Abstract: This item consists mostly of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. It is the first of two items on the subject of the Euphrates expedition of 1835-37 (the other item is IOR/F/4/1701/68746).The item concerns the latter stages of the Euphrates expedition and the decision of the Government of Bombay to continue the expedition beyond its originally-assigned duration. It mostly consists of reports and letters prepared by Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition. The topics covered are:The ascent and descent of the Tigris river as far as Bagdad [Baghdad] by the
Euphratessteamer, from September to October 1836The ascent and descent of the Euphrates river by the
Euphratessteamer, from October to November 1836, including the damage suffered to one of the engines and the arrangements made for the mail being carried by the steamer to be conveyed onwards to BritainLocal reactions to the expeditionThe activities of the
Euphratesfollowing the departure of Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition, including the ascent and descent of the Karoon [Karun] river, and the return to BagdadThe assessments of Chesney and other members of the expedition of their achievements, and their recommendations for maintaining steamers on the Euphrates.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 86 and terminates at f 148, 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 volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum is divided into the following chapter headings:'General Status of Persia', ff 2r-12;'Persia and Herat', ff 12v-24r;'Persia and Seistan [Sīstān]', ff 24r-31v;'Persia and Kohuk', ff 31v-35;'Persia and the Navigation of the Karun [Kārūn] River', ff 35v-39r;'Persia and her integrity', ff 39r-47;'Persia and Merv', ff 47v-52v;'Continuation of General Status of Persia', ff 52v-61;'Appendices', ff 63-78.'General Status of Persia' provides a geographic description of the Kingdom including details of its boundaries, rivers, and transportation links. It also includes an outline of its demography, and its revenue by province. Military matters are also covered in this section; this includes an in-depth look at the Persian army — its pay and composition — and a look at the employment of British officers in Persia. This section concludes with a narrative of Persia's modern history from the sixteenth century.'Persia and Herat' describes the extent to which the province's boundaries can be defined, and provides a brief description of each district within; Ghorian, Sabzawar, Farah, Bakwa, Kurak, and Obeh. It also includes a description of the town of Herat, and information on the province's demography and climate. The section also provides detailed coverage of the tribes in the region. The development of British policy towards Herat is explained through the use of select correspondence. This includes the relative merits for Britain in either maintaining Herat's independence, or supporting Afghan or Persian rule; extensive reference is made to the Treaty of Paris (1857).'Persia and Seistan' also provides a geographic description of the province, along with information on its administrative divisions, climate, and transportation links. Its main purpose however is to outline the development of British attitudes concerning the governance of this province; should it be overseen by Afghanistan or Persia? To provide context, it covers the historical basis for the two competing claims. It concludes by describing the British arbitration of the matter in 1871-72 by General Frederick John Goldsmid, and its outcome; summaries of the statements provided by the Afghan and Persian sides are included.'Persia and Kohuk' explains how Persia has disputed the award of this province to Khelat by General Goldsmid in 1871, and British reluctance to amend the award in favour of Persia.'Persia and the Navigation of the Karun River' outlines British efforts to open up the Karun River for steam navigation. It explains that Russian success in improving transportation infrastructure in the north of Persia — in contrast to British failure in the south — is seen to be putting British trade at a disadvantage; the Karun River is seen as having the best potential for resolving this. The prospects for the construction of a railway in southern Persia are also briefly examined.'Persia and her integrity' details the development of a diplomatic understanding from 1834 between Britain and Russia, in which both powers established their mutual interest in the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Persia. It chiefly concerns British suspicions that Russian activities in central Asia do not match their professed intentions towards Persia (i.e. British fears that Russia is encroaching on central Asia).'Persia and Merv', in addition to providing an overview of the region's history and ancient settlements, considers what the British consider to be the encroachment of Russia on Persia's northern borders; the British consider any potential Russian occupation of Merv to be a threat, and it is explained that Persian control is preferred.'Continuation of General Status of Persia' concentrates on British concerns over increases in Russian influence at the Persian Court in Tehran; the British fear Persia becoming a vassal of Russia and facilitating Russian expansion towards Afghanistan. It therefore discusses the extent to which Britain should take advantage of Persian overtures to establish friendly relations with that power in order to prevent this scenario. It also briefly discusses Persian designs on Bahrain, and the desirability — for Britain — in maintaining its status as an independent state, in addition to emphasizing the need to maintain Britain's protectorate role in the Persian Gulf. Topics also included in this section, but covered in less detail include: the conference of consular powers on the Resident in the Persian Gulf; the development of telegraph lines in Persia; and negotiations respecting the demarcation of the Persian-Turkish border.The memorandum is signed by Owen Tudor Burne of the India Office.The appendix at the back is divided eight sections as follows:I. 'Employment of British Officers with the Persian Army', f 63;II. A selection of memoranda (dated 20 July-24 December 1868) concerning the need to strengthen British influence over Persia, and the means available to achieve it, ff 63v-64;III. A selection of memoranda (dated 10-30 October 1868) on the possibility of employing British officers with the Persian Army, f 65;IV. 'The Policy of Great Britain towards Persia, ff 66-69;V. Instructions given to Major-General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlingson as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, dated 4 August 1859, ff 68-69;VI. 'Outline Sketch by Colonel Burne of the Shah of Persia's Visit to England, 1873, ff 69-72;VII. 'Note by Colonel Burne on the Persian Army, 20th December 1871', ff 72-73;VIII. 'Abstract of Events in Persia, Afghanistan, &c. from 1722 to the present period', ff 73v-78.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 1A and terminates at f 78, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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.
Abstract: Confidential military report on Arabistan [Khūzestān] compiled by Air Headquarters, Iraq, and printed by the Government of India Press, 1924.The report contains nine chapters (numbered I-IX) and seven appendices (A-G) as follows:chapter I – history (general, ancient, modern, political attitude);II – geography (boundaries, area, general description, altitude, mountains, rivers and fords, towns and villages, tracts of land, islands, fortified places, political divisions);III – climate (general, temperature, winds, rainfall, mirages, general medical and sanitary conditions, principal diseases, conditions affecting aviation and military operations);IV – economic resources (general, labour, agriculture, livestock, manufacture, power, commerce, customs, banking, revenue, tables of imports and exports);V – ethnography (general, population, races, religions, languages);VI – tribes (general, armed forces, tribes in relation to possible centres of disturbance, political attitudes, military considerations, tribal action, punitive measures, recapitulation, lists of tribes);VII – personalities;VIII – communications (general, communications by sea, inland waterways, railways, telegraphs and telephones, post, aerodromes and possible aerodromes, wireless and visual communication, principal routes by land, sea and river);IX – administration (general, government establishments, northern province, southern province);appendix A – bibliographical notes;B – weights and measures, coinage and time;C – glossary of topographical terms;D – Karun river [Rūd-e Kārūn] regulations;E – concession granted to the “Nasiri Company”;F – customs schedule;G – Anglo-Persian Oil Company.The volume contains a single map in a pocket attached to the inside back cover (folio 180).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 181; 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.
Abstract: Confidential military report compiled in the Intelligence Branch, Department of the Quarter Master General of India, by Captain George Samuel Frederick Napier, 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, Staff Captain. The report was printed in Simla at the Government Central Printing Office, 1900.The volume begins with a preface, written by Lieutenant-Colonel A Barrow, Assistant Quartermaster General, Intelligence Branch, Simla, on 12 April 1900 (folio 8).Part one of the volume comprises ten chapters (I-X) covering:geography (general description, coastline, land frontiers, mountain systems, rivers and lakes)harbourscommunications (roads, maritime, inland water, and telegraphs)climate (general description, rainfall, winds in the Persian Gulf, pathology of Southern Persia)resources (agricultural, commercial, industrial, labour, production, animals, and transport)ethnography (races and religions, and languages)history (early history, Russo-Persian wars, Anglo-Persian wars up to 1856, the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57, the subsequent history of Southern Persia, and commercial history)administration (systems, administrative divisions, financial system, money, weights and measures)naval and military (navy, army, fighting material, and arms)political (internal and external relations, British representatives in Southern Persia, and representatives of other powers in Southern Persia)Part two of the volume comprises four appendices (A-D) covering:climate (an abstract of Fahrenheit thermometer readings)resources (bazaar prices, average rates of transport, rates of freight, pack transport rates, labour, animal and crop resources in some of Southern Persia’s principal towns and villages);ethnography (list of the principal tribes of Arabistan, and lists of tribes of other regions)a ‘gazetteer of some of the more important towns and villages of Southern Persia, on or near lines of communication’Four maps are also included in the volume’s front pocket (folios 2-5).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 75; 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.
Abstract: It consists of a military report on S W Persia, specifically Bakhtiāri Country North of Kārūn River, created for the personal information of the officers of the Army in India. Compiled in the Division of the Chief of the Staff, Army Head Quarters, India by Lieutenant A T Wilson, 32nd Sikh Pioneers. Printed at the Government Monotype Press, Simla, 1910.It includes a preface by Wilfrid Malleson, Assistant Quarter Master General, Intelligence Branch.It is divided into the following sections:geographical – boundaries, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and geology;general – Bakhtiāri levies, bridge constructions, and revenue;tribal – history, organisation, numbers, customs, land ownership, and taxation;communications – via various routes, condition of tracks, and construction of a cart road;climate;strategical - possibility of collision with Russia and intervention by Great Britain, comparison of routes, recommendations, and composition of force;routes – broken down into stages and incorporating comments on the road, climate, transport, fuel, supplies, water, grazing, and physical obstacles;appendices – including documents relating to the Ahwāz-Isfahān road, tables of tribal sub-divisions and strength of the Haft Lang and the Chehār Lang, and biographical notices of certain Bakhtiāri Khāns by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer, British Consul, Ahwāz [Ahvāz].Also includes five maps:folio 65: 'SKELETON MAP OF BAKHTIĀRI COUNTRY Showing routes and chief rivers';folio 66: 'SECTION FROM 'ALWĀNĪYEH ('ARABISTĀN) TO KHARĀJĪ THE LYNCH ROAD, ROUTE NO. I. AHWĀZ TO ISFAHĀN';folio 67: 'ISFAHĀN—DEH KURD—'ALĪ KŪH—CHARĪ—BĀZUFT—CHILAU' and 'ISFAHĀN—URŪJĀN—ARDAL—GURĀB—BĀZUFT—CHILAU';folio 68: 'FARAIDAN—TANG-I-GAZĪ—GIL-I-SHĀH—BĀZUFT—CHILAU' and 'FARAIDAN—TANG-I-GAZĪ—PAMBAKĀL—BĀZUFT—CHILAU';folio 69: 'BURBARŪD—KALEH HUMA—MAKHADĪ—BĀZNAWĪ—PUL-I-SHĪRAK—PUL-I-KUL—DIZFŪL' and 'FARAIDAN—TANG-I-GAZĪ—GALA GĀO—PĪR SAIYID—BĀZNAWĪ—PUL-I-KUL—DIZFŪL'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 70; 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.
Abstract: The map shows part of the Karun River, the area surrounding Shustar.The map indicates hydrology, settlements, relief (shown by hachures), pipe and telephone lines, roads and routes, telecommunications and oil infrastructures.The map was corrected from previous surveys by triangulation, and is signed by George Batley Scott and printed by General Staff India.Physical description: Materials: printed on paperDimensions: 530 x 640 mm
Abstract: The map shows a region around Ahwaz in south-western Persia, indicating the position occupied by the Persian army, and the landing place and advance of British troops. The map also indicates hydrology and buildings, with some indication of relief, and brief descriptions of topography.The map is Plate 5 in 'Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman' (Naval Intelligence Department No. 694), 1903, and is 'Reproduced from "Outrams Persian Campaign 1857"'.A printing statement reads, 'Weller & Graham, Ltd. Litho, London.'.Physical description: Materials: Printed on paperDimensions: 213 x 127mm, on sheet 244 x 148mm
Abstract: Sketch of Shústar [Shūshtar] showing the Karun river, canals, fort and citadel, bridges (including the Band-i-Kaisar [Band-e Kaisar]), and areas cultivated with poppies. The arrows on the sketch indicate the direction of downward slopes.Physical description: Dimensions: 200 x 150 mm, on sheet 342 x 202 mm.Materials: Printed on paper.
Abstract: Sketch map of the Karun River at Ahwáz [Ahvāz], showing obstructions to the river’s navigation, produced by Captain Henry Lake Wells of the Royal Engineers, in December 1881, with additions made by Major Mark Sever Bell of the Royal Engineers, on 28 March 1884. The map, with accompanying key, indicates: rocks; sand and silt banks; rapids; the remains of an ancient bund, or embankment; the probable line of a canal or tram; buildings at Ahwáz, including mosque and fort; the nature of land on the right bank of the river (cultivated, uncultivated, good camping ground, level plain). Numbered annotations on the map refer to descriptions, written by Wells, in the enclosing volume (ff 87-88).A note at the bottom of the map states that the map was produced in the Intelligence Branch of the Quartermaster General’s Department in India, Simla, October 1884, and examined by ‘J.A.A.’Physical description: Dimensions: 420 x 580 mm.Materials: Printed on paper.
Abstract: The volume, stamped ‘Secret’ on the front cover and frontispiece, is part 1 (historical and political materials) of a précis of Persian Arabistan affairs. It was prepared by Judge Jerome Antony Saldanha of the Bombay Provincial Civil Service, and published in 1903 by the Government of India Foreign Department, Simla, India.The contents of the volume run as follows:Chapter 1, entitled
Internal affairs, 1876-1904, including: early history of the region, up until 1873; early history of the Kaab tribe; murder of Shaikh Lufti, Kaab chief; death of Haji Jabir Khan, Governor of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], and Shaikh Mizal’s succession; local chiefs and governors between 1878 and 1883; Govenor-Generals of Arabistan; trouble in the Kaab districts, and release of Shaikh Mizal’s brother Mahomed; disturbances in Arabistan and Persian intrigues, 1888; narrative of events, 1891-97; murder of Shaikh Mizal [Maz’al bin Jabir bin Merdaw al-Ka’bi] and succession of his brother, Shaikh Khazal [Khaz’al bin Jabir bin Merdaw al-Ka’bi], 1897.2.
