Abstract: These two volumes are George Curzon's own personal annotated copies of both volumes of his book
Persia and the Persian Question, which was published in 1892. Alongside the volumes are various loose papers relating to Persia [Iran], consisting of the following: received correspondence; newspaper cuttings; publishers' press releases; cuttings from various booksellers' catalogues; various journal and magazine articles; two items of printed official British correspondence; several prints of photographs and sketches; and a few handwritten notes by Curzon.In most cases these papers, which range in date from 1892 to 1924, relate to the chapters in the book where they were originally inserted, suggesting that they were kept by Curzon with the intention of using them to inform a revised edition of the book.Of particular note among the small amount of correspondence are two letters received by Curzon in 1914 and 1915 from retired schoolmaster and Islamic scholar Sayyid Mazhar Hasan Musawi of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India (ff 5-9 and ff 44-53). These letters, which are written in Urdu and are accompanied by English translations, discuss in detail several inaccuracies found in the Urdu version of
Persia and the Persian Question.The various prints of photographs and sketches, which were originally inserted into volume two, are of different locations in the Gulf region. Several of these appear to have been produced in preparation for the publication of the second volume of John Gordon Lorimer's
Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia(i.e. the 'Geographical and Statistical' section) in 1908, as they are identical to the versions found in that volume.Also of note among the loose papers are an illustrated article from
Country Lifedated 5 June 1920, entitled 'The People of Persia' (ff 36-37), and a printed family tree of the Shah of Persia [Aḥmad Shah Qājār], produced in preparation of his visit to Britain in 1919 (f 233).Volume one of
Persia and the Persian Questioncontains a map of Persia, Afghanistan and Beluchistan [Balochistan], which is folded inside the front cover (f 1).The German language material consists of a publisher's press release for two books authored by German archaeologist Ernst Emil Herzfeld (ff 29-30).Physical description: Foliation: this shelfmark consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the first folio of volume one (1-463), and terminates at the last folio of volume two (ff 464-898); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Each volume contains a large number of loose leaves, which have been foliated in the order that they were inserted into the volume; for conservation reasons, these loose folios have been removed from the volume and stored separately. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers of the two volumes.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 10 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 14 June 1825. The letter concerns internal affairs in Persia, including:The appointment by the Shah of Persia (Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār) of his twelve year old son as Governor of IsfahanThe downfall of Abdulla Khan Ameen ed Dowleh [‘Abd Allah Khan Isfahani, Amin al-Dawlah], the Grand Vizier of the Shah of Persia, and the nomination of Allah Ear Khan Asaf ed Dowleh [Allahyar Khan Qajar Davallu, Asif al-Dawlah] as his replacementConflict and disorder in the provinces of Khorasan and GilanThe appointment of the eldest son of the Prince Royal (Crown Prince of Persia, 'Abbās Mīrzā Qājār) as Governor of Hamadan [Hamedan].This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 3 July 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/25).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Copy of Dispatch No. 19 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, at Cund [Kand] near Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Viscount Castlereagh, of 15 June 1819. The letter concerns internal political affairs in Persia, including:The decline in influence of the Sudr Aazim [Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam, Grand Vizier], Mirza Sheffee [Mirza Muḥammad Shafī‘ Māzandarānī], due to old ageThe ascendancy of Mirza Abdul Wahab [Mirza ‘Abdul Wahhāb Nishāṭ Iṣfahānī]The use of European officers for training troops by the Prince-Governor of Kermanshah, Mahomed Ali Mirza [Muḥammad 'Alī Mīrzā Dawlatshāh]Unrest in Gilan ProvinceThe campaign of the Prince-Governor of Khorasan, Hussun Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn 'Alī Mīrzā Farmānfarmā] against the fortress of Boorjnoord [Bojnord].The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 15 June 1819 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/206), which was received on 28 August 1819.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 28 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 19 December 1825. The letter concerns the internal state of affairs in Persia and the possibility of a conflict to secure the succession to the throne following the death of the Shah, Futteh Ali Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār]. Willock argues that the struggle for the succession would leave Persia vulnerable to Russian encroachment, which would be of strategic concern to the British in India. He offers a detailed assessment of the character, abilities, loyalties, and means for contesting the succession of the various governors, factions, and other persons of importance in Persia, including Prince-Governors such as the late Prince-Governor of Kermanshah, Mahomed Ali Mirza [Muhammad 'Ali Mirza, Dawlatshah]; the Prince-Governor of Fars, Hoosein Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā, Farmānfarmā]; and the Prince-Governor of Khorasan, Hussun Ali Mirza [Hasan 'Ali Mirza, Shuja' al-Saltanah]. Willock also gives a detailed character sketch of the Crown Prince of Persia, Abbas Mirza ['Abbās Mīrzā Qājār], and argues that Britain should support his claim to the throne as a means of warding off the spread of Russian influence in Persia. To achieve