Abstract: Letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in camp at Ahar, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, of 6 September 1826, which was received on 25 November 1826. In the letter Macdonald Kinneir reports his arrival at the camp of the Shah of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār], and details his views regarding the war between Russia and Persia over territory in the Caucasus [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], including:The ill-preparedness of the Persian armed forces and its commanders for war with RussiaThe reluctance of the Shah to wage the war and Macdonald Kinneir’s belief that he would avail himself of any opportunity to negotiate for peaceHis belief that the outbreak of the war represents an end to any possible conquest of Persia by Russia, and the attendant threat to IndiaAn appraisal of the role played by the former rulers of the provinces ceded by Persia to Russia in the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813 in opposing Russia and contributing to the military successes enjoyed by the Persians, including Alexander Meerza [Alexander Mirza] of Georgia, Mehdee Khouli Khan [Mahdi Quli Khan Javanshir] of Carabaugh [Karabakh], Meer Hussun Khan [Mir Hassan Khan] of Talish [Talysh] and Mustapha Khan [Mustafa Khan] of Shirivan [Shirvan]The territorial dispute over the frontier at Kapan and the lake of Goucha [Lake Sevan] that led to the outbreak of the war.The letter also originally enclosed copies of dispatches from HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning (not included in this item), and copies of Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatches to the Government of India (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/70/132). Also originally enclosed were translations of letters from members of the Persian Government among themselves and to Macdonald Kinneir (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/70/133-143).Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 30 August 1802. The letter forwards reports from Persia [Iran] of military preparations believed to be related to a campaign against the Wahabies [Wahhābī movement] and urges Stratton to press the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire] to assert its authority in Bagdad.Attached are:1. A letter from an informant of Harford Jones, sent from Erzeroum [Erzurum] and dated 26 May 1802. The letter forwards reports of Russian troop build-ups and military preparations in the Caucasus and the planned Russian annexation of Erivan [Yerevan].2. A ‘Bulletin from Persia’ written in French, dated Bagdad, 19 August 1802. The Bulletin reports developments in the campaign of Fet Ali Shah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] in Corrassan [Khorasan] and planned campaigns against Merve [Mary/Merv] and the Vhabies [Wahhābī movement]. The bulletin also reports on events in Afghanistan, describing campaigns to secure Kandahar and Herat by the forces of Mahmud Chah [Mahmūd Shāh Durrānī], and suggesting that Fet Ali Shah has no designs in this direction.3. A copy of a letter from John Barker, Proconsul in Aleppo, to Harford Jones, sent from Aleppo and dated 21 August 1802. The letter forwards reports from Egypt that the evacuation of British forces has been delayed and that reinforcements are heading for the country. Attached are extracts of related letters from Antonio Vondiziano, Vice-Consul in Larnaca (in French), and an informant of John Barker in Rosetta [Rashid] dated 8 July 1802.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: A letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Marquess Wellesley, Governor-General of Bengal, sent from Bagdad and dated 20 June 1802. The letter forwards intercepted letters from a French traveller in Caboul [Kabul], attached. Jones pledges to continue to monitor this correspondence and pass on intelligence. The letter also forwards reports from an informant ‘employed to the Northward’.A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/245.Attached are:1. Two intercepted letters from a French author in Caboul to correspondents in Paris and Spanish Biscay, dated March 1802. The author recounts his journey across India via Cachemire [Kashmir] to Caboul in a period of civil war, and his hopes to travel to Candahar [Kandahar] and Persia [Iran] and return home.Duplicates of these letters are catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/238 and 247. English translations are catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/235-2372. Translations of two letters from an informant of Harford Jones dated 3 and 8 May 1802.The letters concern Russian activity in the Caucasus and Caspian Sea, reporting: movements of Russian troops and ships; embassies from Shaku [Shaki] and Shirvan [Sirvan] to Tehran seeking assistance against Russia; and the planned flight of Armenian merchants from Baku, Enzelee [Bandar-e Anzali], Ghilan [Gilan], and Tehran in anticipation of conflict.Duplicates of these letter are catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/243.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: North-east segment of a larger, unidentified printed map. Covers northern Persia [Iran] and present-day Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia with significant parts of Iraq, Turkey and Turkmenistan. Portrays hydrology, railways, settlements, place names and international boundaries. Date derived from railway information.A printed scale bar has been pasted to the sheet, and manuscript additions highlight water bodies and three categories of place names.Physical description: Materials: Printed, with manuscript additions in coloured ink and crayonDimensions: 207 x 328mm, on sheet 209 x 339mm
Abstract: Extracts from an anonymous letter in French dated 26 May 1810, containing reports from the Court of Russia. The letter reports Russia’s hopes for a swift end to the wars on its southern flank with Turkey [Ottoman Empire] and Persia [Iran]; the expectation of an armistice with Persia and the demand for the cession of Georgia and Erivan [Yerevan]; the expected arrival of a Persian Ambassador in Saint Petersburg; and Russia’s relations with France.The letter was enclosed in HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia [Iran], Sir Harford Jones’s secret letter of 14 September 1810, which was received on 6 February 1811.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A translation of additional instructions issued by the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā, Crown Prince] of Persia [Iran] to Futteh Ali Khan [Fath-‘Ali Khan Rashti], Beglerbegee [Beglarbeg, Governor] of Tabrees [Tabrīz] for his mission to Tiflis [Tblisi] to negotiate Persia’s frontier with the Russian Empire with General Yermoloff [Alexey Petrovich Yermolov], Governor-General of Georgia.The instructions detail the bases of the Persian negotiating position, including the survey of Major William Monteith, the Treaty of Gulistan (1813), and historical texts.The translation was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d'Affaires in Persia, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 16 November 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/138).Physical description: The letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.
