Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-4 to a dispatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 23 April 1845. The enclosures are dated 8 December 1844-15 February 1845.The enclosures consist of copies of dispatches from Justin Sheil, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia, describing events in Persia [Iran] and beyond, including:An unsuccessful attempt by the Khan of Khiva to recapture Merve [Merv] from the Toorkomans [Teke Turkmen]British objections to the construction of a bastion close to the Residency at Bushire [Bushehr]A demand from the Governor of Bushire for higher duties on the export of horses by British merchants, against the terms of an Anglo-Persian agreementContinued Russian military occupation of the Island of Ashoor Ada [Ashuradeh] off the Persian coast in the Caspian SeaA Persian investigation into American missionaries proselytising and making conversions to Christianity in Azerbijan [Azerbaijan]An unsuccessful attempt by Mahomed Bankir Khan, described as either a brother or a nephew of Agha Khan [Hasan Ali Shah, Aga Khan I], to invade Persia from Beloochistan [Balochistan].The dispatches contain forwarded translations of letters from Hajee Meerza Aghasee [Haji Mirza Aqasi, Prime Minister of Persia] and other Persian officials.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 357, and terminates at f 402, 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.
Abstract: Memorandum written in French and published by the Foreign Office in 1874.The memorandum discusses the situation in Persia, including the interior and exterior threats the country faces, and the potential threat the situation poses to the borders of the British Empire.The perceived exterior threat to Perse is the progress and advancement of the Russian Empire in Asia and their perceived interest in occupying Merv, the ancient capital of Khorassan [Khorāsān]. The interior threat is considered to be the general situation in Persia and its difficulties in establishing administration within its own borders.Also discussed in the memorandum is the strength and skill of the Turcomanes (Turkmen) cavalry which could potentially disrupt Russia's plans in Asia and the lack of continuous British representation in Persia and the possible need to provide support to their ally in order to stop Russia from advancing through Asia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 61, and terminates at f 63, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original incomplete printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum is divided into four parts. The first part (folios 26-41) outlines Russian activities and aims in the Trans-Caspian region from 1716-1880; it narrates the extension of Russian influence over the Turcoman [Turkmen] tribes in the region to their eventual absorption into the Russian Empire to form part of Transcaspia. As a result it includes information concerning Russian military expeditions and various efforts made by them to coerce the Turcomen tribes into becoming Russian subjects, and some of the Turcoman efforts to resist. More especially it includes details on the establishment of a Russian naval base at Ashurada and the Russian occupation of Krasnovodsk [Turkmenbashi].The second part (folios 42-48) concerns attempts by the Turcoman tribes to seek the protection of either Afghanistan or Persia. It includes a translation of a document (folios 44v-47) sent by Adul Hassan Khan, Governor of Kuchan, to Rukn-ud-dowla, Governor of Khorassa, which concerns the submission of the Teke tribes of Atamish and Tokhtamest to Persia; a Russian take on the situation claiming that the tribes rejected the Persian offer is included alongside. The terms of an agreement between the Shah of Persia and the Merv [Mary] Teke — in which the latter become Persian subjects — is located on folios 47v-48.The third part (folios 49-52) focuses on the attempts by the Amir of Afghanistan, Shrere-Ali-Khan [Sher Ali Khan], to seek British protection against Russian aggression; the Amir is concerned that a Russian advance on the Merv would be a prelude to an attack on Afghanistan, or that the Russians may pursue any retreating Turcoman into Afghanistan.The fourth and final part (folios 53-58) outlines Persia's efforts to secure its northern frontier against Russian encroachment, and the interventions that the British have made to assist with this resistance. It also discusses diplomatic exchanges to affect a joint Anglo-Russian agreement to maintain the integrity of Persia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 25, and terminates at f 58, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the item also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: A memorandum written by Edmund] Neel, Political and Secret Department, India Office, in continuation of a previous memorandum [IOR/L/PS/18/B60], in which the Resident at Aden is urged to ascertain the present situation at Sheikh Said [Ra’s Shaykh Sa‘īd] following fears that the French Government planned to occupy the place.The memorandum reproduces a report written by Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Vincent Stace, First Assistant to the Resident at Aden, which provides a sketch map (f 7) and a description of the geographical setting and principal buildings at Sheikh Said, and also raises the possibility that the French intend to dredge the lagoon there in order to create a basin for vessels of war.The memorandum goes on to reproduce correspondence in which the opinions of the Resident at Aden, the Director of Military Intelligence, and the Secretary of State for India are given; the memorandum further notes that assurances have been received from the Turkish Porte that the French Government will not be allowed to take over any part of the Arabian coast.However, as the French Government did not recognise Sheikh Said as Turkish, and since a Russian gunboat was known to have landed on the African shore of the Red Sea, the memorandum concludes that the British authorities should keep a close eye on French and Russian movements in the area.The sketch map at folio 7 shows a region around Ras Shekh Said and Perim Island at the south-western tip of the Arabian Peninsula, indicating hydrology, settlements, principal buildings and the routes of a telegraph line, a submarine cable and a suggested canal. Hachures are used to show relief, and a brief note explains the map's sources. The map was published in June 1893 by the Intelligence Division, War Office, sheet no. 985.Physical description: This item consists of 14 sections, with a map (f 7).
