Abstract: The file contains mainly correspondence and notes by India Office officials, relating to the applications of Mrs Margaret Howson, widow of a former British Consul at Bandar Abbas who died in 1918, for the grant of additional financial assistance from the Government of India in the 1930s, on grounds of personal hardship. The file begins with her first and successful application in 1934, for help towards the upkeep of her younger son in his final year of officer training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. The file ends with her unsuccessful applications in 1935 and 1938 for the grant of a Government of India pension in her old age. The correspondence contains numerous letters written by Mrs Howson after her return to England in 1933, which are addressed mainly to the India Office in London. The file also contains two private letters of support for her hardship case, from Brigadier-General Sir Percy Sykes and Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Frederick O’Connor respectively, both retired, to the Government of India in 1935.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 65; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This item is comprised of copies of secret letters, despatches, memoranda, translations of letters, and intelligence reports relating to events in Persia [Iran].Topics discussed include the relations of the Imam of Muscat with the Government of Persia in connection with Bandar Abbas.Correspondents include: Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia; H L Anderson, Secretary to the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]; Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London; the Political Agent, Muscat; the Political Agent, Lingah [Bandar-e-Lengeh].Physical description: 1 item (21 folios)
Abstract: Fortnightly intelligence summaries (monthly from November 1945) submitted by HM Consul at Kerman, Persia [Iran], and covering events in Kerman and its surrounding province, Yezd [Yazd] and the Gulf port of Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. The reports cover: the movements and activities of Persian local government officials; the movements of British officials, British subjects and foreigners; local government affairs, including elections, and from 1945, the activities of the Tudeh Party of Iran; movements and activities of the Persian military and gendarmerie; local security; roads and communications; economic affairs, with a focus on agricultural production, food supply, food shortages and food prices; and British propaganda. The file also contains some correspondence relating to a guarantee given by the British Government to Hussain Khan Buchakchi, confirming that no action will be taken against him provided he hands over enemy nationals and does not engage in ‘banditry and robbery’ (ff 52-56, ff 65-66).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 front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 257; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Fortnightly consular diaries (monthly from February 1946) submitted by HM Consul at Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās], Persia [Iran], covering the period March 1943 to October 1946. No diaries for the period November 1945 to January 1946 are included in the file. The diaries, which are organised under various subheadings, cover the following subjects: movements and activities of British and Persian officials; movements of foreigners; food supply, food prices, and rationing; economic activity, including a fish canning factory at Bandar Abbas; trade and shipping movements; communications, with particular reference to the roads from Bandar Abbas to Kerman and Minab, and the availability of motor vehicles; tribal and political affairs; local elections; security; public health; anti-locust activities; meteorological data, including minimum and maximum temperatures and rainfall; public relations, specifically local opinion on events in the Second World War; affairs at various places in the vicinity of Bandar Abbas, including Lingeh [Bandar-e Lengeh], Chahbar [Chābahār], Jask, and Hormuz [Jazīreh-ye Hormoz]. The file also contains the following reports: ‘Notes on road Bandar Abbas – Kerman’, August 1943 (f 44); appreciations of the conditions in the Bandar Abbas Consulate area for the periods 1 April to 15 August 1944 (ff 100-103), 1 January to 31 May 1945 (ff 164-167), 1 June to 1 December 1945 (ff 182-185), and 1 January to 30 June 1946 (ff 209-210).At the rear of the file is a copy of the consular diary for Ahwaz [Ahvāz] for January 1947, submitted by HM Consul at Ahwaz and presumably misfiled.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 front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 218; 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: Printed and typewritten monthly reports submitted by the British Consul, or Acting/Officiating Consul at Kerman (George Alexander Richardson; Abdul Alim L K; Major Cecil Henning Lincoln; Lieutenant-Colonel George Arthur Falconer). The reports cover affairs in the Persian [Iranian] province of Kerman, as well as in the towns of Kerman and the Persian Gulf port of Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]:the activities of local officials and local government, including courts and customsactivities of the Persian police, military and navycommunications, including roads, railways, and trade routesmunicipal affairs, including public workshealth and sanitation, including reports of outbreaks of diseasesecurity, including reports of crimeclimate, including rainfall and floodsagriculture and harvests (wheat, barley, opium)local trade and commercial activities, including carpet production, the activities of the National Bank of Persia/Iran, and the Government’s institution of monopoly companiesBritish interests, including the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC), the Indo-European Telegraph, and the movements of British individualsforeign interests in Kerman, including Russian, German and Japanesethe arrival and departure of vessels on the Kerman coast, and, attached to a number of reports for 1935, detailed lists of cargoesMinute papers are enclosed in front of many reports, containing notes made by India Office staff commenting on items of note in the report.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 534; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-533; these numbers are also written in pencil and circled, but are crossed through.
