Abstract: The map is found in the
Report of the Operations connected with the Occupation of Penjwin between April 18th and May 7th, 1927, promulgated by Command of the Air Council. It shows Diyālah [Ustān Diyālá], Kirkuk, and Sulaimāni [As Sulaymānīyah] divisions in Iraq; and Ardalān (Kurdistān) and Kirmānshah [Kermānshāhān] provinces in Persia. It indicates cities, towns and settlements, railways, telegraph lines, roads, tracks, paths, hydrology, relief with contours, and spot heights.Notes in the bottom margin describe the map compilation methodology, and contain an index to sheets, and two keys to symbols.The map consists of two sheets pasted together. A portion of a third sheet is pasted over the western half.Published under the direction of Colonel C H D Ryder, Surveyor General of India. Originally published in 1923, this 2nd edition with slight alterations was published in 1925. Heliozincographed at the Survey of India Offices, Calcutta.Physical description: Materials: Printed in colour on paperDimensions: 435 x 711mm, on sheet 583 x 801mm
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-3 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 28 February 1848. The enclosures are dated 7 December 1847-15 January 1848. The enclosures consist of copies of despatches from the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia relating to affairs in and around Bagdad [Baghdad], including:A British merchant who was beaten and arrested while attempting to enter Bagdad and attempts to bring charges against the soldiers responsibleThe defeat of ‘brigands’ by the Governor of KermanshahA complaint against Khurshid Agha [Khorshid Aga], Governor of Bussorah [Basra], for the unauthorised boarding of a British vessel and his later removal from office and arrestThe immunity from British interference of Persian [Iranian] ships transporting enslaved persons in the Gulf and the difficulty of securing the release of those brought to Bussorah by them.Physical description: 1 item (15 folios)
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-4 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 25 January 1848. The enclosures are dated 2-27 November 1847. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in and around Bagdad [Baghdad], including:Flood defences on the EuphratesTrade and immigration through Bussorah [Basra]The unauthorised boarding of a British vessel at Bussorah by local authoritiesTroops raised by the Governor of Kormanshah [Kermanshah] to fight against ‘brigands’ in his provinceThe immunity from British interference of Persian [Iranian] ships transporting enslaved persons in the Gulf and the difficulty of securing the release of those brought to Bussorah by them.The primary correspondents are the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, the British Consul in Bagdad and the Ottoman Governor of Bagdad.Physical description: 1 item (26 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, memoranda, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Lynch, Officiating Superintendent of the Indian Navy; and Commander Felix Jones. It is the first in a series of two items on Jones’s travels.The item concerns Jones’s account of his travels accompanying Major Henry Rawlinson, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq] from Baghdad to Sulemaneyeh [Sulaymaniyah] via Kirmanshah [Kermanshah] and their separate return to Baghdad, to investigate the border between the Persian [Iranian] and Ottoman Empires prior to the Second Treaty of Erzroum [Erzurum]. The account includes frequent latitude and longitude bearings, observations of the temperature, and exact timings, as well as remarks on local history, the people Jones met, and descriptions of ancient ruins and inscriptions with etymological and historical conjectures. A detailed description of the Behistan [Behistun] Inscription appears on folios 670-675, and the Tak-i-Bostan [Taq-e Bostan] sculptures are described on folios 679-681. The item does not contain a copy of the map which Jones created.The places visited include:The River Diyleh [Diyala]Village of Bakuba [Baqubah]Shehraban [Al Miqdadiyah]The Holwan River [Nahr Alwand]Kasri Shirim [Qasr-e Shirin]Sar-puli-Zohab [Sarpol-e Zahab]Sar-mil [Sarmil]Kirrind [Kerend-e Gharb]Kirmanshah [Kermanshah]Mahidasht [Mahi Dasht]Halebjah [Halabja]Sulemaneyeh [Sulaymaniyah].The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft no 586/49’, ‘Coll[ection]: 3’, and ‘Collection No 1 of No 139’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 630, and terminates at f 706 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 item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 24 dated 2 April 1856. The enclosures are dated 29 February-24 March 1856.The papers comprise:1) Copies of despatches of Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy to Persia [Iran], at Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, forwarded for information to the Government of Bombay and the Government of India, including relevant enclosures. They include the following matters:Intelligence that Persia has negotiated a commercial treaty with France and allegedly attempted to introduce a clause whereby police superintendence of Gulf commerce would in future be entrusted to France, and has a similar projected treaty with the United States of America, which Murray criticizes as proof of the ‘hypocritical semblance of friendship’ (f 444) of the Persian Prime MinisterClaims of the: disarray, weakness and mutinous disposition of the Persian Army; and the Persian Government’s unpopularity with the local populace, including reports of rebellions in Khorassan [Khorasan] and