Abstract: The file is chiefly comprised of translated extracts of letters written by the British Agent at Shiraz, E N Castelli (an original letter in French, signed Castilly, is also in the file at folio 3), sent to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain Felix Jones. These extracts were sent onwards to the Secretary to the Government Bombay, with covering letters written by Jones.The extracts touch on the following subjects:General political and military affairs in Shiraz;General reports on the appearance and extent of disease (cholera and fever) in Persia and the Persian ports;Reports of maladministration at Fars, and the efforts of the Prince Governor of Fars to collect revenue in order to pay debts due, to be collected by a mohussil (coercive collector of revenue) from Tehran;Movements in Persia of the Prussian ambassador Julius Rudolph Ottomar Freiherr von Minutoli, his subsequent death from fever, interment in an Armenian cemetery in Shiraz, and the disturbance of his grave.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences on the front cover and runs until the last page of writing. The sequence consists of a circled pencil number in the top right hand corner of each folio. It ends on the last folio of writing, on number 31. Foliation anomalies: f 28 is followed by f 28A. ff 28 and 9 are A3 foldouts with text on recto and verso.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence sent by the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain David Wilson. Most of the recipients of the letters are officials of the Government of Bombay, including Charles Norris, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, John Wedderburn, Accountant General, Major General Sir John Malcolm, Governor and President in Council, and William Sowden Collinson, Captain and Senior Marine Officer in the Persian Gulf.Most of the correspondence in the volume concerns the day-to-day affairs of the Residency:Financial matters, including the forwarding to Government of bills of exchange; disbursements; receipts; contingent expenses; bills for building maintenance; orders for office supplies, etc.;Post and supplies, in the form of the receipt and forwarding of mail packets, usually between Basra/Persia and Bombay; the receipt and despatch of currency, treasure, medical and office supplies, etc.;Coordination of the activities of the Bombay Marine/Indian Navy in the Gulf, including instructions for the despatch of ships to the Arab Coast to hand out/receive letters to/from British Agents and Shaikhs; embarkation returns;Commercial shipping activities, including the delivery and despatch of cargo; details of vessels carrying ‘treasure’; complaints and disputes raised by or against the captains of British merchant ships at Bushire.The rest of the volume’s correspondence deals with specific events, incidents and reports:Announcement of peace between the Imam of Muscat and the Chief of Bharien [Bahrain] (pp 3-5);Affairs at the Persian court, including the Shah’s visit in early 1830 to Shiraz, with the intention of obtaining 200,000 tomans in tribute from the city (pp 5-9, 14-17, 35-39, 45-48, 106)Reports on the activities of a Captain Chiffala [or Chiefala] in Persia (pp 103-05, 121-24, 165-68);The Imam of Muscat’s departure from Muscat to Zanzibar to reclaim Mombasa, reports of subsequent disturbances in Oman in light of the Imam’s absence, and the Imam’s subsequent return (pp 18-19, 40-44, 197A-99A, 217-18);Reports of Wahabee [Wahhābī] activity on the Arabian peninsula, including the occupation of Lohsa [also written as Lahsah, probably referring to Al-Hasa], and subsequent tensions on the Arab Coast (pp 157-59, 223-24);Piracy committed by subjects of Bahrain against a Muscat vessel, and efforts to recover the stolen goods (pp 232-39);Ill-health of the Assistant Resident Samuel Hennell (p 293);Shipwrecking of the merchant vessel
General Barnes, and efforts to recover its crew and cargo (pp 299-306);An annual report of the import and export trade between India and Bushire (listed by month, pp 346-57);The relay of a packet from Baghdad to Bombay in October 1830, announcing the death of King George IV and the accession to the throne of the Duke of Clarence as William IV;Wilson’s application to resign the post of Resident in the Persian Gulf on the grounds of ill-health, his intention to proceed to Europe, and plans for the appointment of his successor by March 1831 (p 379);Physical description: Pagination: This file has a complete pagination sequence, which begins on the front cover, on number 1A, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 423. Pagination errors: p.1A-B; p.105A; p.106A; p.107A; p.108A; p.109A; p.110A; p.111A; p.112A; p.197A; p.198A; p.199A; p.200A; p.325A. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the volume.Condition: There is extensive insect damage, in the form of small holes around the edges of the pages, throughout the file. This damage is not sufficient to impair legibility of the file’s contents.