Karun river[Rūd-e Kārūn]
navigation and irrigation schemes, 1871-79, including a history of the navigation and irrigation schemes, 1871-77; proposed railways from Rehst [Rasht] to Teheran, and from Teheran to the Karan river; question of navigation of the Karun, 1878-79.3.
Karun river navigation and irrigation schemes, 1881-83, including: an historical overview; navigability; trade routes; general remarks. Four appendices follow chapter 3: A) Reports by Colonel Edward Ross, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, on the Karun river navigation; reports by Captain Henry Wells on the Ahwaz canal; memoranda on the Karun river by Sir Henry Rawlinson; a report comparing routes from Ispahan [Eşfahān] to the sea, by Captain Wells; and Felix Vauvillier’s scheme for establishing water communication between Kermanshah [Khorramshahr] and Dizful [Dezfūl] (in French).4.
Opening of the Karun to navigation of all nations, 1888-89.5.
Obstacles in the way of the British enterprise on the Karan river, including: the erection of warehouses and business premises on the banks of the river; misunderstanding over tonnage dues and certification; charges against Mr John Gaskin over irregular conduct and his employment of private servants; navigation of the Upper Karun; rival enterprises and intrigues of the Shaikh of Mohammerah; embargo on grain; fanatical outbreaks of local tribes and Persian soldiers against British interest.6
. Karun river subsidy, 1890-1900.7.
Appointment of consular officers in Arabistan, including: the appointment of Mr William McDouall as Vice-Consul for Mohammerah, 1890; the appointment of Major Edmund Boteler Burton to act for McDouall; the appointment of Lieutenant David Lorimer as Vice-Consul for Arabistan; the appointment of a consular surgeon for Arabistan; headquarters and accommodation for the Vice-Consul and Consular Surgeon at Arabistan; attack on Lieutenant Lorimer and Colonel Douglas.8.
Construction of roads in aid of the Karun river trade.9.
Desire of Shaikh Khazal to place himself under British protection: interference of Belgian customs administration in Mohammerah Customs and British intervention, 1898-1904, including Shaikh Khazal seeks British protection, 1898-99; proposed establishment of Persian customs at Mohammerah and Shaikh Khazal’s appeal to the British 1900-04; presence of Belgian customs boats on the Shat el-Arab, 1904.10.
Attempted change in the system of collection of customs on the Karun river, 1902-03.11.
Disturbed state of Arabistan: attacks on the Shushan[
Sūsa]
: measures for its protection.12.
Restoration of Ancient Elam: projected irrigation works in Arabistan, 1903-04.The appendix at the end of the volume is a memorandum on the Kaab tribe and Mohammerah, dated 6 January 1844, and written by Sir Henry Rawlinson, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 printed pagination sequence, with page numbers located top and centre of each page.
Abstract: This note on communications and irrigation in Arabistan was written by Sir George Cunningham Buchanan and was printed in Simla at the Government Monotype Press. The information in the note is divided using sub-headings which include:general descriptioncommunicationsthe Karun Riverirrigation (in Shushter and Ahwaz)navigationproposals for improved communicationsFolios 8-9 contain photo illustrations of the Karun River and Ahwaz Rapids.Four maps are enclosed at the back of the file (folios 11-14).The file was previously marked confidential.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 15; 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 printed pagination sequence between ff 4-7.
Abstract: The sketch map shows the course of the river Karun from Ahwaz [Ahvāz] to Shushtar, based on a survey undertaken by Lieutenant Willoughby Baynes Huddleston of the Royal Indian Marine in November 1899. The map indicates: the course and nature of the river; soundings, measured in fathoms; the height of banks, shoals; channel hazards; plains; notable landmarks; roads; and river tributaries. A note below the map title states that the bearings were taken by prismatic compass from the deck of the river steamer
Shushtan, at a time of year when the river was at its lowest annual point. The note gives further information on the methods used to record river measurements and bearings.Other labels on the map: at the top, ‘No. 2’; at the bottom: ‘Exd C.J.A.’Physical description: Dimensions: 354 x 217 mm, on sheet 419 x 275 mm.Materials: Printed on paper.