1. 'GENERAL REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1865-66'

Description:

Abstract: Annual administration report of the Bombay Presidency, providing a summary record of the main events and developments in each department of the Government of Bombay during the financial year 1865-66.The report is divided into the following headings, some of which are further divided into sub-headings:‘JUDICIAL’ (ff 7-30), consisting of: Legislative; Civil Justice; Court of Small Causes; Criminal Justice; Police; Jails‘REVENUE’ (ff 31-42), consisting of: Land Revenue; Alienated Revenue; Income Tax; Customs, Salt and Opium‘FINANCIAL’ (ff 43-50), consisting of: Finance; Mint; Paper Currency‘POLITICAL’ (ff 51-58), consisting of: Political; Kattywar [Kathiawar]; Kutch [also known as Kachchh]; Rewankanta [Rewa Kanthar]; Khadeish; Surat; Sind [Sindh]; Aden; Persian Gulf‘PUBLIC WORKS’ (ff 59-117), consisting of: Military Army; Ordance; Commissariat; Military Finance Offices; Civil Buildings; Public Improvements‘PUBLIC WORKS – RAILWAY’ (ff 118-134) consisting of: GIP [Great Indian Peninsular] Railway; BB and CI [Bombay, Baroda and Central Indian] Railway; Sind Railway; Indus Valley Survey; Indus Steam Flotilla‘MILITARY’ (ff 135-161)‘PENSIONERS’ COLONY AT CHALLISGAUM [Chalisgaon]’ (f 162)‘INDO-EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH’ (ff 163-251). This section gives details on the Mekran [Makran] Coast and Musandam telegraph station. This section also has appendices: A (letter from Colonel Frederic John Goldsmid, Director in Chief of Indo-European Telegraph, and a report by Major Smith on the Island of Angaum [Hengam]); B (a report by Colonel Goldsmid of his journey through Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq] and Asia Minor [Turkey]); C (a letter from Colonel Goldsmid and reports by himself, Major Smith of the Royal Engineers, and Mr Johnstone, British Agent at Busrah [Basra], of the journey from Ispahan [Isfahan] to Gwadur [Gwadar] to survey the land for connecting the Persian [Iranian] and Mekran Coast land lines of the telegraph); and D (a letter from Colonel Goldsmid with enclosure proposing an alternative land line from Gwadur to join the main Persian line between Bushire [Bushehr] and Tehran).‘PUBLIC INSTRUCTION’ (ff 252-258)‘MEDICAL’ (ff 259-260)‘SURVEYS’ (ff 261-265), consisting of: Revenue Survey; Topographical Survey‘FORESTS’ (ff 266-268)‘EMIGRATION’ (f 269)‘MILLS’ (ff 270-272)‘MUNICIPAL’ (ff 273-275)‘ECCLESIASTICAL’ (ff 276-277)‘COTTON FRAUDS DEPARTMENT’ (ff 278-279)‘POPULATION, SIND’ (f 280)‘AGRICULTURE, SIND’ (f 281).A table of contents listing the headings and sub-headings of the report is on folios 5-6. There are two maps relating to surveys of the Indo-European Telegraph line.Physical description: 1 item (278 folios)

2. ‘Persian Gulf. Ispahan. Suppression of Disturbances at.’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2416/130506. It is the tenth in a series of twenty-eight items on the Persian Gulf.The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Peter Stephen, British Agent at Ispahan [Isfahan, also rendered as Isphan in the item].The item concerns the efforts of the local authorities to pursue some ‘rebels’ departing from Ispahan, and the arrival of some of them in Koom [Qom, also rendered as Ghoom in the item].The item contains a table of contents (f 534), and the title page (f 533) contains the following references: ‘Dft. No. 424 of 1851’, Collection No. 1, Vol. 10’, and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 533 and terminates at f 536, 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. 'Who's Who in Persia (Volume III) Arabistan, Luristan, Isfahan & Bakhtiari'

Description:

Abstract: The first edition of Who's Who in Persia (Volume III) Arabistan, Luristan, Isfahan & Bakhtiari, compiled by the General Staff, India, comprises a biographical dictionary of individuals, families, and tribes connected with those regions in 1922.It also includes a genealogical tree for the Bakhtiari Chiefs (folio 10).The volume was published by the Government Central Press, Simla, 1923.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 29; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

4. 'Persia. Bakhtiari Offer of Military Assistance.'

