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An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman [‎271r] (551/1291)

The record is made up of 2 files (630 folios). It was created in 1898-1914. It was written in English and Persian. 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. .

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4.
wsjn't to do had that way tor he had been watching the hooka
witr. me for many months, so he said it uy any accident he didn't
deserve to lose the three rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. this week he had deserved to
oe docked of more than that every week for many a. day so that
ne might think himself jolly lucky to get on so cheap, it
r'mains to oe seen whether there is any improvement. In any
case I expect his days also are numoered l We have never
greatly liked him so that we shan't tret from that point of view
out one is reluctant to ily from the ills we know to others
thfct we know not of.
Jr{<>
it
Zwomer is oack again from Baghdad, full of vigour and
life; it is pleasant to have him again, Mrs Mylrea loaves
on February 4th and we are trying to realise what the place will
do like wnen are ootn goxie. She is off to Japan to
visit a Missionary sister there and when he can get away from
the Gulf her husband will follow her and pick nor up. He
is leaving this quite soon out is to spemd a short time in
Basra before going home.
We are having some more heavy rain, out I am glad to say
one roofs seem, water-tight; the only drip a so far ar in the
verandahs.
The weather is fairly cold/now, and we are very gl^ d of
our Stove; it proves most effective and warms even this Dig room
vory wel!; 31tUilg oloae t0 lt you ca „ get , a hot aj
ma io looks very pleasant and cheery,,
We hsvo had no aord from Sir Pnroy Oox about Baghdad, but
U wouM “ ^. N63ta haV '* " rUtn “ letters;
it 811 hRV0 be!> “ glf ’ d f ‘ uoul Colonel Cox's K.C.I.E;
one's t! 0 d? U0 her<a &m s" s 1 3 “ 0 ' u<1 a!i 't t “ t °‘ 1B ' 3 feaentment toaf-rds
one s godfathers and godmothres Decomes acute. Isn't it
fortunate that Sir Gordon and Sir Lockhart Doth sound so ^11.
I expect Mama, had it in mind I '
a Ro-n^o R ? ?i" r° at Gilthu3i& - atic lettor ^om Miss Penrose and
gre ztt uL an n 1116 S - C - R ' 0ur they seem
?ing deni-a M^h Sre p ~ rtloulaT ; 1 ' r kom on the old potato-
rr .? ig * Mothor managed thdwnole ail air beaut ifullv so
a Tr d ; U ^ re th6 ended, almost on our
6 y * ' lQOk torw ^rd to hearing further news from

About this item

Content

This file consists of two separate physical files as follows:

1) An account of a journey in Kashmir in 1898-99 written by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer of the Indian Army. His account is entitled 'Three Months of Privilege Leave'. It contains his observations on the languages, peoples, transport, flora and fauna, trade and climate of the region. There are occasional edits and corrections to the original text marked in red pen. The Persian language material in the file is a proverb written on folio 194.

In addition to this travel diary, the following is enclosed: an essay by Lorimer entitled 'Modern Education' dated 9 February 1895 (folios 1-24); two copies of a pamphlet that was published 'for private circulation' in memory of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, following his death on 8 February 1914 (folios 255-262); and another essay by Lorimer entitled 'Our Indian N.W. Frontier - a study in a bye-gone Civilisation. A forgotten Chapter of Frontier History' (folios 221-253).

2) Copies of letters that were sent from Emily Overend Lorimer to her parents, Thomas George Overend and Hannah Kingsbury. The letters describe the lives of Emily and her husband, David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer (referred to as 'Lock' in the letters), while living in Bahrain from October 1911 until November 1912 (folios 263-310) and in Kerman from January 1913 until November 1914 (folios 313-634). David served as Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrain 1911-12 and as HM Consul, Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, 1913-14.

The letters discuss a range of topics including Lorimer's observations of local customs, food, climate, scenery and festivals; the couple's domestic life and arrangements (especially their servants, who are often discussed in racialised, insulting language); and her interactions with other non-local residents. Also discussed are Lorimer's reading habits, her and her husband's health, family news and, occasionally, world events and political developments.

On folios 322-324, the file contains a description of a walk around Kerman in March 1914 that is accompanied by a sequence of six small black and white photographs of various points in the journey (folios 315-321).

In addition to these letters, the file also contains a number obituaries and letters of condolence written upon the death of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, on 8 February 1914 (folios 299-302, 415-416 and 543-544).

On folio 417, the file contains an obituary of David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer published in an unknown newspaper following his death on 26 February 1962.

Extent and format
2 files (630 folios)
Physical characteristics

Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-262) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 263-634); 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.

Written in
English and Persian in Latin and Arabic script
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An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman [‎271r] (551/1291), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur D922/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100179946967.0x0000c7> [accessed 7 July 2026]

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