Abstract: The first edition of
Who's Who in Persia (Volume IV) Persian Baluchistan, Kerman, Bandar Abbas, Fars, Yezd and Laristan, compiled by the General Staff, India, comprises a biographical dictionary of individuals, families, and tribes connected with those regions in 1923.It also includes genealogical trees for certain entries.The volume was published by the Superintendent, Government Central Press, Simla.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 89; 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 consists of a report, written by the India Office's Political Department, on the subject of a mining concession in an area of the Kerman province, which is being sought by the Persian Railways Syndicate. The report provides details of the precise location of the area, and the mining rights which the Syndicate wishes to secure.The report goes on to refer to a counter-draft to the Syndicate's own draft proposal, which has been put forward by the Persian Government, and which makes various demands including certain exceptions to the Syndicate's mining rights, Persian control over building plans, and restrictions to each working area.The report also discusses an intervention, made by the Russian Government in June 1913, on behalf of the Société d'Etude (the international syndicate which was created to examine the Trans-Persian railway project), which suggested that there be an equal division of interest in the concession, a far as the neutral zone was concerned.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 112, and terminates at f 113, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume is entitled
Military Report on Persia. Volume IV Part I. Persian Baluchistan, Kerman and Bandar Abbas.(Simla, Government Central Press, 1923). The volume was originally published in 1921.The report contains sections on history, geography, population, climate and health, resources, military affairs, communications, and political matters. Appendices give the following information: details of nomad tribes of Kerman Province; a list of Chiefs and Headmen in Persian Baluchistan, who are in receipt of subsidies from the Indo-European Telegraph Department (IETD); statistics of natural resources; and distribution statement of the Sarhad Levy Corps on 1 July 1922. There are also seven maps (folios 75-81), entitled:Map accompanying Military Report on Persia Vol. IV Part I.Kerman and environsBandar AbbasDiagram of Mirjawa station yardDiagram of Duzdap station yardSignalling and heliograph posts between Chahbar and GehSketch Map shewing communications between Kerman and SaidabadPhysical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 82; 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: The file consists of a letter from Henry Mortimer Durand, Minister at Tehran to the Foreign Office, introducing an enclosure from Captain Percy Molesworth Sykes regarding the proposed telegraph line from Kerman to India, dated 22 September 1898. Sykes details the potential starting points for the new line at either Ispahan [Isfahan] or Kashan, assesses the geography and climate of alternative routes, outlines his experience traversing route sections, and provides recommendations.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 71, and terminates at f 72, 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.
Abstract: This memorandum, written by Lord Curzon [George Nathaniel Curzon, Marquess Curzon of Kedleston], discusses a proposed Bunder Abbas–Kerman railway line. Curzon considers the possible diplomatic, commercial and strategic motives for constructing the railway line.Curzon argues that if the line has been suggested merely as a diplomatic rejoinder – that is to say, as a response to a Russian concession from Baku to Teheran [Tehran] – then the proposal is of little merit.He suggests that if the line is being proposed for its commercial value then this should be demonstrated by the figures of trade. Moreover, Curzon argues that the line's commercial effect on any future extension of the Nushki railway beyond Dalbandin should also be considered, since both lines would then be competing for the trade of East Persia and Khorasan.Curzon suggests that one strategic advantage of constructing a line from Bunder Abbas to Kerman would be the prospect of diverting a future Teheran–Yezd–Kerman Russian railway line away from the direction of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 14, and terminates at f 14, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file consists of a letter that was sent from Emily Overend Lorimer to her parents, Thomas George Overend and Hannah Overend (née Kingsbury). The letter describes the overland journey from Bandar Abbas to Kerman that Emily and her husband, David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer (referred to as 'Lock' in the letter), made from December 1912 to January 1913 in order for him to take up his position as HM Consul, Kerman and Persian Baluchistan. The letter contains her description of their route and progression and her impressions of the various places and people that they encountered on the way.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 635, and terminates at f 668, 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.
