Abstract: The volume relates to construction, by the British Government, of electric telegraph communication between India and England, specifically the line through Sind [Sindh], along the Beloochistan [Balochistan] and Mekran [Makran] coasts and dominions of the Sultan of Muscat, December 1860-October 1867. It comprises a mixture of manuscript original and copy letters and reports; printed letters, reports and surveys; manuscript transcribed and translated Persian letters; and some telegraphic messages.The contents notably cover and include:Copy of original proposals submitted to the Government in Bombay, on the options for land and sea lines between Kurrachee [Karachi] and Bussorah [Basra, in modern-day Iraq], via Persia, by George Perry Badger, Chaplain (later in charge) of the Muscat-Zanzibar Commission, December 1860 (folios 10-15); views on Badger’s scheme by the Political Agents in Khelat [Kalat, also spelled Kelat in the volume] and in Turkish Arabia, March-May 1861 (folios 18-20, 28-30); Badger’s detailed geographical report on the coast from Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] to Kurrachee (folios 31-33)Surveys undertaken for the Bombay and Sind authorities, analysing the geographical, historical, political and socio-cultural character of territories the telegraph is proposed to run through, including: printed reports by the Political Agent in Khelat and J P Darke, Commanding HM Steamer
Hugh Lindsay, on the ports of Gwadur [Gwadar], Ormara and the Mekran coast (folios 34-38), June 1861; manuscript copy of detailed report by Major Frederic John Goldsmid, Acting Commissioner in Sind, on Official Duty in Mekran, February 1862 (folios 75-140), documenting the Mekran Coast Route with reference to the telegraph’s purposes, agriculture, water and supply sources, inhabitants, political history of the Mission, ancient geography and history (printed version on folios 298-324), supplemented with ‘rough notes’ by the mission’s Assistant Surgeon, Lalor, 2nd Sind Horse, adding analysis of the climate, water, general health of the people, security and fertility of the land (folios 154-180)Negotiation of terms and conditions with the Shah of Persia regarding territories acknowledged to be within his realm but over which we was not exercising direct control, materials costs, protection expenses, and future ownership of the telegraph (folios 64-74)British negotiations with local chiefs and rulers ‒ in the context of political instability and diplomatic sensitivities ‒ concerning permission to construct the line through their territories and arrangements for its protection, with particular regard to disputed lands and ports along the Beloochi [Balochi] and Mekran coast (e.g. Gwadur); agreements with the Khan of Khelat and the Jam of Beyla [Jam, or Cham, of Las Bela, Balochistan]; British payment of subsidies to local rulers (and their rivals) for protection services. Includes printed report by Goldsmid ‘On Special Duty’, to the Government in Bombay, December 1863, on the respective claims of Persia, Khelat and Muscat to sovereign rights in Mekran and on what they are founded (folios 243-246)Engineering logistics, labour, security, costs and materials, including formation of the Mekran Telegraphic Department on 20 January 1863 in the territory of the Khan of Kelat, with construction commencing 7 February 1863 (folios 187-188)Temporary recall of the telegraph work party on the Pusnee [Pasni] to Gwadar line due to unstable situation created by ‘ravaging’ activities of a 'Beloochi Sirdar named Oughan’, late 1863 (folios 202-211)British convention with the Sultan of Muscat, Sultan Soweenee [Sayyid Thuwaini bin Said Āl Bū Sa‘īd] for extension of the telegraph line through his dominions of Gwadar (sovereignty historically disputed with the Khan of Khelat) and Chabhar [Chahabar], including challenge to the Sultan’s rights in Chahbar by the Governor of Bunpoor [Bampur], ‘Ibrahim, a Persian Sirhang’) in March 1863 (folios 192-194, 218-226).Folios 339-417 chiefly comprises correspondence and papers of the Commissioner in Sind, Political Superintendent and Commandant, Frontier Upper Sind, and the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, 1864 and 1866. They are covered by two manuscript lists of numbered contents. (Folios stated below include the title page to the item number).Folio 339: ‘1866. Political Kelat’, comprising a list of items numbered 