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1. ‘Papers drawn up by the Persian Government’
- Description:
- Abstract: The bundle consists of a English translation of a paper produced by the Persian Government. The paper outlines Persian complaints against the conduct and line of policy adopted by HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, and his predecessors: Colonel Justin Sheil, Colonel Francis Farrant, and William Taylour Thomson. It also explains the Government of Persia's position on Herat.The paper was enclosed in a letter from Murray – Number 15 of 1856.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
2. 'Despatches from HM's Envoy in Persia'
- Description:
- Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-3 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai], dated 9 March 1848. The enclosures are dated 10-20 January 1852.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Persia [Iran], including:The removal of Meerxa Tekkee Khan [Mīrzā Taqī Khān Farāhānī, also known as Amir Kabir], the Ameer Nizam [Amir-e Nezam], as Prime Minister, his arrest, and his request to the British for protectionA ruling that inheritance disputes between Muslim and non-Muslin heirs will subsequently be decided in the Royal CourtA visit by HM Chargé d’Affaires to the Russian-occupied island of Ashoorada [Ashuradeh]Construction of forts in Asterabad [Gorgon] as defence against Toorkoman [Turkoman] incursions. A map of the forts is included on folio 412Anglo-Russian mediation over Persian-Ottoman border disputes, including the construction of an Ottoman fort at Katoor [Qotur] and outposts near Khoee [Khoy], and Persian occupation of the island of Mehellat [Minu] in the Shut-ool Arab [Shatt al-Arab]An attempt to overthrow Syd Mahomed Khan [Sayyid Muḥammad Khān ‘Alī Kūzāy, Governor of Herat] by his exiled predecessor Yar Mahomed Khan [Yār Muḥammad Khān ‘Alī Kūzāy], and a Persian offer of assistance to Syd Mahomed.The primary correspondents are: the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; HM Chargé d’Affaires, Persia; the Prime Minister of Persia; the Foreign Minister of Persia; and the Russian Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia.The item contains two folios in French, ff 383 and 387, letters from the Russian Minister Plenipotentiary.Physical description: 1 item (73 folios)
3. ‘Vol 124 Secret letters inward and outward’
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence relating to the crisis in Britain’s relations with Persia in the early 1840s, in the wake of the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42) and the siege of Herat (1838), which led to British occupation of the island of Karrak [Jazīreh-ye Khārk] in the Persian Gulf.The volume’s contents, sent and received by the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain Samuell Hennell, relate to:Reports from British officials in Persia on the state of Anglo-Persian negotiations over British occupation of Jazīreh-ye Khārk and the restoration to the Persians of the fortress of Ghoriān, near the border town of Herat;Various reports, written by Hennell, and based on his tour of the Gulf, on the possibilities of occupation by the British of Bahrain [written as Bahrein throughout] or Grane [Kuwait], for the purposes of establishing a naval station in the Gulf;A report, written by Hennell, on relations between Muscat and Bahrain, and the prospects of an attack on Bahrain by the Imam of Muscat’s forces;An assessment, written by Hennell, of Bahrain’s climate, considered by the Resident to be too harmful to the ‘European constitution’ for permanent occupation of Bahrain by British forces;Egyptian territorial ambitions in Arabia and the Gulf, and measures to counter Egyptian influence;Relations between the Al Khalifah at Bahrain;The political situation at Bushire, including the removal of the Bushire Governor;Discussion between officials over whether the British Residency should remain at Jazīreh-ye Khārk (as desired by Hennell) or return to Bushire;Hennell’s absence through sickness, and his insistence that an assistant to the Resident is required.Some of the letters in the volume (folios 42, 61) have incorrect dates assigned to them (1853 and 1851 respectively); these dates have been omitted from the volume’s assigned date range.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence begins on the title page and ends of the last folio of content (i.e. text); these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: An original sporadic and incomplete pagination sequence is also present between ff 6-67; these numbers are located in the top outermost corner of the page when present.Condition: Many of the pages have suffered water damage, and are damaged at the edges, resulting in the loss of some text.
