Afghanistan and Persian Gulf Affairs

Content

This item comprises 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 39 of 1856, dated 27 May 1856. The enclosures are dated 22 March-23 May 1856.

The enclosures notably comprise the following:

A despatch from the Secretary to the Government of India to the Secretary 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. concerning the situation with regard to Herat and current Persian [Iranian] aggression against the town, and whether or not instructions from 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. debar the Government of India from all action in the matter. The despatch covers:

• The original request by Mahomed Yusuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf, also spelled Yoosuf and Yussuf in this item], Ruler of Herat, for Persian assistance against a feared attack by Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], and his dismissal of the Persian envoy who was sent to liaise with the Persian Army but actually joined them in their advance towards Ghorian [Ghurian or Ghoryan]
• The subsequent hoisting of the British flag in Herat and request of the Ruler and inhabitants of Herat for British money and an Agent to aid their resistance of the Persians, and the Government of India’s wish to disclaim any connection with those actions
• The Government of India’s belief that they cannot assist Herat as the Secret Committee’s instructions were based on Persia and Herat combining against Dost Mahomed Khan rather than Persia acting against both Herat and Candahar [Kandahar, also spelled this way in this item]
• Disapprobation by the Government of India of Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh] for effectively speaking in the name of the British Government on a matter of national importance by replying directly to Mahomed Yusuf that the British Government had no intention of interfering in Herat.

The enclosures also include:

• Copies of intelligence (ff 257-261) received by Jacob from the Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind relating to Herat (notably from sources in Kelat [Kalat]), and forwarded to the Governor of Bombay, reporting the besieging of Herat by the Persian Army, the apparent intention of Dost Mahomed Khan to send an army for its relief, the surrender of Mahomed Yusuf to the Persian force and the advance of a portion of the Persian Army towards Candahar against Dost Mahomed Khan
• Correspondence of Rear Admiral Sir Henry J Leeke, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy, with 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. , regarding which vessels should remain in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. during the monsoon season, including: Leeke’s strong recommendation that the Ajdaha and Semiramis be ordered back to Bombay [Mumbai] before the monsoon for repairs and that the Victoria is better suited for the Gulf; the Government of Bombay’s agreement that the Semiramis return to Bombay when the Victoria arrives at Bushire [Bushehr], but that the Ajdaha remains at Bushire on the express wishes of the 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.
• Correspondence of Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , with 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. , concerning a ‘venomous article’ in the Bombay Times on the supposed cause of the rupture between the British Mission at Tehran and the Persian Government, including his admonishment of Commodore Richard Ethersey, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , regarding the impropriety of naval officers discussing public questions in their private letters.

Extent and format

1 item (36 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 125

998 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/487

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/5/487, ff 244-279

Former external reference(s)

No. 39 of 1856

History of this record

Date(s)

27 May 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Naval vesselsForeign policyMilitary campaignsSiege warfareMilitary intelligencePropaganda, Anti-British

Places

HeratPersian Gulf

People & organisations

Government of IndiaCommissionerPolitical ResidentPersian ArmyGovernor of HeratSuperintendent of the Indian NavyGovernment of BombayDūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy

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Afghanistan and Persian Gulf Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 244-279, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100157091557.0x00000d> [accessed 9 August 2026]

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