Abstract: This file is comprised of the correspondence and notes relating to two manuscripts by George Nathaniel Curzon. Firstly, 'Notes to accompany Map of Persia' (Published by the Royal Geographical Society), and secondly, the notes for Curzon's introduction to an edition published by Macmillan of 'The Adventures Haji Baba of Ispahan' by James Morier. In particular there is correspondence with the Macmillan publishers.The file consists of:The handwritten 'Notes to accompany the Map of Persia' (ff 1-11)The printed journal article (ff 12-14)A handwritten index to maps and plans (ff 16-21). This is divided into A) general maps i. Persia ii. Afghanistan. iii. Baluchistan. And B) Divisional maps. i Persia ii. Afghanistan iii. Baluchistan. These categories are all organised into five columns: title of map; author; number of sheets; scale of miles to inch; place and date of publication.Headed notelets (ff 28-30) from 'Kedleston, Derby' with Curzon's notes on Haji BabaCorrespondence between George Augustin Macmillan and George Nathaniel CurzonA flyer (ff 37-38) from Macmillan and Co for 'Illustrated Standard Novels' including a specimen illustrationNotes (ff 39-72) for Curzon's introduction to the account of Haji Baba.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 72; 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 4-11, and ff 48-74; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file consists primarily of summaries of letters, memoranda, and reports dated between 1 and 30 November 1919; the subject matter concerns Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic movements in Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan.The following titles are abbreviated in the file as indicated: Chief of the [Imperial] General Staff (CGS); Foreign Secretary (FS) — most likely — to the Government of India; and Viceroy of India (V).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 326 and terminates at f 333, 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.
Abstract: This file contains summaries of reports, letters and memoranda concerning Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic movements in Central Asia, Persia and Afghanistan. The file is divided into a series of sections, each of which contains summaries of reports, letters and memoranda. Prominent correspondents include the Chief of the General Staff (officially known as the Chief of the Imperial General Staff during this period but referred to here as 'CGS'), the Directorate of Military Intelligence ('DMI'), the Secretary of State for India ('S'), the Foreign Secretary (abbreviated simply as 'FS'; given the department in which this file was produced it is most likely that 'FS' refers to the Foreign Secretary of the Government of India), and the Viceroy and Governor-General of India ('V').The contents are listed as follows (the date ranges of each section are provided in brackets):I. Bolshevik Missions to Kabul (12 May-3 November 1919);II. Afghan Missions to Bokhura [Bukhara] and Khiva (8 June-3 November 1919);III. Intrigues at and with Tashkend (3 May-26 October 1919);IV. Afghan Mission to Kushk (3 June-14 October 1919);V. Movements in Afghan Turkestan (3 June-14 October 1919);VI. Afghan Missions to Moscow (28 May-2 November 1919);VII. Movements in Ferghana (2 May-20 October 1919);VIII. Bolshevik relations with Bokhara, Samarkand, and Khiva (12 June-29 October 1919);IX. Bolshevik-Afghan trade (27 July-12 October 1919);X. Barkatullah (18 July-13 October 1919);XI. Afghan aggression into Russian territory (2-31 October 1919);XII. Kasim Beg (24 July-19 October 1919);XIII. Pan-Islamism (30 May-30 October 1919);XIV. Bolshevik designs on Persia (24 July-31 October 1919);XV. Bolshevik Promises of Assistance to Afghans (16 June-2 October 1919);XVI. Miscellaneous (21 July-31 October 1919);XVII. Government of India's appreciations of position, etc. (23 June-10 September 1919).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; 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.
