Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8-9 January 1857, Numbers 1-5) and the Government of Bombay (16 January 1857, Numbers 7-14). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 31-41r) outline discussions between British officials over the likelihood of a Persian advance against Candahar [Kandahar], the prospects of Dost Mahommed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] retaking Herat from the Persians, and a proposal to raise a British force at Quetta. They also include discussion over the appointment of Sir James Outram as commander of the British Expeditionary Force against Persia, and his endowment with diplomatic powers by HM Government. Sir James Outram's pay and allowances, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacobs' promotion to Brigadier-General are also outlined.The section from Bombay (folios 41v-50) includes the following topics: the appointment of Sir James Outram's staff; a request from Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan (Political Resident, Aden) that Lieutenant Playfair should remain at Aden rather than serve in Persia; details of reinforcements sent to Bushire; Lieutenant Colonel Jacobs' views that the withdrawal of the Sind Horse [14th Prince of Wales's Own Scinde Horse] for service in Persia will leave the Sind frontier vulnerable to Afghan or Persian attacks; the re-occupation of Perim Island; news from Herat; an impending visit by Brigadier Coghlan to Lahedge [Lahej]; and reports from Major-General Foster Stalker on the progress of the British Expeditionary Force in southern Persia and efforts made to solicit the assistance of local chiefs.Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 December 1856, Number 61) and the Government of Bombay (16-17 December 1856, Numbers 99-100, 103, 105-107). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letter from the Governor General (folio 69) is limited to a brief acknowledgement.The section from Bombay (folios 69-107) is more substantive and the main topics are as follows: the fall of Herat, details of a reserve force to be established for the expeditionary force against Persia, and orders for the re-occupation of Perim Island in the Red Sea including proposals for the erection of a lighthouse.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (3 June 1856, Number 1856, Number 23) and the Government of Bombay (10 June 1856, Numbers 41-44). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatch from the Governor General (folios 39-42r) is concerned with discrepancies in reports of the occupation of Ghorian and Herat by Persian forces. It also contains discussion about whether Mahomed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan, Regent of Herat] is collusion with the Persian Government.The section from Bombay (folios 42v-45) contains material on measures for the suppression of the importation of slaves into the Arabian Coast, evasion by dhows of the blockade of Berbera, and a letter from Hart Sahib relaying recent events in Herat and requesting British assistance.Physical description: 1 item (7 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 February 1856, Numbers 5-7) and the Government of Bombay (16 February 1856, Numbers 14-17). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 73-80) are concerned with the Government of India's policy over the treatment of Sheea [Shia] in India, the Government of India's refusal to officially congratulate Mahamed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan] over his ascendency at Herat – as suggested by Charles Augustus Murray, HM Minister to Persia – pending instructions from Britain, and a progress report on the Nepalese-Tibetan War (1855-1856).The section from Bombay (folios 81-84) discusses the despatch of ships, but not troops, to the Persian Gulf, and includes a report on the North-West Frontier of Sind. It also includes brief updates regarding Bunder-Abbass [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] and Aden.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 February 1856, Numbers 8-9) and the Government of Bombay (5 March 1856, Number 9). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 85-89) include discussion of a report by Major Allen on the Northern Frontier of Pegu, a report on a visit by the Governor General (James Broun-Ramsey, Marquess of Dalhousie), accounts of Herat and Candahar [Kandahar], and opinions over the policy of Dost Mohamed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan].The section from Bombay (folios 90-91) outlines who should be consulted over the troops that could be sent to Persia in the event of conflict between Britain and Persia.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of letters from Sir James Outram (in command of the British army in the Anglo-Persian War) to Lord Clarendon (George William Frederick Villiers, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), dated 11, 22 and 23 April 1857.The summary of the letter dated 11 April concerns the change in the outward behaviour of the Arab Chiefs towards the British, since the former heard about the Treaty of Peace between the United Kingdom and Persia. The summary of the letter dated 22 April acknowledges receipt of the letter of 5 March 1857 announcing the signature of the Treaty, and mostly concerns difficulties in relation to the location of the troops ‘on account of the heat of Bushire and the insalubrity of Mohammera [Khorramshahr, Iran]’. The summary of the letter of 23 April just states ‘Memorandum as to the disorganised state of the Persian Army.’.Physical description: 1 file (22 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 January 1856, Numbers 1-4) and the Government of Bombay (31 January and 2 February 1856, Numbers 10-13). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 37-55) cover a number of topics: the status of the French adventurer General Maha d'Orgoni, the conclusion of the Government of India's diplomatic mission to the Court of Ava, raids by tribes across the Punjab Frontier of British India, a debate over the effectiveness of military expeditions in suppressing tribes, the resignation of Major Coke as Deputy Commissioner of Kohat, the acquisition of Candahar [Kandahar] by Dost Mohammad Khan (Amir of Afghanistan), and discussion over the possibility of the Amir marching against Herat.The section from Bombay (folios 56-58) is mainly concerned with the line to be taken by the British authorities on applications to enter Sind from Candahar [Kandahar] Sirdars, and the despatch of British naval vessels to Bushire for possible action against Persia.Physical description: 1 item (22 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (17 July 1856, Numbers 27-30) and the Government of Bombay (28-29 July 1856, Numbers 53-55). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 64-68) are concerned with the position of Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] – including reports of illness and rumours of death. It also discusses proposals for officially constituted Afghan and British vakils to reside at Peshawar and Cabool [Kabul], and reports on the seizure of Herat by Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister-regent].The section from Bombay (folio 69) contains a report of the Persian Army collecting revenue due to the Khan of Khelat [Kalat], and news from Aden respecting the Foutheli Chief.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 September 1856, Numbers 41-44) and the Government of Bombay (30 September and 3 October 1856, Numbers 71 and 74-76). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 55-68) cover the following topics: the submission of the Bussa Kheyl Afreedes [Khel Afridi] to the British authorities; operations against Karens led by Min Soung; an offer by Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister-regent of Herat] to hold Herat on behalf of Britain in return for military aid against Persia; obstacles in sending a British Indian force, or British officers, to aid Herat; Futteh Khan's report on his mission to Afghanistan carrying the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of Friendship (1855); discussion over the composition of a military expedition to be sent against Persia; and arrangements for sending the expedition from Bombay.The section from Bombay (folios 69-79) is concerned with the supply of British arms, ammunition, and finance for Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan]; preparations by Dost Mahomed to return from Candahar [Kandahar] to Cabool [Kabul]; Persian attacks against Herat; information on Bushire; the survey of Perim island in the Red Sea by Lieutenant Lamb; and recommendations for the occupation of the island for the establishment of naval forces and navigational aids.Physical description: 1 item (25 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from the Governor General of India (17 May 1856 Number 20 and 21 May 1856 Number 17).The despatches largely consist of updates on the situation at Candahar [Kandahar] and Herat. They also include an update related to the construction of the new town of Dalhousie.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 April 1856, Numbers 15-17) and the Government of Bombay (28 April 1856, Numbers 31-33). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 1-6r) include updates on the Karen people living on the border between British India and Burma, the failure of the Neringee village to hand over two of their members as demanded by the British authorities, a request from the Maharaja of Kashmir for the British to acknowledge his heir, the refusal of the Candahar [Kandahar] Sirdars to submit to Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan], murders alleged to have been committed by the village of Sungo against the Boneyr, and an attempt on the life of Khyber Khan (British Agent) while returning from Cabool [Kabul].The section from Bombay (folios 6v-8) contains a letter from Mahomed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan] of Herat requesting British assistance against Persia. It also discusses the arrival of Ali Moorad at Bombay and the opposition of the British authorities to his request to travel to England.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (21-22 August 1856, Numbers 32-34) and the Government of Bombay (28-29 August 1856, Numbers 61-65). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 3-26r) include the following: a report on an expedition to the Upper Meerauzie and preparations for a second; reports of developments at Candahar [Kandahar] and Herat; a debate over whether – as a result of Persian encroachment on Herat – the Government of India should provide, or guarantee under certain conditions, assistance to Dost Mahomed Khan [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan]; details of arms, ammunition, and finance to be supplied to Dost Mahomed following authorisation by the Secret Committee; details of the peace treaty signed between Nepal and Thibet [Tibet]; and news of the resignation of Jung Bahadoor [Jang Bahadur Kunwar Rana] as both Prime Minister of Nepal and Commander in Chief, and designation of his successor Bum Bahadoor [Bam Bahadur Kunwar Rana]. The despatches include a translation of a letter from Dost Mahomed to the Governor General (folio 8v-9), and a translation of a letter from Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister Regent of Herat] to Dost Mahomed (folio 9).The section from Bombay (folios 26v-35) considers the question of providing aid to the Khan of Kelat [Kalat] against Persia, arrangements for the suppression of slavery in the Persian Gulf; measures for enforcing Britain's treaties with the maritime chiefs of the Arabian Coast; and dissatisfaction in Arabia, Persia, and the Persian Gulf over British intervention in the slave trade.Physical description: 1 item (34 folios)