1. ‘Proceedings of the Persian Government in the neighbourhood of Bunder Abbass’

Description:

Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-7 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 15 March 1848. The enclosures are dated 24 October 1847-11 March 1848. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to Persian [Iranian] threats to re-take control of Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas] from the Imam of Muscat, including shows of force by Fayl Alee Khan [Fazl Ali Khan], Governor of Kerman. The correspondents are: the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; the Prime Minister of Persia; the Government of India; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and the Governor of Bunder Abbass.Physical description: 1 item (13 folios)

2. ‘Affairs in Persia’

Description:

Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-7 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 9 March 1848. The enclosures are dated 8 November 1847-6 March 1848. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Persia [Iran] and Bokhara [Emirate of Bokhara], including:Attempts to secure the release of three British officers from imprisonment in BokharaThe intention of Bahman Meerza [Bahman Mirza Qajar] to return to the post of Governor of Azerbijan [Iranian Azerbaijan]A complaint from Sheikh Syf, Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas], about hostile activities in the area by Fayl Alee Khan [Fazl Ali Khan], Governor of KermanThe occupation of Ghaz [Bandar-e Gaz] by Russian forcesComplaints from the Government of the Ottoman Empire about the conduct of Persian frontier authoritiesA request by Mills & Co, a British company based in Shiraz, to import muskets for the Persian Government.The primary correspondents are the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, the Prime Minister of Persia, and the Government of India. The item contains a single folio in French, f 437, a letter from the Envoy to his Russian counterpart.Physical description: 1 item (28 folios)

3. ‘The siege of the Fort of Minaw, a dependency of Bunder Abbass, by a Force sent by the Governor of Kerman & its result’

Description:

Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-6 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 29 February 1848. The enclosures are dated 10 December 1847-29 January 1848. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to Persian [Iranian] threats to re-take control of Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas] from the Imam of Muscat, particularly the Governor of Kerman’s siege of the Fort of Minaw [Minab, also written as Manao] and a discussion of the potential results of that action. The primary correspondent is the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: 1 item (19 folios)

4. Hostilities between the Imam of Muscat and the Shah of Persia, and Persian Actions in relation to Bahrein

Description:

Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 104 of 1848, dated 2 December 1848. The enclosures are numbered 3-16 and are dated 1 August to 18 November 1848. They consist of correspondence, and minutes by the Governor of Bombay, concerning potential hostilities between the Imam of Muscat and the Shah of Persia [Iran], in relation to previous 'aggressions' and potential further actions by the Governor of Kerman against Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas] and the districts in its vicinity leased by the Imam of Muscat. The enclosures also discuss Persian 'intrigues' in relation to Bahrein [Bahrain], including the Persian Consul at Baghdad, Hajee [Haji] Mirza Jabbar, opening correspondence with the ex-Chief [Hakim] of Bahrein, Abdullah ibn Ahmed [Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifah; variant spellings of his name used in this item].The main correspondents are as follows: the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay (Arthur Malet); HM Consul and HC [Honourable Company's] Agent in the Dominions of the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat (Captain Atkins Hamerton); the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Major Samuel Hennell); HM Chargé d'Affaires at Tehran (Lieutenant Colonel Farrant); and the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia (Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson).Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatches, numbered 1-16, on folios 376-399. These numbers are repeated for reference on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure.

5. Affairs in Persia

Description:

Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-3 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay, dated 25 September 1844. The enclosures are dated 22 May-13 July 1844.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Persia [Iran], including:Reported fighting and disturbances in Sheeraz [Shiraz] and other parts of Fars, and the intention of the Prime Minister of Persia to recall the GovernorPlans by the Governor of Kerman, reportedly on the orders of the Prime Minister, to attack Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas], claiming the Omani Governor has ‘failed to pay the usual rent’A report from German missionary Dr Joseph Wolff that he is about to depart Bokhara [Emirate of Bukhara] with ten Persian and ten Russian prisoners whom he has ransomed, and that the Ameer [Emir] has despatched an Ambassador to England with gifts for Queen VictoriaA later report from Dr Wolff that he has not been allowed to depart and has instead been imprisoned by the AmeerReports of Russian naval activities at Ashooradeh [Ashuradeh] on the Caspian SeaThe expulsion from Persia of two French clergymen accused of proselytisingBorder negotiations at Erzeroom [Erzurum] between Persia and the Ottoman EmpireThe Prime Minister’s intention to ‘prove the right of Persia to the possession’ of Bahrein [Bahrain].The primary correspondent is HM Chargé d’Affaires, Tehran. Other correspondents include: the Prime Minister of Persia; the British Consul, Tabriz; the Russian Minister in Tehran; the French Minister in Constantinople [Istanbul]; and Dr Wolff.Physical description: 1 item (31 folios)

