement
The report is arranged in chapters, each dealing with a different theme or subject, followed by a section of appendices.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 202; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: An additional printed pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 6-64.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [31v] (67/131), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/299, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100109273608.0x000043> [accessed 14 August 2026]
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- Reference
- Mss Eur F111/299
- Title
- 'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:16v, 17v:27r, 28v:31v, 33v:61v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence