Abstract: Papers concerning the issue of licenses and visas for Persian and Indian lorry drivers operating between Duzdap [Zahedan] in the East Persian province of Sistan, and Nok Kundi in British Baluchistan [in present-day Pakistan]. The licenses were issued by the Governments of Persia [Iran] and India.The correspondence includes: reports of social unrest in the border region between Persia and British Baluchistan from 1934 to 1936; the Persian military’s commandeering of lorries driven by Indians for the purposes of transporting Persian troops and provisions; reports of the ‘ill-treatment’ of some Indian drivers by the Persian military; compensation claims made by the British Government against the Persian Government, on behalf of Indian drivers who were injured or killed while driving through dangerous areas; discussion between the British and Persian Governments about the Anglo-Persian Treaty of 1857, and the entitlement of British subjects in Persia to ‘most-favoured nation treatment’.The file’s principal correspondents include: HM’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran, Reginald Hervey Hoare, Hughe Montgomery Knatchbull-Hugesson; the British Consul at Sistan and Kain [Ka’īn], Clive Kirkpatrick Daly; the Foreign Department of the Government of India; the Governor General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan.The file contains several items of correspondence and newspaper cuttings in French, and a single item in Persian.The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 213; 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 A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Papers relating to the transfer of ownership of the railway line running between Mirjawa [Mīrjāveh] and Duzdap [Zahedan] in eastern Persia [Iran], from the Government of India to the Persian Government.The volume begins with reports of interruptions to monthly rations trains, prompting the Government of India to close down the line. The remainder of the correspondence covers negotiations for the transfer and reopening of the railway:The impact of the railway’s closure on trade, water supply to the region, smuggling, road traffic.The British Government’s initial desire to use the transfer of the railway as a
quid pro quofor an extension to the south Persia air route used by Imperial Airways.Statements showing income and losses made by the railway between 1923 and 1931 (ff 205-208).A report by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office, undated but likely written in early 1933, containing a comprehensive summary to date of agreements and operations of the railway, between the Government of India and the Persian Government (ff 132-148).A copy of an agreement for the sale of railway plant and rolling stock, with a list of equipment, quantity and prices (quoted in Indian rupees) (ff 94-104).Draft copies of an agreement (in French) for the transfer of the railway.The volume’s principal correspondents are: the British Legation at Tehran (Robert Henry Clive; Reginald Hervey Hoare); the British Vice-Consul at Sistan and Kain [Ka’īn] (Major Clive Kirkpatrick Daly); the India Office (Laithwaite); the Foreign Office (Charles William Baxter; George William Rendel).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 428; 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 present between ff 391-428 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The front and back covers, along with the two leading flyleaves and single ending flyleaf, have not been foliated.
Abstract: Printed copies of monthly reports submitted by the British Consul at Sistan and Kain [Ka’īn] (Clarmont Percival Skrine; Major Clive Kirkpatrick Daly).The reports provide information on: the region’s trade; locust observations and movements (occasionally appearing as an appendix to the main report); affairs of the Persian Government and Persian military ; the movements of British consular officials; local affairs at the region’s towns, including Sistan, Birjand, Sarhad (in Persian Baluchistan) and Duzdap [Zahedan]; roads and railways; Afghan affairs; the activities of Soviet Russian Government representatives in the region, including the dissemination of Soviet propaganda; and the movements of foreigners, in particular Europeans and Russians.Minute papers are enclosed with each report, which frequently contain handwritten notes made by India Office staff, making reference to numbered paragraphs from the report.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 209; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers; nor does it include the four leading and ending flyleaves.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 35-209; these numbers are also written in pencil and circled, but are crossed through.