6. Diary and Consultation Book of Thomas Waters, Supravisor of the East India Company's Activities in Persia and the Persian Gulf at Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]

Description:

Abstract: This volume is the Diary and Consultation Book of Thomas Waters, 'Supravisor' of the East India Company's activities in Persia and the Persian Gulf. The volume contains diary entries and consultations held at Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] including: a consultation with William Henry Draper and John Fothringham, following the arrival of the Fort St GeorgeGalley, about the ‘utmost disorder’ prevailing in the Company’s business; the arrival of a vessel supposedly belonging to the Imaum of Muscatt [Imam of Muscat, Muhammad bin Nasir al-Ghafiri], under the command of Noquedah Shaik Mahmud Ben Jessas [Nakhuda Shaikh Mahmud bin Jassas], the instructions provided to Captain Walley Echelin to keep the Fort St Georgein a ‘posture of Defence’, and a request from the Governor of Gombroon for the Galley to prevent a ‘Moor Ship' from being captured by Nakhuda bin Jassas; the ‘advices’ to be carried by the Futtacadarin[Futuh al-Qadirin] to the Presidency of Bombay, and those to Owen Phillipps at Spahaun [Isfahan] on the remittance of the ‘whole Amo[un]t of their Arrears’; a proposal for William Cordeaux to be ‘call’d in to take his place at the [Gombroon] Board, the balance due to Kessourjee [the] Broker [Kisurji Dallal Hindi], ‘remains of goods in Warehouses belonging to the H[onourable] Comp[any]’, ‘Publick Papers & Registers being now dispos’d in good Order’, and the ‘Rogums [Ruqum or Raqams: royal grants confirming specific trading privileges] found among the old Papers in the Office’; a List of ‘Rogums granted [to] the Hon[oura]ble East India Company by the Kings of Persia’ (1635-1714); The List of ‘Authentick Coppys’ of Ruqum granted to the Company by the Kings of Persia (1677-1726); the Register of ‘Sundry Books and Papers remaining in the Factory at Gombroon’, including the ‘Gombroon Journalls & Ledgers’ (1700-25), ‘Spahaun Journalls and Ledgers’ (1700-07/8, 1716-20, 1721-22), ‘Bussorah [Basra] Journalls & Legers’ (1723-25), ‘Gombroon Consultations & Diarys’ (1698-1726), ‘Spahaun Consultations & Diarys’ (1712-22), ‘Bussorah Consultations & Diarys’ (1723-24), ‘Letters Inwards & Outwards’ (1616-1726), ‘Invoice & Freight Books’ (1705-26), and ‘Broker’s Acco[un]ts with H[onourable] Company’ (1722-26); the perceived decline of Gombroon and diversion of its trade to Bassidore [Basa‘idu], ‘occasion’d through the Artifices and Crafty management of Shaik Rachide’ [Shaikh Rashid bin Matar al-Qasimi]; the Prince Sultan Mahmud Mirza [Sultan Muhammad Mirza Safavi’s] design of ‘raising forces against the Ophgoons’ [Afghans]; a request from the Supravisor to Shaikh Rashid to return the ‘Tranky’ hired by Cordeaux; the revolt of the Province of Jarroon [Jahrum] and closure of the trade routes to Shyrash [Shiraz]; a report from Lhor [Lar] that the Ophgoons had made ‘two attempts on the Turks lying before Spahaun’; the news that Shaw Achmat [Shah Ahmad Khan Mar‘ashi Safavi] has ‘got a few forces together’; the return of Mirza Zeid Alley [Mirza Zahid ‘Ali Lari] as Shawbunder [Shahbandar] of Gombroon; the delayed departure of the Galley for the ‘Mocha Service’; the request of William Brewer to the Supravisor for permission to return to Bombay with the Galley; the charges against Captain Forbes and the ‘withdrawal’ of the English Factory from Bussorah as related in the 'Bussorah Diary'; the delivery by Isaac Houssaye of the ‘Books of Acco[un]ts [and] Papers of Publick Registers’ and the ‘Invoice of Treasure’ on board the Victoria; the presentation by the Dutch East India Company of the ‘Bills drawn by the Gentlemen at Spahaun’; a letter from Dr Arthur Forbes to the Supravisor on the ‘Chest of Physick’ that came by the Galley; the demand of Governor Mirza Mahmud Salley Beg [Mirza Muhammad Zal Beg] from the Supravisor, on behalf of Sultan Mahmud Mirza, of goods belonging to Mirza Zeid Alley; the charges brought by Isaac Houssaye and William May against Captain Martin French; the departure of the Good Neighbourunder the command of Master James Ford for Bombay, and the present sent to 'Cojee Salim [Haji Salim] Governor of a Village in ye Road to Carmania’; the arrival of the Brigantine Princecommanded by Master John Garland from Bengall [Bengal]; the reports that Shaw Ashoph(e) [Shah Ashraf Ghilza’i] had ‘intirely routed’ the Turks outside Isfahan; the answer of Martin French to the charges of Houssaye and May; the march of Shaw Thomas [Shah Tahmasb II Safavi] against Shaw Achmat with 30,000 men; the order for the suspension of Martin French and his removal as ‘one of ye Councill in the Gulph’; a report from the Noquedah of a ‘Small Dingee’ about an English ship cast away off Muscatt Harbour; the arrival of the Tellicherry Grab with a ‘Gruff Cargoe & a few Bengall Peice Goods’; the dispatch of letters to Mr Williamson, Mr Veitch and Captain West with the Frigate Deane;a letter from the Governor of Lhor conveying ‘ye regard he has for the English Nation’, and enclosing a letter by ‘Shah Ashophe from Spahaun relating to the Engagement he had with the Turks’; the permission for French to travel to Bussorah to signal resentment at the ‘ill usage’ of the Company; the arrival of the boatswain of the Marygold, confirming the news about the English ship cast away at Muscatt; the ‘Gen[era]l advices’ passed on to the Ballsby the Britanniaat a meeting near Bombay; the arrival of the Britanniaunder Captain John Benson, after having captured a Grab from Muscatt, making it necessary to induce ‘ye Imaum to believe We are not Aggressors & prevent any ill Consequences’; a remonstrance with ‘Abde Rahman Bashaw [Abd al-Rahman Pasha] of Bussorah’; the withdrawal of protection from Cossum the Wool Merchant [Qasim Beg Tajir Kermani]; the remonstrance with Mahomet Eman Caun, Athamdoulet [Muhammad Amin Khan, I’timad al-Dawlah]; a resolution requiring Houssaye’s compliance with an order for the repayment of 150,100 Shahis; a letter from the Supravisor to the Imaum of Muscatt, ‘concerning his Vessels [ Futtehoyand Sabahoy Cayree, i.e. Fattahiand Sabahal-Khayri]’, and the arrival of the Jamesunder command of Captain Bizell [Charles Bissell] en route to Bussorah.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 43; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.