Abstract: The file consists primarily of summaries of letters, memoranda, and reports dated between 26 November 1919 and 5 January 1920; the subject matter concerns Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic movements in Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan. These summaries are divided into a series of sections which are as follows:I. Bolshevik Missions to Kabul;II. Afghan Relations with Bokhara and Khiva;III. Intrigues at Tashkend;IV. Afghan Mission to Kushk;V. Movements in Afghan Turkestan;VI. Afghan Mission to Moscow;VII. Movements in Ferghana and Semirechia;VIII. Bolshevik relations with Bokhara, Khiva and Samarkand;IX. Afghan-Bolshevik Commercial Relations;X. Barkatullah;XI. Afghan Aggression into Russian Territory: Afghan political Relations with Bolsheviks in Turkestan;XII. Kasim Beg;XIII. Pan-Islamism and anti-British Schemes;XIV. Bolshevik Designs on Persia;XV. Bolshevik assistance to Afghans in Material, &c.;XVI. Miscellaneous: (a) Movements of Bolshevik troops in Transcaspia. (b) Food and fuel situation in Bolshevik area. (c) Intrigues with Trans-Caucasia;XVII. Appreciations of the General Situation.Section XVII contains substantial extracts from letters, memoranda, and reports rather than the usual summaries. Sections IV and XII are empty; nil is used to indicate that there are no reports in these sections for the period in question.The following titles are abbreviated in the file as indicated: Chief of the [Imperial] General Staff (CGS); Director of Military Intelligence (DMI); and Foreign Secretary (FS) — most likely — to the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; 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.
Abstract: The first part of the file (folios 1 to 2) consists of a chronological table of 'principal events' which took place in Afghanistan, Burma, China, Turkestan, and Persia between June 1885 and December 1887. Each entry includes a brief description and the date. In addition, it also indicates who was the Secretary of State for India and who was the Viceroy of India during the event in question. This list is dated 1 January 1888.The second part of the file (folios 3 to 5) consists of a copy of letter from Sir Arthur Hirtzel to Mr Parker dated 26 February 1913. It concerns a compromise that might be reached with the Ottoman Empire over the status of Koweit [Kuwait]. It also includes copies of the following enclosures:1. a proposed statement defining the territorial limits to which the British will guarantee the autonomy of the Sheikh of Koweit;2. extract of a letter from Major Stuart George Knox, Political Agent, Kuwait, dated 23 May 1908. It concerns the suzerainty of Anta'a;3. extracts from Major Knox's report on his trip to Anta'a, which claims that the local population views the Sheikh of Koweit as their legitimate ruler;4. extract of a letter from Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, Political Agent, Koweit, dated 23 March 1910. It conveys some of his opinions concerning the territorial extent of Koweit;5. extract from Captain Shakespear's diary dated 25 February 1910.Also included in the second part is a map (folio 4) showing the limits of Koweit and adjacent territory, which includes south eastern Iraq, south western Persia, and a significant part of the Persian Gulf.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; 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 consists of two parts and each has an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-66 to dispatch no. 4 from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 20 February 1839. The enclosures are dated 4 November 1837-16 May 1838.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Afghanistan, the Sikh Empire and Sindh. Much of the correspondence is concerned with the invasion of Herat by Persia [Iran], specifically:A treaty between the Shah of Persia [Mohammad Shah Qajar] and the chiefs of Kandahur [Kandahar, also spelt Candahar in the file], and the eventual renunciation of the treaty by the chiefs on the belief that the Shah had violated its termsThe surrender of Gorian [Ghurian, also spelt Ghorian in the file] to the Persian army after a ten-day siegeThe return to Herat of Kamran Shah and the city’s re-fortificationA meeting between the Shah of Persia and the Governor of