Abstract: This file reproduces telegrams written between the Secretary of State for India, the Viceroy of India, the First Minister at Teheran (Sir Arthur Hardinge), and the Foreign Secretary (Marquess of Lansdowne), in which the authors assess the merits and logistics of a proposed loan to the Persian Government.The chief considerations concern the British and Indian Governments' desire to neutralize the Russian monopoly on loans to Persia, and to prevent Russia from gaining influence in southern Persia. Proposals include using revenues from customs houses in southern Persia as security against the loan, eliciting political agreement not to allow foreign road or railway construction projects in southern Persia, and a plan for the Indian Government to purchase a large stake in the Imperial Bank of Persia in order to facilitate similar loans in the future.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 150, and terminates at f 160, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The memorandum is divided into the following chapter headings:'General Status of Persia', ff 2r-12;'Persia and Herat', ff 12v-24r;'Persia and Seistan [Sīstān]', ff 24r-31v;'Persia and Kohuk', ff 31v-35;'Persia and the Navigation of the Karun [Kārūn] River', ff 35v-39r;'Persia and her integrity', ff 39r-47;'Persia and Merv', ff 47v-52v;'Continuation of General Status of Persia', ff 52v-61;'Appendices', ff 63-78.'General Status of Persia' provides a geographic description of the Kingdom including details of its boundaries, rivers, and transportation links. It also includes an outline of its demography, and its revenue by province. Military matters are also covered in this section; this includes an in-depth look at the Persian army — its pay and composition — and a look at the employment of British officers in Persia. This section concludes with a narrative of Persia's modern history from the sixteenth century.'Persia and Herat' describes the extent to which the province's boundaries can be defined, and provides a brief description of each district within; Ghorian, Sabzawar, Farah, Bakwa, Kurak, and Obeh. It also includes a description of the town of Herat, and information on the province's demography and climate. The section also provides detailed coverage of the tribes in the region. The development of British policy towards Herat is explained through the use of select correspondence. This includes the relative merits for Britain in either maintaining Herat's independence, or supporting Afghan or Persian rule; extensive reference is made to the Treaty of Paris (1857).'Persia and Seistan' also provides a geographic description of the province, along with information on its administrative divisions, climate, and transportation links. Its main purpose however is to outline the development of British attitudes concerning the governance of this province; should it be overseen by Afghanistan or Persia? To provide context, it covers the historical basis for the two competing claims. It concludes by describing the British arbitration of the matter in 1871-72 by General Frederick John Goldsmid, and its outcome; summaries of the statements provided by the Afghan and Persian sides are included.'Persia and Kohuk' explains how Persia has disputed the award of this province to Khelat by General Goldsmid in 1871, and British reluctance to amend the award in favour of Persia.'Persia and the Navigation of the Karun River' outlines British efforts to open up the Karun River for steam navigation. It explains that Russian success in improving transportation infrastructure in the north of Persia — in contrast to British failure in the south — is seen to be putting British trade at a disadvantage; the Karun River is seen as having the best potential for resolving this. The prospects for the construction of a railway in southern Persia are also briefly examined.'Persia and her integrity' details the development of a diplomatic understanding from 1834 between Britain and Russia, in which both powers established their mutual interest in the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Persia. It chiefly concerns British suspicions that Russian activities in central Asia do not match their professed intentions towards Persia (i.e. British fears that Russia is encroaching on central Asia).'Persia and Merv', in addition to providing an overview of the region's history and ancient settlements, considers what the British consider to be the encroachment of Russia on Persia's northern borders; the British consider any potential Russian occupation of Merv to be a threat, and it is explained that Persian control is preferred.'Continuation of General Status of Persia' concentrates on British concerns over increases in Russian influence at the Persian Court in Tehran; the British fear Persia becoming a vassal of Russia and facilitating Russian expansion towards Afghanistan. It therefore discusses the extent to which Britain should take advantage of Persian overtures to establish friendly relations with that power in order to prevent this scenario. It also briefly discusses Persian designs on Bahrain, and the desirability — for Britain — in maintaining its status as an independent state, in addition to emphasizing the need to maintain Britain's protectorate role in the Persian Gulf. Topics also included in this section, but covered in less detail include: the conference of consular powers on the Resident in the Persian Gulf; the development of telegraph lines in Persia; and negotiations respecting the demarcation of the Persian-Turkish border.The memorandum is signed by Owen Tudor Burne of the India Office.The appendix at the back is divided eight sections as follows:I. 