Abstract: This memorandum, written by Lieutenant-Colonel William Frederick Travers O'Connor, concerns the new subdivision of Persia into two spheres of influence – Russian and British – with the present neutral zone falling into the British sphere. The memorandum considers what system of Consular or other representation should be adopted in order to maintain not only law and order, but also British influence in the area.Before discussing the issue of Consular representation, O'Connor mentions two alternative suggestions regarding the future of Southern Persia (the first being that Britain should decline to extend its influence beyond its present zone, and the second being that Southern Persia should be turned into one or more independent states), which he dismisses as lying outside the sphere of practical politics.Assuming that the British sphere will encompass the whole of Southern Persia, O'Connor advocates the continuation of the existing post of British Minister at Tehran (located in the Russian sphere), and suggests that the Minister should be supported by Consular officers residing in the capital of each province. O'Connor suggests that Consul or Consul-General posts – to be held by officers of the Indian Political Department – should be present in the following places: Sistan [also spelled Seistan in this file] (as at present); Kerman (for the province of Kerman); Shiraz (for Fars, excluding the Gulf hinterland); Mohammerah [Khorramshahr in modern-day Iran] (for Arabistan); and Bushire (for the Gulf and for hinterland affairs).In addition, O'Connor advocates the appointment of a Resident or Consul in the Bakhtiari country. He suggests that his proposed Consulates be run in the same way as the existing Consulates at Seistan, Meshed and Kerman.O'Connor goes on to address the problem of the rivalry between the Home Government and the Indian Government on the subject of Southern Persia. He makes the following two proposals: either Southern Persia should be placed under direct control of the Indian Government, or it should be guaranteed that the Minister at Tehran will always be an officer from British India, who has been nominated for the post by the Indian Government.In this memorandum, O'Connor suggests that the future arrangement of Consular representation in Southern Persia has been made complicated by the anomalous status of the Resident in the Persian Gulf. O'Connor argues that, in the post-war period, whilst it would still be possible to retain a Resident at Bushire, it would not need to be such an important and highly paid appointment; he appears to imply that his proposed Consul at Shiraz and Consul at Bushire would take over the Resident's responsibilities regarding inland Persia and the Gulf and its hinterland respectively.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 18, and terminates at f 20, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This is a correspondence file about Indian tea and sugar exports to Bahrain under the quota system and the export licensing restrictions imposed by the Government of India during the Second World War (1939-1945), when essential food commodities were in short supply. The file contains the correspondence of the Political Agent, Bahrain with the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire; the British Consuls in Persia (Iran) at Bandar Abbas, Kerman and Khorramshahr (also referred to by its former name of Mohammerah); the Tea Controller for India, Calcutta; the Director of Customs and Port Officer, Bahrain and the Food Controller for the Government of Bahrain. They discuss arrangements for the importation, payment and distribution of the Indian quota tea and sugar supplies that are shipped from Bombay, landed at Bahrain and then re-exported to British Consular staff in southern Persia. The file also contains a substantial amount of merchant correspondence, mainly with Indian exporter the Poojara Trading Company, Calcutta; importer Dhamanmal Isardas and shipping agent Gray, Mackenzie & Company, both Bahrain. Included in this correspondence are invoices, debit notes and bills of lading.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; 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 incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-192; these numbers are written in a combination of pencil and blue crayon/ink, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. Pagination: a short pagination sequence is also present between ff 225-245; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top outermost corners of each page. Condition: the front file cover is damaged.
Abstract: This file consists of two separate physical files as follows:1) An account of a journey in Kashmir in 1898-99 written by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer of the Indian Army. His account is entitled 'Three Months of Privilege Leave'. It contains his observations on the languages, peoples, transport, flora and fauna, trade and climate of the region. There are occasional edits and corrections to the original text marked in red pen. The Persian language material in the file is a proverb written on folio 194.In addition to this travel diary, the following is enclosed: an essay by Lorimer entitled 'Modern Education' dated 9 February 1895 (folios 1-24); two copies of a pamphlet that was published 'for private circulation' in memory of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, following his death on 8 February 1914 (folios 255-262); and another essay by Lorimer entitled 'Our Indian N.W. Frontier - a study in a bye-gone Civilisation. A forgotten Chapter of Frontier History' (folios 221-253).2) Copies of letters that were sent from Emily Overend Lorimer to her parents, Thomas George Overend and Hannah Kingsbury. The letters describe the lives of Emily and her husband, David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer (referred to as 'Lock' in the letters), while living in Bahrain from October 1911 until November 1912 (folios 263-310) and in Kerman from January 1913 until November 1914 (folios 313-634). David served as Political Agent in Bahrain 1911-12 and as HM Consul, Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, 1913-14.The letters discuss a range of topics including Lorimer's observations of local customs, food, climate, scenery and festivals; the couple's domestic life and arrangements (especially their servants, who are often discussed in racialised, insulting language); and her interactions with other non-local residents. Also discussed are Lorimer's reading habits, her and her husband's health, family news and, occasionally, world events and political developments.On folios 322-324, the file contains a description of a walk around Kerman in March 1914 that is accompanied by a sequence of six small black and white photographs of various points in the journey (folios 315-321).In addition to these letters, the file also