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 15 September 1873 and received by the India Office Political Department on 13 October 1873, forwarding copies of papers connected with the murder of Major MacDonald, Commandant of the Michnee [Michni] Fort, by members of the Mohmund [Mohmand or Momand] (Pashtun) tribe. The enclosures provide a full account of all the proceedings so far undertaken by the Government of India on the subject and includes correspondence and Court of Inquest proceedings of the Commissioner of Peshawur [Peshawar]. The papers cover: measures in place to capture Bahram Khan, the apparent instigator of the murder; potential punishment of Nowroz [Nawruz] Khan, the Khan of Lalpoora [Lalpura] for making insufficient efforts to track down those involved in the murder; and liaison between the British authorities and the Ameer of Cabul [Amir of Kabul] over the incident.The despatch is in continuation of Political No. 68 of 1 May 1873 and with reference to the Secretary of State for India's Political despatch No. 79, dated 4 June 1873. Only enclosures 10-24 (of 24) are included in this item. There is a note on folio 438 stating 'Enclosures 3 to 9 will be found in Proceedings Political A., June 1873, Nos. 54-64A., pages 147-163'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 435, and terminates at f 456, 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 four foliation anomalies: f 435a, f 437a, f 446a, and f 448a.
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 15 September 1873 and received by the India Office Political Department on 13 October 1873, forwarding copies of papers connected with the murder of Major MacDonald, Commandant of the Michnee [Michni] Fort, by members of the Mohmund [Mohmand or Momand] (Pashtun) tribe. The enclosures provide a full account of all the proceedings so far undertaken by the Government of India on the subject and includes correspondence and Court of Inquest proceedings of the Commissioner of Peshawur [Peshawar]. The papers cover: measures in place to capture Bahram Khan, the apparent instigator of the murder; potential punishment of Nowroz [Nawruz] Khan, the Khan of Lalpoora [Lalpura] for making insufficient efforts to track down those involved in the murder; and liaison between the British authorities and the Ameer of Cabul [Amir of Kabul] over the incident.The despatch is in continuation of Political No. 68 of 1 May 1873 and with reference to despatch from the Secretary of State for India's Political despatch No. 79, dated 4 June 1873. Only enclosures 10-24 (of 24) are included in this item. There is a note on folio 415 stating: 'Enclosures 3 to 9 will be found in Proceedings Political A., June 1873, Nos. 54-64A., pages 147-163'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 412, and terminates at f 422, 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 412a and f 414a.
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 16 January 1874 and received by the India Office Political Department on 10 February 1874. The despatch initially acknowledges receipt of the Secretary of State for India's despatch No. 142 of 1873 regarding the murder of Major Macdonald and the measures taken for the pursuit of his alleged assassin, Bahram Khan, in conjunction with the Ameer of Cabul [Amir of Kabul]. The second part of the despatch, comprising the majority of the correspondence, forwards copies of papers intimating that: the tenure of the command of posts on the North-West Frontier of the Punjab is limited to three years; steps have been taken to prevent the infliction of fines for cattle trespass; and the Commissioner of Peshawur [Peshawar] will be held responsible for reporting any officer considered unfit to hold the command of these posts.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 155, and terminates at f 168, 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 six foliation anomalies: f 155a, f 157a, f 160a, f 161a, f 164a, and f 165a.
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of India Secret Department to the East India Company Secret Committee, Number 5 of 1838, dated 5 April 1838. The enclosures are dated 29 January-5 April 1838.The item comprises: despatches between Captain Claude Martine Wade, Political Agent in Loodiana [Ludhiana, also spelled Lodhiana in this item], and William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Governor-General of India; and letters from Captain Alexander Burnes, on a Mission to Cabool [Kabul, also spelled this way and Kabool in this item] to Macnaghten.The despatches concern: British policy towards and relations with the ruling parties in Afghanistan and with the Sikh Ruler Maharajah Runjeet Singh [Ranjit Singh, Ruler of the Sikh Empire, also spelled Maharajah and Maha Raja in this item]; the latter two’s relations with each other, notably over Peshawur [Peshawar, also spelled this way in this item]; and the Afghan rulers’ relations with each other and with Russia and Persia [Iran]. The correspondence takes place during the Persian siege of Herat.The papers cover the following matters in detail:The activities of the Russian Envoy, Captain Vitkievitsch [Jan Prosper Witkiewicz, various spellings used in this item] in Cabool, including: Vitkievitsch’s alleged pressure on the Ameer [Amir] of Cabool, Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], to respond to friendly overtures from the Russian Emperor and the Russian