Description:

Abstract: This file consists of a note, written by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Secretary, Political Department, India Office. It concerns a recent offer of military assistance, which was reportedly made to the British Vice-Consul at Ahwaz [Edward William Charles Noel, British Vice-Consul, Ahvāz, Iran] by the Bakhtiari [Baḵtīārī] Ilkhani, Sardar Zafar. The Ilkhani is reported to have offered to place at the disposal of the British '5000 good cavalry for service against the Kashgais [Qashqais] or elsewhere'.The file goes on to state a series of concrete proposals, formulated by Captain Arnold Talbot Wilson [Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia], following his discussions with the Vice-Consul at Ahwaz. Wilson reportedly proposes that the Ilkhani should be invited to maintain a force of 1500 men under his own command, with the objectives being to stabilise the situation in Ispahan and maintain the authority of the Ilkhani in Bakhtiari territories.Also discussed are the views of Sir Charles Murray Marling [British Minister, Tehran] (who fears that the proposal will bring about a split in the Bakhtiari tribe) and of Sir Herbert Cox [Secretary, Military Department, India Office] (who strongly supports the proposals).Shuckburgh concludes that the Political Department is strongly inclined to the opinion that Wilson's proposals should be approved by His Majesty's Government, since Sardar Zafar's offer affords the British a favourable opportunity of committing the Bakhtiari tribe to their cause.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 153, and terminates at f 154, 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.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

5. ‘PERSIA. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, NOTABLES, MERCHANTS, AND CLERGY, COMPILED BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL H. PICOT, Military Attaché at Teheran.’

Description:

Abstract: Printed collection of biographical notices, as well as comments on élite dynasties and tribes of Persia [Iran], written over a period of twelve months and completed in December 1897 by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Philip Picot (Military Attaché, Teheran [Tehran]), then Acting Oriental Secretary in Her Majesty’s Legation. Amendments were added up until 23 January 1898. The author presented the manuscript to Charles H Hardinge (First Secretary, Foreign Office, London), 27 January 1898. The latter forwarded it to the Marquis of Salisbury (Prime Minister), 28 January 1898, who received it a month later (28 February 1898). The title page (f 1) is stamped as having belonged previously to the Government of India’s Library of the Foreign Office, Simla, where this copy was received with two other copies (two for Simla and one for Calcutta [Kolkata], three copies in total) and a letter from the Secretary of the Political and Secret Department, dated 8 July 1898 (location not disclosed). The contents are marked secret (originally ‘confidential,’ crossed out), and specified as, ‘For the use of Officers in Her Majesty’s Service only.’The printed work comprises two ‘inclosures’ [enclosures]: firstly, Picot’s letter of presentation to Hardinge (f 2v), prefaced by Hardinge’s letter of presentation to the Marquis of Salisbury (f 2); secondly, the treatise proper (ff 3r-60v). The contents page (f 3v) lists four main sections, but without corresponding page references. Following a brief introduction (f 4), an alphabetic register [index] of names (ff 4v-11v), and a glossary of titles and terms (ff 12r-13v), the work is divided into eight chapters comprising numbered entries. The first four chapters deal with the royal family in Teheran (forty-five entries over ff 14r-19v), the notables of Teheran (ninety-seven entries over ff 20r-32v), the merchants of Teheran (twenty-eight entries over ff 33r-35v), and the clergy of Teheran (eleven entries over ff 36-37). The remaining four chapters focus on the provinces of Fars (thirty-eight entries over ff 37v-44v), Ispahan [Isfahan] (eleven entries over ff 45-47), Khorasan (fifty-nine entries over ff 47v-57v), and Tabriz (twenty-two entries over ff 58-60).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 60; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.