Isfahan against the central and local authoritiesA description of the state of affairs in Herat, including Murray’s assertions that: news of the seizure and occupation of Herat by Persian forces is entirely without foundation; the present ruler of Herat, Prince Mahomed Yoosuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf Khān, Regent of Herat], did not recover the throne with either aid from or the knowledge of Persia; Prince Yoosuf wishes to be independent but has probably solicited the support of the Persian Government in response to internal enemies and the advance of Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy]; Persia may use the situation to incite trouble in Afghanistan in order to divert troops from India to that area and has recruited influential inhabitants of Herat to promote the Shah’s capture of that town and Candahar [Kandahar]Intelligence regarding Persian military movements at Kirmanshah [Kermanshah] and the despatch of troops, guns and ammunition to the southern frontier of Persia.2) Copies of despatches from Richard Stevens, HM Consul at Tehran, to Murray, forwarded for information to the Government of Bombay and the Government of India, with relevant enclosures. They cover a number of matters including the following:French and [Ottoman] Turkish concerns regarding Persian military movements and preparations in KermanshahReports and rumours of: Persian intentions to capture Herat in order to deflect Dost Mahommed Khan’s purported plans; Herat’s successful capture by Persian forces; and Persia’s intention to seize CandaharDetails of Persian military command appointments, for forces due to proceed to Affghanistan [Afghanistan], Mohamera [Khorramshahr], Seistan [Sistan] and Bushire [Bushehr] (f 457)News that the Persian Government has authorised Jean David to conclude a commercial treaty with Austria similar to that concluded last summer with France (f 467), and copy of a draft treaty he has been authorised to conclude with the United States of America (ff 458-465)Copy of a note containing the Persian Prime Minister’s instructions to the Persian Ambassador at St Petersburgh [St Petersburg] to ensure that Russia considers the situation of Persia during the [Crimean War, 1853-1856] peace negotiations with Britain (f 466)Substance of an article in the
Tehran Gazetteby the Persian Minister of Foreign Affairs accusing Britain of supporting Dost Mahomed Khan (ff 469-472); substance of a circular by the Persian Prime Minister addressed to all Foreign Missions explaining the reasons compelling Persia to adopt measures against Dost Mahomed Khan; and copies of twelve letters ostensibly from Affghan sirdars [Afghan leaders] professing their loyalty to the Shah and the Persian Government (ff 478-491)Copy of a letter which, Stevens states, the Persian Government ‘pretends was written by Mr Secretary Thomson to Syd Mahommed Khan [Sayyid Muḥammad Khān] of Herat’ apparently undermining the Persian Government and promoting British interests in Herat (ff 492-493).3) Copies of despatches of Commander James Felix Jones, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, maintaining that the steam vessels
Victoria,
Adjahaand the HC [Honourable Company] sloop of war
Cliveare required at Bushire considering the political situation with Persia.4) Copy of a despatch from the Secretary to the Government of India, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, indicating a reluctance to escalate the quarrel with Persia due to uncertainty regarding Persia’s true intentions in Afghanistan, and emphasising that until orders are received from the Secret Committee which show that the despatch of an expedition is called for by the British Government, the Government of Bombay should not comply with Mr Murray’s requisition for troops, but may however institute naval and military preparations for an expedition.Physical description: 1 item (61 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 91 of 1846, dated 4 August 1846. The enclosure is dated 28 May 1846.The primary document is a despatch from Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], forwarding, for the information of the Government of Bombay and the Governor-General of India, copies of his communications to Sir Stratford Canning, HM Ambassador at Constantinople [Istanbul], reporting on affairs in the Baghdad Pachalic [Baghdad Pashalik, also spelled Pashalic in this item].The papers notably cover the following matters:The agreement negotiated by Canning relating to the rights of Britain to navigate the ‘Rivers of Mesopotamia [Iraq]’ (the Tigris and Euphrates) under its own flag and subject only to anchorage fees, and Rawlinson’s expectation that this will encourage the use of steam vessels and stimulate British trade with the Turkish [Ottoman] EmpireTensions between Persian [Iranian] and Turkish tribes on the Turco-Persian frontier at Kermanshah, plans for mediation by Rawlinson of the differences between the tribes, and Rawlinson’s description (f 14) of two ‘serious outrages’ committed by Persian tribes against the property of Turkish tribes and his fears of possible retaliationA meeting between Najib Pasha [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] and the Persian Consul Moolah Abdool Azeez [Mullā ‘Abd al-‘Azīz, also referred to as the Persian Agent] regarding the various complaints of the Consul against the Turkish authorities relating to: import and export duties; alleged fees for interment at Nejjef [Najaf, also spelled Nejif in this item]; ferry tolls required to cross a canal between Nejjef and Kufa; passport regulations affecting Persian citizens resident in Baghdad; and the inability