Abstract: A translation of the instructions issued by the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā, Crown Prince] of Persia [Iran] to Futteh Ali Khan [Fath-‘Ali Khan Rashti], Beglerbegee [Beglarbeg, Governor] of Tabrees [Tabrīz], for his mission to Tiflis [Tblisi] to negotiate with General Yermoloff [Alexey Petrovich Yermolov], Governor-General of Georgia.The instructions contain proposals for the settlement of the Russo-Persian frontier in the Caucasus and directions in the event that Yermolov refuses the proposals.The translation was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 16 November 1824.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: A translation of a letter from General Yermoloff [Alexey Petrovich Yermolov], Governor-General of Georgia, to Abbas Meerza [‘Abbās Mīrzā, Crown Prince of Persia].Yermoloff remonstrates with Abbas Meerza regarding incidents along the frontier between Persia [Iran] and the Russian Empire in the Caucasus, including cultivation of land claimed by Russia by the Sirdar of Erivan [Yerevan] and raids into territory ceded to Russia carried out by former Khans now residing in Persia.The translation was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company (IOR/L/PS/9/69/222).Physical description: The letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to George Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, sent from Tabriz and dated 24 November 1823.Following a visit to Georgia, Willock reports on the state of affairs in the Caucasus where Russia is extending its control. Subjects covered include:The condition of the Georgian nobles and populationThe flight of nobles from Shervan [Şirvan] and Carabagh [Karabakh] to PersiaThe estimated strength of the Russian forces in the region under General Yermoloff [Alexey Petrovich Yermolov]Conflict between Russian forces and the Lesghis [Lezgins] and CircassiansCommunications and supply routes between Russia and GeorgiaSettlement projects in GeorgiaCommerce and construction in GeorgiaCultural changes enforced by the Russian occupation, including naming customs and clothingGeneral Yermoloff’s supposed designs on the Caspian Sea and Khorasan.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 8 January 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/140).Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to George Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, sent from Tabriz and dated 6 December 1823.The letter concerns frontier relations between Persia and the Russian Empire.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 8 January 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/140).Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to George Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, sent from Tabriz and dated 8 January 1824. The letter forwards a translation of a letter from the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā, Crown Prince] of Persia to General Yermoloff [Alexey Petrovich Yermolov], Governor-General of Georgia, dated 31 December 1823, enclosed.The enclosed letter concerns efforts to delineate the border between Persia and the Russian Empire in the Caucasus and proposes a meeting to settle the issue.The letters were enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 8 January 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/140).Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: This file relates to the situation in East Persia and the Malleson Mission (1918-21). It includes papers on the following subjects:A collection of papers titled 'Expenditure on [the] Malleson Mission and Troops in East Persia', including: a memorandum from the India Office Political Department on planned politico-military missions to Kashgar [Qashqar] and Meshed [Mashhad] to 'work in allied interests [,] and combat German and Turkish propaganda' on the model of General Lionel Dunsterville's organisation Dunsterforce, previously deployed to the North Caucasus; a memorandum by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on which government department should bear the expenses for Malleson's Mission in countering 'German-Bolshevik developments in Central Asia', with reflections on the German promotion of Pan-Turanism and Pan-Islamism which, together with Bolshevism were perceived as posing a 'direct menace' to the security of India, since they could conceivably 'enlist the forces of religion in the armies of political and social discontent'; correspondence to date between the India Office, HM Treasury and the War Office (including from Secretary of State for War, Winston S Churchill) concerning the Chancellor's memorandum, together with thirty-two appendices on expenditures preceding the Chancellor's memorandum and the military and political telegrams referred to in the collection on 'Expenditures' (January 1921); the lack of financial resources to continue the Malleson Mission in Trans-Caspia (December 1918); the criticism by Lovat Fraser of expenditures on the Mission in the
Daily Mail(July 1920); the assumption of the Mission's current roles to 'encourage resistance in Persia to Pan-Islamic and Bolshevik influences' and offer 'moral support to Transcaspians by threatening [the] flank and rear of [the] Bolshevik advance towards Krasnovodsk [Turkmenbashi]' by a 'Persian Force to be raised under the terms of the recent agreement', together with the existing Seistan Levy Corps and Khorasan Levy Corps, and the 'intelligence work' to be carried out by a 'small organisation' based at Meshed (September 1919).Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 35; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.