6. 'Persia: Memorandum Respecting the Revision of the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907'

Description:

Abstract: This file consists of a Foreign Office memorandum (author unknown), followed by an annex written by Charles Murray Marling, British Minister at Tehran.The file concerns the revision of the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907. The convention divided Persia into three areas: a Russian sphere in the north, a British sphere in the south-east, and a remaining neutral zone.The memorandum refers to a recent invitation by the Russian government for Britain to enter into possession of practically the whole of the neutral zone. It discusses the possibility of negotiating for a considerable area of the current Russian sphere to be included in the new British territory. The memorandum suggests that Britain's efforts should be concentrated on the towns of Ispahan and Yezd (both of which lie in the Russian sphere) or in the last resort, on Yezd alone. The memorandum goes on to suggest that, as a counterpoise to Russia's cession, Britain might wish to surrender to Russia the oil-bearing districts in Kermanshah, which are located in the Russian sphere, but which currently belong, 'in a more or less undeveloped state', to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.Also discussed is the possibility of Britain agreeing with Russia to limit the activities of the Imperial Bank (Persia's state bank), which currently has nine branches in the Russian zone, to the neutral zone of Persia. The memorandum suggests that such a course of action would hardly be possible unless Britain would be prepared to pay an indemnity to the Imperial Bank for the loss of its branches. However, it is argued that this action would give Britain a valuable lever in its efforts to have Ispahan included in the new British territory.In the annex which follows on from the memorandum, Charles Murray Marling recounts a brief meeting with Sazonof [Sergei Dmitrievich Sazonov], the Russian Foreign Minister, in Petrograd [Saint Petersburg], who reportedly stated that Russia wishes to retain both the district and town of Ispahan, in order to protect Russian trade in the Russian sphere from British merchants.Marling suggests that it would be both in Britain's and in Russia's interests for Ispahan to be included in the new British sphere, on the grounds that to do otherwise would result in a partition of the Bakhtiari tribe's territory. Such a partition, Marling argues, would divide the tribe into 'British' and 'Russian' parties, and would result in both parties possessing a common grievanace against Britain.Marling questions the extent to which the inclusion of Ispahan within the Russian sphere would benefit Russian trade. He speculates on the real reason for Russia wishing to retain the territory, before emphasising the importance of Ispahan, both to Britain's interests in the oilfields of Bakhtiaristan, and to its future position in Mesopotamia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 15, and terminates at f 17, 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.

7. 'Corrections and Additions to Who's Who in Persia, Vol. III'

Description:

Abstract: The volume consists of corrections and additions to the biographical dictionary of individuals, families, and tribes given in Who's Who in Persia (Volume III) Arabistan, Luristan, Isfahan & Bakhtiari, compiled by the General Staff, India, from 1923.Published by the Manager, Government of India Press, Simla, 1924.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 6; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 3-6; these numbers are printed, and are not circled.

8. 'South Persia'. Photographer: Lt. A. A. Crookshank (Curzon Collection)

Description:

Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:The album contains landscape and architectural views of South Persia and the Persian Gulf coastline. The photos are presented initially by location (Muscat, Jask, Bandar Abbás, Niríz, Yezd, Isfahan to Shiráz Road, Pasargadae, Naksh-i-Rustam, Naksh-i-Rajab, Persepolis, Shiráz, Feragha, Chinár Rahdár, Shápur, Shiráz-Bushire Road, Bushire), thereafter by subject (Persian Flora, Persian Dwellings, Persian Roads, Persian Scenery).Elements:1 [Muscat] Town and Bay. 31st Oct 19002 [Muscat] The Town looking North. 31 Oct 19003 [Muscat] British Consulate. 31 Oct 19004 [Muscat] Old Portuguese Fort (1550). 31 Oct 19005 [Muscat] Sultan's Palace. 31 Oct 19006 [Muscat] Sidap. Village. 31 Oct 19007 [Jask] Telegraph Buildings. 1 Nov 19008 [Jask] Fort and Beach. 1 Nov 19009 [Bandar Abbás] Sea front looking West. 11 Nov 190010 [Bandar Abbás] The Town looking West. 11 Nov 190011 [Bandar Abbás] Beach and island of Hormuz. 11 Nov 190012 [Bandar Abbás] British Consulate. 11 Nov 190013 [Niríz] Panorama of Town looking South. 30 April 190114 [Niríz] Town looking North. 30 April 190115 [Yezd] The City looking East from the Masjid-i-Juma. 10 July 190116 [Yezd] The City looking South from the Masjid-i-Juma. 10 July 190117 [Yezd] The City from the Masjid-i-Juma looking West. 10 July 190118 [Yezd] The City looking West from the Mínár-i-Maidán. 13 July 190119 [Yezd] The City looking North from the Minár-i-Maidán. 13 July 190120 [Yezd] The City looking South from the Minár-i-Maidán. 13 July 190121 [Yezd] The Masjid-i-Juma. 9 July 190122 [Yezd] The Masjid-i-Juma. 9 July 190123 [Yezd] Main Gate of Fort. 13 July 190124 [Yezd] The Maidán-i-Sháh. 13 July 190125 [Yezd] Gate of Old Fort. 13 July 190126 [Yezd] Mosque of Mir Chakhmakh. 13 July 190127 Caravanserai at Khána-i-Kirgam. 27 Oct 190128 Bridge at Khána-i-Kirgam. 27 Oct 190129 [Pasargadae] The Tomb of Cyrus. 30 Oct 190130 [Abarkuh] Memorial to Darius at Arbela 331 B.C. 10 Oct 190131 [Pasargadae] Ruins of Cyrus’ City. 29 Oct 190132 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Bas-relief Ormuzd and Ardeshir 5 Nov 190133 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Rock tombs of the Kings. 5 Nov 190134 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Building near Tombs of the Kings. 5 Nov 190135 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Fire Altars. 5 Nov 190136 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Bas relief. Equestrian Combat. 5 Nov 190137 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Bas relief. Equestrian Combat. 5 Nov 190138 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Shapur and Valerian at Edessa A.D. 260. 5 Nov 190139 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Varahran and his Queen A.D. 500 5 Nov 190140 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Varahran II and his Court. 5 Nov 190141 [Naksh-i-Rajab] Shapur I and his Bodyguard. 5 Nov 190142 [Naksh-i-Rustam] Tombs of the Kings. The East Tomb. 5 Nov 190143 [Persepolis] Palace of Darius. 6 Nov 190144 [Persepolis] Palace of Darius. Interior. 6 Nov 190145 [Persepolis] Panorama of the Platform looking South and West. 6 Nov 190146 [Persepolis] Grand Entrance. Porch of Xerxes. 6 Nov 190147 [Persepolis] Pillars in Hall of Xerxes. 6 Nov 190148 [Persepolis] King fighting Dragon. Hall of 100 Columns. 6 Nov 190149 [Persepolis] The North Tomb Artaxerxes II 6 Nov 1901.50 [Persepolis] King on Throne and Procession Doorway. Hall of 100 Columns. 6 Nov 190151 [Persepolis] The King held up on Throne. Doorway in Hall of 100 Columns 6 Nov 190152 [Persepolis] King with Attendant. Palace of Xerxes 6 Nov 190153 [Persepolis] The King. Palace of Artaxerxes III. 6 Nov 190154 [Persepolis] Hall of Hundred Columns etc. 6 Nov 190155 [Persepolis] The great Staircase and Platform. 6 Nov 190156 [Shiráz] Tomb of Sultán Mir Shah. 15 Dec 190157 [Shiráz] Cemetery of Great Men. 15 Dec 190158 [Shiráz] Bas relief. Farhád and Shirín in the Bágh-i-Nao 15 Dec 190159 [Feragha] Ancient figure of animal in stone. 14 Oct 190160 [Shiráz] Approach to City from Tang-i-Korán. 18 Dec 190161 [Shiráz] The City looking West. 15 Dec 190162 [Shiráz] The City looking East. 15 Dec 190163 [Shiráz] The City looking North. 15 Dec 190164 [Shiráz] The Bágh-i-Takht. 16 Dec 1902 [sic for 1901]65 [Shiráz] Cemetery of Haft Tan. 18 Dec 190166 [Shiráz] Cemetery of Chel Tan. 18 Dec 190167 [Chinár Rahdár] The Caravanserai and Bridge. 