Abstract: Correspondence concerning the movements of the former Shah of Persia [Iran], Reza Shah Pahlavi, in the wake of his enforced abdication by the British Government in September 1941. The papers cover: arrangements for the removal of Reza Shah from Persia; discussion amongst British officials over where the Shah should be sent into exile, with Mauritius, British East Africa [Kenya], the Seychelles, Canada, and South Africa all discussed; reports of Reza Shah’s departure from the Persian port of Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] on 27 September 1941 (ff 85-86, ff 80-82); arrangements for the passage of Reza Shah and his touring party; Reza Shah’s stay in Mauritius, and his opinion of the islands; Reza Shah’s passage to South Africa; the movements of other members of the Persian royal family, including Reza Shah’s wives and children. The file’s principal correspondents are: the British Minister at Tehran, Reader William Bullard; the Foreign Office; the Governor of Mauritius, Bede Edmund Hugh Clifford; the External Affairs Department of the Government of India.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 180; 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: Correspondence concerning the flying of flags and the positioning of flag staffs at British consular buildings in Persia [Iran], including at Britain’s naval base on the island of Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām], and the British Consulate at Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. The file begins in 1931 with an objection from the Persian Government of the flying of a British flag (the Red Ensign) at buildings in Persian territory, operated by the Imperial and International Communications Company. Subsequent correspondence discusses:The question of whether the Imperial and International Communications Company is entitled, as a private concern, to fly the national flag.The significance to the Persian authorities of flag staffs as claims of territorial sovereignty.Instructions issued to British consular properties in Persia in 1932 to remove flag staffs from their grounds, and to instead fly their flags from the roof of consular buildings.National holidays on which foreign missions and consulates might fly their flags in Persia, with a list of dates on folio 78.Reciprocal measures, imposed by the Government of India, limiting the flying of flags by Persian officials in India.The file’s principal correspondents are: the British Legation at Tehran (Major Percy Charles Russell Dodd, Reginald Hervey Hoare; Hughe Montgomery Knatchbull Hugesson); the Foreign Office (George William Rendel, Lacy Baggallay); the India Office (Charles William Baxter); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Vincent Biscoe; Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard William Craven Fowle).The file contains a small number of items written in French.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 289; 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: The file contains correspondence documenting a proposal from the British Embassy at Tehran that the meteorological stations at Bushire and Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] should be shut down, and subsequent consultation with the Government of India and Pakistan via the officers of the UK High Commissioners to these respective countries. It also documents the decision of the Government of Pakistan – as the maintainer of the aforesaid stations – to transfer these stations to Iranian control, rather than close them down.The main correspondents are as follows: officials of the Commonwealth Relations Office (Francis Anthony Kitchener Harrison and Kenneth Roy Crook), officials of the Foreign Office (L W Blackwell and W F M Davies). A couple of letters from Sir Nelson King Johnson as Director of the Meteorological Office at the Air Ministry are also present within the file.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description 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: Printed copies of annual trade and commerce reports for the Persian port of Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās], compiled by HM’s Consul at Bunder Abbas (George Alexander Richardson, Cecil Henning Lincoln). The file includes reports for the years 1925-26, 1926-27, 1927-28, 1928-29, 1930-32, 1932-33, 1934-35, and 1935-36.The reports vary in extent from one year to the next, but broadly include sections on the following subjects: a general review of the year’s trade at Bunder Abbas; currency, weights and measures; trade at the Persian port of Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh]; taxation; military operations and conscription; agriculture (including opium production); industry; roads; public health and hygiene; shipping and navigation; statistical tables of shipping activity, commodities, imports and exports.The original copies of the reports were forwarded by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, with a request that printed copies be sent back to the Political Residency. Included amongst the reports are India Office Political Department minute papers and other notes, with comments written by India Office officials on the contents of the reports.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 122; 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: This file consists of letters related to several general subjects of the East African-Arabian Slave trade; domestic Omani politics; general affairs of trade. Of note are circular letters from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to Trucial Coast Shaikhs and the Sultan of Oman on their responsibility for the eradication of slavery. These also include Arabic copies of engagements entered into by the Trucial Shaikhs of the Persian Gulf with the British Government for the abolition of the African slave trade. The file also includes the Muscat Agency administration report 1871-72, and Fortnightly Muscat Agency news reports. Ancillary sections pertain to correspondence on the 1872 lease of Bandar `Abbas, and correspondence relating to Makran dependencies of Muscat.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 450; 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 volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, printed reports, a press cutting and a map, relating to the connection of the railway system of Europe to the railway system of India by the construction of railway lines through Persia.The discussion in the volume relates to the proposal of a Russian consortium and the response of the Government of India to this proposal. A Report (No. 18 of 1911' folios 144 - 160) notes that the Government of India would do well to accept in principle the Russian proposal subject to a number of modifications. A map entitled 'Indexed Map Showing Proposed Railways in Persia' (folio 160) accompanies the report. Suggested modifications included:the point of intersection of the trans-Persian railway with the Indian railway system (British preference for Karachi); and concessions for branch lines (Bandar Abbas, Charbar, Mohammerah);the requirement that both main and branch lines in Persian territory be deemed international with Russia and Britain holding preponderant shares and Persia included as a participant;and the use of a different gauge railway in the British and Russian zones. As a quid pro quo for their support on this matter Britain expected the Russians to cease any consideration of extending the Trans-Caspian Railway to the Persia-Afghan border.Also discussed are the negotiations about a loan between the
Société des Études du Chemin de Fer Transpersanand the Persian Government and a suggestion that the British and French governments should guarantee a substantial loan by securing it against the crown jewels.The following topics are also discussed: the Foreign Office proposal to refer the whole question of railway development in Persia to the Committee of Imperial Defence; a draft application for the concession; a memorandum by Brigadier General A H Gordon; dispatch of instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador at St Petersberg on the attitude of the Her Majesty's Government; the view of the Sir G Buchanan on the attitude of the Russian Government to the question of alignment.The principal correspondents in the volume include: His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, the Earl of Crewe; Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, E H S Clark; His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox; the President of the Railway Board; Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan.This volume includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 163; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The volume consists of two parts: Part 1 and Part 2 both contain papers relating to the construction of a telegraph line and road from Bandar Abbas (or Bunder Abbas or Bander Abbas) [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] to Kerman in Persia [Iran]; Part 2 also includes some papers relating to the development of roads and railways in Persia, including the Bushire to Shiraz road.Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 376; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.