Abstract: This item consists of copies of a Political Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secretary of State for India, dated 2 October 1874, forwarding ten copies of the ‘Epitome of correspondence regarding our relations with Afghanistan and Herat, 1863’ [not included in this item], in compliance with the request contained in the Secretary of State for India’s despatch No. 25 of 6 August 1874.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 320, and terminates at f 321a, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The sequence contains two foliation anomalies: f 320a and f 321a.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a secret despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secret Committee, Number 57 of 1856, dated 8 November 1856. The enclosures are numbered 3-11 and are dated 10 October to 5 November 1856.They mostly consist of correspondence relating to the remittance of three lacs [lakhs] of rupees and the sending of arms and ammunition to the Ameer Dost Mahomed Khan [Amīr Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy].The correspondents are the following: the Secretary to the Government of India; the Secretary to the Government of Bombay; the Acting Commissioner in Sinde [Sindh]; the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab, and the Officiating Secretary to the Chief Commissioner; the Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sinde; the Officiating Deputy Commissioner of Peshawur [Peshawar]; Meeah Khan [Miyān Khān]; and Faiz Ahmed Baabee [Fayz̤ Aḥmad Bābī].Physical description: 1 item (26 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 103 of 1847, dated 27 December 1847. The enclosure is numbered 3 and is dated 14 October 1847.The enclosure consists of a copy of a letter from HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Arthur Malet, enclosing under flying seals copies of despatches addressed to HM Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Viscount Palmerston, dated 23 to 30 September 1847.The enclosures relate to matters including:Sheil reporting that the Persian Prime Minister Hajee Meerza Aghassee [Ḥājī Mīrzā (ʿAbbās Īravānī) Āqāsī] had several times publicly accused the British Government of having given aid in money to the Salar [Muḥammad-Ḥasan Khān Sālār] and Jaffer Koolee Khan [Jaʿfar Qulī Khān], and that the Shah had said to a member of the British mission that the British Government were behind the ‘disturbances’ in Khorassan [Khorasan]; Sheil writing to Aghassee to demand that the accusation be withdrawn, and that an apology be made by the Persian Government; and the denial of the Shah and Aghassee that they had made the accusation that a ‘Hindoo’ [Hindu] British subject resident in Meshed [Mashhad] had, on account of the British Government given money to the Salar and Jaffer Koolee KhanPersian involvement in Afghanistan, including Sheil addressing a note to Hajee Meerza Aghassee regarding Herat, and stating that Aghassee’s reply repeats indirectly the absence of any intention on the part of the Persian Government to ‘interfere’ with HeratSheil stating that it appears the insurrection in Khorassan will be speedily terminated, and that this has likely prevented ‘complications of a more serious character’, as Sheil has received intelligence that the Russian Minister had told Aghassee that in case of a reverse Russian troops would be ready to assist the Shah in Khorassan, and Aghassee had proclaimed in public more than once that he would make use of that option should the occasion ariseSheil learning that the Russian Minister [Prince Dimitri Ivanovich Dolgorukov, referred to as Dolgorouki in this item] had made an application to the Persian Government for permission to build a hospital on land near Asterabad [Gorgan] opposite the Island of Ashoor Ada [Ashuradeh] for the use of seamen and mariners of Russian ships of war on that coast, and to surround this building as well as the Russian store houses in the same vicinity with a wall; and Sheil reporting that he had represented to the Shah that if he gave his consent to such a proposition it would be equivalent to giving his consent and confirmation to the Russian occupation of Ashoor AdaThe conduct of Mirza Mahomed Ali Khan [Mīrzā Muḥammad ‘Ali Khān], in leaving Constantinople [Istanbul] for France before the ratification of the Treaty of Erzeroom [Erzurum], having been nominated by the Persian Government to exchange the ratifications; Sheil and the Russian Minister, Dolgorouki, anticipating that this would delay the exchange of ratifications; and the Persian Government rejecting the advice of Sheil and Dolgorouki that great delay would be avoided if the Persian Government would provide them with letters directing Mirza Mahomed Ali Khan to hasten his return to ConstantinopleBritish attempts to abolish the transport of African ‘slaves’ [enslaved persons] through the ports of the Persian Gulf, including Sheil addressing a letter to Aghassee intimating that British war ships would examine any Persian vessels in the Persian Gulf suspected of 'slave trading' and liberate any enslaved persons found on board; Sheil’s view that whilst this announcement ‘has ostensibly been distasteful’ to the Persian Government, which declares that such an act would be a breach of treaty, he is nevertheless of the opinion that any obstruction this trade may encounter from British ships of war ‘will in