Abstract: This part of the volume consists of a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 63 of 1840, dated 28 August 1840.The enclosure is dated 2 August 1840. It consists of a letter from the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq] (Robert Taylor), to the Secretary to Government, Bombay, giving an assessment of the movements of the military forces of Khoorshed Pacha [Khūrshīd Pāshā], based on intelligence from Persia [Iran], Constantinople [Istanbul] and Syria.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 47 of 1854, dated 29 August 1854. The enclosures are numbered 3-4 and are dated 1 to 15 August 1854.The enclosures contain correspondence from the Commissioner in Sind [Sindh] concerning intelligence reports from Kandahar and Khelat [Kalat] and the surrender of the ‘border robber’ Sunjar Khind [Sanjar Khān?] to the Wakeel of the Khan of Khelat.Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a secret despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secret Committee, Number 49 of 1856, dated 8 October 1856. The enclosures are numbered 3-6 and are dated 11 June to 30 September 1856.They consist of: correspondence between the Secretary to the Government of India Foreign Department and the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab and a translation of a letter from the Ameer of Cabool [Amīr of Kabul], Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], to the Governor-General of India, the Marquis of Dalhousie, regarding the treaty between the Ameer and the British Government; and a translation of a Candahar [Kandahar] news letter forwarded to the Government of India by the Officiating Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab, containing intelligence of the siege of Herat, and political affairs at Candahar.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)
Abstract: Letter and Enclosures to HM Secretary of State for India, dated 20 December 1871.The Enclosures consist of collected intelligence reports from Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Pelly, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. These include: reports by the Residency munshi, and the Commander of HM Gunboat
Hugh Roseon Turkish operations; a report by Major Edward Charles Ross, Political Agent and Consul, Muscat, that the Turkish warships
Lebanonand
Iskenderiahad left Muscat for the Persian Gulf, and that more Turkish naval vessels were to follow; reports on the affairs of Guttur [Qatar], in relation to the Turkish expedition; further reports on Turkish operations, including two by the commander of HMS
Magpie; and correspondence from the Ruler of Bahrein [Bahrain] and Saood bin Fysul [Saud ibn Faisal ibn Turki Āl Sa‘ūd].The Enclosures are dated 27 October - 25 November 1871.Physical description: There is an Abstract of Contents on folio 553, numbered 1-7.
Abstract: Correspondence, some marked Most Secret, discussing ways in which British agents could be deployed in Persia [Iran] and other countries in the region (Iraq, Afghanistan) to counter German influence during the Second World War. The correspondence discusses: how British firms operating in Iran could recruit employees to act as agents; the redeployment and use of existing consular staff in Iran for intelligence purposes; the use of British (or European) engineers on Iranian water irrigation schemes, to counter German influence in that area; the distribution of British propaganda in Iran. The file’s principal correspondents are: the British Ambassador at Tehran, Reader William Bullard; the Foreign Office; the External Affairs Department of the Government of India.The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 54; 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: Printed and typewritten fortnightly intelligence reports, submitted by staff at the British Consulate at Meshed [Mashhad]. Reports dated up to June 1931 were submitted by the British Military Attaché at Meshed (Major Leo Steveni). Reports after June 1931 were submitted by the Secretary to the British Consul at Meshed (Major Lancelot George Werge Hamber; Major Richard Henry Stevens).The reports are organised into three geographic regions: 1) Khorasan province in Persia [Iran] (including Meshed); 2) Herat province in Afghanistan; and 3) the ‘Central Asian Republics’ (corresponding to present-day Turkmenistan, as well as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan). Each report is further arranged under miscellaneous subject headings that include:military affairs, including conscriptionadministrative and civil affairseconomic affairstrade and customsroads and communicationsspecific to Khorasan: Persian officials, refugees from Russia, and Soviet activities in Persiaspecific to the Central Asian Republics, the activities of the Basmachi movementMinute papers are enclosed in front of many reports, containing notes made by India Office staff commenting on items of note in the report.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 149; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-148; these numbers are also written in pencil and circled, but are crossed through.