Abstract: The volume consists of reports on minor military operations in 'South Persia' contained in a despatch from the Inspector General, South Persia Rifles (Percy Molesworth Sykes) to the Chief of the General Staff, Army Headquarters, Simla. The reports recount operations against Labu Muhammadis, Chehar Radis and other 'robber tribes' of 'Northern Fars' and against the 'Saulat-ud-Daulah', Il Khani of the Qashqais', and 'Nasr-I-Divan Kalantar of Kazarun'. Many of the reports included were by the Deputy Inspector General, South Persia Rifles (Colonel Ernest Frederick Orton).There follow individual reports from commanding officers detailing the units involved, topography of the land on which the military operations took place, the villages and tribes attacked, description of military operation, tables of operational logistics and casualties sustained on both sides.The volume contains 17 maps and plans of the towns and villages attacked in the operations, giving such information as relief, settlement, hydrology, lines of communication and progress of battle:'Plan of villages - CHAH-HAQ and MIAN DASHT, CHAHAR-RAHI PUNITIVE EXPEDITION. APRIL, 1918' (folio 4)'ACTION OF DEH SHAIKH. 25th May 1918.' (folio 15)'Fight at DEH SHAIKH Map (17. C. B. 2.4.6) 25th May 1918.' (folio 17)'ACTION OF DEH SHAIKH. 25th May 1918. Decisive attack from Gardaneh Sagavi Kutal, 3 p.m.' (folio 18)'PLAN OF NEIGHBOURHOOD SHIRAZ' (folio 23)'AFIFABAD POST As when occupied by detachment on 9-6-18.' (folio 24)'Action of BULVARDI, near SHIRAZ. June 27th 1918.' (folio 30)'Action at CHINARINAZ (10th May 1918)' (folio 39)'ACTION NEAR HERAT-I-KHURREH' (11th May 1918) GUDAR-I-PIRZAD.' (folio 41)'PLAN SHEWING HILLS SOUTH OF ZIARAT VILLAGE.' (folio 43)'ACTION OF ZIARAT, SARCHAHAN VALLEY; 13-5-1918. From Khunsar River (folio 44)'ACTION OF KUH-I-KHAN. Against Charrahis 16-5-1918. From hill 1200 feet above , and N. of valley; looking South.' (folio 47)'ACTION OF CHINAR RAHDAR. 7th July 1918. Situation at 5-30 a. m., 7th July 1918.' (folio 61)'SKETCH MAP OF ABADEH.' (folio 74)'Sketch Map to Illustrate OPERATIONS TOWARDS FIRUZABAD (July 1918.)' (folio 82)'PERSIA. INDIA AND ADJACENT COUNTRIES. SHEET NO. 17' (folio 84)'ACTION NEAR FIRUZABAD. [23rd-24th July 1918].' (folio 85)Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 87; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This volume consists of a report on Fars (a province of Persia) was written by Captain Arnold Talbot Wilson, Deputy Civil Commissioner in the Indian Political Department (General Staff Branch), and was published in Simla at the Government Monotype Press. The volume is divided into subject sections.Within the report, there are genealogical trees for some tribes and families, including: the Kashkuli Khans (folio 41), the Qashqai Ilkhanis (folio 42) and the Hashimieh family of Shiraz (folio 51).Following the main report, there are two appendices: one relating to the approximate population of Fars and one relating to the mineral resources of Fars. The volume ends with an alphabetical index for the entire report and a map showing 'Routes in Persia'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at a map, at the inside back cover, with 196; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:The album contains landscape and architectural views of South Persia and the Persian Gulf coastline. The photos are presented initially by location (Muscat, Jask, Bandar Abbás, Niríz, Yezd, Isfahan to Shiráz Road, Pasargadae, Naksh-i-Rustam, Naksh-i-Rajab, Persepolis, Shiráz, Feragha, Chinár Rahdár, Shápur, Shiráz-Bushire Road, Bushire), thereafter by subject (Persian Flora, Persian Dwellings, Persian Roads, Persian Scenery).Elements:1 [Muscat] Town and Bay. 31st Oct 19002 [Muscat] The Town looking North. 31 Oct 19003 [Muscat] British Consulate. 31 Oct 19004 [Muscat] Old Portuguese Fort (1550). 31 Oct 19005 [Muscat] Sultan's Palace. 31 Oct 19006 [Muscat] Sidap. Village. 31 Oct 19007 [Jask] Telegraph Buildings. 1 Nov 19008 [Jask] Fort and Beach. 