1. ‘Negotiations with the Ex-King of Cabool and the Maha Rajah Runjeet Singh’

Description:

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)

2. ‘Persian Gulf Treaty between Captain Bruce and the Prince of Shiraz Disavowed by the Governor of Bombay.’

Description:

Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, extracts from a Bombay [Mumbai] Political Consultation, 28 May 1845. The papers contained in this item are partial enclosures to a Political Letter sent from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 10 June 1845. A copy of this Political Letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2122/100076, alongside details of further enclosures.The item relates to a request in 1845 by Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia [Iran], to Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf (also called Resident at Bushire [Bushehr]), that certain papers be sent to him from the Residency. The papers Sheil is looking for are any Persian documents related to the Governor of Bombay's disavowal of the unauthorised treaty which Captain Bruce, then Resident at Bushire, entered into with the Prince of Shiraz in 1822. Hennell requests that the Persian and Arabic copies of the relevant documents held in the archives at Bombay should be forwarded to Sheil. Hennell also makes very brief reference to the different powers in control of Bahrein (also spelled Bahren [Bahrain]) between 1776 and 1845.The Persian Secretary in Bombay subsequently forwards copies of letters (in English) from 1822 written by Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay, explaining that Bruce was unauthorised in his actions and that the treaty should be considered null and void. These letters, similar in content, are addressed to the Imam of Muscat, the Shaikh of Bahrein, and Hoossein Allee Meerza, Prince of Shiraz [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā, Prince-Governor of Fars]. They also make brief reference to the removal of Company troops from the island of Kishun (also spelled Kishm [Qeshm]).Shiraz is also written as Sheeraz and Sheiraz. The Prince of Shiraz is also referred to as the Prince Regent of Fars.Correspondents include: Hennell; Sheil; the Persian Secretary; Elphinstone; and the Government of Bombay.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5061, Draft 29/46, Coll[ection]: 23, Vol: 6’, 'Collection No. 5 of No. 62' and ‘Examiner's Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 478, and terminates at f 489, 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.

3. Coll 29/66 'Tehran Legation: disposal of certain documents in the Legation archives'

Description:

Abstract: The file concerns the transfer of documents from the British Legation at Tehran to the Public Records Office.The file contains lists of 'Special Archives', 'Oriental Secretary's Papers' and 'Deposited Documents', kept at the Legation (folios 23-64). For their secrecy, these archives were kept separate from the archives of the Legation and then transmitted to the Public Record Office.The file is composed of correspondence between Foreign Office; India Office; Government of India; the Public Record Office; and the British Legation at Tehran. The file also contains translations of two letters written in 1854 by the Sultan of Muscat, Said bin Sultan.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 79; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

4. Coll 29/71 'Safeguarding of cyphers and other confidential matter at consular posts in Persia'

Description:

Abstract: The file concerns the security of cyphers and documents at consular posts in Persia.The file covers:safety of archives at the British Legation at Tehran and at the HM Consulates at Shiraz, Kerman and Bandar Abbas, 1934supply of new combination safes for the Political Residency at Bushire and for the HM Consulates at Meshed, Kerman and Bandar Abbas, 1934-1935supply of padlocks for HM Consulates at Mohammerah, Bandar Abbas and Kerman, 1934supply of combination key boxes to various consular posts in Persia, 1936transmission of secret documents to Bahrain, Kuwait and Muscat, 1936supply of combination safes for HM Consulates at Ahwaz, Zabul, and Khorramshahr, 1937-1939supply of combination safes for HM Consulates at Bandar Abbas and Kerman, for the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, and for the Assistant Political Agent at Salalah, 1943-1945.The file is composed of correspondence between the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, the Foreign Office, the India Office, the Government of India, the British Legation at Tehran, the HM Consulate at Muscat, the HM Consulate at Meshed, the HM Consulate at Khorramshahr, and the HM Consulate at Ahwaz.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 219; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.