Persian Affairs and Persian Gulf Affairs

Content

This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 14 dated 16 Feburary 1856. The enclosures are dated 15 December 1855-14 February 1856.

The item comprises the following:

1) A copy of a despatch from Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy to Persia [Iran], situated at Kazneen [Qazvin] en route to Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copied for information to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. and Government of India. Murray requests instructions ‘requisite for the vindication of the honour of the British flag’ (f 192) following the rupture of diplomatic relations with Persia, and states his intention to remain at Tabreez, despite having received indirect indications that the Sedr Azim [Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam, Persian Prime Minister] wants a reconciliation.

2) Copies of despatches from Richard Stevens, British Consul in Tehran, to Murray, copied to the Government of India, reporting his activities and news since the departure of Murray, including:

• The offer to Stevens, by French Consul Nicolas Prosper Bourée, of French protection, and Bourée's denial that he has encouraged the Persian ministers against Murray
• Reports that the ruler of Herat expects an imminent attack from Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] (who has purportedly amassed a large force outside Candahar [Kandahar]), and has requested assistance from Tehran, including an extract of the Tehran Gazette stating that Persia intends to occupy Herat to avert Dost Mahomed Khan whom, it alludes, has British support
• Reports that the Persian Government plans to increase to 10,000 the number of forces in Khorassan [Khorasan] in response to Dost Mahomed Khan’s purported designs on Herat, and Stevens’s complaint to Meerza Seyd Khan [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Sa‘īd Khān Anṣārī, Mu’tamin al-Mulk], Minister for Foreign Affairs, concerning the appointment of Prince Sultan Moorad Meerza [Prince Sulṭān Murād Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. ] on a mission to Khorassan and Herat since the latter is alleged to have publicly insulted the Queen [Queen Victoria]
• Stevens’s protests at news of the seizure from ‘British Indians’ at Yezd [Yazd] and Kirman [Kerman] of wool intended for Bombay, by Persian authorities who declare it is prohibited
• A memorandum by Stevens on the present state of political relations between Britain and Persia, comparing the current situation to that in 1837-38, and suggesting that Britain should occupy Karrack [Kharg, also known as Khark], various places on the Gulf coast and inland cities in Persia, and noting that sending an Expeditionary Force may affect its war with Russia [Crimean War, 1853-1856]

3) Correspondence between the Secretary to the Government of India, Secretary to Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , and Commander James Felix Jones, Indian Navy, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire [Bushehr], concerning: the armed steamers Ajdaha and Victoria recently sent to Bushire as a demonstration of force to Persia; the nature and constitution of the force required in the event of an escalation of the diplomatic incident; agreement that the despatch of troops is not currently warranted; and which ships of war can be sent back to Bombay if unrequired at Bushire.

Extent and format

1 item (38 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 124

1014 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/486

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

Access & Reference

Original held at

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.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/PS/5/486, ff 189-226

History of this record

Date(s)

16 Feb 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Diplomatic protestsWool tradePolitical informationPolitical conflictsSecurity measuresBilateral relationsMilitary operationsDiplomacy

Places

PersiaPersian GulfHerat

People & organisations

HM Ambassador to IranSecretary of State for Foreign AffairsPrime Minister to the Shah of PersiaGovernment of BombayGovernment of IndiaGovernment of PersiaPolitical ResidentKing of AfghanistanBritish Consul GeneralNicolas Prosper Bourée

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Persian Affairs and Persian Gulf Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/486, ff 189-226, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100129828683.0x00000c> [accessed 17 July 2026]

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