1-8. Items (No. 4 ‘Disturbance at Muscat’ and No. 8 ‘Raids on the Punjab Frontier’ are not present)Folios 340-346 (item No. 1): ‘Murree affray at Soee, death of Naib Rassuldar Shaik Hassan Ali [Nā’ib Rasūldār Shaikh Ḥasan ‘Ali], 3rd Regiment Sind Horse’, regarding attack made by 'the Native Officer Commanding the Outpost at Soorie' [probably Suri, also spelt Sooee in this volume] upon a group of Murrees [inhabitants of Mari] who had assembled 'for the purpose of plundering in British territory'Folios 347-349 (item No. 2): ‘Khureetas for HH the Khan of Kelat’ [Kalat] (two letters, not kharitas)Folios 350-359 (item No. 3): ‘Pension for Abdool Russed Khan’. Includes correspondence with Pension Pay Office, Poona [Pune]Folios 360-363 (item No. 5): ‘HH the Khan of Kelat’s subsidy for 1866/67’Folios 364-367 (item No. 6): ‘Trade and revenues of Gwadur’. Printed ‘Report on the nature of the Trade at Gwadur and the probable amount of its Revenues’ by Lieutenant Edward Charles Ross, Assistant Political Agent at Muscat and KelatFolios 368-373 (item No. 7): ‘Abdoolla Jageer [Abdullah Jagir, a trader] claims British Consular protection from the Jam of Beyla’Folio 374: ‘1864. Political Miscellaneous’ comprising a list of items numbered 1-8. (Items No. 1 ‘Report on the political state of the Frontier Districts for 1863’ and No. 8 ‘Naturalised B…’ [this is crossed through] are not present)Folios 375-379 (item No. 2): ‘Proposition for including in travelling allowances to Political officers allowances for tentage also’Folios 380-384 (item No. 3): ‘Sanction for Political Superintendent’s Toshakhana’ [treasury of objects]Folios 385-390 (item No. 4): ‘Bhawalpoore [Bahawalpur] rebels’Folios 391-394 (item No. 5): ‘Transfer of the Ionian Isles to the Greek Government’. Official notices to the Indian authorities that the British Government has left the Ionian Islands in June 1864 and the protectorate will be handed over the ‘King of the Hellenes’ [King of Greece] next yearFolios 395-401 (item No. 6): ‘Sulphur imported from Bagh in Cuchee [Kacchi, in Kalat, Balochistan] by the Engineer Department’Folios 402-403 (item No. 7): ‘Rates for Telegraph in Persia and Russia’The end of the volume consists of :Folio 404: ‘Sketch of Oka Mandel’ [Okhamandal, Gujurat, India]. Map, signed Lieutenant-Colonel R Phayre, Quartermaster-General, 27 September 1859Folio 405: ‘Route surveys in Abyssinia [Ethiopia] from Antalo to Magdala’ surveyed by the Quartermaster-General’s Department, Abyssinia Field Force. Map, signed Captain T J Holland and Lieutenant-General R Napier, 25 May 1868, with notesFolios 406-413: Manuscript, badly water damaged (past repairs visible), possibly relating to SindFolios 414-416: Printed ‘List of Dehs in the Frontier District of Upper Sind, with their population, etc., etc.’ by Colonel Francis Loch, Political Superintendent, Frontier District of Upper Sind (undated)Folio 417: Printed memorandum, dated 25 Sep 1875, issued by Bombay Government Financial Department on tentage allowances.The principal correspondents over the period 1860-67 are: H L Anderson, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay; A Kinloch Forbes, Acting Secretary to the Government, Bombay; M J Shaw Stewart, Acting Secretary to the Government, Bombay; Jonathan Duncan Inverarity, Commissioner in Sind; Samuel Mansfield, Commissioner in Sind; A D Robertson, Acting Commissioner in Sind; Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Henry W R Green, Political Agent in Khelat, later (sometime Acting) Political Superintendent and Commandant, Frontier Upper Sind; Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Malcolm S Green, variously Political Agent in Baluchistan, Political Agent in Khelat and Political Superintendent and Commandant, Frontier Upper SindOther correspondents include: Captain William Dickinson, Acting Political Agent in Kelat; James McAdam Hyslop, Officiating Political Agent in Turkish Arabia; Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia; Major William Lockyer Merewether, Political Superintendent and Commandant in Chief, Frontier of Upper Sind; Charles Umpherston Aitchison, Secretary to Government of India; Colonel Henry Mortimer Durand, Secretary to Government of India (Foreign Department); Sir George Russell Clerk, Governor and Resident in Council, Bombay; Charles Gonne, Secretary to Government, Bombay; William Henry Havelock (Officiating Secretary), Bombay; Charles