reality be viewed by the Persian Government with considerable apathy’, and that the detention of one Persian vessel and the liberation of any enslaved persons who may be found on board will probably be sufficient to deter other Persian vessels from continuing to engage in the 'slave trade'.The despatches from Sheil to Palmerston include enclosed copies of despatches in French from the Russian foreign minister Count Nesselrode [Karl Robert Vasilyevich] to Prince Dolgorouki, and from the Russian Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United Kingdom, Baron Brunow [Filipp Ivanovich Brunnov] to the Russian Chancellor, relating to Afghanistan. The despatches also include: correspondence between Sheil and Hajee Meerza Aghassee; letters (in French) jointly signed by Sheil and Dolgorouki addressed to Aghassee, and replies from Aghassee; and a letter from Sheil to the Political Resident at Baghdad, Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson.Enclosure No. 3 also includes:A letter from Sheil to HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, Lord Cowley, dated 5 October 1847, stating that it is the intention of the Persian Government to despatch the ratification of the treaty concluded at Ezeroom by special messenger in seven days to the care of the Persian Consul at ConstantinopleA letter from Sheil to the Secretary to the Government of India, dated 10 October 1847, enclosing an extract from the
Delhi Gazettecontaining news ‘from a letter from Tehran’, which Sheil states bears remarkable similarity to his correspondence with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copies of which are forwarded to the Governor-General for information. Sheil suggests that as no one in his own office has any correspondence with the northern part of India, this information has been provided by the Native Writers in the office of the Secretary to the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (46 folios)
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 3-24 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The enclosures consist of correspondence relating to events in Afghanistan and surrounding areas. Subjects covered include:An end to the British subsidy that had been paid to Dost Mahomed, Ameer of Cabul [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy, Amīr of Afghanistan], during the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57The position of Nawab Foujdar Khan [Nawwāb Fūjdār Khān] as British Vakeel [agent] at Cabul [Kabul]The return of the Kandahar Mission to IndiaA request from Dost Mahomed for a Persian language copy of the Treaty of Paris, that ended the Anglo-Persian WarReports that the King of Bokhara [Naṣr Allāh Khān, Emir of Bukhara] has put down a rebellion in Oora Tuppuh [Istaravshan, Tajikistan] and declared war on Kokan [Khanate of Kokand]Reports that two men in Herat employed respectively by the British Minister at Tehran and the Chief Commissioner, Peshawur [Peshawar], had attempted to instigate a rebellion against the Amir Sirdar Sooltan Ahmed Khan [Sirdār Sulṭān Aḥmad Khān]Dost Mahomed’s rejection of a requested visit from a Russian envoy.The primary correspondents are: Dost Mahomed; Sooltan Ahmed Khan; Foujdar Khan; the Commissioner, Peshawur; the Chief Commissioner, Punjab; and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (80 folios)
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 3-33 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to events in Herat, and its status after the withdrawal of Persian occupation at the end of the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57. Subjects covered include:An unsuccessful rebellion in HeratA Russian envoy arriving at Candahar [Kandahar, Afghanistan] with the intention of continuing to HeratThe importance of improving Herat’s defences if it is to remain independentA Persian [Iranian] attack on Merv, successfully defended by the Takkeh Toorkomans [Teke Turkmen]Competing claims over Seistan [Sistan] by the rulers of Candahar, Herat and Persia [Iran]The dissolution and final report (included on ff 471-480) of the British Commission to Herat.The primary correspondent is the Chief Commissioner, Herat. Other correspondents include: Dost Mahomed, Ameer of Cabul [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy, Amīr of Afghanistan]; Nawab Foujdar Khan [Nawwāb Fūjdār Khān], British Vakeel [agent] at Cabul [Kabul]; HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (110 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a secret despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secret Committee, Number 59 of 1856, dated 22 November 1856. The enclosures are numbered 3-15 and are dated 14 October to 15 November 1856.The enclosures consist of correspondence and a minute of the Governor-General of India concerning British relations with Ameer Dost Mahomed Khan of Cabool [Amīr Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy of Kabul], and his intentions regarding sending a military force to Herat.The main correspondents are the following: the Secretary to the Government of India; the Officiating Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab; and Dost Mahomed Khan.Physical description: 1 item (36 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 14 of 1853, dated 28 February 1853. The enclosure is numbered 3 and is dated 10 December 1852.The enclosure consists of a letter from HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Tehran, Justin Sheil, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, enclosing under a flying seal (for the information of the Governor in Council) copies of nine of his despatches addressed to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Earl of Malmesbury. These despatches relate to affairs in Persia [Iran] and Herat, and are dated 11 November to 8 December 1852.The despatches report matters including:Sheil’s stated intention to remark to the Sedr Azim [Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam] that a specific declaration is required to counteract articles which had appeared in the
