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 21 November 1873 and received by the India Office via Brindisi on 15 December 1873, forwarding copies of correspondence relating to the Egyptian Corvette
Arkhaanchoring at Berbera and Egyptian forces landing on shore and allegedly treating the territory as if it belonged to the Egyptians. The enclosures include a report by the Political Resident at Aden and a report by the Officer Commanding HMS
Dalhousie, Bombay Marine, who was instructed by the Resident to observe events but refrain from any involvement. The covering letter from the Government of India concludes by referring to a Reuter's telegram, London, 22 October 1873, confirming that 'the Egyptian Government has amicably arranged with the natives to build and occupy a fort at Berbera'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 26, and terminates at f 28a, 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 three foliation anomalies: f 26a, f 27a, and f 28a.
Abstract: Copies of intelligence despatches from Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Burnes, Envoy to Kelat [Kalat, also spelled Khelat in this volume], to William Hay Macnaghten, Envoy and Minister at Shah Shoojah’s Camp [Shah Shuja ul-Mulk], (copied to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai]).The intelligence chiefly covers:Burnes’s negotiations with the Khan of Kelat, with regard to the latter facilitating the progress of the British Army of the Indus and its protection through his territory into Afghanistan, notably through the Bolan Pass; the Khan’s attitude towards Shah Shoojah; conditions of his agreement to co-operate with the British; and the subsidy to be paid to him by the BritishThe situation in Candahar [Kandahar] and the overtures and veiled threats sent by Burnes to Sirdar Ruhm Dil Khan [Ruhim Dil Khan], the moollahs [mullahs] and authorities in Candahar, advising them to support the British advance into Afghanistan and Shah ShoojahOvertures and veiled threats sent by Burnes to the tribal leaders and inhabitants of Pisheen [Pishin] advising them to support the British advanceThe likelihood of Persia [Iran] and Russia aiding Dost Mohammed [Dōst Moḥammad Khān, Bārakzay] against Shah Shoojah and the BritishThe difficult terrain and problems with the supply of grain, forage and water for the Army of the Indus.The item also includes a copy of the ‘News letter’ 12 April 1839, conveying intelligence on affairs in Lahore, Peshawur [Peshawar], Scinde [Sindh], Candahar, Khelat, Herat, Ava, the Army of the Indus, Nipal [Nepal], and Bushire [Būshehr] (ff 137-142).Physical description: The papers are not in chronological order.
Abstract: This item comprises one enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 15 dated 27 January 1857. The enclosure is dated 27 January 1857.The enclosure comprises despatches, dated 9-23 December 1856, of Charles A Murray, HM Envoy in Persia [Iran] (located in Baghdad at this time), for the attention of the Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. A number of Murray’s despatches enclose translated extracts of the
Tehran Gazette, 6 and 27 November, which Murray summarizes and provides his opinion on in his covering letters to Clarendon.The papers notably cover the following matters:The capture and occupation of Herat by Persian forces, including the Persian Government’s claims to have been preventing Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzay] from taking the city in collusion with Colonel Esau Khan [Colonel ‘Īsá Khān, an Alakuzā'ī chief of Herat and nephew of Dost Mahomed], and proposing to give up Herat on condition that the three principalities – Candahar [Kandahar], Afghanistan and Herat - remain independent of each other and subservient to PersiaThe extensive power and ‘nepotism’ of the Persian Sedr Azim [Mīrzā Āqā Khān Nūrī, Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam, Eʿtemād al-Dawlah], including the appointment of his ‘21 or 22 years of age’ son as Persian Minister at War (ff 245-246)The lavish welcome receptions granted to the French minister Prosper Bourée at Tabreez [Tabriz], and to Count Arthur de Gobineau, French Chargé d’Affaires at TehranThe withdrawal from Persia of the British Consul in Tehran, Richard White Stevens, and Persian allegations of Stevens’s ‘duplicitous’ departure and the debts owed to Persian citizens by his brotherIntelligence forwarded by Murray from reports of unverified conversations of the Persian Consul in Baghdad, including claims that the Persian Government is sending large reinforcements to Mohamrah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] and to Herat (to facilitate a march on Candahar), and claims that an agent of Russia is being sent to HeratA pro-Persian story published in a Belgian newspaper alleging that the Persian Government desires friendship with the British Government, and blaming the deterioration of relations between the two governments on the actions of British representatives in the region.Physical description: 1 item (26 folios)
Abstract: Letter and Enclosures to HM Secretary of State for India, dated 31 October 1871.The papers cover: the aims of the Ottoman military expedition against Nejd [Najd]; correspondence with Midhut Pasha, Governor General of Baghdad; British support for Bahrein [Bahrain]; the movements of British warships in the area (HMS
Hugh Rose, HMS
Magpie, HMS
Bullfinch, and HMS
Lynx); reports of the landing and operations of Turkish troops; the operations of Saood [Saud ibn Faisal ibn Turki Āl Sa‘ūd] against the Turkish force, and against his [half-] brother Abdoollah [Abdallah ibn Faisal ibn Turki Āl Sa‘ūd]; reports of the occupation of Guttur [Qatar] by the Turks; operations in Lahsa [Hasa]; correspondence concerning the ownership of the British steamer SS
Snipe, which was reported to be conveying Turkish troops to Kateef [Al-Qaṭīf]; the monitoring of the coast of the Persian Gulf during the Turkish expedition; the movements of Turkish ships in the Persian Gulf; and further intelligence concerning Turkish operations.The main correspondents are Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Herbert, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia; and Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The Enclosures are dated 20 May - 20 October 1871.Physical description: There is an Abstract of Contents on folios 455-458, numbered 1-42.