Alison, British Minister at Teheran; Earl (John) Russell, British Foreign Secretary; Hormuzd Rassam, Acting British Resident at Muscat; Captain Herbert Disbrowe, Acting Political Agent, Muscat; Lieutenant Edward Charles Ross, variously Assistant Political Agent Gwadur, Assistant to the Political Agent in Beloochistan [Balochistan], and Assistant to the Political Agents at Kelat and Muscat; Major P Stewart, HM Bengal Engineers, on Special Duty at Kurrachee; Lieutenant Arthur William Stiffe, Acting Director, Mekran Coast and Submarine Telegraph; H Izaak Walton, Superintendent, Mekran Coast and Submarine Telegraph; P W Hewett, 1st Class Inspector of Telegraphs.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 420; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The original pagination sequence dating from the 1920s is also present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. This sequence correlates to the description found in Samuel Charles Hill's
Catalogue of the Home Miscellaneous Series of the India Office Records(London: HMSO, for the India Office, 1927).
Abstract: Papers mainly relating to Jacob’s career in Sinde [Sindh, also spelt Scinde and Sind in this volume], notably as Political Superintendent and Commandant on the Frontier of Upper Sinde before the Anglo-Persian War; terms of the Anglo-Persian peace treaty and post-war events 1857; political instability in Sind and Beloochistan [Balochistan] and the state of affairs in Kelat [Kalat, also spelt Khelat in this volume], 1857-72. Documents are copies unless otherwise stated.(There are no indexes, or lists of contents, in this volume.)Folios 9-10: Extracts of Brigade Orders, February 1840, by Brigadier Gordon, on transferring command of the troops in Upper Scinde to Brigadier Keverson, and by Major Billamore on breaking up of the force under his command, both praising the conduct of the troops and performance of Lieutenant John Jacob, commanding the artilleryFolios 11-36: Correspondence of and relating to Lieutenant Jacob, Bombay Artillery, dated 21 May 1840-1 December 1841, mainly regarding Jacob’s much-lauded report and map of his journey from Hyderabad to Nuggur Parkur, confirming it as a practicable route to march troops between Sinde and Guzerat [Gujarat], plus praise for his ability, endeavours and enterprise when he was based in Upper Sinde in 1839. Correspondents include Captain James Outram, Political Agent in Lower Sinde; Henry Torrens, Officiating Secretary to the Government in India; J P Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay; L R Reid, Chief Secretary, to the Government, Bombay; Lieutenant-Colonel P Wilson, Commanding 3rd Regiment Light Cavalry; J D Leckie, Assistant Political Agent in charge, HyderabadFolios 27-28: Two Revenue Department letters, June and September 1842, relative to Jacob's allowances whilst on foreign field service in AfghanistanFolios 29-33: Letters from Outram, praising the conduct of various officers including Jacob and his Sinde Irregular and Horse for quelling activities the of Northern Hill Tribe ‘marauders’ and bringing ‘tranquillity’ to that area in Cutchee [Kacchi, in Kalat, Baluchistan], Scinde and Afghanistan, October-November 1842Folios 34-75: Correspondence and papers, dated February 1848-September 1853, regarding Jacob's claim for the considerable costs he has incurred since 1847 in exercising political duties assigned to him as Political Superintendent (as well as Commandant) on the Frontier of Upper Sinde. Jacob notes that he has only been paid for his regimental command of the Sinde Irregular Horse, despite all his other work in bringing tranquillity to the previously violent territory and improving agriculture and the economy; he additionally complains of disadvantages from the post not having a permanent establishment. Chiefly, correspondence between the Henry Bartle Edward Frère, Commissioner in Sinde (who supported Jacob’s case), and Jacob; Frère’s letters to Viscount Falkland, Governor and Resident in Bombay; Jacob’s petitions to Frère and memorial to Marquis Dalhousie, Governor-General of India, 15 September 1853 (folios 66-75)Folios 64-65: The Court's ‘confidential’ letter to the Government of India, 22 June 1853, recommending Lieutenant-Colonel Outram, who had been recalled from his post as Resident in Baroda [now Vadodara, in Gujarat], for return to duties in India, and the circumstances of his recall from BarodaFolios 76-87: ‘Memoranda of a personal communication by Major Jacob to HH the Khan of Kelat at Mustoong [Mastung] on the 13th May 1854’ proposing a new Treaty between the Khan and the British Government; and copy, in English and Persian of ‘Treaty between the British Government and Nusseer Khan, Chief of Kelat’, concluded by Jacob on behalf of the Governor-General of India, 14 May 1854, ratification by the Governor-General 2 June 1854, and two amendments (1855)Folios 88-105: Letters, dated October 1856-January 1857, from Lieutenant-Colonel Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind, to Lord Elphinstone, Governor and President in Council, Bombay, regarding Major Frederic John Goldsmid, whom Jacob asserts is opposing his authority and has attempted to claim credit for the work of the Jagheer [jagir or jageer] Enquiry in Sind, when (Jacob states) the majority was undertaken by Captain Lewis Pelly whilst Goldsmid was on sick leave in Europe and then with the Turkish contingent in the Russian [Crimean] WarFolios 106-107: Letter (original) from Outram to Sir George Clerk, Under-Secretary of State for India, 20 November 1856, containing suggestions relative to the Persian ExpeditionFolios 108-109, 132-143: Letters from, and intelligence (originally sent to the Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) forwarded by the Secret Committee, East India Company to Lieutenant-General Outram, relative to conclusion of peace with Persia, the Paris Peace Treaty (4 March 1857), and Russian troops on the Persian Frontier, March-May 1857Folios 110-111, 120-121: Letters from Clarendon to Rt Hon Robert Vernon Smith, MP, President of the Board of Control, regarding the peace treaty and suitability of the British soliciting the assistance of disaffected ‘native tribes’ in Persia, March-April 1857Folios 112-115: Correspondence between Lord [John] Wodehouse, British Envoy Extraordinary to Russia in St Petersburg, and Clarendon, regarding Russian views on the British peace with Persia and the treaty ratification, including Wodehouse’s conversations with Prince Gortchakoff [Alexander Gorchakov], Russian Foreign Minister (see also IOR/H/550 folios 188-206), March 1857Jacob, regarding post-conflict dispersal of the British troops from Persia, 20 April 1857Folios 122-125: Letter from Outram to Clarendon, relating to the peace and dispersal of British troops from Persia, 22 April 1857Folios 126-127, 130-131: Letters (originals) from Outram to Jacob, relating to Persian acceptance of the treaty terms, May 1857Folios 128-129: Letter from Charles A Murray, in Baghdad, to Outram, regarding ratification of the treaty with Persia, 2 May 1857Folios 144-145: Extract from the
Tehran Gazette, 6 August 1857, confirming the release of Afghans recently taken prisoner in Persia and granting of their free movement in any part of the country. (Forwarded by Captain Felix Jones, Political Agent, Persian Field Force and Civil Commissioner and Resident in the Gulf, to Jacob, 3 Sep 1857)Folios 146-147: Letter from Lord Elphinstone, Bombay, to Outram, relating to the peace treaty terms, 7 April 1857Folios 148-156: Accounts of bravery, recommendations for medals, and honourable mention of officers who served during the Persian war, May 1857 (see also IOR/H/550, folios 111-167)Folios 157-168: Memorandum by Frère, Commissioner in Sind, Kurrachee, dated 6 June 1857, detailing measures necessary for maintenance of order in and external defence of India (following uprisings and ‘mutiny’ against the British), and ‘Route between Hindioon or Endgaon on the Persian Gulf and Kalay Sadawut on the direct route from Bushire to Shiraz, turning and avoiding the passes of Kootoob-i-Muloo and Kootoob-i-Kanaredje’ (suitable for troops accompanied by artillery)Folios 169-170, 173-174: Letters from Jacob to Brigadier H W Trevelyan, Commandant of Artillery, ‘Late on Duty’, concerning the latter’s mission to the camp of Meerza Mahomed Khan [Mirza Muhammad Khan], Persian Commander in Chief, and relations between the British and Persian camps, 8 July 1857Folios 171-172, 203-204: Letters (originals) from Outram to Jacob, 7 and 14 July 1857, appearing to discuss arrangements for Outram’s return to India and Jacob’s role in Bushire (the handwriting is partly illegible)Folios 175-176: Letter, dated 11 July 1857, of commendation and congratulation from HM Government (Foreign Office) to Outram for his conduct of the