"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية: العمليات في بلاد فارس ١٩١٤-١٩١٩" [ظ‎‎٢‎٨] (٥٦٦/٦١)

2g OPERATIONS IN PERSIA
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that he displayed a growing hostility to Great Britain, revived
the idea of retaking Herat and at the end of 1855, by his
insults, forced the British Minister to break off diplomatic
relations and leave Tehran. In 1856^ the Shah despatched
an army which succeeded in re-occupying Herat, and Great
Britain who in the previous year had concluded a treaty of
peace and friendship with Dost Muhammad, Amir of Kabul,
most reluctantly declared war on Persia.
Anglo- There were many ways in which Great Britain could have
Persian War, en f 0 rced her will on Persia, for Dost Muhammad, the Khan
1856 - 57 - of Kalatj the Sultan of Muscat and most of the tribes of South
Persia were all ready and anxious to join in taking up arms
against the Shah. But Great Britain, with no desire to exercise
more than sufficient force to compel the evacuation of Herat,
contented herself with sending in December 1856 a small
expeditionary force to the Persian Gulf. There it occupied
Kharg island, captured Bushire and Borazjan and, re-embarking
in March 1857, took Mohammerah and Ahwaz. On the fall
of Bushire the Shah sued for and obtained peace,* the sole
conditions imposed by the British being the evacuation of
Herat and Afghan territory, the recognition of their inde
pendence and an agreement that, in future disputes with
them, Persia should have recourse to British advice before
resorting to force. The Persians were amazed and gratified
at the British magnanimity, which had the most beneficial
results on their subsequent mutual relations.
But for his death within the week, Dost Muhammad’s
capture of Herat in 1863 would have caused fresh trouble
between Persia and Afghanistan. Both these countries also
laid claim at this period to Seistan. But Great Britain refused
Persia’s invitation to intervene in the dispute and, as Sher All
was engaged in establishing himself as Amir of Afghanistan,
Persia was able to secure the greater part of the disputed
Perso-Afghan province. In 1870, however, to avert war between Afghanistan
boundary, and Persia on this question, Great Britain suggested arbi
tration ; and this led to the appointment of Sir Frederic
Goldsmid,! who had just succeeded in delimiting the Makran
boundary, to adjudicate on the rival claims. His award ga^ e
Seistan proper to Persia and outer Seistan (i.e., the district
then on the right bank of the Helmand) to Afghanistan.
* Owing to the time which news then took in transit/the operations con
tinned after the peace agreement had been signed at Paris.
f He was the first Director of Telegraphs in Persia.
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