4. ‘State of affairs in Persia’
- Description:
- Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-5 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 9 February 1852. The enclosures are dated 3 September-19 November 1852.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Persia [Iran] and Afghanistan, including:Persian [Iranian] threats to re-take control of Bender Abbass [Bandar Abbas] from the Imam of MuscatPersian claims on Mohammera [Khorramshahr] and negotiations with the Ottoman Empire over their rights ‘to collect taxes and maintain soldiers’ thereOther events related to Persian-Ottoman border disputes, including the construction of an Ottoman fort at Katoor [Qotur] and Persian occupation of the island of Mehalleh [Minu] in the Shat ool Arab [Shatt al-Arab]Clashes between the Governor of Asterabad [Gorgon] and the Turkoman population of the province, including the damming of rivers to divert water away from Turkoman areasThe appointment of the Shah’s brother [‘Abbās Mīrzā Mulk Ārā Qājār] as Governor of Koom [Qom]An application to the Persian Government for redress after a British subject travelling from Lingah [Bandar Lengeh] to Muscat aboard a Persian ship was beaten and robbed by the crew because he was JewishReported intrigues against Syed Mahomed Khan [Sayyid Muḥammad Khān ‘Alī Kūzāy, Governor of Herat] and attempts to persuade him to accept Persian sovereigntyThe pillaging of Ghorian [Ghurian] and capture of its Governor by forces of the Sheikh of Merve [Merv]Restrictions and increased tariffs on exports from Bushire [Bushehr], particularly of wheat and horses, imposed by the Governor, and British complaints to the Persian Government (particularly after the seizure of a British vessel) leading to the Governor being summoned to TehranThe removal of Meerxa Tekkee Khan [Mīrzā Taqī Khān Farāhānī, also known as Amīr Kabīr], the Ameer Nizam [Amir-e Nezam], as Prime Minister, and the appointment of Meerza Aghan Khan [Mīrzā Āqā Khān Nūrī], the Itimad-ood-Dowleh [I‘timād al-Dawlah].The primary correspondents are: the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; HM Chargé d’Affaires, Persia; the Prime Minister of Persia; the Foreign Minister of Persia; the British Embassy, Constantinople [Istanbul]; and the Russian Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia.Physical description: 1 item (138 folios)
5. 'Persia'
- Description:
- Abstract: The memorandum is divided into the following chapter headings:'General Status of Persia', ff 2r-12;'Persia and Herat', ff 12v-24r;'Persia and Seistan [Sīstān]', ff 24r-31v;'Persia and Kohuk', ff 31v-35;'Persia and the Navigation of the Karun [Kārūn] River', ff 35v-39r;'Persia and her integrity', ff 39r-47;'Persia and Merv', ff 47v-52v;'Continuation of General Status of Persia', ff 52v-61;'Appendices', ff 63-78.'General Status of Persia' provides a geographic description of the Kingdom including details of its boundaries, rivers, and transportation links. It also includes an outline of its demography, and its revenue by province. Military matters are also covered in this section; this includes an in-depth look at the Persian army — its pay and composition — and a look at the employment of British officers in Persia. This section concludes with a narrative of Persia's modern history from the sixteenth century.'Persia and Herat' describes the extent to which the province's boundaries can be defined, and provides a brief description of each district within; Ghorian, Sabzawar, Farah, Bakwa, Kurak, and Obeh. It also includes a description of the town of Herat, and information on the province's demography and climate. The section also provides detailed coverage of the tribes in the region. The development of British policy towards Herat is explained through the use of select correspondence. This includes the relative merits for Britain in either maintaining Herat's independence, or supporting Afghan or Persian rule; extensive reference is made to the Treaty of Paris (1857).'Persia and Seistan' also provides a geographic description of the province, along with information on its administrative divisions, climate, and transportation links. Its main purpose however is to outline the development of British attitudes concerning the governance of this province; should it be overseen by Afghanistan or Persia? To provide context, it covers the historical basis for the two competing claims. It concludes by describing the British arbitration of the matter in 1871-72 by General Frederick John Goldsmid, and its outcome; summaries of the statements provided by the Afghan and Persian sides are included.'Persia and Kohuk' explains how Persia has disputed the award of this province to Khelat by General Goldsmid in 1871, and British reluctance to amend the award in favour of Persia.'Persia and the Navigation of the Karun River' outlines British efforts to open up the Karun River for steam navigation. It explains that Russian success in improving transportation infrastructure in the north of Persia — in contrast to British failure in the south — is seen to be putting British trade at a disadvantage; the Karun River is seen as having the best potential for resolving this. The prospects for the construction of a railway in southern Persia are also briefly examined.'Persia and her integrity' details the development of a diplomatic understanding from 1834 between Britain and Russia, in which both powers established their mutual interest in the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Persia. It chiefly concerns British suspicions that