campaign in PersiaFolios 177-178: undated middle section of a letter (probably from Jacob, based on handwriting comparisons in this volume and IOR/H/549-550), regarding troop transports in Bushire, c.1857Folios 179-202: Letter from Jacob to Clarendon, 11 July 1857, conveying reports on the recent mission to the Persian military camp by Trevelyan and Herbert Frederick Disbrowe, Assistant Resident Persian GulfFolio 205: Letter, 12 August 1857, from H L Anderson, Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to Jacob, confirming approval of the mission to the Persian campFolios 206-208: ‘Memorandum of portions of recent correspondence between the Acting Commissioner in Sind and Government relative to the attempts of the Persians to obtain a footing in Mekran and the aid afforded to the Persians by Azad Khan of Khursan [Khorasan]’, recording events December 1856 to April 1857Folios 209-245: Detailed report by Frère to Lord Elphinstone, on the ‘present state of affairs at Kelat’, dated 19 February 1857Folios 246-263: Documents on Kelat forwarded by Jacob to Frère on 28 May 1858, comprising letters from Henry Green, Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind, to Jacob, 20-21 May 1858, and from Colonel H B Lumsden to Green, 13 May 1858. Plus, document (author not identified) relating events in the Kelat territory from August 1868, when Green was succeeded by Colonel R Phayre in August 1868, and from March 1869 when Captain Harrison became Political Agent in Kelat, with a ‘Table of routes in Upper Sind and Cutchee’ with distances between places, state of the roads, conditions for camps, supplies, forage and water (folios 256-263)Folios 264-299: Copies of Despatches from Sir Charles Wood, Secretary of State for India, (India Office, London) to the Governor-in-Council, Bombay, relative to the construction of the Mekran Line of Telegraph. The Despatches cover July-December 1862 and include reports and communications of Brevet Major Patrick Stewart, Bengal Engineers and Lieutenant-Colonel in Persia, and cover more generally telegraphic communications with India through Persia, extension of the line to Bussorah [Basra] and Bagdad [Baghdad], connection with the Turkish telegraph, and laying a submarine cable in the Persian Gulf (Set of despatches forwarded by Major William Lockyer Merewether, Acting Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to Major Malcolm Green, Political Agent in Khelat, 27 February 1863)Folios 302-304: copies of letters by the British India authorities relating to passports for British subjects passing to the West of the Indus (into ‘foreign territory’), 1863 Folios 305-319: Printed copies of correspondence, 12 December 1868-12 April 1869, between Colonel R Phayre, Political Superintendent, Frontier of Upper Sind, Colonel Sir W L Merewether, Commissioner in Sind, Captain R G Sandeman, Officiating Deputy Commissioner, Deyra Ghazie Khan, Rt Hon Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey-Fitzgerald, Governor and President-in-Council, Bombay, concerning ‘outrages’ committed by the Murree [Mari] tribe on the Sind Frontier, violent instability caused by warring Murree, Boogtee [Bugti], Doombkee [Dombki] and other Belooch [Baloch] tribes, and British relations with Khans of Khelat for purposes of alleviating the conflictsFolios 320-352: Report, dated 30 November 1872, by Colonel Phayre to Colonel Merewether, detailing his visit to the Frontier, including places visited, geography, inhabitants, warring tribesFolios 353-386: printed reports to Colonel Merewether, on disturbances in Kelat, notably conflict between Murree and Boogtees and British relations with the Khans of Kelat. Reports by Colonel Phayre, 15 February 1872, and Captain R Sandeman, on Special Duty in Jacobabad, 6 March 1872, accompanied by Merewether’s letters and detailed comments criticising the analysis and actions of both Phayre and Sandeman, January-March 1872Folios 387-401: Document ‘Notes on Persia’ by Lieutenant-Colonel J Holland, Quartermaster-General, Bombay, originally prepared for Lord Elphinstone in February 1854, with table of the ‘Route between Bushire and Shiraz’, covering terrain, climate, roads, villages, availability of supplies and water, assailability, value of possible British possessionsFolio 402: Coloured ‘Sketch showing the localities of the Tribes on the Frontier of Upper Sind', 1854Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 405; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the original pagination sequence dating from the 1920s is also present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. This sequence correlates to the description found in Samuel Charles Hill's
