Sind Affairs: Matters Relating to Sind, Kelat and Afghanistan

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. 15 dated 16 February 1856. The enclosures are dated 14 January-4 Feburary 1856.

The papers comprise two reports forwarded by Henry Bartle Edward Frere, Commissioner in Sind [Sindh], to the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, as follows:

• The annual report on the ‘Political State of the Province of Sind’ for the year 1855, by Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind, 4 January 1856 (ff 229-231). Frere commends Jacob for the ‘tranquil’ state of the West and North West Frontiers and the treaty with Khan of Kelat [Kalat], and welcomes the ascendancy of Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] at Kandahar especially since it has led to the ‘restoration of order’, the reduction of ‘excessive duties’, and the encouragement of trade and commerce
• Extracts of the ‘Digest of Intelligence of the Customs Department, Kurrachee [Karachi]’, 10-31 December 1855 (ff 234-241), notably recommending that now is a good time to suggest to Ameer [Emir] Dost Mahomed Khan a reduction in ‘oppressive duties’ (especially on wool) levied on the import trade at Candahar [Kandahar], in order to boost commerce.

Also included are a Resolutions of the Board approving of Jacob’s report, and forwarding extracts, or portions, of the Customs Department digest to the Government of India and other relevant departments and authorities.

Extent and format

1 item (16 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 227-242

History of this record

Date(s)

16 Feb 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Political informationCustoms duty

Places

SindCandahar

People & organisations

CommissionerPresident and Governor of Bombay in CouncilPolitical SuperintendentKing of Afghanistan

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Sind Affairs: Matters Relating to Sind, Kelat and Afghanistan, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/486, ff 227-242, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100129828683.0x00000d> [accessed 15 July 2026]

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