1 Nov 19009 [Bandar Abbás] Sea front looking West. 11 Nov 190010 [Bandar Abbás] The Town looking West. 11 Nov 190011 [Bandar Abbás] Beach and island of Hormuz. 11 Nov 190012 [Bandar Abbás] British Consulate. 11 Nov 190013 [Niríz] Panorama of Town looking South. 30 April 190114 [Niríz] Town looking North. 30 April 190115 [Yezd] The City looking East from the Masjid-i-Juma. 10 July 190116 [Yezd] The City looking South from the Masjid-i-Juma. 10 July 190117 [Yezd] The City from the Masjid-i-Juma looking West. 10 July 190118 [Yezd] The City looking West from the Mínár-i-Maidán. 13 July 190119 [Yezd] The City looking North from the Minár-i-Maidán. 13 July 190120 [Yezd] The City looking South from the Minár-i-Maidán. 13 July 190121 [Yezd] The Masjid-i-Juma. 9 July 190122 [Yezd] The Masjid-i-Juma. 9 July 190123 [Yezd] Main Gate of Fort. 13 July 190124 [Yezd] The Maidán-i-Sháh. 13 July 190125 [Yezd] Gate of Old Fort. 13 July 190126 [Yezd] Mosque of Mir Chakhmakh. 13 July 190127 Caravanserai at Khána-i-Kirgam. 27 Oct 190128 Bridge at Khána-i-Kirgam. 27 Oct 190129 [Pasargadae] The Tomb of Cyrus. 30 Oct 190130 [Abarkuh] Memorial to Darius at Arbela 331 B.C. 10 Oct 190131 [Pasargadae] Ruins of Cyrus’ City. 29 Oct 190132 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Bas-relief Ormuzd and Ardeshir 5 Nov 190133 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Rock tombs of the Kings. 5 Nov 190134 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Building near Tombs of the Kings. 5 Nov 190135 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Fire Altars. 5 Nov 190136 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Bas relief. Equestrian Combat. 5 Nov 190137 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Bas relief. Equestrian Combat. 5 Nov 190138 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Shapur and Valerian at Edessa A.D. 260. 5 Nov 190139 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Varahran and his Queen A.D. 500 5 Nov 190140 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Varahran II and his Court. 5 Nov 190141 [Naksh-i-Rajab] Shapur I and his Bodyguard. 5 Nov 190142 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Tombs of the Kings. The East Tomb. 5 Nov 190143 [Persepolis] Palace of Darius. 6 Nov 190144 [Persepolis] Palace of Darius. Interior. 6 Nov 190145 [Persepolis] Panorama of the Platform looking South and West. 6 Nov 190146 [Persepolis] Grand Entrance. Porch of Xerxes. 6 Nov 190147 [Persepolis] Pillars in Hall of Xerxes. 6 Nov 190148 [Persepolis] King fighting Dragon. Hall of 100 Columns. 6 Nov 190149 [Persepolis] The North Tomb Artaxerxes II 6 Nov 1901.50 [Persepolis] King on Throne and Procession Doorway. Hall of 100 Columns. 6 Nov 190151 [Persepolis] The King held up on Throne. Doorway in Hall of 100 Columns 6 Nov 190152 [Persepolis] King with Attendant. Palace of Xerxes 6 Nov 190153 [Persepolis] The King. Palace of Artaxerxes III. 6 Nov 190154 [Persepolis] Hall of Hundred Columns etc. 6 Nov 190155 [Persepolis] The great Staircase and Platform. 6 Nov 190156 [Shiráz] Tomb of Sultán Mir Shah. 15 Dec 190157 [Shiráz] Cemetery of Great Men. 15 Dec 190158 [Shiráz] Bas relief. Farhád and Shirín in the Bágh-i-Nao 15 Dec 190159 [Feragha] Ancient figure of animal in stone. 14 Oct 190160 [Shiráz] Approach to City from Tang-i-Korán. 18 Dec 190161 [Shiráz] The City looking West. 15 Dec 190162 [Shiráz] The City looking East. 15 Dec 190163 [Shiráz] The City looking North. 15 Dec 190164 [Shiráz] The Bágh-i-Takht. 16 Dec 1902 [sic for 1901]65 [Shiráz] Cemetery of Haft Tan. 18 Dec 190166 [Shiráz] Cemetery of Chel Tan. 18 Dec 190167 [Chinár Rahdár] The Caravanserai and Bridge. 23 Dec 190168 [Shápur] Ruins of King Shápur’s City. 16 Jan 190269 The River near Shapur. 16 Jan 190270 [Shápur] Bas-relief. Omuzd and Narses. 15 Jan 190271 [Shápur] Bas-relief. The Captives before Shapur. 15 Jan 190272 [Shápur] The Investiture of Cyriadis by Shapur. 15 Jan 190273 [Shápur] Valerian, Cyriadis and King Shapur. 15 Jan 190274 [Shápur] Valerian suppliant before King Shapur. 