Abstract: A report written in French and dated Bagdad [Baghdad], 23 April 1802, relaying information received from a messenger from Tahran [Tehran] concerning the Kingdom of the Agvans [Afghanistan].The report describes a siege of Herat led by Chah Zadé Kaisser [Shāhzādeh Qaiṣar] and rumours of attacks on Candahar [Kandahar] and Cabul [Kabul] by the Ghelgies [Ghilzaī tribe]. The author also speculates on the activities of Chugia al Mulk [Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrānī] and Fataly Chah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] and the future of the country.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-4 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of India, dated 15 July 1838. The enclosures are dated 17 April-23 June 1838.Enclosure no. 3 (ff 339-43) consists of a report by the Russian Agent [Yan Vitkevich/Jan Prosper Witkiewicz] on his mission to Candahar [Kandahar] and Cabool [Kabul], and his diplomatic meetings with the Emir of Afghanistan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy]. The enclosure is in Russian.Enclosure no. 4 (ff 345-47) consists of a report by the Political Agent at Herat, Major Elliot D’Arcy Todd, on the continuing Persian siege of Herat, unsuccessful peace negotiations between Herat and Persia [Iran], and perceived Russian encouragement of Persian actions.Physical description: 1 item (13 folios)
Abstract: The file comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to the possible employment of Polish engineers in Persia and Afghanistan.The correspondence discusses the various types of engineer which could be required (mining, oil, hydro-electrical, railway), and the logistical issues of placing these engineers in employment.The principal correspondents in the file include the Secretary of State for India; the Ministry of Economic Warfare; HM Minister, Kabul; and HM Minister, Tehran.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 33; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This file consists primarily of letters and notes between the Government of Persia and the Foreign Office regarding the control and safety of travellers between Afghanistan and Persia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 23; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This file contains papers that discuss the visit by American President Roosevelt, and General Patrick Jay Hurley to Afghanistan, Persia, as part of a broader trip to China and the 'Eastern Theatre' of the Second World War. The papers primarily consist of British intelligence reports on the exchanges of these senior American figures, and their lower ranking colleagues with their counterparts in Afghanistan. Some papers detail these discussions with regards to the potential for oil concessions and arms deals. Finally, a few papers discuss Russian intentions in central Asia and possible Russian intentions in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 42; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Extract of a printed map of Persia [Iran], Afghanistan and British India, showing the frontier between Persia, Afghanistan, and British Baluchistan [present-day Pakistan]. The border between the different countries is indicated as a thik line, marked blue (Afghanistan), orange (Persia) and green (Baluchistan). The map indicates: hydrology, some topography, settlements, transport routes. The railway link between Nushki and Mirjawa [Mīrjāveh] is marked in ink with a solid black line. Proposed extensions of the line westwards are marked in ink with black dashed lines. Reference is made to the map in a note on folio 116 of the enclosing volume.Physical description: Dimensions:290 x 320 mm.Materials:printed in colour on paper, with ink and pencil annotations.
Abstract: Ja‘far ibn Muḥammad al-Balkhī (787–886), known as Abū Ma‘shar (and as Albumasar in the Latin West), was one of the most-renowned astronomers of the Middle Ages. His fame in Europe rested upon numerous Latin translations of his astronomical works from the original Arabic. He was born in the Persian city of Balkh (present-day Afghanistan), on 20th of Ṣafar, 171 AH (August 10, 787). He most likely received his early education in Balkh prior to moving to Baghdad, as his works are often colored by a distinct Persian nationalism. According to Ibn al-Nadīm, the tenth-century scholar and bibliographer, Abū Ma‘shar abandoned the study of hadith to focus instead on astronomy and astrology when he was 47 years old. Ibn al-Nadīm lists more than 30 astronomical titles by Abū Ma‘shar. Shown here is Kitāb aḥkām taḥāwil sinī al-mawālīd (Book of the annual revolutions of nativities), translated by Johannes Hispalensis (John of Seville, flourished mid-12th century) under the title De magnis coniunctionibus et annorum revolutionibus ac eorum profectionibus octo continens tractatus, and first printed at Augsburg in 1489. The first five books were also translated into Latin in the 13th century from an earlier Greek translation and published in Basel in 1559. Presented here is a Venice edition of 1515, printed in the shop of Melchiorre Sessa the elder (active 1506–49), identifiable by his printer’s mark: the initials “MS” beside a crown above the image of a cat that has just caught a mouse.Physical description: 188 pages : illustrations ; 21 centimeters
Abstract: The correspondence relates to three main periods of Lewis Pelly's life: his work in India as Agent to the Governor-General, Rajpootana [Rājasthān] and subsequently at Baroda 1870-1877; his return to England in 1877 and marriage to Amy Henrietta Lowder, 1 August 1878; and his desire for re-employment with the India Office 1878-1883.The 1870-1877 correspondence is primarily from the Viceroy of India (Thomas George Baring, 2nd Baron Northbrook to April 1876; Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Baron Lytton from April 1876); the Viceroy's private secretary; and Maharajas, local chiefs and colleagues in Rajpootana. Subjects discussed include the deposition of the Gaekwar of Baroda; the Indian frontier and policy towards it; and Pelly's ailing health which eventually forces him to return to England in 1875.Pelly subsequently returns to India, accompanying Lord Lytton on a negotiating mission with the Amir of Afghanistan, and the correspondence from this period consists primarily of instructions to Pelly in regard to the negotiations.Other correspondents include journalists for the
Pall Mall Gazette,
Daily Telegraph, and
Manchester Guardianas Pelly had numerous letters and articles published in newspapers following his return to England in 1877; correspondence with George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood on both Indian affairs and publishing matters; and correspondence with Lord Lytton, the Marquess of Salisbury (Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury) and Lord Derby (Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby) 1878-1883 in which he attempts to secure employment either in India or with the India Office in London.Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated using an encircled pencil number in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio. Some of the correspondence has been renumbered and the numbers no longer in use have been crossed through.