Catalogue of the Home Miscellaneous Series of the India Office Records(London: HMSO, for the India Office, 1927).
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Relief shown by shading.Territories under rule of Imam of Muscat, Khan of Khelat and Jam of Bhelah separated by red lines.The constructed telegraph line shown in blue, telegraph under construction indicated by pecked line. Major Goldsmid’s route shown in black dotted line.Inscriptions:In the lower centre below key illegible signature.Physical description: Materials:Pen and ink with wash on tracing clothDimensions:171 x 821 mm, on sheet 243 x 900 mm
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Date ‘1867’ from pencil annotation in the bottom centre.Relief shown by hachures.Lettered for reference with explanation at lower left: ‘AA. Is portion of the territory formed by Muscat from Persia under terms of the treaty between those states.BB. with exception of the Choubar (Chābahār) District [marked in red] is under the sway of Belooch Chiefs who pay tribute to Persia through the GovernorThe strips of territory surrounded by red are possessions of Muscat’.Inscriptions:Descriptive notes on recto:Upper right: ‘For record in the geographical dept. An original map by Major (now Colonel) E.C. Ross, in his own handwriting and draughting [illegible] being pencil notes. I have not used the india rubber. Arthur W. Stiffe Lieuth’.Bottom margin, right: ‘The thin red Line is for Mekran Telegraph. The dotted line is for road’.Physical description: Materials:Pen and ink with wash on paper with additions in pencil
Dimensions:347 x 706 mm, on sheet 388 x 736 mm
Abstract: A copy of the journal of a route through Makran [Makrān] to Bunder Abbass [Bandar-e ‘Abbās] taken by Captain Grant of the Bengal Native Infantry between 29 January and 28 April 1809, as part of a series of route surveys on the frontiers of Persia ordered by Brigadier-General John Malcolm.The journal describes the roads, settlements, resources, revenues, local populations and chiefs along the route and assesses the threat of a European army reaching India from this direction.The journal was enclosed in Brigadier-General Malcolm’s dispatch to the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, received in July 1810 (IOR/L/PS/9/67/80).Physical description: 1 item (16 folios)
Abstract: A printed map to illustrate the route through Makran [Makrān] taken by Captain Grant of the Bengal Native Infantry between 29 January and 28 April 1809, as part of a series of route surveys on the frontiers of Persia [Iran] ordered by Brigadier-General John Malcolm. Covers a coastal area of approximately 330 miles between Gwutter [Gavāter] and Bunder Abas [Bandar-e ‘Abbās], and portrays Grant’s route, settlements, hydrology, and relief.The map was enclosed in Brigadier-General Malcolm’s despatch to the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, received in July 1810 (IOR/L/PS/9/67/80).Physical description: Materials: Manuscript; black ink on paperDimensions: 610 mm x 365 mm, on sheet 650 x 420 mm
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Shows administrative division with districts labelled for reference with boundaries indicated by pecked line.Physical description: Dimensions:195 x 330 mm, on sheet 335 x 388 mm
Abstract: The volume contains letters and other papers, mainly by British Consular officers, reporting on the arms traffic along the Mekran coast and Baluchistan. Their correspondence contains numerous reports, such as that discussing the illicit traffic of arms. Correspondents include Sir Harold Arthur Deane, Chief Commissioner of the North West Frontier Province; Major Frank Cooke Webb Ware and Captain McConaghey.The volume includes a number of maps including 'Plan to illustrate the routes available for the arms trade through the Persian Mekran coast' (folio 164).Each part 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 first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 280; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: The correspondence discusses the arms traffic on the Mekran coast and Baluchistan.The volume includes reports on the importation