Ambassador at Tehran and promises of money and aid in return for aid to Persia and Russia against Herat; Burnes’s attempts to influence Dost Mahomed’s replies to the letters brought by Vitkievitsch (ff 164-173); and Wade’s opinion of Vitkievitsch’s status and the aims of Persia and Russia in Afghanistan, and his belief that Dost Mahomed is playing a ‘double-game’ (f 188) with Britain and Russia and should be made fully aware of his weak position and the undependability of Russian and Persian promises (ff 188-194)Burnes’s analysis of the commercial prospects of Russia in Central Asia (ff 120-125), and Wade’s doubts regarding Burnes’s conclusions (ff 178-179)The purported intention of Vitkievitsch to proceed to Lahore [also spelled Lahor in this item] with letters desiring the Sikhs to withdraw from Peshawur (ff 223-224) and the conversations between Runjeet Singh and Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson (deputed by Burnes to the Maharaja’s Court) concerning whether Runjeet Singh should receive the Russian EnvoyWade’s opinion that to avert Persian and Russian ‘intrigue’ in Lahore the Government of India should announce that it does not recognize Vitkievitsch’s authority to ‘interfere’ in the Maharaja’s affairs (ff 235-238), and Wade’s later report that the Maharaja has banned Vitkiewitsch from entering Peshawur territory (f 279)The report by Burnes of a failed conspiracy involving Sultan Mahomed Khan (allegedly encouraged by Runjeet Singh) to overthrow Dost Mahomed (ff 139-143), and Wade’s observations highlighting that such projects by the ‘ruler of Lahore’ have been occurring for years (ff 180-184)Runjeet Singh’s disclosure to Mackeson that he has obtained treaties of alliance with the former Governor of Peshawur, Sultan Mahomed Khan [Sulṭān Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy, also spelled Sooltan in this item] and former Afghan Ruler Shah Shuja ul Mulk [Shujā‘ al-Mulk Durrānī] both resigning all legal rights in Peshawur (ff 247-256)British relations with the three Sirdars [sardars, leaders or rulers] of Candahar [Kandahar], including: the conversations of Lieutenant Robert Leech, deputed by Burnes to Candahar, with the Sirdars, covering his efforts to prevent them allying with Persia out of fear of that country and the Ruler of Herat, reassure them of Britain’s purely commercial interests in the area and support for their independence, and discourage any belief in the Russian Envoy’s pecuniary promises (ff 112-119, 149-152); and following reprobation by the Governor-General, Burnes’s withdrawal of his offer of British assistance to Candahar if Persia attacks the city (ff 202-206)The siege of Herat, including: Burnes’s assessment of the geo-political situation in Herat and the neighbouring countries up to early February 1838 and the possible effects of Persian ascendancy (ff 128-137); intelligence from Burnes and Leech regarding the Persian military advance in Afghanistan, including reports of Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger and Lieutenant-Colonel Stoddart based in Herat and the Shah of Persia’s camp outside the city (ff 145-147, ff 174-175, f 186, and ff 261-276); and Wade’s speculations on the potential political outcomes of Persian success or failure in HeratThe effect of the Governor-General’s khurreeta [kharita] to Dost Mahomed urging the Ameer to make friendly approaches to Runjeet Singh regarding Peshawur, including: Burnes’s advice to the Ameer to ‘reflect deeply’ before replying and potentially losing the ‘good offices’ of the British (ff 208-215); Dost Mahomed’s dissatisfaction with the apparent British indifference to his ‘suffering’ (f 228) with regard to Sikh ‘aggression’, his deep reluctance towards the restoration of his estranged brother Sultan Mahomed Khan to Peshawur, and disappointment at the lack of a British promise of protection from Persia; Burnes’s realisation that he may have to leave Cabool to save ‘national honour’ due to dwindling hopes for a suitable connection with the Ameer (ff 225-232); and Wade’s observations on Dost Mahomed, criticism of his ‘extravagant expectations’, and belief that he ‘will endeavour to temporise [between Persia and Britain] until the fate of Herat is decided’ (ff 239-245)The progress of Dr Percival Lord and Lieutenant John Wood in Koondooz [Kunduz] in connection with treating the eye ailment of the Koondooz Ruler’s brother, the improvement of British commercial prospects in the area, and Wood’s exploratory field work (ff 154-161).Physical description: 1 item (207 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of India Secret Department (Camp at Kurnaul [Karnal]) to the East India Company Secret Committee, Number 4 of 1838, dated 7 March 1838. The enclosures are dated 26 January-7 March 1838.The papers relate to the views of Captain Alexander Burnes, on a Mission to Cabool [Kabul; this spelling also used in this item], Captain Claude Martine Wade, Political Agent in Lodiana [Ludhiana, also spelled Lodianah and Loodeeana in this item], and William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India, regarding the overtures made by Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], Ruler of Cabool, for the ‘adjustment of his difference’ with the Sikhs [the Sikh Empire] over Peshawur [Peshawar].The papers notably cover:Dost Mahomed’s wish to prevent the restoration of his brother, Sultan Mohamed Khan [Sulṭān Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], to the governorship of the territory, and his proposals that either Peshawur be ceded to him and in return he becomes a tributary of Maharaja Ranjit [also spelled Runjeet in this item] Singh, or that the territory is divided between himself and Ranjit Singh and they receive equally a fixed tribute, with Nawab Jabbar Khan [Nawwāb Jabbār Khān] placed at PeshawurBurnes’s support for Dost Mahomed (ff 39-46) and forwarding of a letter to the Governor-General of India from the Ruler of Cabool who professes confidence in the ‘favourable disposition which your Lordship entertains towards supporting and strengthening my Government’ (f 37)Wade’s disagreements with parts of Burnes’s analysis, including his: belief that Dost Mahomed has exaggerated the threat from Ranjit Singh; scepticism regarding allegations that Sultan Mohamed conspired with Shah Shuja ul Mulk [Shujā‘ al-Mulk Durrānī] against Dost Mahomed; emphasis on the superiority of British relations with the Sikhs; belief that Ranjit Singh will neither cede Peshawur to Dost Mahomed nor restore it to Sultan Mahomed; and insistence that Burnes adhere to his instructions to preserve the present distribution of power on the Indus and discourage any ‘extravagant pretensions’ of Dost Mahomed (ff 23-35)The Governor-General’s claim to favour any arrangement as long as it is agreeable to Ranjit Singh whose rights in Peshawur ‘cannot be questioned’, and preference that Dost Mahomed open direct negotiations with Lahore rather than through British officers (ff 48-50).The correspondents are Wade, Macnaghten and Burnes.Physical description: 1 item (32 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of India Secret Department to the East India Company Secret Committee, Number 7 of 1838, dated 27 April 1838. The enclosures are dated 13 March-27 April 1838.The papers chiefly comprise despatches to William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Governor-General of India, from Captain Alexander Burnes, on a mission to Cabool [Kabul, also spelled this way in this item] and Captain Claude Martine Wade, Political Agent in Loodhiana [Ludhiana, also spelled Lodiana in this item], with enclosures.The despatches chiefly concern: British policy towards and relations with the ruling parties in Afghanistan and with the Sikh Ruler Maharaja Runjeet Singh [Ranjit Singh, Ruler of the Sikh Empire, also spelled Maharajah and Maha Raja in this item]; the latter two’s relations with each other, notably over Peshawur [Peshawar]; the Afghan rulers’ relations with each other and with Persia [Iran] and Russia; and the siege of Herat by Persia (with Russian assistance).The papers notably cover the following matters:The on-going negotiations with the Ameer [Amīr] of Cabool, Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], including Burnes’s: repetition of British policy regarding Peshawur, and responses to the Ameer’s proposals of the terms upon which he will not ally with Persia or Russia; report that discussions regarding the ‘adjustment of differences’ between the Ameer and the Sikhs have terminated unsuccessfully and that the Ameer has written to his Candahar brothers stating his loss of hope in the British; and report that he has requested from Dost Mahomed leave to quit the city (ff 289-301, ff 323-333)The news of a treaty having been made by the Sirdars [sardars, leaders or rulers] of Candahar [Kandahar] with Persia, which will purportedly be ratified by the Russian Ambassador in Tehran, and Burnes’s belief that the Sirdars have agreed to aid Persia in subverting Herat under threat of being similarly attacked by Persia (ff 303-308)A translated copy of Dost Mahomed’s letter to Lord Auckland, Governor-General of India, in which he: complains of the ‘painful delay’ in settling his affairs with the Sikhs; claims he seeks an alliance only with the British; asserts that the Candahar Sirdars made a treaty with Persia out of fear; and notes that Persia’s attack on Herat is a breach of that country’s treaty with Britain (ff 335-336)Wade’s observations on events in Cabool, repetition of his suspicions of Dost Mahomed’s ‘true position’, and view that Burnes should instruct the Ameer to send an agent to Peshawur to arrange peace terms with Runjeet Singh (ff 338-344)Wade’s reports of his difficulties in ascertaining Runjeet Singh’s real intentions regarding a settlement of his dispute with Dost Mahomed over Peshawur, and his views on how overtly the British should appear to be involved in the negotiations (ff 348-357)Intelligence concerning the Persian siege of Herat, including reports of Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger in Herat, which indicate the increasingly unlikely prospect of success by the Persian Army (f 309 and ff 313-317)The Governor-General’s decision to discontinue offers of ‘good offices’ to Dost Mahomed for peace with the Sikhs and instructions to Burnes to leave Cabool, including a copy of his letter notifying Dost Mahomed of Burnes’s recall and stating that ‘my further interposition in this affair could not lead to beneficial results’ (ff 360-364)News from Dr Percival Lord relating to his and Lieutenant John Wood’s proceedings in Koondooz [Kunduz], including a possible attack on Koondooz by the King of Bokhara [Bukhara], his extended stay to treat the family of the Ruler of Koondooz, and Wood’s exploratory field work (ff 319-321).Physical description: 1 item (84 folios)