Abstract: The volume contains weekly police reports from the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Baghdad, covering events in Iraq [sometimes referred to in the volume as Mesopotamia] under British occupation in 1919-20, including during the Iraqi Revolt. The reports contain intelligence about the movements and activities of various individuals and groups known or believed to be opposed to the British occupation, and about opinions, rumours and activities among the general populace. They also contain copies of newspaper reports, pamphlets and posters covering the occupation, the Revolt and Iraqi independence.The reports are primarily focused on supporters of Iraqi independence and general anti-British feeling and activities. They also cover:Support for a united Arab state including Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon, and support for the same also including the Hejaz and YemenSupport for Iraq to return to Ottoman ruleActivities of Bolsheviks [Communists, also referred to as Bolshevists in the volume] in IraqAnti-British and pro-independence alliances between Shia and Sunni Muslims, and between Muslims, Christians and JewsReactions to the San Remo Conference, 19-26 April 1920, which determined League of Nations mandates over Iraq, Palestine and Syria.Much of the intelligence within the reports is unsubstantiated or based on rumour, and the volume also contains correspondence concerning the potential usefulness of the reports.As well as the Assistant Commissioner, the primary correspondents are: the Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia; the Military Governor of Baghdad; the Foreign Office; and the India Office.The volume contains a single folio in Arabic, a poem by Ma’ruf al Risari [Maruf al Rusafi] (f 175).The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 637; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Multiple intermittent additional mixed foliation/pagination sequences are also present. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: The volume consists of corrections to the
Military Report on Persia(1911). This volume was produced in 1914 (1st series) by the General Staff, India.It contains corrections for sections on the country's history; geography; resources; army; naval forces; places of strategic importance and military notes; ports, harbours and islands; arms and ammunition; administration; and communications.Printed at the Government Monotype Press, Simla, 1915.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 53; these numbers are printed or written in pencil, and are located in the top centre of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front cover. The back cover is missing.
Abstract: Translations of two letters from an informant of Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], dated 3 and 8 May 1802.The letters concern Russian activity in the Caucasus and Caspian Sea, reporting: movements of Russian troops and ships; embassies from Shaku [Shaki] and Shirvan [Sirvan] to Tehran seeking assistance against Russia; and the planned flight of Armenian merchants from Baku, Enzelee [Bandar-e Anzali], Ghilan [Gilan], and Tehran in anticipation of conflict.These letters were enclosed in Jones’s letter to Marquess Wellesley, Governor-General of Bengal, dated 20 June 1802 (IOR/L/PS/9/76/245).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Intelligence report, entitled ‘Newsletter', dated 11 May 1839, covering: Peshawur [Peshawar]; the Army of the Indus; (chiefly regarding its approach to Candahar [Kandahar]); Upper Scinde [Sindh]; Joudhpore [Jodhpur]; Jhansi; Bithoor [Bithur]; Nipal [Nepal]; Ava [Inwa]; and Items of General Intelligence.Physical description: 1 item (9 folios)
Abstract: An intelligence report received from messengers sent by Samuel Manesty, Resident in Bussora [Basra], to the Royal Camp in Persia [Iran].The report covers developments in the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1804-1813], describing the positions, strength, and actions of Russian and Persian troops around Erivan [Yerevan].The report was enclosed in Manesty's letter to the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 13 October 1804 (found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/368).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This file contains a set of Weekly Political Intelligence Summaries published by the Foreign Office. The summaries are numbered, and begin from 356 at the back of the file, and end with number 416 at the front. The weekly reports contain military and political intelligence spanning all theatres of the Second World War and its immediate aftermath, and are divided in to sections by geographic region.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 480; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This item contains translations of two letters:1. A letter from Mohammed Reza Khan [Muḥammad Rezā Khān], Persian representative in Kerbela [Karbala], to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], dated 14 August 1802. Mohammed Reza Khan reports that he is returning to Kerbela and forwards news from the campaign of the Shah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] in Khorasan.2. A letter from an informant of Harford Jones, sent from Erezeroum [Erzurum] and dated 7 August 1802. The letter concerns affairs in the Caucasus, including Russian troop movements and conflict between Erivan [Yerevan] and Kars.These translations were originally enclosed in the letter from Jones to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, dated 23 September 1802 (IOR/L/PS/9/76/276).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This document, written by Basil Cochrane Newton (the British Ambassador at Baghdad), outlines concerns that Shakib Arslan is assisting the German Government in planning and organising uprisings in Syria, Iraq, Transjordan and Palestine, and that he is in correspondence with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (Mohammed Amin al-Husseini) on the subject. The document is addressed to Viscount Halifax (Foreign Secretary).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 8; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.