Russian activities in central Asia do not match their professed intentions towards Persia (i.e. British fears that Russia is encroaching on central Asia).'Persia and Merv', in addition to providing an overview of the region's history and ancient settlements, considers what the British consider to be the encroachment of Russia on Persia's northern borders; the British consider any potential Russian occupation of Merv to be a threat, and it is explained that Persian control is preferred.'Continuation of General Status of Persia' concentrates on British concerns over increases in Russian influence at the Persian Court in Tehran; the British fear Persia becoming a vassal of Russia and facilitating Russian expansion towards Afghanistan. It therefore discusses the extent to which Britain should take advantage of Persian overtures to establish friendly relations with that power in order to prevent this scenario. It also briefly discusses Persian designs on Bahrain, and the desirability — for Britain — in maintaining its status as an independent state, in addition to emphasizing the need to maintain Britain's protectorate role in the Persian Gulf. Topics also included in this section, but covered in less detail include: the conference of consular powers on the Resident in the Persian Gulf; the development of telegraph lines in Persia; and negotiations respecting the demarcation of the Persian-Turkish border.The memorandum is signed by Owen Tudor Burne of the India Office.The appendix at the back is divided eight sections as follows:I. 'Employment of British Officers with the Persian Army', f 63;II. A selection of memoranda (dated 20 July-24 December 1868) concerning the need to strengthen British influence over Persia, and the means available to achieve it, ff 63v-64;III. A selection of memoranda (dated 10-30 October 1868) on the possibility of employing British officers with the Persian Army, f 65;IV. 'The Policy of Great Britain towards Persia, ff 66-69;V. Instructions given to Major-General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlingson as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, dated 4 August 1859, ff 68-69;VI. 'Outline Sketch by Colonel Burne of the Shah of Persia's Visit to England, 1873, ff 69-72;VII. 'Note by Colonel Burne on the Persian Army, 20th December 1871', ff 72-73;VIII. 'Abstract of Events in Persia, Afghanistan, &c. from 1722 to the present period', ff 73v-78.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 1A and terminates at f 78, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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.
6. 'The History of Seistan and Lash-Jowain'
- Description:
- Abstract: This document was compiled and signed by H Le Poer Wynne (Foreign Department) and covers the history of Seistan and Lash-Jowain [Lāsh-e Juwayn], including the dispute over sovereignty which led to the Anglo-Persian War (1856-7).The document is divided into the following sections:1. The history of the Province up to the Persian War of 1856-7.2. Events and correspondence regarding the Province from the period immediately preceding the Persian War of 1856-7 down to 1861.3. The alarm which Dost Mahomed's [Dost Mohammad Khan] advance on Furrah [Farāh]and Herat [Herāt]caused the Persian Government, and the correspondence which followed, 1861-1864.4. The views expressed by the Home Government during this period.5. The quiet occupation of the Province by Persia from 1864 to the end of 1867.6. Her further advance and raids into the territory of Sheikhnassoor, Furrah, and Candahar[Kandahār], from end of 1868 to present date.7. The despatches of the British Minister at Tehran regarding (1) Persia's apprehensions of Shere Ali's designs on Seistan; (2) the late raids into Afghan territory.8. Correspondence regarding the proposal to submit the matter to British arbitration.Much of the document is compiled using extracts from correspondence submitted between officials in Britain, Persia and Afghanistan.Physical description: 38 folios
7. ‘Translation of a Letter announcing the capture of Heraat from His Majesty the King of Persia to Lt. Coll. Macdonald Envoy to the Court’
- Description:
- Abstract: The translation of a letter from the King of Persia [Shah of Iran, Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār] to the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir. The letter announces the capture of Heraat [Herat] by Persia.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 7, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 6 September 1826 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/131).Physical description: 1 item (1 folio)
8. 'Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Stewart, Bengal Staff Corps, on Special Duty on the Perso-Afghan Frontier.'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file consists of a report written by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Stewart, Bengal Staff Corps, in which he describes his journeys to and around Mashad, Herat and Merv in the vicinity of the Perso-Afghan frontier, and provides detailed intelligence regarding topography, settlements, communications, vegetation and agriculture. He also describes local populations, tribes and chiefs, and their present and historical actions and allegiances.The author records his opinion that due to a general fear of Torcoman raids, and a positive attitude towards Russia, the region of Khurasan [Khorāsān] could willingly fall under Russian sway; he therefore urges the instalment of an English officer on the Perso-Afghan frontier to maintain a British influence there.The report is written in twelve chapters, and is followed by five appendices giving detailed descriptions of routes travelled, with mileages.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 123 and terminates at the last folio with 162, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 123-162; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