Khorasan at Sahrood Boostan [Shahrud Bastam]The siege of HeratReactions to Persia’s actions by Dost Mahomed [Mohammad] Khan, Emir of Afghanistan, and his exiled predecessor Shah Shuja [Shah Shujah Durrani]A request by Yar Mohamed Khan, Vizier of Herat, for assistance from Candahar, Bhokhara [Bukhara] and Toorkistan [Turkestan].Other topics covered include:Intelligence reports believed to be inaccurate or unreliableReports of two thousand armed Baloches [Balochis] assembling near Rojhun [Rojhan]The return of Ranjit Singh, Maharajah of the Sikh Empire, to LahoreThe surrender of Bahram Khan Mazari to the Governor of Multan [Diwan Sawan Mal Chopra], and the return of his possessionsThe unauthorised publication of a secret Government of India despatch in Bombay [Mumbai] newspapersArrangements for a visit to the Sikh Empire by the Governor-General of India and a meeting between him and the MaharajahAn account of the roads between Peshawar and Cabool [Kabul]Reports of a Russian agent at CaboolA perceived threat of invasion of Peshawar by Sardar Mahamad Akbur Khan [Wazir Akbar Khan], Emir of CaboolNegotiations for stationing a British Resident in SindhFabricated credentials of Haji Hoosain Ali Khan, who had claimed to be a representative of the Government of CaboolDebts left behind by the late Dr Gerard, surgeon with the British mission to Cabool.The primary correspondents are: Colonel Claude Martin Wade, Political Agent, Loodianah [Ludhiana]; Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson, on a mission to Peshawar; Captain Alexander Burnes, on a mission to Cabool; and the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 406, and terminates at f 603, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file consists of a printed copy of the Convention between the United Kingdom and Russia relating to Persia [Iran], Afghanistan and Thibet [Tibet], signed at St. Petersburgh [St Petersburg] on 31 August 1907, and ratified at St. Petersburgh on 23 September 1907. The Convention was presented to both Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom in October 1907.The Convention sets out the respective spheres of influence of the United Kingdom and Russia in Persia, recognises the United Kingdom’s influence over Afghanistan, and states that both countries would refrain from all interference in the internal administration of Thibet, in recognition of the suzerain rights of China in Thibet.The text of the Convention is written is French, and is followed by an English translation.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 10, these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file consists of notes and appendices providing a history of the arms trade up to 1908, prepared by C M Gibbon of the Persian Section of the Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Department, Government of India.A preface is included by Wilfrid Malleson, Division of Chief of General Staff, India.It discusses: the monetary value of the arms trade, attempts to stop the import of arms into Persia, reported trade routes, import and export figures, the types of rifles and ammunition imported, and firms connected with arms traffic.The appendices include the following:an outline of the scheme inaugurated by Mr New of the Indo-European Telegraph Department for the prevention of illicit arms trade on the Makran Coast;lists of arms caravans known to have made their way from the Makran Coast into Afghan territory;a precis of the action taken by the Persian Government to prohibit arms caravans through South-East Persia;statistics for the value of arms and ammunition openly imported in the Masqat [Muscat] and Persian Gulf ports, monthly exports from the United Kingdom, imports into Masqat by foreign vessels, distribution from Masqat to Persian and Arabian Coasts, and the proportion of various forms of rifles and ammunition imported monthly;a statement of the departures for and arrivals at Masqat of vessels carrying arms and ammunition, and European firms connected with Masqat arms traffic.Also includes one map on folio 17: 'PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE ROUTES TAKEN BY ARMS CARAVANS BETWEEN THE MAKRAN COAST and the AFGHAN BORDER'Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 18; 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.