7. Diary and Consultations of Mr Alexander Douglas, Agent of the East India Company at Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] in the Persian Gulf, commencing 2 August 1755 and ending 30 July 1756.

Description:

Abstract: The volume is in the form of a diary, which contains records of consultations at the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory. The Chief Agent, Alexander Douglas, and the Factory's Council members John Parsons and Nathaniel Pomfret headed the consultations. They recorded the daily activities, the administrative decisions made, letters sent and received, as well as visits to and from the Factory. Records of significant political and military operations in the region are also preserved.Among the main details and issues recorded in the diary are the following:Records of the East India Company's (EIC's) cash, staff salaries, and invoicesRecords of letters to commanders of the EIC's ships along with sailing ordersRecords of the activities of French and Dutch vesselsRecords of traded commodities such as woollen goods, wood, broad cloth, sugar, candy, iron, spices, lead, tin, and carpetsRecords of the amounts of wool arriving from Carmenia [Kerman]Records of letters received from the Linguist (i.e. interpreter) at Carmenia advising on the amount of wool sent and the billsNews of the death of George Forbes, the Factory's Surgeon, in October 1755News of the death of Factory member, John Parsons, in December 1755, and the appointment of Nathaniel Pomfret [also written Pomfrett] in his place.The diary includes records and news of inland military operations. The main governors and military officers conducting the operations are: Ahmed Shaw [Ahmad Shah Afghan Dorrani, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali ruled 1747-1772]; Sharrook Caun [Shāhrokh Mīrzā Afshār, c 1734-1796, Governor of Kerman, also written as Shawrook and Sharroock]; Carem Caun [Karīm Khān Zand, Vakil of Persia]; Azad Caun [Āzād Khān Ghilza'ī, d 1782, Beglerbeg of Azarbāijān]; Nasseir Caun [Nāsir Khān Āl Mazkūr, Shaikh of Būshehr, ruled 1162-1203/c 1749-1788]; Hossan Caun Cadjar [Muhammad Hasan Khan Qajar, also written as Hossain]; Ally Caun Shahesamon [‘Ali Khan Shahsevan Baghdadi, one of Karim Khan's officers, also written as Shahesamand, and Shahesaman]; Shaik Hattem [Shaikh Hatim bin Jubbarah al-Nasuri, an Arab Shaikh based at Lar]; Moolah Abdul Carem Guialadary (Mulla Abd al-Karim Gallahdari, also written as Gualadory]; Zamoun Caun Ophgoon [Zaman Khan Afghan, one of Ahmed Shah's officers]; Goulam Shaw Caun [Ghulam Shah Khan, one of Ahmed Shah's officers]; Moolah Ally Shaw [Mulla Ali Shah, fl 1740-1760, the Governor of Gombroon]; Shaik Rama of Julfar [Raḥmah bin Maṭar al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Julfār]; Mahomet Raza Caun [Muhammad Reza Khan]; Fattally Caun [Fath Ali Khan]; and Mahomet Caun Zand [Muhammad Khan Zand].The main regions involved in the military campaigns are: Lhar [Lar, also written as Lhor], Spahaun [Eṣfahān], Casbin [Qazvin, also written Cazbin], Yazd, Hodjebaud [Haji Abad, also written Hodjeabaud], Tarroun [Tehran], Ahmadabaud [Ahmad Abad], Tabreez [Tabriz], Corasoon [Khorasan, also written as Carasoon], Mushad [Mashhad], Casshoun [Kashan], Rasht, Roumia [Rumiyyah], Guirmassir [Garmsir, also written as Guiarmassir, and Garmassir], Mesandroon [Mazandaran], Shyrash [Shiraz, also written as Shirash], Fars [also written as Farse], Sistan, Nessabour [Nishapur], and the Island of Kishme [Qishm, Qeshm].The diary includes records of letters exchanged between the Factory and members of the Council of Bombay. The letters cover the situation of affairs in the region, the Act of Parliament related to officers and soldiers in the service of the Company, and a copy of sundry paragraphs (folios 29-44) of the Company’s commands on the ship Dragonrelated to the Gombroon Factory.Another group of letters recorded in the diary are the ones exchanged with William Shaw, Resident at Bussorah [Basra, also written as Bussora] and with Francis Wood, the Resident at Bunderick [Bandar-e-Rīg, also written as Bunder Reek and Bundreek]. The former contain information on the state of affairs at Bussorah, and Bagdad [Baghdad, also written as Bagdat], the cash received, the packets dispatched to the British Consulate at Aleppo, the Dutch activities, relations with the Turks [Ottomans], in addition to a detailed narrative of Mr Shaw's dispute with the Mussaleem [Mutasallim] of Bussorah, (folios 60-66v). The letters exchanged with the Bunderick Resident contain information on the following: the state of affairs at Bunderick and Carack [Bandar-e Chārak], relations with Meer Hossain [Mir Husayn bin Nasir al-Zu‘abi, Governor of Bunderick, also written as Hossan], the establishment of a factory there, relations with the Chief of the Dutch Factory, and the dispute with Meer Maanna [Mir Muhanna bin Nasir al-Zu‘abi, also written as Manna, brother of Meer Hossain].The diary includes records of the arrival and departure of ships, including the Experiment Snow, the Neptunegalley, the Success, the Pasteronia, the Prince George, the Prince Edward, the Cawdery, the WarrenKetch, the Houghton, the Fezraboony[Fayz Rabbani], the Bridgewater, the Swallow, the Ally Racky, the Countryketch, and the Stretham.The ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay, Bussorah, Bunderick, Bengal [also written as Bengall], Surat, Cochin, Carack, Batavia [Jakarta], Busshire [Būshehr, also written Bussheir, Busshire] and Ormuse [Jazīreh-ye Hormoz, Hormuz, Ormuz].The diary includes abstracts of the standard account disbursements for each month. These cover the following: table expenses, garrison charges, the Afseen [Afsin] Garden, merchandised charges, extraordinary charges, stable charges, servants' wages, ships' charges, and factory repairs.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 90; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.