16 Jan 190275 [Shápur] Statue of King Shapur in cave. 16 Jan 190276 [Shápur] Bas-relief. Triumph of Chosroes Naushirwán 16 Jan 190277 Caravanserai at Mian Kotal. 9 Jan 190278 Lake near Kazerun from Kotal-i-Dukhtar. 8 Jan 190279 Bridge near Daliki from upstream. 21 Jan 190280 Bridge near Daliki looking upstream. 21 Jan 190281 Telegraph Quarters. Kunár-i-Takhta. 20 Jan 190282 The landing place at Shif. 29 Jan 190283 [Bushire] The town looking South from Gray Paul's office. 23 Feb 190284 [Bushire] The town looking East from British Residency. 23 Feb 190285 [Bushire] Telegraph Buildings at Reshire. 24 Feb 190286 [Bushire] Panorama of British Residency and Sea front. 23 Feb 190287 The Assafoetida plant. East of Niríz. 21 April 190188 Walnut trees. North of Niríz. 6 May 190189 Almond grafted onto wild tree. N of Furg 26 March 190190 Oak trees in Kuh Marra. S of Shiráz. 27 Dec 190191 The “Archan” Tree in pink blossom. N of Furg. 25 March 190192 Oak trees near Kazerun. 14 Jan 190293 Mastich and wild pistachio trees. S of Shiráz 31 Dec 190194 Oak Trees in Kuh Marra. South of Shiráz. 27 Dec 190195 Cypress Tree in mountains. East of Niríz. 27 April 190196 Tents of matting of Kermán tribes in Rudbár. 30 Nov 190097 Tents of black goats hair. Kermán tribes in Rudbár. 2 Dec 190098 Cave dwellers. E of Furg. 7 Feb 190199 A Village East of Yezd. 2 July 1901100 The Chieftain’s Cave. Cavedwellers. E of Furg. 2 Feb 1901101 The Chieftain’s Tent. Nomad tribes near Bandar Abbás. 21 Feb 1901102 A country house and garden. North of Niríz. 2 May 1901103 Bágh-i-Nawwáb. A Garden in the suburbs of Yezd. 4 Sept 1901104 Tank for rainwater. N of Bandar Abbás 21 Feb 1901105 The Prince’s Palace and Govt. House at Yezd. 13 July 1901106 Bágh-i-Eram. A Garden in the suburbs of Shiráz 13 Dec 1901107 The Tang-i-Zágh Defile N of Bandar Abbás. 11 March 1901108 A pass West of Fasa. 28 Nov 1901.109 Shiráz-Bushire. The “Kotal-i-Dukhtar” 8 Jan 1902110 Shiráz-Bushire. The “Kotal-i-Kumárij” 20 Jan 1902111 Shiráz-Bushire. The “Kotal-i-Mahallu” 21 Jan 1902112 Shiráz-Bushire. The “Pul-i-Gina” Viaduct near Kazerun. 8 Jan 1902113 The Bushire-Lingah Road near Riz. 28 March 1902114 The Well with three pulleys for irrigating crops near Lingah. 14 April 1902.115 The West end of Salt Lake near Niríz looking North. 20 Nov 1901116 The West End of Salt Lake near Niríz looking N.W. from hills above. 21 Nov 1901117 The Salt Desert of Sirján in Kermán. 15 April 1902118 The Lake near Kázerún looking North 4 Jan 1902Inscriptions:Inner cover, in pencil: ‘Copy negs done Stannard 25-9-79’Title page, in ink: 'Presented to / H.E. Lord Curzon of Kedleston etc etc / Viceroy of India / by / Lieut. Arthur A. Crookshank / Royal Engineers / June 1903'Spine, gold emboss: ‘Photos’ ‘South Persia’Throughout the album captions and location or subject categories are hand-lettered in black ink.Physical description: Dimensions:Album: 250 x 305 x 40 mm [portrait]Format:Maroon and red three quarter-leather album containing one hundred and eighteen prints hand-cut and pasted onto card pages.Materials:Card, black ink, gelatin silver prints.Condition:While the binding is still sturdy for the most part – aside from extensive scuffing and losses at all edges, particularly upper spine – the individual card pages are extensively foxed and discoloured throughout. The lower right corner of page 13–14 has broken off entirely.Many of the individual images are faded and some show signs of surface losses.Foliation:The images have been numbered 1–118 alongside each image in pencil and paginated 1–47 in pencil in the upper right corner. Some additional image sequencing in pencil in the first twenty nine pages of the album (e.g. a–d on each page) has been crossed out.Process:Gelatin silver printsBinding:The album is bound in maroon three-quarter-leather format, which is heavily scuffed along the spine, particularly at the upper spine.This binding likely dates to its presentation to Lord Curzon and indicates the title of the album with gilt stamp ‘ Photos’ ‘South Persia’. The binding also features linen joints and hand-stitching.
Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent in 1849 by Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department, Bombay Castle and to Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran.In May and June 1849, Major Hennell undertook his annual tour of the Trucial Coast Sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf, aboard the Honourable Company (HC) sloop of war
Elphinstone(folios 90-91, 93, 25, 201). During Hennell’s absence from the British Political Residency at Bushire, his official correspondence was carried out by Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Assistant Resident.The correspondence is predominantly political, discussing events in the Persian Gulf in terms of their significance for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. The main topics of discussion are: British suppression of piracy and slave trafficking in the Persian Gulf, relations between the Arab Maritime Chiefs of the Trucial Coast, the Imam of Muscat and the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd], relations between British and Persian authorities in Shiraz and Bushire.Many of the Resident’s letters to the Bombay Government refer to enclosures, the majority of which are present in the volume, including several documents dated 1848 and one document dated 1846 (folios 4-5). Among the enclosures are copies of the Resident’s Arabic and Persian correspondence with agents, officials and rulers. These are in the form of English translations only.MUSCAT: Khojeh Hiskael the British Government Native Agent at Muscat, Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwayni bin Sa‘id Al Bu Sa‘id] the Governor of Muscat and the Imam of Muscat [Sa`id bin Sultan Al Sa‘id] correspond with the Resident about the importation of African slaves by sea from Zanzibar to Muscat; the contemplation of an attack on Bahrain by the Imam of Muscat at the request of Bahrain seceders; alleged aggressions against the territories of the Imam of Muscat by Sheikh Syf ben Humood [Sayyid Syf bin Ḥamūd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and Sheikh Sultan ben Sugger [Sultan bin Saqr] of Rysulkhyma [Ras Al-Khaimah] (folios 131-135, 231-231).BAHRAIN: Hajee Jassem the British Government Native Agent at Bahrein and Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah] the Chief of Bahrein correspond with the Resident about piracy in Bahrein; the death in Muscat of ex-Chief of Bahrein Abdoollah ben Ahmed [‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah] on 6 March 1849; the restoration of peace in Bahrain following the settlement of Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa’s quarrel with Bahrain seceders and his reconciliation with rival tribal leaders; the plans of Ameer Fysul [Al Sa‘ud, Amir Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah] the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd] to recover possession of Brymee [Buraimi] and rebuild Adeed [Khor al-Udaid] (folios 6-9, 37-38, 48, 55-56, 60-61, 140-142, 170-171, 198-199, 260, 283-284).SHARJAH: Moollah Houssein the British Government Native Agent at Shargah forwards to the Resident a reply he has received from Sheikh Sultan ben Suggur of Rysulkhyma about the importation of African slaves into Shargah; he also sends several reports to the Resident about various matters, including the siege of Brymee and its eventual surrender by Sheikh Saeed ben Tahnoon [Said bin Tahnun Al Nahayan] the Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] to the forces of Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd (folios 10-14, 19-21, 42-44, 52-53, 58, 154-157, 161-164, 166-168, 207-208).OMAN: Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd and the Shereef (Sharif) of Mecca correspond with the Resident about Sheikh Saeed Tahnoon's seizure and eventual surrender of Brymee (folios 27-28, 58-59, 164-165).SHIRAZ: Meerza (Mirza) Mahmood the British Government Native Agent at Shiraz sends several reports to the Resident about the gradual restoration of public order in Shiraz, following the arrival of Prince Bahram Meerza the new Governor of Fars, on 3 February 1848 (folios 14-17, 40-41, 89-90, 92).BUSHIRE: the Resident corresponds with Prince Bahram Meerza the Governor of Fars about excessive amounts of Persian import duty demanded from Bushire merchant Joseph Malcolm, for imported sugar landed at Bushire in a British merchant ship (folios 64-67, 78, 95-96, 227-228). The Resident also corresponds with Sheikh Nasir Khan the Governor of Bushire about a runaway slave belonging to a Persian subject, seeking refuge aboard a British merchant ship in the port of Bushire (folios 63-64, 193). There are also copies in English of petitions, hearing transcripts and witness statements, relating to two separate and formal investigations conducted by the Resident at Bushire into: the plundering of a shipwrecked Persian vessel in May 1848, including correspondence with Sheikh Syf ben Nubhan, Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] (folios 274-277); stolen goods passed to a Bushire merchant (folios 237-247).Physical description: The original volume cover and cover title no longer exist. The contents have been rebound in two volumes. An identical volume title, together with part number 1 or 2, is printed on the spine of both volumes.Foliation: the contents in the volume labelled Part 1, are numbered 1-67, 68, 68A, 69-148. The contents in the volume labelled Part 2, are numbered 149-300. Folio number 286 is blank. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto, in the top right corner and encircled. The cover and the two blank folios at the front and back of each volume are unnumbered. This is the main numbering system and should be used for referencing these two volumes.Pagination: the contents in the volume labelled Part 1 are also numbered 1-141, 142, 142a, 143-297. The contents in the volume labelled Part 2 are also numbered 298-570. The numbering is written in ink in the top right or left corner on the recto and verso respectively.
