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 both the Governor General of India (30 July and 17 June 1856, Number 25) and the Government of Bombay (25-26 June 1856, Numbers 48-49). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 50-53r) consists of reports of disturbances in Pegu, suggestions of policy from the Chief Commissioner for Punjab for the ‘pacification of the Peshawar frontier’, and a question raised by the Amir of Afghanistan respecting the insertion of Candahar [Kandahar] into the provisions of the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of Friendship (1855).The section from Bombay (folios 53v-54) is primarily concerned with a complaint from Lieutenant Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner for Sind, over limitations placed by Government on his ability to communicate with frontier chiefs.Physical description: 1 item (6 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 the Governor General of India (8 February 1855, Number 14), the President in Council (22 February 1855, Numbers 15-17) and the Government of Bombay (28 February 1855, Numbers 18-19). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letter from the Governor General consists of two folios only (folios 65-66r) and is concerned with the policy to be pursued at Aden.The letters from the President in Council make up the bulk of the bundle (folios 66v-74r) and the subject matter includes the following: reports from Afghanistan regarding relations with Persia, opinions amongst Afghans on a proposed treaty of friendship with the Government of India, and reports on preparations – causing discontent – in Nepal for military action against Thibet [Tibet].The section from Bombay consists of three folios only (folios 74v-76). It is predominantly concerned with the risk of the Sultan of Lahedge [Lahej] being overpowered by his enemies, and the question of whether the Political Resident at Aden should be empowered to provide small sums in financial aid.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 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 (8 February, Numbers 7-13) and the Government of Bombay (16 February, Numbers 14-17 and 19-20). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The subject matter of the letters from the Governor General (folios 19-61) includes the following: criticism of the Government of India's Punjab Frontier Policy from Major John Jacob, Nepalese military preparations for an invasion of Thibet [Tibet], news from Burmah [Burma], discussion over whether the Government of India should intervene in a feud between Gulab Singh – the Maharaja of Cashmere [Kashmir] – and his nephew Jowahir Singh, and discussion over the line of policy the Government of India should take over a proposed treaty of friendship with Afghanistan.The section from Bombay consists of two folios only (folios 62-63). They consist of brief updates on Aden and the Persian Gulf.Physical description: 1 item (46 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (17 May 1856, Number 22) and the Government of Bombay (27 May 1856, Numbers 39-40). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatch from the Governor General (folios 23-34) is concerned with the advancement of Persian forces against Herat, and appeals for assistance to the British authorities in India and Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan]. The dispatch includes translated transcripts of letters sent between from Mahomed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan, Regent of Herat], Dost Mahomed, the Chief Commissioner for Punjab (John Laird Mair Lawrence), and the Governor General of India (James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie).The section from Bombay (folios 35-36) consists of a report of the advancement of Persian forces towards Herat, the deployment of Indian naval vessels in the Persian Gulf, and proposed terms by Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan (Political Resident at Aden) for the raising of the blockade of Berbera.Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of official secret letters received from the Governor General of India in Council (21 March 1857, Number 14; 24 March 1857, Number 15; 27 March 1857, Number 73; 30 March 1857, Number 74; 31 March 1857, Numbers 74-76; 2 April 1857, Numbers 77-79; and 17 April, unnumbered).The summaries mostly concern the Punjab and the ‘Persian Expedition’ [Anglo-Persian War]. They include summaries of letters from the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner [presumably of the Punjab], regarding: the request of Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Emir of Afghanistan] that Ruheemdad and his followers be forgiven and their lands restored; the conduct of the Bozdar Tribe on the frontier of the Dera Ghazee Khan [Dera Ghazi Khan] district, and the attack against them by British troops; and the state of the border in the Dera Ishmael Khan [Dera Ismail Khan] district, and ‘retributive measures’ against the Mahsood [?] Wuzeerees [Mahsud Waziris].They also include: news from Cabool [Kabul]; news from Sir James Outram regarding Bushire, including the requirement for reinforcements of troops at Bushire; a minute by the Governor General regarding the delay in troops being sent to Bushire due to the lack of available steam vessels, and his opinions on Outram’s views as to the enlistment of Persian tribes by the British in the War; and summaries of letters from Perim, mostly regarding the best site for a lighthouse on the island.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 11 dated 2 February 1856. The enclosures are dated 17-19 January 1856.The papers comprise:A report by the Acting Superintendent of Police, Bombay, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, concerning the arrival of Sirdar Munowar Dill Khan [Serdār Munawwar Dil Khān] of Kandahar at the Presidency, his movements whilst at Bombay, and his apparent preparations to leave for Aden en route to MeccaA Resolution of Board confirming that it has no objection to Sirdar Munowur Dil Khan going to MeccaA letter from Henry Bartle Frere, Commissioner in Sind [Sindh], to the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, suggesting that the consent of Dost Mohamed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] be obtained regarding those members of his Kandahar family who have applied to the British to go to India via Sind, and that since Dost Mahomed has reason to doubt the ‘fidelity’ of the sirdars he may not be sorry if they remain in ‘British India’ where ‘he may feel assured they will not be permitted to organize any movement inimical to himself, as they might possibly do if they again sought refuge in Persia’ (f 151).Physical description: 1 item (7 folios)