Intelligence Forwarded by Sir Alexander Burnes Relating to Progress of the British Invasion of Afghanistan (First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839-1842)
- Holding institution:
- British Library. India Office Records and Private Papers
- Data provider:
- Qatar National Library
- Title:
- Intelligence Forwarded by Sir Alexander Burnes Relating to Progress of the British Invasion of Afghanistan (First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839-1842)
- Date:
- 1839/1839
- Description:
- Abstract: Copies of intelligence despatches from Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Burnes, Envoy to Kelat [Kalat, also spelled Khelat in this volume], to William Hay Macnaghten, Envoy and Minister at Shah Shoojah’s Camp [Shah Shuja ul-Mulk], (copied to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai]).The intelligence chiefly covers:Burnes’s negotiations with the Khan of Kelat, with regard to the latter facilitating the progress of the British Army of the Indus and its protection through his territory into Afghanistan, notably through the Bolan Pass; the Khan’s attitude towards Shah Shoojah; conditions of his agreement to co-operate with the British; and the subsidy to be paid to him by the BritishThe situation in Candahar [Kandahar] and the overtures and veiled threats sent by Burnes to Sirdar Ruhm Dil Khan [Ruhim Dil Khan], the moollahs [mullahs] and authorities in Candahar, advising them to support the British advance into Afghanistan and Shah ShoojahOvertures and veiled threats sent by Burnes to the tribal leaders and inhabitants of Pisheen [Pishin] advising them to support the British advanceThe likelihood of Persia [Iran] and Russia aiding Dost Mohammed [Dōst Moḥammad Khān, Bārakzay] against Shah Shoojah and the BritishThe difficult terrain and problems with the supply of grain, forage and water for the Army of the Indus.The item also includes a copy of the ‘News letter’ 12 April 1839, conveying intelligence on affairs in Lahore, Peshawur [Peshawar], Scinde [Sindh], Candahar, Khelat, Herat, Ava, the Army of the Indus, Nipal [Nepal], and Bushire [Būshehr] (ff 137-142).Physical description: The papers are not in chronological order.
- Language:
- English
- Type:
- Archival item
- Type (Narrower):
- Other Texts
- Type (Broader):
- Text
- Subject:
- Political intelligence
First Anglo-Afghan War (1838-1842)
Military intelligence - Geographic region:
- Afghanistan
Kelat - Rights:
- رخصة حكومة مفتوحة
- Identifier:
- 81055/vdc_100110385087.0x000002_ar
81055/vdc_100110385087.0x000002_en
IOR/L/PS/5/375, ff 113-142
IOR/L/PS/5/375, ff 113-142