23 Dec 190168 [Shápur] Ruins of King Shápur’s City. 16 Jan 190269 The River near Shapur. 16 Jan 190270 [Shápur] Bas-relief. Omuzd and Narses. 15 Jan 190271 [Shápur] Bas-relief. The Captives before Shapur. 15 Jan 190272 [Shápur] The Investiture of Cyriadis by Shapur. 15 Jan 190273 [Shápur] Valerian, Cyriadis and King Shapur. 15 Jan 190274 [Shápur] Valerian suppliant before King Shapur. 16 Jan 190275 [Shápur] Statue of King Shapur in cave. 16 Jan 190276 [Shápur] Bas-relief. Triumph of Chosroes Naushirwán 16 Jan 190277 Caravanserai at Mian Kotal. 9 Jan 190278 Lake near Kazerun from Kotal-i-Dukhtar. 8 Jan 190279 Bridge near Daliki from upstream. 21 Jan 190280 Bridge near Daliki looking upstream. 21 Jan 190281 Telegraph Quarters. Kunár-i-Takhta. 20 Jan 190282 The landing place at Shif. 29 Jan 190283 [Bushire] The town looking South from Gray Paul's office. 23 Feb 190284 [Bushire] The town looking East from British Residency. 23 Feb 190285 [Bushire] Telegraph Buildings at Reshire. 24 Feb 190286 [Bushire] Panorama of British Residency and Sea front. 23 Feb 190287 The Assafoetida plant. East of Niríz. 21 April 190188 Walnut trees. North of Niríz. 6 May 190189 Almond grafted onto wild tree. N of Furg 26 March 190190 Oak trees in Kuh Marra. S of Shiráz. 27 Dec 190191 The “Archan” Tree in pink blossom. N of Furg. 25 March 190192 Oak trees near Kazerun. 14 Jan 190293 Mastich and wild pistachio trees. S of Shiráz 31 Dec 190194 Oak Trees in Kuh Marra. South of Shiráz. 27 Dec 190195 Cypress Tree in mountains. East of Niríz. 27 April 190196 Tents of matting of Kermán tribes in Rudbár. 30 Nov 190097 Tents of black goats hair. Kermán tribes in Rudbár. 2 Dec 190098 Cave dwellers. E of Furg. 7 Feb 190199 A Village East of Yezd. 2 July 1901100 The Chieftain’s Cave. Cavedwellers. E of Furg. 2 Feb 1901101 The Chieftain’s Tent. Nomad tribes near Bandar Abbás. 21 Feb 1901102 A country house and garden. North of Niríz. 2 May 1901103 Bágh-i-Nawwáb. A Garden in the suburbs of Yezd. 4 Sept 1901104 Tank for rainwater. N of Bandar Abbás 21 Feb 1901105 The Prince’s Palace and Govt. House at Yezd. 13 July 1901106 Bágh-i-Eram. A Garden in the suburbs of Shiráz 13 Dec 1901107 The Tang-i-Zágh Defile N of Bandar Abbás. 11 March 1901108 A pass West of Fasa. 28 Nov 1901.109 Shiráz-Bushire. The “Kotal-i-Dukhtar” 8 Jan 1902110 Shiráz-Bushire. The “Kotal-i-Kumárij” 20 Jan 1902111 Shiráz-Bushire. The “Kotal-i-Mahallu” 21 Jan 1902112 Shiráz-Bushire. The “Pul-i-Gina” Viaduct near Kazerun. 8 Jan 1902113 The Bushire-Lingah Road near Riz. 28 March 1902114 The Well with three pulleys for irrigating crops near Lingah. 14 April 1902.115 The West end of Salt Lake near Niríz looking North. 20 Nov 1901116 The West End of Salt Lake near Niríz looking N.W. from hills above. 21 Nov 1901117 The Salt Desert of Sirján in Kermán. 15 April 1902118 The Lake near Kázerún looking North 4 Jan 1902Inscriptions:Inner cover, in pencil: ‘Copy negs done Stannard 25-9-79’Title page, in ink: 'Presented to / H.E. Lord Curzon of Kedleston etc etc / Viceroy of India / by / Lieut. Arthur A. Crookshank / Royal Engineers / June 1903'Spine, gold emboss: ‘Photos’ ‘South Persia’Throughout the album captions and location or subject categories are hand-lettered in black ink.Physical description: Dimensions:Album: 250 x 305 x 40 mm [portrait]Format:Maroon and red three quarter-leather album containing one hundred and eighteen prints hand-cut and pasted onto card pages.Materials:Card, black ink, gelatin silver prints.Condition:While the binding is still sturdy for the most part – aside from extensive scuffing and losses at all edges, particularly upper spine – the individual card pages are extensively foxed and discoloured throughout. The lower right corner of page 13–14 has broken off entirely.Many of the individual images are faded and some show signs of surface losses.Foliation:The images have been numbered 1–118 alongside each image in pencil and paginated 1–47 in pencil in the upper right corner. Some additional image sequencing in pencil in the first twenty nine pages of the album (e.g. a–d on each page) has been crossed out.Process:Gelatin silver printsBinding:The album is bound in maroon three-quarter-leather format, which is heavily scuffed along the spine, particularly at the upper spine.This binding likely dates to its presentation to Lord Curzon and indicates the title of the album with gilt stamp ‘ Photos’ ‘South Persia’. The binding also features linen joints and hand-stitching.

9. ‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 45 Part I (From 1st to 15th April 1918.)’

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains a chronological list of brief summaries of papers relating to the activities of the Indian Expeditionary Force D (also known as the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force) between 1 and 15 April 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, tables, and memoranda, containing instructions and reports.An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-18 and a synopsis can be found at folio 19. The volume mostly relates to:Reinforcements and labour requirements of Force DTemporary staff appointments and promotionsSupplies for Force D, including: rations, clothing, vans, ammunition, weapons, fodder, fuel, and animalsTurkish [Ottoman] forces: intelligence; movements of commanders; and distribution for week ending 2 April (ff 58-59) and week ending 9 April (ff 157-158)Prisoners of warLists of sick and wounded soldiersDetails about the Dunsterforce, including: updates; movements; intelligence sharing; communications with Russian commanders; and the financial relationship with Force DUpdates from the Euphrates front, including discussion of how troops along the Euphrates should be organisedDiscussions about a proposed occupation of Ispahan [Isfahan]Discussions about supplying guns to the Ilkhani [I̅l-Khānī] to help him ‘deal with’ the Kuhgilu [Kūh Gīlū] tribe, and wider discussions about the Bakhtiaris [Bakhtiyārī, tribe]Details of tonnage [amounts of cargo] transported on ships and issues with shipping of goodsChanges in organisation and formation of different units, most notably the: Cavalry Division; Supply and Transport Directorate; and Directorate of LabourProposals for work on the agriculture and irrigation systems in Mesopotamia, including resources required and expected expenditureActivity at HamadanReorganisation and withdrawal of personnel to meet demands elsewhereRailway and port traffic reportsUpdates from KermanshahRailways construction progress, as well as materials required and transported for railway constructionOperations in Najaf, including intelligence concerning German troopsComplaints by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding a shortage of political officersFinancial matters relating to Force D and occupied territoriesSharing of intelligence between the Foreign Office, the Government of India, and Force DAviation reportsBrief update from Major-General Henry Freeland, Chairman of the Mesopotamian Transport CommissionDifficulties maintaining a force in Persia [Iran] due to transport limitations.The volume also contains:Distribution of Force D, including details of the lines of communication administration, as well as names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 20-36)Statement showing strength of the different contingents serving with Force D as of 2 March (ff 65-67), 9 March (ff 207-209), 2 February (ff 231-243), and 9 February (ff 244-256)Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia and Persia on 7 April (ff 117-118) and 15 April (ff 261-262)Distribution of troops on 9 March (ff 123-131) and 16 March (ff 132-141)Note by Empire Cotton Growing Committee on cotton cultivation in Mesopotamia (ff 179-180).Whilst the volume contains copies of earlier material dating from January 1918 onwards, the bulk of the material dates from April 1918.Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 264; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-262; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio.Dimensions: 21 x 33cm

10. 'Note on a Railway for Southern Persia, by Colonel E.C.S. Williams, C.I.E., R.E.'