Tehran Gazette‘boasting’ of the annexation of Herat to the dominions of the Shah (an enclosed copy of a translated paragraph from the
Tehran Gazetteof 11 November 1852 is included)Sheil enclosing a translation of a firman nominating Abbas Koolee Khan ['Abbās Quli Khān] to a permanent residence in Herat, to fulfil a function, Sheil states, of Vizier or Political Secretary but not a diplomatic agentA party of Toorkomans [Turkoman or Turkmen people] capturing 'about 30 Persians' in Mazandaran, and the apparent displeasure of Persian Ministers at the Prince Governor of the province requesting Russian help to pursue and punish the Toorkomans, thereby providing an opportunity for the Russians to extend their influence in MazandaranThree letters (translated copies enclosed) ‘of a rather distant date’ which Sheil had received from Fatteh Mahomed Khan [Fath' Muḥammad Khān], an Afghan ‘Chief’ and ‘one of the chief notables of Herat’, who had been seized as an ‘English’ partisan and sent into captivity in Beerjend [Bīrjand] when Persian supremacy had lately been established in HeratNews received by Sheil that Sam Khan [Sām Khān], the former Persian Agent in Herat, had marched into Herat with a body of troops; the Sedr Azim responding to Sheil’s request for an explanation by stating that Sam Khan had acted without orders from the Persian Government, that his actions were entirely in opposition to their wishes, and that a messenger had been sent to recall Sam Khan immediately (in an enclosed exchange of notes between Sheil and the Sedr Azim); and the Sedr Azim’s verbal assertion that the troops accompanying Sam Khan were only of his tribe, and that this occurrence could be attributed to the intrigues of the Governor of Khorasan, in order to prevent his recall as GovernorSheil highlighting the announcement by the Sedr Azim of the intention to send troops to oppose Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāʾi] of Cabul [Kabul] and Kohendil Khan [Kuhandil Khān Muḥammadzā'ī] of Candahar [Kandahar], suspected of planning a new expedition in Herat territoryA dispute between the Persian and Ottoman Governments regarding the displaying of their respective flags at their embassies in Tehran and Constantinople [Istanbul] (enclosed copies of two despatches from Sheil to Colonel Hugh Rose, HM Chargé d’Affaires at Constantinople, are included)An agreement having been reached with the Persian Government regarding issues in relation to the nomination of ‘English’ consuls in Asterabad [Gorgan] and Resht [Rasht] (with enclosed translated correspondence between Sheil and the Sedr Azim)Sheil enclosing a portion of a letter from the British Agent in Meshed [Mashhad], containing intelligence from HeratThe arrival in Tehran of Mahomed Sedeek Khan [Sayyid Muḥammad Siddiq Khān Alakuzā'ī], brother of the ‘Chief’ of Herat, with five other ‘Chiefs’ of Herat, and two of them, Khan Dilaver Khan [Khān Dilāvar Khān] and Ser Afraz Khan [Sarafrāz Khān], placing themselves in sanctuary at the British mission, causing the Shah and the Sedr Azim ‘great umbrage’, and with the latter sending Sheil a letter protesting against their protection.Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-3, on folio 302. The number 3 is repeated for reference on the verso of the last folio of the enclosure.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 15 of 1853, dated 28 February 1853. The enclosure is numbered 3 and is dated 14 January 1853. The enclosure consists of copies of nine despatches (with enclosed correspondence) from HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Tehran, Justin Sheil, addressed to the Earl of Malmesbury, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, sent under flying seals to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay. The despatches are dated 12 December 1852 to 7 January 1853. The despatches relate to matters including:The proceedings of the Persian [Iranian] Government in relation to HeratThe intention of Sheil and the Russian Minister to Persia to dissuade the Shah from his plan to make a rapid inspection of some parts of the province of Azerbijan [Azerbaijan] with a regiment of cavalry, and to advise the Shah not to act in a manner likely to make the Porte [the Government of the Ottoman Empire] suspicious that Persia intended to take hostile action against Turkey; and Sheil seeking instructions as to whether he should follow the Shah irrespective of the movements of the Russian Minister, or remain in TehranThe Persian Government seeking immediate restitution of the district of Kotoor [Qotur] to Persia, following the pronouncement of the frontier commission that the Turkish occupation was ‘a wanton aggression’The report of HM Consul in Tabreez [Tabriz] of the proceedings of a Nestorian bishop aiding the Russian Government in a plan to introduce the ‘Greek religion’ [Greek Orthodox Church] and Russian missionaries into Azerbaijan by promising Russian protection to any converts from the Nestorian churchThe Persian Government agreeing to Sheil’s proposal that ‘English’ war ships should be authorised to punish the ‘Chiefs’ of Persian ports of the Persian Gulf at which ‘negro slaves’ [enslaved African persons] were being imported.Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-3, on folio 351. The number 3 is repeated for reference on the verso of the last folio of the enclosure.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 6 of 1853, dated 19 January 1853. The enclosure is numbered 3 and is dated 6 November 1852. It consists of a letter from HM Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Bombay (for the information of the Governor in Council), enclosing under flying seals copies of twenty-two despatches addressed by Sheil to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.Sheil’s despatches concern various matters relating to Persian affairs, including: the annexation of Herat by Persia; and the refusal of the Pasha of Baghdad, Namik Pasha [Mehmed Emin Namık Pasha, Governor or Viceroy of Baghdad] to allow Prince Abbas Meerza ['Abbās Mīrzā Mulk Ārā Qājār], the Shah’s younger brother, to enter into Ottoman territory and visit Kerbella [Karbala] unless he is provided with a passport from the Turkish [Ottoman] Ambassador to Persia.The despatches from Sheil include copies of enclosed correspondence, including letters and translated letters from: the Persian Prime Minister, the Sedr Azim [Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam]; the Agent in Meshed [Mashhad]; the Agent in Sheeraz [Shiraz]; and the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Creswicke Rawlinson.One of Sheil’s despatches discusses negotiations between the Austrian Government and Persia for a treaty of commerce and navigation, and includes a copy of a draft of the treaty (folios 84-91), which is in French.Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-3, on folio 62. The number 3 is repeated for reference on the verso of the last folio of the enclosure.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a secret despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secret Committee, Number 47 of 1856, dated 8 October 1856. The enclosures are numbered 3-4 and are dated 6 September to 8 October 1856.They consist of two despatches from the Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh, also spelled Sinde in this item], Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, to the Secretary to the Government of India, concerning the progress of the Persian [Iranian] invasion force in the vicinity of Kelat [Kalat], military affairs at Herat, the receipt of one lac [lakh, one hundred thousand] of rupees by officers deputed by the Khan [Khān] of Kelat, and guns, small arms and ammunition to be despatched to the Khan.The despatches include translated copies of letters from Fukkeer Mahomed Naib of Mekran [Faqīr Muḥammad Nā’ib of Makran] to the Khan of Kelat, and from Faiz [or Faize] Ahmed Baabee [Fayz̤ Aḥmad Bābī] to the Wukkeel [Vakil] of the Khan of Kelat, Moolla Ahmed [Mullā Aḥmad].Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a secret despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secret Committee, Number 46 of 1856, dated 8 October 1856. The enclosures are numbered 3-4 and are dated 2 to 11 September 1856.They consist of copies of two despatches from the Acting Commissioner in Sinde [Sindh], Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, to the Secretary to the Government of India, enclosing copies of letters relating to the advance of the Persian [Iranian] force at Herat. The enclosed letters are from the Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sinde, and translations of Persian letters from Faiz Ahmed Baabe [Fayz̤ Aḥmad Bābī] and Mahomed Khan [Muḥammad Khān] to the Wukkeel [Vakil] of the Khan of Kelat [Kalat], Moolla Ahmed [Mullā Aḥmad].Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a secret despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secret Committee, Number 48 of 1856, dated 8 October 1856. The enclosures are numbered 3-5 and are dated 20 to 23 September 1856.The enclosures consist of: a translation of a letter from the Governor-General of India, Charles Canning, to the Ameer of Cabul [Amīr of Kabul], Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy]; and a minute by Canning and letter from the Secretary to the Government of India to the Chief Commissioner in the Punjab, relating to Canning’s letter.Canning informs Dost Mahomed Khan that a formal note has been addressed to the Sudr Azim of Persia [Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam, Prime Minister of Iran], stating that the Persian invasion of the territory of Herat, siege of the city of Herat, and ‘interference’ in the internal affairs of Herat, is an infraction of the 1853 agreement between the United Kingdom and Persia regarding Herat, and Britain will take measures against Persia unless it makes reparations and withdraws its troops from Herat. Canning also informs the Ameer that the Government of India has a force at Bombay [Mumbai] ready to proceed to the Persian Gulf if Persia refuses to comply with these demands.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)