contains a number obituaries and letters of condolence written upon the death of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, on 8 February 1914 (folios 299-302, 415-416 and 543-544).On folio 417, the file contains an obituary of David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer published in an unknown newspaper following his death on 26 February 1962.Physical description: Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-262) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 263-634); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: A sketch map of the south eastern region of Persia [Iran] showing the border with Afghanistan and Baluchistan. It indicates the positions of Kerman, Mirjarah, and Zahidan, which are marked due to the presence of airfields constructed by the British military. It has been filed with papers considering whether to discontinue maintenance of these airfields. Arrow markers in red ink indicate the distance between Kerman and the following places: Tehran, Meshed, and Karachi. The railway between Zahidan and Quetta is also shown.Physical description: Dimensions: 203 x 165mmMaterials: Manuscript; coloured ink on paper
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 79 of 1841, dated 30 September 1841. The enclosures are dated 14 June-14 September 1841.The principal correspondents are: Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Commodore George Barnes Brucks, Indian Navy, Commanding the Naval Squadron in the Gulf of Persia, on the EIC [East India Company’s] ship of war
Coote; the Acting Secretary to Government, Bombay; and the Secretary and the Officiating Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay.The item covers and includes the following:A letter from the Agent at Shiraz conveying intelligence from that area, including the arrival of Hubeel Olloh Khan [Ḥabīb Allāh Khān, also spelled Habeeb Oolla Khan in this item], Commandant of Artillery at Tuft [Taft], near Yezd [Yazd], en route to Kerman with eight guns and 6000 troops (ff 145-146), ostensibly on a mission which was initially to invade and destroy Kerman and was revised to destroying and plundering only the towns that had sent adherents to Aga Khan [Ḥasan 'Alī Shāh, Āqā Khān-i Awwal] and then to return to FarsHennell’s report of the hostile conduct of Shaik Nasir, Governor of Bushire [Āl Madhkūr, Shaikh Nāṣir II, Governor of Bushehr], towards British government officials there, including: an intimation that no officers from Karrack [Kharg Island, also known as Khark Island, also spelled Karrak and Kharrack in this item] are allowed to visit Bushire; punitive measures taken against the pilot of the
Braemarwho sailed to Bussorah [Basra] ignoring Shaik Nasir’s orders for the ship’s detention in Bushire harbour; and the unsuccessful attempts by Shaik Nasir to prevent the transmission of supplies to Karrack (where Hennell is currently stationed)Hennell’s requisitions to Brucks to undertake a tour of the Persian Gulf during the current pearl fishery season (ff 147-153) including instructions for: one war ship to accompany the
Coote; the route and the stops Brucks is to take along the Arabian coast from Bahrein [Bahrain] to Muscat, with the war ship calling at Bassadore [Basaidu] and Lingah [Bandar Lengeh] on its return to Karrack; delivering presents to the principal ‘Arabian chiefs’; investigating the political and military situation in Kateef [Qatif]; and for investigating and seeking redress for two acts of ‘piracy’ allegedly committed by subjects of Shaik Abdoolah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] as described in a letter from the Native Agent at Bahrein (ff 154-155). This is followed by a series of reports by Brucks to Hennell (ff 156-173) notably describing: the state of affairs in Katiff [Qatif] and Nedged [Najd]; a ‘war’ on the coastal area between Rass-ul-Khyma [Ras Al Khaimah] and Abothabbee [Abu Dhabi]; his actions regarding the two cases of ‘piracy’; his intentions in relation to the trade in enslaved persons allegedly carried on between the Lingah ‘chiefs’ and the families of the ‘chiefs’ of Rassul Khyma [Ras Al Khaimah] and Amulgaveen [Umm Al Quwain]; and the state of the pearl fisheriesThe agreement of the Government of India with the Government of Bombay that it is inexpedient at present to withdraw the European part of the force from the Island of Karrack, in view of the purported intentions of Persia [Iran] towards Afghanistan (f 174)Correspondence regarding: arrangements for the conveyance of an important packet (letter), in duplicate, from the Government of India to Sir John McNeill, HM Envoy to Persia, via the Government of Bombay and Hennell, utilising both HMS
Endymionand the HC [Honourable Company’s] schooner
Emily; and arrangements for the receipt of McNeill’s reply, emphasising the importance of its arrival at Aden in time for the November mail. The letter instructs McNeill to ascertain the attitudes and plans of Persia towards Afghanistan and gives him authority to withhold the order to evacuate Karrack ‘until perfectly satisfactory assurances shall be obtained from the Shah in these respects’ (f 178) (ff 174-196)Hennell’s views regarding the need for an enhanced naval presence in the Gulf to increase British influence over the maritime Arabian states (ff 197-199), and the Government of Bombay’s confirmation that it cannot make any permanent addition to the Gulf Squadron but that HMS
Endymionhas recently proceeded to the GulfInstructions by Hennell and Brucks for surveillance of Asseeloo boats [Bandar-e Asaluyeh, also spelled Assaloo in this item] which are suspected of intercepting supplies to the Island of Karrack and interrupting ‘the free navigation of the Gulf’ (f 203).Physical description: 1 item (69 folios)
Abstract: Fortnightly intelligence summaries (monthly from November 1945) submitted by HM Consul at Kerman, Persia [Iran], and covering events in Kerman and its surrounding province, Yezd [Yazd] and the Gulf port of Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. The reports cover: the movements and activities of Persian local government officials; the movements of British officials, British subjects and foreigners; local government affairs, including elections, and from 1945, the activities of the Tudeh Party of Iran; movements and activities of the Persian military and gendarmerie; local security; roads and communications; economic affairs, with a focus on agricultural production, food supply, food shortages and food prices; and British propaganda. The file also contains some correspondence relating to a guarantee given by the British Government to Hussain Khan Buchakchi, confirming that no action will be taken against him provided he hands over enemy nationals and does not engage in ‘banditry and robbery’ (ff 52-56, ff 65-66).The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 257; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.