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1. 'Events and transactions connected with the affairs of our North Western Frontier'
- Description:
- 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.
2. 'Contemplated operations to the Westward of the Indus'
- Description:
- Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-113 to dispatch no. 23 from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 24 September 1838. The enclosures are dated 3 July-24 September 1838.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to preparations for the East India Company’s invasion of Afghanistan in order to depose Dost Mohamed [Dost Mohammad Khan] as Emir and replace him with former Emir Shah Shuja ul Mulk [Shah Shujah Durrani, also referred to as Shah Shooja ool Moolk and other variants]. Topics covered include:The arrival of Colonel Claude Martin Wade to serve as Political Agent, Loodianah [Ludhiana], and accounts of his meetings with Shah Shuja and members of his courtNegotiations for a treaty between Shah Shuja and Runjeet Singh [Ranjit Singh], Maharajah of the Sikh EmpireAttempts to recruit other adherents to Shah Shuja’s cause, including the Emir of Bokhara [Bukhara], the Chief of Koondooz [Kunduz] and the Khan of Kelat [Kalat]Shah Shuja's professed inability to pay for the raising of his own troops and request for further British aidReports of arrangements made by Dost Mohamed to prepare for the invasion, including a prohibition of communications between his subjects and Shah Shuja or the BritishAppointments of British officers to serve in Shah Shuja’s forcePractical arrangements relating to transport, equipment, stores and the suitability of roads and passes on the planned invasion routeArrangements for a meeting between the Maharajah and George Eden, Baron Auckland, Governor-General of IndiaA mission to Peshawur [Peshawar] by Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson and a mission to Cabool [Kabul, also written as Caubul] by Captain Alexander Burnes to gain adherents to Shah Shuja’s causeEfforts by Dost Mohamed to gain the support of the Khaibar [Khyber] chiefs and their subsequent actions to cut off or contaminate the water supply for Fort Fattehgurh [Fort Jamrud]Reports of two Russian agents visiting Bokhara, Caubul, Lahore and Calcutta [Kolkata] and examining mountain passes in the Hindoo Koosh [Hindu Kush]Enquiries into the loyalties of the emirs of Sinde [Sindh] and the preparations of a force at Bombay [Mumbai] in case of an uprising there.Folios 179-244 deal with the arrival of Lieutenant Mackeson to serve as Political Agent, Bhawalpur [Bahawalpur, also written as Bahawalpoor], accounts of his meetings with the Nawab Bhawul Khan Bahadur [Bahawal III] and members of his court, and negotiations for a treaty between the Nawab and the Company confirming the Nawab’s support of Shah Shuja.Folios 122-136 and 257-281 deal with various intelligence reports from Afghanistan detailing the activities of Persia [Iran] and the siege of Herat, as well as discussions into the veracity and accuracy of such reports.The primary correspondents are Colonel Wade, Captain Burnes, Lieutenant Mackeson, Shah Shuja, Lord Auckland and William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 3, and terminates at f 379, 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.