this, he recommends strengthening Abbas Mirza’s armed forces by means of money, arms and officers to train his troops.This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 31 December 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/62).Physical description: 1 item (36 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 4 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 18 February 1826. The letter concerns internal affairs in Persia, including:The invasion of Khorassan [Khorasan] and siege of Meshed [Mashhad] by an army from Khiva led by Rahman Kooli Khan [Raḥmán Qulī Khan], the second son of the late Khan of Khiva, Raheem Khan [Muḥammad Raḥīm Bahadur Khan]The death of the governor of Koordistan [Kurdistan] ProvinceThe Shah of Persia’s departure from Tehran to KashanThe arrival of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, at Bushere [Bushehr].This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 19 February 1826 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/73).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 7 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 2 April 1826. The letter reports internal affairs in Persia, detailing:The defeat of an army of Uzbecks [Uzbeks] sent by Rahman Koolee Khan [Raḥmán Qulī Khan] of the Khanate of Khiva to Meshid [Mashhad], by the Prince Governor of Khorasan, Hassan Allee Meerza [Hasan 'Ali Mirza, Shuja' al-Saltanah]The growing influence of the favourite wife of the Shah of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār], Taj ud Dowleh [Tavus Khanum, Taj al-Dawlah], including the honours paid to her son, the Governor of Isfahan, Sooltan Mahommed Meerza Seif ud Dowlah [Sultan Muhammad Mirza, Sayf al-Dawlah]The provision of medical treatment to members of the Persian royal family by the surgeon to HM Mission to Persia, Dr John McNeill.This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 2 April 1826 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/75).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 78 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Deckargan [Azarshahr], to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 10 January 1828. The letter reports Macdonald Kinneir’s receipt of a secret packet from the Secret Committee of the East India Company, and includes an annexed list of the contents of this packet (these letters are not included in this item). Macdonald Kinneir also refers to his previous correspondence with the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, in which he recommended ‘endeavouring to purchase the redemption of our engagements so stipulated in the 3d and 4th Articles of our Treaty with this Court [Persia]’ (see IOR/L/PS/9/71/64). He indicates that to do this will cost 350,000 to 400,000 Tomauns [tomans, Persian currency].This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of 21 January 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/154).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a translation of a firman [edict] from Fatteh Ali Shauh [Fath-'Ali Shāh Qājār] of Persia [Iran] proclaiming a treaty with Britain; and an annexed copy of the treaty. The treaty was signed between Ibraheem Khaun [Hāji Ibrāhīm Khān Zand Kalāntar Shīrāzī], Prime Minister (Sadr-e 'Azam) of Persia, and Captain John Malcolm, Envoy of the Supreme Government of India to Persia, and dated Sha’ban 1215/January 1801.The stipulations of the treaty cover commercial relations, including the rights of merchants from each country to travel and trade safely in the other’s territory; protection from the Persian Government for British merchants; the recovery of debt; the rights of British subjects to settle and own property in Persia and their rights over Persian domestic servants; mutual assistance to damaged or sunken ships in each country’s ports; and duties on some metals and broadcloth.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: A copy of translation of a firman [edict] from the King [Shah] of Persia [Iran] from Futteh Ali Shauh [Fath-'Ali Shāh Qājār], and an annexed treaty concluded between Haujy Ibrahim Khaun [Hāji Ibrāhīm Khān Zand Kalāntar Shīrāzī], Prime Minister (Sadr-e 'Azam) of Persia, and Captain John Malcolm, Envoy of the Supreme Government of India to Persia.The articles of the treaty cover the military assistance which Persia would provide to Britain in the event of an Afghan attempt to invade India, and the military assistance which Britain would provide in the event of French hostilities towards Persia.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Sir Robert Dundas, President of the Board of Control, to Amin ud Dowlah [Muhammad Hossein Khān Amīn al-Dawlah], Second Vizier of Persia [Iran]. The letter concerns: the arrival of Mirza Abul Hassan [Mīrzā Abul Hassan], Persian Ambassador, in London; the hope for stronger relations between Persia and Britain; and the appointment of Sir Gore Ouseley as British Ambassador to Persia. It also thanks the Amin ud Dowlah for his kind treatment of Sir Harford Jones, Ouseley's predecessor.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Sir Robert Dundas, President of the Board of Control, to Mirza Shefia [Mīrzā Muḥammad Shafī' Māzandarānī], First Vizier (Prime Minister) of Persia [Iran]. The letter concerns: the arrival of Mirza Abul Hassan [Mīrzā Abul Hassan], Persian Ambassador, in London; the hope for stronger relations between Persia and Britain; and the appointment of Sir Gore Ouseley as British Ambassador Extraordinary to Persia.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Sir Harford Jones, British Envoy Extraordinary to Persia [Iran], to Sir Robert Dundas, President of the Board of Control, sent from near Tauris [Tabrīz] and dated 19 July 1809. The letter forwards a copy of a communication from Meerza Sheffea [Mīrzā Muḥammad Shafī' Māzandarānī], Prime Minister of Persia, to the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire [Kör Yusuf Ziyaüddin Pasha], and reports the arrival at the Persian Court of an embassy from Scind [Sindh].Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)