Abstract: This file contains material relating to the South Persia Rifles, southern Persia [Iran], the Bakhtiari [Bakhtiyari] Tribe and the oil fields developed by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC). It includes:A table showing the disposition of troops in southern Persia in December 1917The capture of an incriminating letter addressed to Mukhbir Us Sulteneh [Mahdi Quli Khan Hidayat Mukhbir al-Saltanah]The outbreak of clashes between the nomadic tribes of southern Persia and the South Persia RiflesThe call by Soulat [Isma’il Khan Sawlat al-Dawlah Qashqa’i], Ilkhani of the Kashgai [Qashqa'i] Tribe, for a jehad [jihad] against foreign forces in Persia [The Ilkhani being the Paramount Chief of the tribe]The loss of the post at Khaneh Zinian [Khan-i Zaniyan] to the Kashgais led by SoulatThe logistics required for extending the right flank of the Allied forces in Mesopotamia [Iraq] to the Caspian SeaThe reinforcement of the forces under Sir Percy Molesworth Sykes via Bandar Abbas and Bushire [Bushehr]The placement of Sykes under the command of General Charles Monro, Commander-in-Chief, IndiaThe departure of the German agent Wilhelm Wassmuss towards Khaneh ZinianThe general expression of ‘nationalist resentment’ at the presence of British forces in Central PersiaThe offer of the Persian Admiral, Mirza Ahmad Khan Tangistani Daryabegi, to collaborate against SoulatThe declaration by Habib Allah Khan Qavam al-Mulk Shirazi of his support for the Governor of Fars, Abd al-Husayn Mirza Farmanfarma, and his readiness to defend Shiraz against SoulatThe clashes between the Kalantar of Kazerun, Nasir Divan Kazeruni, and British forces outside ShirazAn offer of assistance from the Kalantar of the Kashkuli Tribe, Muhammad ‘Ali Khan KashkuliThe lack of co-operation between the British Minister at Tehran, Charles Marling, and Sir Percy SykesThe placement of all British troops in southern Persia under the command of an officer with the rank of Brigadier-GeneralA joint letter from the khans of Borasjun [Borazjan], Tangistan and Chakutah [Chahkootah] to the Political Resident at Bushire to enquire about the objectives of the recently-arrived British regimentsThe possibility of installing Mirza Hasan Khan Vusugh (Vusugh al-Dawlah) as Prime Minister, following the Italian victory at the Second Battle of Piave River, and the suspension of German operations against FranceThe recommendation of Brigadier-General George Younghusband to surround oilfields with ‘barbed wire fence with electric light standards and ring of sentries like prisoners of war camp’The willingness of the Ilkhani of the Bakhtiyari to ‘maintain order’ in the oilfields of southern PersiaThe siege of Indian Army troops at Abadeh by the Kashgai and the desertion of all South Persia RiflesThe mobilisation of Mirza Kuchak Khan's Jangali Movement to seize control of RashtA quarrel between the German agent, Wassmuss and the Ilkhani of the Kashgai, SoulatThe defection of the Kashgai chiefs ‘Ali Khan Qashqa’i Salar-i Hishmat and Ahmad Khan Qashqa’i Sardar-i IhtishamThe order from Khusraw Khan Bakhtiyari Sardar-i Zafar to Yusuf Khan Bakhtiyari Amir Mujahid to relieve the siege of Abadeh, and prevent Murtaza Quli Khan Samsam from joining the KashgaisThe pursuit by Sardar-i Ihtisham, Muhammad ‘Ali Khan Kashkuli, and Qavam al-Mulk Shirazi of Soulat and his band of followers and the retreat of Nasir Divan Kazeruni to KazerunA request from Soulat to Ayoz Kika [Haj Iyaz Khan Shakiri Qashqa’i] for reinforcementsThe arrest of Baha Us Sultan [Baha’ al-Sultan Shirazi], a leading democrat [i.e. of the Hizb-i Democrat-i Fars]The deployment of Sultan Kazem Khan [Sultan Kazim Khan Shamlu’s] Darrahshuri tribal forces to AbadehThe preference of Vusugh al-Dawlah for Swedish officers to lead the national police in PersiaA rumour about the presence of the German agent Oskar von Niedermeyer in Bakhtiyari CountryThe encirclement, by Soulat, of Sardar-i Ihtisham and the South Persia Rifles at FiruzabadThe relief of Sardar-i Ihtisham and the South Persia Rifles by Colonel Ernest Frederick OrtonThe death of Muhammad ‘Ali Khan Kashkuli at Shiraz on 20 October 1918The handover of the South Persia Rifles by Sir Percy Sykes to Colonel Orton and the former's arrival at DelhiThe refusal by Wassmuss to surrender to British forces, and his rejection of an offer of repatriationThe readiness of the Persian Government to co-operate in the arrest and deportation of WassmussA proposal by Colonel Orton of the South Persia Rifles for the organisation of a national Persian Army.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 405; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-389.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The enclosures to these letters are contained in the subsequent items. It is the first in a series of seven items on affairs of the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2077/95830, 95831, 95832, 95833, 95834, and 95835).The item concerns:Disturbances at Shiraz caused by an attempt to oust the current Governor of Fars, Ameer Mirza Nubbee Khan [Amīr Dīvān Mīrzā Nabī Khān Qazwīnī]A complaint by the Imam of Muscat [Sayyid Sa'īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa'īd] that his vessels were paying higher duty at Mauritius than previouslyReports of vessels from Bombay and Cutch [Kachchh] trading under British colours without the appropriate passesThe military success of Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd] and possible British reactions to thisThe aborted Persian attack against Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbas]Disputes over customs duties at Bunder AbbasA complaint by Josiah Row Chowdry [Josiah Rao Chaudhari] against the British merchant brig