Description:

Abstract: This file consists of a note written by Colonel Edward Charles Sparshott Williams, Deputy Government Director of Indian Guaranteed Railway Companies, in which the author assesses the practicalities and costs of constructing a number of alternative proposed river and rail routes, designed to improve communications from Mohummerah towards Teheran or Ispahan in southern Persia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences and terminates at folio 200, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, is circled, and is located at the top right corner of the folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; this number is also written in pencil, but is not circled.

11. Vol 22: Letters Outward

Description:

Abstract: This volume consists of letters written from the Bushire Residency. The first eighty-two items are attributed to William Bruce; the remaining items, with the exception of a few letters written by Bruce from various locations, are written by James Dow, Assistant Surgeon at the Bushire Residency, who was in charge of the Residency during William Bruce's absence. Most of the letters are written to representatives of the Government of Bombay, with the most common recipients being John Wedderburn (Accountant General, Civil Auditor and Military Accountant), Richard Morgan (Secretary to the Marine Board), Francis Warden (Chief Secretary to the Government) and Mountstuart Elphinstone (President and Governor in Council, Bombay). In addition, a significant number of letters are addressed to army officers, including Major General Sir William Grant Keir and Captain Thomas Perronet Thompson. Many of the letters to Bombay concern the routine sending of bills and receipts relating to expenses (the most common of which being supplies for East India Company ships) incurred by the Residency. Other subjects covered in the volume include: William Bruce joining HMS Edenon her voyage along the Arab coast in search of Wahhābī boats; news and speculation regarding Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mīrzā's plans to launch an attack against Bahrain; relations between Arab chieftains following the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf of 1820; details of the Residency complying with requests for funds or supplies for the British troops stationed at Ra's al-Khaymah, and later, at Qeshm; details of a treaty between the Imam of Muscat (Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Sa‘īd) and the Shaikhs of Bahrain, as relayed to Bruce by Rahma bin Jabir; the death of a crew member of the Elizacountry ship and the subsequent investigation into the treatment received on board that ship; presents sent by His Highness Ebrāhim Khan, Governor of Kermān, to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay; the death, on 10 November 1821, of Dr Andrew Jukes, Political Agent in Persia.Physical description: Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which is written in pencil in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos. It runs from 1 to 175.Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 2, and ends on the inside of the back cover on number 95. This is the sequence used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.

12. Vol 89 Translation Book, 1835 (native letters inward)

Description:

Abstract: The volume consists of substances of, and translations of, native letters (i.e. correspondence in Arabic or Persian) sent to the British Resident in the Persian Gulf. The majority of these are from native agents serving the British in the Gulf at Bahrein [Bahrain], Muscat, Sharjah, Shiraz, Lingah [Bandar-e-Lengeh].The first part of the volume mainly contains updates on the political situation in Persia in 1834, when Ally Shah [Ali Shah], brother of the late Shah Abbas Mirza, was trying to oppose to the succession of Prince Royal Mohammed, before he surrendered and Mohammed become Shah.The main topic in the later letters is the piracy instigated by the Beniyas [Bani Yas] tribe under their Chief, Shaikh Khuleefa ben Shackboot [Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ] of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], and British intervention to suppress them.Also included are communications from local rulers in the Gulf region: Sultan ben Sugger [Sulṭān bin Saqr], Chief of the Joasmees [Qawāsim]; Shaikh Khuleefa bin Shaskboot [Shakhbūṭ] of Abothabee [Abu Dhabi], Chief of the Beniyas [Bani Yas], and letters from merchants at Shiraz, Isfahan and Bushire.Physical description: Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which appears in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. This sequence, which should be used for referencing, begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 111.