Abstract: This file concerns the disputed Hashtadan lands, on the Perso-Afghan frontier. It begins with a confidential letter, dated 24 May 1885, from Colonel Joseph West Ridgeway, Assistant Commissioner in charge, Afghan Boundary Commission, Camp Sinjao, to Earl Granville [Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville], Foreign Secretary, London.In his letter, Ridgeway summarises the current dispute, which began in March 1885, when the Persian authorities took steps to cultivate the disputed land, which had reportedly remained uncultivated for two generations. Ridgeway reports that on 12 April the Afghans responded by sending twenty irregular infantry with orders to stop the work. On 15 April, the Governor of Karaz (also spelled in the file as 'Karez') [Kārīz, Iran] arrived at Hashtadan with thirty Persian troopers. Ridgeway states that the matter was only temporarily resolved by William Rudolph Henry Merk, political officer on special duty with the Afghan boundary commission, who arranged that, pending inquiry, the Afghans should retire to Kafir Kala [Islām Qal‘ah, Afghanistan] and the Persians to Karaz.Ridgeway includes with his letter a series of enclosures which document the ongoing dispute. The enclosures are as follows:No. 1 Letter from Kazi Saad-ud-din Khan, agent of Abdur Rahman Khan, Amir [Emir] of Afghanistan, to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, member of the Council of India and Afghan boundary commissioner, dated 23 March 1885No. 2 Letter from Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, Tirpul [Tir Pol, Afghanistan], to Kazi Saad-ud-din Khan, dated 26 March 1885No. 3 Telegram from Sir Ronald Ferguson Thomson, Her Britannic Majesty's Minister, Teheran [Tehran], to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, no. 42, dated 2 April 1885No. 4 Letter from the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs (unnamed) to Sir Ronald Ferguson Thomson (no date)No. 5 Letter from William Rudolph Henry Merk, Hashtadan, to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, dated 16 April 1885No. 6 Letter from Sir Peter Stark Lumsden to Kazi Saad-ud-din Khan, dated 17 April 1885No. 7 Letter from Kazi Saad-ud-din Khan to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, dated 18 April 1885No. 8 Letter from William Rudolph Henry Merk to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, dated 27 April 1885No. 9 Letter from William Rudolph Henry Merk to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, dated 1 May 1885No. 10 Telegram from Sir Peter Stark Lumsden to Sir Ronald Ferguson Thomson, dated 2 May 1885No. 11 Letter from Sir Peter Stark Lumsden to the Governor General of Khorassan [Khorasan], dated 2 May 1885No. 12 Letter from the Governor General of Khorassan to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, dated 5 May 1885No. 13 Extract from a report of Khan Baba Khan, Native Agent, to Colonel Joseph West Ridgeway, Assistant Commissioner in charge, Afghan Boundary Commission, dated 6 May 1885No. 14 Telegram from Sir Ronald Ferguson Thomson to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, dated 7 May 1885No. 15 Extract from a demi-official letter from Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, Mashad [Mashhad], to Colonel Joseph West Ridgeway, dated 11 May 1885No. 16 Telegram from Colonel Joseph West Ridgeway to the Government of India, no. 549, dated 13 May 1885No. 17 Telegram from Colonel Joseph West Ridgeway to the Government of India, no. 557, dated 14 May 1885No. 18 Letter from Captain Albert Frederick de Laessoe to Colonel Joseph West Ridgeway, dated 22 May 1885In his letter Ridgeway makes special reference to the final enclosure, Captain Albert Frederick de Laessoe's letter, which concludes in favour of the Persian claim. Ridgeway suggests that, if possible, the matter regarding Hashtadan should be deferred until the question of the Perso-Afghan frontier can be resolved outright, preferably by one officer.It should be noted that the list of enclosures which follows Ridgeway's letter incorrectly states that item no. 10 is from Sir Ronald Ferguson Thomson to Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, whereas in fact the telegram is from Lumsden to Thomson.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence for this description commences at f 192, and terminates at f 197, 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 also present in parallel between ff 5-206; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file begins with draft instructions, under the heading 'Anglo-Russian Relations', apparently written by John Morley, Secretary of State for India, for Sir Arthur Nicolson, British Ambassador at St Petersburg, in advance of negotiations over an Anglo-Russian agreement.The instructions are divided into two sections, 'Persia' and 'Afghanistan', and they concern Britain's and Russia's respective interests in Persia and Afghanistan. The instructions outline important points on which Nicolson is expected to base any future agreement with Russia (of which a fundamental requirement is Russia's recognition both of the independence and integrity of Persia, and of the territorial integrity of Afghanistan). The remaining instructions relate to issues of trade in Persia and Afghanistan.The draft instructions are followed by an extract from a private letter from Lord Minto [Gilbert John Elliot Murray Kynynmound], Viceroy and Governor-General of India, to John Morley, dated 12 June 1906.In the letter, Lord Minto responds to Morley's draft instructions for Sir Arthur Nicolson. Minto gives his opinions on the wording and possible implications of each paragraph of the draft instructions. Most of Minto's letter details his opposition to the idea that Great Britain and Russia should agree not to extend their railways in the direction of the frontiers of Afghanistan for the next ten years, for which Minto offers a number of political and military considerations.Minto's letter is followed by a letter from Lord Kitchener [Horatio Herbert Kitchener] to Lord Minto, dated 23 May 1906, in which Kitchener responds to Minto's letter of 19 May 1906, which requested Kitchener's opinion on the question of the Frontier railways. In his letter, Kitchener argues that the possibility of extending the British railway system is not only of great strategic importance for the defence of British India, but is also important for maintaining friendly relations with the Amir [Emir] of Afghanistan [Habibullah Khan].Kitchener's letter is followed by two loose folios which repeat word for word the aforementioned draft instructions on Afghanistan and Persia (folios 8 and 9 respectively). Both sets of instructions have the heading 'Secret'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio, and terminates at the last folio; 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.