9. 'Report on the North-Eastern Frontier of Persia and the Tekeh Turkomans'
- Description:
- Abstract: The memorandum is a report authored by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Stewart, Bengal Staff Corps, dated 4 July 1881. Its purpose being to convey the results of his intelligence gathering mission to the North-Eastern Frontier of Persia.The report largely consists of a narrative detailing Stewart's journey from Tehran to the frontier, which he undertook under the guise of an Armenian horse dealer from Calcutta. The narrative details events that unfolded during the course of his journey, but also includes detailed observations on the landscape and settlements he passes through. This includes general observations on the local economy, fauna, geology, history, and politics. Military matters are also a consideration, and it therefore includes details on Persian armaments, fortifications, garrisons, and how easy an army could be transported through the region.Much discussion is given to raids undertaken against Persia — primarily by the Biluchis and the Turkoman — and efforts by Persian authorities to defend against them. Some attention is therefore given to slave trading in the region, and how recent Russian activities have curbed the opportunities to profit from the practice. It also concerns itself with Russian expansion in the region and the extent that the Persians are willing to assist them.On folio 106 is an extract from the Times (August 1880) concerning the Indian Prince Ram Chunder; Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart claims to have met him during the course of his mission.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 105, and terminates at f 129, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the memorandum also contains an original pagination sequence.
10. ‘Letters received, by way of Marseilles, April 17.1856’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 March 1856, Numbers 10-11) and the Government of Bombay (19 March 1856, Number 20). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 95-101) discuss the extent that Persia supports the position of Prince Mahomed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan] at Herat, and whether the Government of India should encourage Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] to annex Herat. It also covers the killing of an unnamed individual, claimed to be in self-defence, by Major Nicholson in the Punjab.The section from Bombay (folio 102) is concerned with updates on Aden.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
11. ‘Secret Letters received Dec.1.1856 by way of Marseilles’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 October 1856, Number 51-54) and the Government of Bombay (1 and 3 November 1856, Numbers 82-86). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 108-115) are concerned with the establishment of ‘Hindustan fanatics’ in Punjtar [Panjtar], the supply of arms and finance for Ameer Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan], and discuss the question of whether Colonel John Jacobs (Acting Commissioner in Sind) should be put in direct communication with the Ameer. It also covers a report from Colonel Herbert Benjamin Edwardes (Commissioner in Peshawar) of an interview held with envoys from Herat, and his views respecting the non-viability of an independent Herat. Dost Mahomed's dismissal of a Persian envoy at Cabool [Kabul] and his reasons for returning to Cabool are also discussed.The section from Bombay (folios 116-119) reports preparations for a military expedition against Persia, arrangements for a declaration of war against Persia by the Government of India, and arrangements for the delivery of arms and finance to aid Dost Mahomed.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
12. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles Oct.13.1856’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 September 1856, Numbers 35-40) and the Government of Bombay (12 September 1856, Numbers 66-70). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 43-49r) are concerned with the release of Kashmiri prisoners held by Thibet [Tibet], and the motivations of Jung Bahadoor [Jung Bahadur Rana] in accepting the title of Maharaj of Kaski and Lamjung. They also discuss the proceedings of the Persian Army against Kelat [Kalat], the possibility of providing British assistance for the Khan of Kelat, and the size of the force required from India to occupy Karrack [Khārk] and Bushire.The section from Bombay (folios 43-52) includes reports of the situation at Bushire, and the successful conclusion of negotiations between the Imam of Muscat and the Government of Persia for the rent to be paid by the former for Bunder Abbass [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. It also includes discussion of the particulars surrounding the supply of British weapons and ammunition to Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan], the position at Herat, and the size of the force proposed by the Commander-in-Chief for the proposed expedition against Persia.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)