Abstract: Translations of three Persian letters received by Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad]:1. A letter from Meerza Bozurg [Mīrzā ‘Īsá Khān Farāhānī], Persian [Iranian] Minister, concerning the mission of Meerza Mehedi Ally Khan [Mīrzā Mahdī ‘Alī Khān Bahadūr, Resident in Bushehr] to the Persian Court.2. An extract of a letter from a merchant at Yezd [Yazd] dated 1 Zulhajee [Dhū al-Hijjah]/5 May 1799. The letter reports rumours that Zeman Shah [Zamān Shāh Durrānī, Ruler of Afghanistan] engaged in combat with the Mahrattas [Marathas] and was defeated, and that Zeman Khan [Zamān Khān], former Governor of Herat, has returned to that city.3. A letter from Hajee Hossein Kerem Ali [Ḥājjī Ḥusayn Karīm ‘Alī], a Persian merchant charged by Jones to collect information from Candahar [Kandahar]. The letter reports that several people have arrived in Tabbas [Tabas] claiming to have taken part in combat between Zeman Shah and the Mahrattas, in which Zeman Shah was defeated and forced to flee.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This item contains three documents:1. A copy of a letter from Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from Bombay Castle and dated 4 May 1799.In response to Jones’s letter of 25 March (IOR/L/PS/9/76/60) concerning an embassy rumoured to be travelling across Persia [Iran] to the Court of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār], Duncan discusses the mission of Meerza Mehedi Ally Khan [Mīrzā Mahdī ‘Alī Khān Bahadūr], Resident in Bushire [Bushehr] in Persia.2. An extract of a letter from Yezd [Yazd] dated c. 1 July 1799, translated by Harford Jones. The letter reports that Shah Zeman [Zamān Shāh Durrānī, Ruler of Afghanistan] has returned from India. It also reports that Baba Khan is said to be in Meshed [Mashhad], has summoned the son and brother of Shah Zadeh Mahmood [Mahmūd Durrānī] who are in exile in Tabbas [Tabas], and has dispatched troops towards Herat.3. An extract from a letter from Jones to the President (Governor) of Bombay dated 13 February 1799. The letter reports that firearms and sabres from Turkey [Ottoman Empire] and the Crimea are being exported to Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: Copies of five letters between Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, and Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad]:1. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople [Istanbul] and dated 16 November 1799. The letter announces Elgin’s arrival in Constantinople and assumption of his duties, offers assistance, and asks for information regarding Bagdad and Persia [Iran]. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/103.2. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople and dated 21 December 1799. The letter orders Jones not to open or read any letter addressed to Elgin from India. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/103.3. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople and dated 21 December 1799. Elgin renounces the use of cyphers in his communications with India. A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/104.4. A letter from Jones to Elgin, sent from Bagdad and dated 17 January 1800. The letter reports the transit of Elgin’s dispatches to India via Bagdad and Bussora [Basra] and congratulates Elgin on his appointment as Ambassador. Jones also outlines the policy of the British Government in India towards Persia [Iran], reports on events in Afghanistan, and describes British interests in Bagdad. It also reports a rumour that the Shereef [Sharīf] of Mecca has offered to read the khutbeh [Friday prayer sermon] in the name of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] instead of the Grand Signior [Sulṭān of the Ottoman Empire] in exchange for money. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/105.5. A letter from Jones to Elgin, sent from Bagdad and dated 17 January 1800. Jones acknowledges the receipt of Elgin’s letter of 21 December and pledges not to open or read letters addressed to Elgin from India as instructed. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/107.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)