of arms from Muscat and measures taken by the British to curtail the trade. The reports were authored by the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 271; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 69-80 and between ff 221-238; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the two leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence regarding the decision by British authorities to establish a naval blockade along the Mekran coast in 1909, with the aim of suppressing arms trafficking in the Persian Gulf.The correspondence discusses the cost of a naval blockade, the availability of naval vessels, and the ongoing discussions on extending the blockade which was to be continued until March 1912.The principal correspondents in the volume include the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station (Edmond John Warre Slade); the Viceroy of India (Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto, and Charles Hardinge, 1st Baron Hardinge of Penshurst); the Secretary of State for India (John Morley, Viscount Morley of Blackburn); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Percy Zachariah Cox); the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department (Spencer Harcourt Butler); and representatives of the India Office and the Admiralty.Also included in the volume is correspondence with the Political Agent and Consul at Maskat [Muscat] (Robert Erskine Holland) regarding arms and ammunition being imported into Muscat, and the work of Edward Gelson Gregson, who was placed on special duty for the suppression of the arms traffic in the Persian Gulf.This is part 4 of 10. 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 main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 378; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 168-174 and ff 324-327 respectively; these numbers are written in pencil, but are not circled. Pagination: a pagination sequence, written in pencil, is present between ff 324-327.
Abstract: The correspondence relates to complaints made by Abraham Elbaz (agent for Antoine Goguyer, a French arms merchant at Muscat) that his dhow
Fath-el-Khairwas being interfered with by HM's vessels causing him to suffer substantial financial losses.The correspondence also discusses negotiations taking place with the Sirdars on the Persian and Mekran Coast to try to prevent illegal arms being landed along their coastline, and efforts to stop and search vessels in the Persian Gulf that are suspected of trafficking arms and ammunition.Later correspondence discusses the French dhow
Musaffawhich was stopped by a British vessel and boarded off Chahbar [Chābahār] owing to suspicions that the dhow was not a legitimate French vessel and was attempting to smuggle arms and ammunitions onto the Persian Coast.Correspondents include the Political Agent and Consul at Muscat (Arthur Prescott Trevor, Stuart George Knox); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Percy Zachariah Coz); the French Consul at Muscat (Charles Céleste Albert Jeannier); the French Ambassador to Britain (Paul Pierre Cambon); the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey); the Secretary of State for India (Charles Hardinge, 1st Baron Hardinge of Penshurst) and representatives of the Foreign Office and the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 50, and terminates at f 159, as 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.
Abstract: The correspondence discusses military operations which took place on the Mekran [Makran] and Shibkah coasts to suppress the illicit trafficking of arms there.The operations included naval vessels landing troops who were instructed to cut off raiding parties who had succeeded in illegally landing arms, or who intended to cause damage to telegraph wires in the area (to prevent smuggling efforts from being reported to British and other authorities).The correspondence is primarily between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Percy Zachariah Cox); the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station (Edmond John Warre Slade); the Viceroy of India (Charles Hardinge, 1st Baron Hardinge of Penshurst); the Secretary of State for India (Robert Crew-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe); and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 3, and terminates at f 49, as 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.