Copy of Dispatch No. 71 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Khoee, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton
Copy of Dispatch No. 71 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Khoee, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton
Copy of Dispatch No. 71 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Khoee, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton
Date:
1827/1827
Description:
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 71 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Khoee [Khoy], to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 12 October 1827. Macdonald Kinneir provides updated information regarding the fall of Sirdarabad [Sardari Berd, or Sardar’s Fortress], the details given in his previous report being incorrect (see IOR/L/PS/9/71/75), and describes the military situation in the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. He reports the desertion and subsequent capture of Sirdarabad by Russia following a mutiny by troops from Irak [Arak], and details the ongoing siege of Erivan [Yerevan] and the strong Russian position along the line of the Arras [River Aras]. He also describes the weak military position of the Persians, detailing the retirement of the forces of the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] back to Tahran [Tehran], and the inability of the Prince [Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār] to pay for the upkeep of his army, both of which have allowed the Russians to advance unopposed.This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 26 to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 5 November 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/72).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)