of Persian citizens to obtain restitution following the ‘plunder’ of their property in the vicinity of BaghdadRawlinson’s mediatory role following two recent incidents at Kerbela [Karbala], namely: the affair of Hajee Medhi [Ḥājī Mahdī] who was sent to Kerbela by the Persian Consul on private business but presented himself as a Government Agent independent of the local government, and the question of Turkish and Persian jurisdictional rights regarding his punishment; and the affair of the Persian Army soldiers on official business who refused to deposit their arms, forced the gates and assaulted the guards, and the postponement of their punishment pending the decision of the Turkish and Persian governmentsRawlinson’s report of the discontent over taxation among ‘the Arabs of this Pashalic’, and his concern that increased tensions and acts of defiance will lead to constant conflict and disorderInformation received by Rawlinson alleging the erection of fortifications at Zahab [Sarpol-e Zahab] and Mohamrah [Khorramshahr, also spelled Mahomrah in this item] and the denial of the Persian Prime Minister, as conveyed by HM Minister in Tehran, of plans to erect any fortifications on the Persian frontier.Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
Abstract: This file contains material relating to a review of politico-military conditions in Persia [Iran], following the revelation of Turkish plans to invade Persia in order to reach Afghanistan, which would in turn have threatened the British Empire in India.Physical description: Foliation: this file consists of three physical files. The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover of file one (ff 1-174), through file two (ff 175-296), and terminates at the inside back cover of file three (ff 297-444); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 9-72, and ff 174-443; these are also circled, and have been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This part contains papers relating to the financing, by the British Government, of the Imperial Russian Army in Persia [Iran], notably difficulties concerning the acquisition of currency for the payment of troops, and the development of British policy regarding the method of distribution of funds to the Russian military authorities in Persia. The papers notably cover:Problems with: purchasing roubles [rubles] in Russia due to restrictions on agents of the Imperial Bank of Persia in Russia; the remittance of roubles through Persia; and the poor rouble exchange rate due to the depreciated value of the currency‘Lawless’ behaviour of Russian troops in Persia, notably at Hamadan, Kermanshah and Kasvin [Qazvin], including looting of bazaars, apparently following the refusal of marketeers to accept the depreciated roubleProblems of the Russian military authorities, notably the ‘Caucasian Army’ [Russian Caucasus Army] under General Baratoff [Nikolai Nikolaevich Baratov], in obtaining funds from the Russian Government, and requests for British financial support and loansBritish concerns that the departure of Russian troops would leave Persia vulnerable to attack by Turkish [Ottoman] forces, and plans to send a British force to the regionThe need of the British Government and the Government of India to balance financial pressures in Persia with those of the war effort elsewherePlans for the acquisition of silver by Russia from America, and its transfer to Petrograd [St Petersburg] for minting of Persian money (Krans) and onward transmission to Persia, or for transfer to Teheran [Tehran], via Petrograd, for minting in Persia, to meet the requirements of the Russian troops (see also IOR/L/PS/10/687/2)British decision to set up a Commission, or Board, in Hamadan, for the control and distribution of Krans to finance and pay Russian troops in Persia (rather than distribute funds via a Russian Bank or directly to the Russian military authorities), and difficulties over recruiting staff who are both sufficiently experienced and available (see also IOR/L/PS/10/687/2)Growing British doubts in late 1917 about the reliability of Baratoff’s army and the policy of continuing to finance it, notably the War Office’s view that it is out of control, under the influence of Bolshevik committees, and at risk of being utilised against British interests.The papers mostly consist of: covering letters of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Under-Secretary of State for India, with related enclosures; minute papers of the India Office Secret and Political departments; copies of decyphered telegrams; copies of correspondence; notes and letters by India Office officials. The India Office minute papers are annotated chiefly by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Secretary, Political and Secret Department, and Francis H Lucas, Secretary, Financial Department.The main correspondents are as follows: the Foreign Office; the India Office, including various Financial Department officials; Sir Charles Marling, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, Teheran; George Newell, Manager, Imperial Bank of Persia, London; Monsieur S Ermolaieff [Yermolayev?], Agent of the Imperial Russian Treasury, India House, London; and M Nabokoff [Konstantine Dmitrivitch Nabokov], Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Government in London. Other correspondents include: Sir Cecil Spring Rice, British Ambassador to the United States, Washington (also a former Ambassador to Persia [Iran] 1906-1908), and Sir George William Buchanan, British Ambassador to the Russian Empire (up to the October Revolution), Petrograd [St Petersburg].Physical description: 1 item (206 folios)