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1. Afghanistan Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: The papers mainly relate to the British-led invasion of Afghanistan. They chiefly comprise copies of reports by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Burnes, Envoy to Kelat, to William Hay Macnaghten, Envoy and Minister at the camp of Shah Shoojah [Shāh Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrāni], as forwarded to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai], 18 March 1839-10 April 1839. Burnes’s reports relate to his negotiations with Mehrab Khan [Mir Mehrab Khan Beloch II, also spelled Mirhab in this item], the Khan of Kelat [Kalat], to secure the latter’s agreement (ff 7-8) to assist the Army of the Indus on its march into Afghanistan, by way of arranging the protection of provisions and stores coming and going from Shikarpoor [Shikarpur], a guard through the Bolan Pass, and supplies of grain for the troops, in return for the sum of one and a half lacs of rupees.The main subjects covered are:Mehrab Khan’s concerns about possible repercussions from the Barakzye [Bārakzay] family, the local population, Persia [Iran] and Russia, if he supports the BritishMehrab Khan’s equivocal attitude towards Shah Shoojah despite professing his allegiance, and his doubts about the potential success of the Army of the Indus in AfghanistanMehrab Khan’s demand that the British guarantee his safety when he pays homage to Shah Shoojah and ensure that Shah Shoojah pays for any services he orders from himBurnes’s allegation that Mihrab Khan has been secretly communicating with Candahar [Kandahar] and is responsible for much of the plundering of the Army of the Indus in his Khorasan territoryBurnes’s agreement with Macnaghten regarding measures to punish and ultimately dethrone Mehrab Khan for his alleged duplicityBurnes also reports intelligence relating to anti-British ‘intrigues’ between Candahar and Sinde [Sindh] that are indicated within intercepted letters between the Ameers [Amirs] of Sinde and chiefs of Candahar.Folios 19-26 comprise a memorandum of intelligence (‘Newsletter’), dated 2 May 1839. It covers: Lahore; Candahar; Cabool [Kabul]; Peshawur [Peshawar]; the Army of the Indus, notably its approach to the Bolan Pass and Candahar; Bokhara [Bukhara]; Kundooz [Kunduz]; Herat; Joudhpore [Jodhpur]; Lucknow; Nipal [Nepal]; Sikkim; and Items of General Intelligence.Folios 27-32 comprise papers relating to the improvement of the ordnance in place for the defence of Bombay [Mumbai].Physical description: 1 item (33 folios)
2. Sind Affairs: Matters Relating to Afghanistan, Kelat and Persia
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 2 dated 2 January 1857. The enclosures are dated 11-16 December 1856.The papers chiefly comprise two letters from Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh], to Lord Elphinstone, Governor and President in Council, Bombay, forwarding the following documents:A copy of the report by Captain William Lockyer Merewether, Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind, concerning the convoy recently despatched carrying treasure (three lacs of rupees), arms and ammunition, destined for the Ameer Dost Mahomed Khan in Kandahar [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy]. The report details the journey of a party of the Sind Irregular Horse, under the command of Lieutenant W L Briggs, Acting Assistant Political Superintendent, including the escort provided by officers and men of the Khan of Kelat [Kalat] through Kelat territory and the Bolan Pass [also spelled Bolaan in this item] to Quetta [also spelled Quettah in this item] where Briggs transferred his consignment to a party of Dost Mahomed’s men (ff 34-38)A copy of a letter from Merewether who forwards intelligence he has received of: a Persian force assembled at Bunpoor [Bampur] on the frontier of Mekran [Makran]; news of Persian activities in Herat; and relations between the Khan of Kelat and Persia.Physical description: 1 item (16 folios)