Abstract: Correspondence and notes relating to the law of succession in Persia [Iran], and possible events in Persia, in the event of the death of the Shah, Reza Shah Pahlavi. The file includes:Correspondence from the British Embassy in Paris, dated 1 March 1930, informing Government of the death in France of the ex-Shah of Persia, Ahmed Kadjar [Ahmad Qajar], along with cuttings from the French newspapers
Le Tempsand
Le Matin, reporting on ex-Shah’s death (ff 42-45).A report, written by Lieutenant-Colonel Percy C R Dodd, Military Attaché at the British Legation, Tehran, dated 3 December 1930, on the present relations between the Shah and his army, and its bearing on the stability of the Pahlavi regime (ff 35-38).A report entitled
The Future of Persia, written by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard William Craven Fowle, dated October 1931 (ff 14-30).The text of an interview between an American journalist called Mr James, and the Persian Prime Minister Abdolhossein Teymourtache [Teymourtash], undated. Notes from a demi-official letter enclosing the text, from Captain John Ignatius Ennis, Intelligence Officer at the Baluchistan Intelligence Bureau in Quetta, dated 12 August 1931, also give details of James’ impressions of his visit to Russia (ff 3-12).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 54; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Fortnightly secret summaries (monthly from September 1948) compiled by the Air Attaché at the British Embassy in Tehran, Persia [Iran]. The file is a direct chronological continuation of Coll 28/97A ‘Perisa; Tehran; Air Attache’s Weekly Intelligence Summaries’ (IOR/L/PS/12/3508A). The reports cover: the Persian Air Force, including its activities, organisation, equipment, training, pilots’ licences, and the Shah’s personal interest in flying and the Persian Air Force; Persian civil aviation, including Eagle Airlines, Iranian Airways, and the Tehran Flying Club, also referred to as the Tehran Aero Club; reports on the development and status of airfields across Persia, including descriptions of meteorological and radio facilities; weather conditions; foreign military attachés; foreign airlines, including the British Overseas Airways Corporation, Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, and Indian Overseas Airlines.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 99; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Correspondence and papers reporting on non-combat activities of the Persian [Iranian] army and air force in Persia:Detailed reports of military manoeuvres and reviews, including troop numbers, their organisation and presentation, with lists of equipment and vehicles.The appointment of Swedish advisers to the Persian army and air force.The purchase of military aeroplanes.A copy, in English, of the Iranian Government’s Conscription Law, passed by the Majlis on 29 Khordad 1317 (equivalent to 19 June 1938) (ff 7-51).The file contains a single copy of correspondence written French, sent by the Iranian Legation in London to British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (f 58).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 147; 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: Printed copies of reports entitled
Biographies of Leading Personalities in Persia(also referred to in the file as
Who’s Who in Persia, and
Report on Personalities in Persia). The reports were compiled by officials at the British Legation in Tehran, and updated periodically. The file contains copies for the years 1929 (ff 5-14), 1930 (ff 24-34), 1931 (ff 37-45), 1932 (ff 53-62), 1943 (ff 69-100), and 1946 (ff 106-124). The last report in the file is entitled
Personalities in Persia: MilitarySupplement. This report is typescript rather than printed, and dated 1947 (ff 133-174).The reports for 1929 and 1930 arrange Persian notables in order of importance, beginning with the Shah and Minister of Court, Mirza Abdul Hussein Khan Taimourtache [Abdolhossein Teymūrtāsh]. The remaining reports arrange individuals alphabetically by their family name. All reports contain biographical notes, such as background, family, and career. Many also include an assessment of their character and demeanour, their disposition towards the British, and foreign languages spoken. The 1947 report specifically concerns individuals in the Persian military, with their biographies restricted to their military careers.The file also includes some correspondence, covering: the distribution of the reports; biographies submitted by the British Legation in Tehran for inclusion in future editions of the reports; the resignation and reconstitution of the Government in 1946, with biographies of those making up the new cabinet (ff 129-131).The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 176; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The memorandum, dated 18 May 1839, Kurrachee [Karachi], comprises a report by a merchant who left Candahar [Kandahar] on 29 April. It covers: the arrival of the British Army of the Indus at Candahar on 23 April 1839, the ‘submission’ of local chiefs to Shah Shoojah [Shāh Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrāni]; the ‘fleeing’ of the Barukzye [Bārakzay] brothers from Candahar; the dispatch by Dost Mahomed [Dōst Moḥammad Khān Bārakzay] of his family to Bukhara; the apparent lack of military opposition to the British force; the ‘delight’ of the inhabitants of Candahar at the arrival of the British; and the condition of the troops.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and notes by British officials about government expenditure on the Government of India post of Military Attaché at the British Consulate General at Meshed in Persia. The main correspondents are senior officials in London at the Foreign Office, India Office, War Office and Treasury. They discuss the joint funding of this post by the Government of India and the Home Government in London (also referred to as the Imperial Government), the continuance of the existing financial contribution to the salary for this post by the Foreign Office and an additional contribution by the War Department out of Army funds, 1910-1911. The correspondence includes representations in 1905 from Arthur Hardinge the Consul General at Tehran, Lieutenant Colonel C F Minchin the Consul General for the province of Khorasan at Meshed and his successor Major P Molesworth Sykes, to the Government of India and the Home Government in London, advocating the retention of Meshed as a centre of military intelligence about Russian Central Asia and the appointment there of a military intelligence officer, given the absence of a British Consular presence in Russian Turkestan and the value of such intelligence gathering to Government of India military authorities in particular.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 264; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.