'Employment of British Officers with the Persian Army', f 63;II. A selection of memoranda (dated 20 July-24 December 1868) concerning the need to strengthen British influence over Persia, and the means available to achieve it, ff 63v-64;III. A selection of memoranda (dated 10-30 October 1868) on the possibility of employing British officers with the Persian Army, f 65;IV. 'The Policy of Great Britain towards Persia, ff 66-69;V. Instructions given to Major-General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlingson as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, dated 4 August 1859, ff 68-69;VI. 'Outline Sketch by Colonel Burne of the Shah of Persia's Visit to England, 1873, ff 69-72;VII. 'Note by Colonel Burne on the Persian Army, 20th December 1871', ff 72-73;VIII. 'Abstract of Events in Persia, Afghanistan, &c. from 1722 to the present period', ff 73v-78.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 1A and terminates at f 78, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Translation of a letter from HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia [Iran], Sir Harford Jones, to the Prince Royal of Persia [Crown Prince of Persia], Abbas Meerza ['Abbās Mīrza Qājār̄], dated 12 May 1810. The letter relates to the arrangements for the Turkish [Ottoman] frontier in the armistice negotiations between Russia and Persia and advises against allowing Russia to occupy towns on the Turkish frontier. The letter also reports on diplomatic relations between the European powers and discounts alleged inaccuracies printed in French gazettes.The letter was enclosed in Sir Harford Jones's letter of 2 June 1810, and was received on 4 October 1810.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a letter from Meerza Bozurg [Mīrzā Buzurg], the Vizier of the Crown Prince of Persia [Iran], to HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Sir Harford Jones, received on 14 May 1810. The letter concerns the breaking off of armistice negotiations between Russia and Persia over the issue of the Turkish [Ottoman] frontier, and reports of peace negotiations between Turkey and Russia mediated by Napoleon Bonaparte. The letter also urges Jones to continue his work in Persia in the interest of maintaining relations between England [Britain] and Persia.The letter was enclosed in Jones's letter of 2 June 1810, and was on received 4 October 1810.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a dispatch from the Prince Royal [Crown Prince] of Persia [Iran] Abbas Mirza to his minister Meerza [Mīrzā] Mohammed Hassan, received on 14 May 1810. The letter relates to ongoing armistice negotiations between Persia and Russia, recommending breaking off negotiations and renewing the war on the basis of Persia being unable to achieve the key objectives of securing the Ottoman frontier and Talish [Talysh] from Russian interference or incursion.The letter was enclosed in HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, Sir Harford Jones's letter of 2 June 1810, and was received on 4 October 1810.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a letter from the Prince Royal of Persia [Crown Prince of Persia, 'Abbās Mīrzā Qājār] to the Governor-General of Georgia, General Yermoloff [Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov]. In the letter the Prince Royal discusses the ongoing frontier negotiations between Russia and Persia [Iran], indicating which proposals made by Yermoloff he is willing to accept, and making reference to further unspecified terms that he has communicated to the Russian Chargé d'Affaires to Persia [Semyon Mazarovich].This translation was originally enclosed in the letter of HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 3 July 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/25).Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: Copy of the definition of the frontier between Russia and Persia [Iran] agreed at Tiflis [Tbilisi] between the Russian plenipotentiaries, Lieutenant-General Wilhemenoff and Major-General Madadoff [Prince Valerian Grigoryevich Madatov], and the Persian plenipotentiary Futteh Allee Khan [Fath-‘Ali Khan Rashti].This translation was originally enclosed in the letter of HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 3 July 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/25).Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: This file consists of a report written by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Stewart, Bengal Staff Corps, in which he describes his journeys to and around Mashad, Herat and Merv in the vicinity of the Perso-Afghan frontier, and provides detailed intelligence regarding topography, settlements, communications, vegetation and agriculture. He also describes local populations, tribes and chiefs, and their present and historical actions and allegiances.The author records his opinion that due to a general fear of Torcoman raids, and a positive attitude towards Russia, the region of Khurasan [Khorāsān] could willingly fall under Russian sway; he therefore urges the instalment of an English officer on the Perso-Afghan frontier to maintain a British influence there.The report is written in twelve chapters, and is followed by five appendices giving detailed descriptions of routes travelled, with mileages.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 123 and terminates at the last folio with 162, 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 123-162; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.