Mary Alicethat he was owed wages by the ship’s masterA violent dispute between the Joasmees [Qāsimīs, i.e. al-Qawāsim] and subjects of Debaye [Dubai]The murder of Beebee Aseeloo [Bibi ‘Asilu], widow of the late Native Agent at MuscatThe English burial ground at Karrack [Jazireh-ye Khark]The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection 8, Draft 78, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4624, [Season 18]45’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 125 and terminates at f 156, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, resolutions, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political and secret letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Captain Atkins Hamerton, Her Majesty’s Consul and Honourable Company’s Agent in the dominions of the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat; Reuben bin Aslan, East India Company's Agent at Muscat; Mirza Reza, East India Company's Agent at Shiraz. It is the third in a series of seven items on affairs of the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2077/95829, IOR/F/4/2077/95830, IOR/F/4/2077/95832, IOR/F/4/2077/95833, IOR/F/4/2077/95834, and IOR/F/4/2077/95835).The item concerns:Disturbances at Shiraz caused by an attempt to oust the current Governor of Fars, Ameer Mirza Nubbee Khan [Amir Divan Mirza Nabī Khan Qazwīnī]Preparation for a tour of the Gulf to be made by Lieutenant Arnold Burrows Kemball, Assistant Resident in the Persian GulfReports of the movements of Syud Thooenee [Sayyid Thuwainī bin Sa'īd Āl Bū Sa'īd] at MuscatRepairs to the
Futhool Moobarukat Muscat, the subsequent loss of her cargo through shipwreck, and its recoveryReports of vessels from Bombay and Cutch [Kachchh] trading under British colours without the appropriate passes, and measures taken to deal with them.The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 78, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4624, [Season 18]45’, ‘Collection No 8 of No 40’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 190 and terminates at f 227, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum outlines how circumstances in Southern Persia have led to the British reinforcing their consular guards at Bander Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās], Bushire, Isphanan [Eşfahān], and Kerman. The focus is on reinforcement of the guard at Shiraz, and in particular, an attack on a British caravan travelling from Bushire.It includes a copy of a telegram on folio 46; it is from Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Office, to Sir George Barclay, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, and dated 2 April 1912. It outlines the circumstances under which the British will remove their troops from the aforementioned towns, and provides brief advice as to how the Persian Government may maintain the continued goodwill of the British Government.Physical description: 4 folios
Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent in 1848 by Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department, Bombay Castle and also to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran. Several personnel, financial and other administrative matters are also reported by the Resident to British officials in various government departments in India.In May and June 1848, Major Hennell undertook his annual tour of the Trucial Coast Sheikhdoms on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, aboard the Honourable Company (HC) sloop of war
Cliveand successfully negotiated anti-slavery treaties with the Arab Maritime Chiefs (folios 72-91, 207-210, 222, 223). During Hennell’s absence from the British Political Residency at Bushire, his official correspondence was carried out by Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Assistant Resident.The correspondence in the volume is predominantly political, reporting events in the Persian Gulf in terms of their significance for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. There are two main topics of discussion. One is the British suppression of the African slave trade in the Persian Gulf and the eventual agreement of the Persian Government to apply the same prohibition to Persian subjects and ports of the Gulf, so that inhabitants of the Arabian coast could not use Persian vessels to evade the anti-slavery treaties between the British Government and the Arab Maritime Chiefs, recently concluded by Major Hennell. The other main topic is the changing alliances and frequent hostilities between the Arab Maritime Chiefs of the Trucial Coast, British concerns about the prospect of Ameer Fysul [Al Sa‘ud, Amir Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah], the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd] invading Oman and re-establishing his authority by military force.Many of the Resident’s letters to the Bombay Government refer to enclosures, several of which are present in the volume, including one document dated 1845 (folio 7). Among the enclosures are English translations of the Resident’s Arabic and Persian correspondence with agents, officials and rulers, mainly those in Muscat and Shargah [Sharjah].MUSCAT: Khojeh Hiskael the British Government Native Agent at Muscat and the Governor of Muscat, Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwayni bin