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.
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-102 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of India, dated 13 August 1838. The enclosures are dated 16 May-11 August 1838.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to a plan to overthrow Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] as Emir of Afghanistan and return former Emir Shah Shuja ool Moolk [Shujā‘ al-Mulk Durrānī, also written as Shah Shooja in the item] to the throne. Topics covered include:Negotiations between Shah Shuja, the Government of India, and Maharajah Runjeet Singh [Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire], and proposed amendments to a treaty already negotiated between Shah Shuja and Runjeet Singh to include the co-operation of the Government of India. Draft copies of the amended treaty are included on folios 501-505 and 518-523Runjeet Singh’s refusal to give up Peshawer [Peshawar] or Shikarpoor [Shikarpur], his rejection of any British interference in ‘his affairs across the Indus’, and a proposed annual tribute to be paid to him by Shah Shuja in exchange for abandoning his claim to Julalabad [Jalalabad]Reports of the state of Dost Mahomed’s relationships with Russia and Persia [Iran]Failed negotiations to end the Persian siege of Herat, including an offer made to Yar Mahomed Khan [Yār Muḥammad Khān ‘Alī Kūzāy, Vizier of Herat] by the Shah of Persia for territory in Persia if he will give up the cityA British mission led by William Hay Macnaghten to Runjeet Singh’s summer capital at Adina Nagur [Dinanagar, also written as Adeenanuggur in the item], including accounts of meetings with Runjeet Singh and biographies of members of his courtThe continuance of Macnaghten’s mission to Loodiana [Ludhiana] to present Shah Shuja with the proposed amendments negotiated with Runjeet Singh, and his approval of themThe recovery from Toorkestan [Afghan Turkestan] of the books and papers (listed on ff 449-450) of explorer William Moorcroft, who died there of a fever in 1825, and their proposed donation to the Asiatic Society of BengalA report on the affairs of Candahar [Kandahar], including its history, biographies of prominent figures, and its relations with other states, particularly in relation to the Persian siege of HeratPlans for the logistics of restoring Shah Shuja to the throne of Afghanistan, including potential routes for him to enter the country, consideration of the possible actions of Dost Mahomed and how to counter them, his perceived level of support in the country, and specific British battalions and officers to be appointedA British mission led by Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson to recruit the Nuwab of Buhawulpore [Nawwāb of Bahawalpur] as an ally, and to gain permission to move troops through his territory. A draft treaty with the Nuwub is included on folios 648-649Consideration of the security of India if large numbers of troops are sent to Afghanistan, particularly relating to potential hostilities with Ava [Burma or Myanmar], including the possible transfer of troops from Ceylon [Sri Lanka].The primary correspondents are: Shah Shuja; Runjeet Singh; Macnaghten; Mackeson; Captain Alexander Burnes, on a mission to Cabool [Kabul]; the Commander-in-Chief, India; the Governor of Ceylon; the Government of India; and various Indian Army officers.Physical description: 1 item (396 folios)