Persia Affairs

Content

This part of the volume consists of copies of 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. , 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. , Number 12 of 1850, dated 27 February 1850.

The enclosed papers, dated 6 November 1849 to 2 January 1850, concern affairs in Persia [Iran]. They comprise despatches from Justin Sheil, British Envoy and Minister to the Court of Persia, and William Taylour Thomson, British Chargé d'Affaires in Tehran, to Viscount Palmerston [Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston], Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Copies of these despatches are sent 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 the Government of India.

Several matters are covered by the papers, including:

• Sheil’s overland journey to Persia and his arrival in Tabreez [Tabriz, also spelled Tabriez in this item]
• Sheil’s conversations with Prince Bahman Meerza [Bahman Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Qājār] in exile in Teflis [Tbilisi]
• Relations between the Russians and Circassians, Russian military strength along the Kuban frontier, and recent outbreaks of conflict
• Sheil’s diplomatic engagements with Persian officials
• News from the civil war in Khorassan [Khorasan] and British efforts of mediation
• Progress of the Turco [Ottoman Iraq]-Persian Boundary Commission
• Relations between Russia and Persia, including Russian demands to build a military hospital in Persian territory
• Sheil’s assessment of the Persian Government and country in general
• Unrest in the city of Ispahan [Isfahan]
• Relations between the Imam i Joomeh [Emām-e Jomʿa] in Tehran and the Persian Prime Minister
• Conflict in the province of Asterabad [Golestan]
• The lifting of the siege of Bushire [Bushehr].

Extent and format

1 item (37 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 101

1378 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/463

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/5/463, ff 119-155

Former external reference(s)

No. 12 of 1850

History of this record

Date(s)

27 Feb 1850 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

DiplomacyFrontiersPolitical affairsBilateral relations

Places

Persia

People & organisations

HM Chargé d'Affaires to IranHM Ambassador to IranSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

Persia Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/463, ff 119-155, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100149251877.0x00000a> [accessed 7 July 2026]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100149251877.0x00000a

IIIF details

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_100000000319.0x000116/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content