Sa‘id Al Bu Sa‘id] correspond with the Resident about the continuance of the African slave trade in Muscat by Persian vessels and the interpretation of the anti-slavery treaty between the British Government and the Imam of Muscat, signed at Zanzibar on 2 October 1845; the defeat of the forces of Ameer Fysul the ruler of Nedgd in Oman, by the forces of Syed Humood bin Azan [Sayyid Ḥamūd bin Azan Āl Bū Sa‘īd], the Chief of Sohar [Ṣuḥār], following the latter’s refusal to pay the annual tribute; the quelling of a rebellion at the port of Soor [Sur] by Syed Soweynee, the Governor of Muscat; the investigation of a complaint made by a bankrupt Muscat merchant against the British Agent at Muscat regarding his actions on behalf of British creditors and an interpretation of their rights under the commercial treaty between the British Government and the Imam of Muscat dated 31 May 1839; the recovery of customs duties irregularly demanded for British cargo aboard a ship temporarily detained at Muscat while on route from Bombay to Aden (folios 65, 116-118, 122, 163-164, 177-179, 194-195, 237-238).SHARJAH: Moollah Hussein the British Government Native Agent at Shargah and Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur [Sultan bin Saqr] the Chief of Rusul Khyma [Ras Al-khaimah] correspond with the Resident about the continuance of the African slave trade at Shargah and other Arabian ports by Persian vessels; the failed attempt to capture the Fort of Ejmaun by Shaikh Abdullah bin Sultan the Governor of Shargah, provoking the Shaikhs of Ejmaun [Ajman], Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn] and Debaye [Dubai] into alliance with Shaikh Saeed bin Tahnoon [Said ibn Tahnun Al Nahayan] of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; the defeat of the forces of the Wahabee (Wahhabi) Agent Saad ben Mootluk at Brymee [Buraimi] in Oman by the combined forces of Shaikh Saeed bin Tahnoon the Chief of Aboothabee and Shaikh Syed Humood bin Azan the Chief of Sohar: the confederacy between Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur the Chief of Rusul Khyma, Shaikh Muktoom [Maktum] the Chief of Debai [Dubai] and the Wahabee Agent Saeed ben Mootluk to re-possess Brymee by force and re-establish the Wahabee authority of Ameer Fysul the ruler of Nedgd, in Oman (folios 47-49, 52-53, 62-64, 66-67, 134-138, 151-155, 185-189, 215-217, 227-228, 251-257, 270-272, 287-290).The Resident’s correspondence with Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran includes English translations of the following documents:Reports from Sheikh Syf bin Nubhan the Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] about Persian aggressions against Bunder Abbas and other lands on the Persian coast of the Gulf, belonging to the Imam of Muscat (folios 42-45, 95-96, 111-114);Orders issued by the Governors of Fars and Persian Arabia, prohibiting the future importation by sea of African slaves into Persia (folios 142-143, 190-191, 247);Reports from Meerza (Mirza) Mahmood the British Government Native Agent at Shiraz about public unrest in Shiraz, following reports of the death of the Shah of Persia on 4 September 1848 (folios 29-30, 128-129, 198-199, 213, 218-220, 235-237, 261-263, 274-279).Physical description: Foliation: the contents are numbered 2 to 311, from the front to the back of the volume. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto,in the top right corner and encircled. Folios 305 to 311 are blank. At the back of the volume is a transparent polyester sleeve numbered 312 that contains the remnants of the broken volume spine. The front cover of the volume is numbered 1. The plain white board at the back of the volume is unnumbered. This is the main numbering system and should be used for referencing this volume.Pagination: the contents are also paginated from 1 to 585. The numbering is written in ink, in the top right hand corner of the page. The page numbers 1 to 4 are no longer visible, because the right hand edge of the page is torn and missing.Condition: broken front cover (folio 1), two torn pages (folios 2-3), one tear at the bottom edge of the paper (folio 188), broken, detached spine cover (folio 312), missing back cover.
Abstract: Confidential notes of a journey made through Persia [Iran] from Shiraz to Jashk [Jāsk], via Fassa [Fasā], Dārāb, Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] and Mīnāb, by John Richard Preece, Assistant Superintendent of the Telegraph Department, Persia. The report was published by the Intelligence Branch, Office of the Quarter Master General in India, and printed by the Superintendent of Government Printing, India in Calcutta [Kolkata] in 1884.The report is diaristic in form, running from Preece’s departure from Shiraz on 29 January 1884, through to his arrival in Jashk on 19 March 1884. The report records: topography; settlements, including some descriptions of their size, population, condition; weather conditions on the route; the condition of roads; agricultural and industrial activity, including livestock numbers; water sources. Two tables of statistics follow the report, both dated 15 August 1884. The first contains temperature and barometer measurements taken by Preece throughout the course of his journey, the second is a list of stations along the route, and the distances between them in miles.Places referred to in the text are given their names in Persian script in the margin throughout.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 28; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.