3. 'Enclosures to Secret Letters from India', Vol 56
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains manuscript copies of secret letters, despatches, memoranda, translations of letters, intelligence reports and financial statements relating to diplomatic, military and logistical preparations for the British-led invasion of Afghanistan by the so-called Army of the Indus.Packets (individual or groups of documents) are numbered 201-610, and all annotated ‘No: 18 of 11th July’ (the volume is labelled 'Jul to Jul 1839'). Each document records the date received at the Presidency, Fort William, Simla [Shimla], Secret and Separate Department, 8 January-8 March 1839, as well as the date of the original document, the correspondent and a summary of the content. Original documents mostly date from mid-October to 31 December 1838 but the volumes includes some from September relating to the end of the siege of Herat.The principal correspondents are: William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India, with the Governor General, Simla, also referred to in this volume Envoy and Minister to the Court of Shah Shooja ool-Moolk [Shah Shuja ul-Mulk]; Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Mackeson, British Agent on a Mission to Bhawalpore [Bahawalpur]; Henry Whitelock Torrens, Officiating Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor General; General Sir Henry Fane, Commander-in-Chief, India; Lord Auckland, Governor General of India; Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Burnes, Political Agent and British Envoy at Kelat [Kalat]; A C Gordon, Assistant Surgeon and Political Agent on Duty in Bhawalpore; Colonel E H Simpson, in charge of Shah Shoojah’s Force, Loodhiana [Ludhiana] (and his predecessor Captain J McSherry); Captain H Johnson, Paymaster and Commissariat Officer, Shah Shoojah’s Force; Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton,Commander Bengal Column of the Army of the Indus; Captain C M Wade, Political Agent, Loodhiana, later on a Mission to Bhawalpore.Other correspondents include: Lieutenant Elliott D’Arcy Todd, in charge of the British Mission, Shah Shoojah’s Force; Lieutenant R Leech, Political Assistant; Major-General William Casement, Secretary to the Government of India, Military Department, with the Governor-General; various lesser army officers and government officials; British intelligence agents and local informants; local rajahs and emirs.Main matters covered:Composition, governance, funding, arming and equipping of Shah Shoojah’s ForceNews of the ending of the siege of Herat in September 1838 with the retreat of the Shah of Persia [Iran] to Tehran and retrospective appointment of Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger as Political Agent in Herat assigned to help alleviate poverty and starvation in the city and restore the army to orderTreaties, agreements and understandings between the British Government and various local rulers in Punjab and Sinde [Sindh] in advance of the forthcoming British military expedition into Afghanistan. Many agree to offer assistance, support or absence of opposition during the operation, usually in return for British 'protection'. Includes treaties with Nawab Bhawal Khan [Mohammad Bahawal Khan III] of Bhawalpore, and with Meere Roostum Khan [Mir Rustam 'Ali Khan] of Khyrpore State [Khairpur], cession of fort at Bukkur to the British, lingering suspicions about the loyalty of the Hydrabad [Hyderabad] ameers, and need to ensure friendly attitude of the Khan (Chief) of Kelat to enable advance of British into KhorasanIntelligence reports gathered by Alexander Burnes, notably on situation and loyalties in Herat, Khyrpore, Sinde state, Candahar [Kandahar] and Cabool [Kabul]. Includes reports of alleged anti-British intrigues by Cabool ruler Dost Mahomad Khan [Dost Mohammad Khan (Barakzai)] with Hydrabad ameers and Russian diplomat Captain Vitkievitch (sporadically spelled, e.g. Vilkervitch, Vilkieritch) [Jan Prosper Witkiewicz, a Polish man in service of the Russians] and suspected overtures to the Shah of PersiaArrangements for amassing of British forces, known as the Army of the Indus, at Ferozepore [Firozpur or Ferozepur], for the planned advance towards Afghanistan, notably composition, fitting out, requisition of supplies (especially grain, food and fuel) and animals (camels and elephants), chains of command, officers pay and expenses, ammunition supplies, drill instructors, obtaining sufficient funds of cash, encampment locations, preparation of roads, bridging of the Indus including bridge of boats or rafts plan, and progress of the armyReports from Dr A C Gordon, on Duty at Bhawalpore, on immense difficulties and struggles in obtaining supplies for the Army of the Indus and non-cooperation of supposed allies Maharajah Ranjeet Singh of Bhawalpore [Ranjit Singh, Maharajah of the Sikh Empire] and Bhawal Khan, Nawab of BhawalporeConcerns expressed by Fane to Auckland regarding the Army of the Indus, particularly: the force’s commanding personnel; lines of communication; insufficiency of supplies for the duration of the campaign and nature of the terrain; the Commissariat’s inefficiency; truthfulness of positive reports Auckland has received; delays to the march from Ferozepore increasing potential difficulties getting through the Bolan Pass due to excessively hot weather; desertions from Shah Shoojah’s force; dire consequences if the army is forced to retreat. (Fane declined the opportunity to become Commander of the Army of the Indus, instead continuing as Commander-in-Chief of all forces in India).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 795; 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.