Abstract: A copy of an anonymous letter in French forwarding reports from Afghanistan, copied by Harford Jones and dated Bagdad [Baghdad], 18 December 1801.The letter reports widespread alienation from Chah Mahmood [Mahmūd Shāh Durrānī], divisions amongst Chah Mahmood’s troops in Kaboul [Kabul], and large-scale desertions to the side of Shugia ul Mulk [Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrānī]. The author expects Chah Mahmood to abandon Kaboul before the autumn and take refuge in Candahar [Kandahar].Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A report written in French and dated Bagdad [Baghdad], 23 April 1802, relaying information received from a messenger from Tahran [Tehran] concerning the Kingdom of the Agvans [Afghanistan].The report describes a siege of Herat led by Chah Zadé Kaisser [Shāhzādeh Qaiṣar] and rumours of attacks on Candahar [Kandahar] and Cabul [Kabul] by the Ghelgies [Ghilzaī tribe]. The author also speculates on the activities of Chugia al Mulk [Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrānī] and Fataly Chah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] and the future of the country.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A translation of a letter from Mohammed Sadoo [Muḥammad Ṣadr?], an informant of Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Jones, sent from Isfahaun [Isfahan] and dated 5 Jemaud-ul-sauny [Jumāda al-Thānī] (13 October 1801).The letter forwards reports from Afghanistan, including the capture of Caboul [Kabul] by Shah Mahmood [Mahmūd Shāh Durrānī], the blinding of Shah Zeman [Zamān Shāh Durrānī], and the execution of the Vizier Wafadar Khan [Raḥmatallah Khān Sādūzāī]. It also reports that Sujah-al-Mulk [Shāh Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrānī], Shah Zeman’s brother, resisted an attack by Shah Mahmood’s forces on Pishaver [Peshawar] and later recaptured Caboul.Attached are notes by Harford Jones on these reports.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This item relates to the British-led invasion of Afghanistan. It comprises a letter dated 23 May 1839, from Thomas Herbert Maddock, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General, to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai], forwarding a copy of a news circular sent to all Resident Agents, incorporating extracts of letters from William Hay Macnaghten, Envoy and Minister to the Court of Shah Shoojah ool-Moolk [Shāh Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrāni], and from Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Burnes, 24-26 April 1839, concerning the occupation of Candahar [Kandahar] by Shah Shoojah and the British Army of the Indus and the days leading up to it. The papers notably refer to:Crowds of inhabitants ‘flooding’ to the Shah’s camp, prior to his arrival into Candahar, to swear allegiance and pay homage to himOpposition to Shah Shoojah and attacks on the British Army, allegedly incited by the sirdars [leaders] of Candahar, including religious opposition against the ‘invading infidels’The departure of various Barakzye [Bārakzay dynasty] chiefs from Candahar, with their followersThe ‘defection’ of powerful chiefs, including Hajei Khan Kakur [Ḥājī Khān Kākar], and moollahs of the area to Shah ShoojahAlleged anti-Barakzye sentiment amongst the city’s populaceShah Shoojah’s ‘triumphant’ entry into Candahar on 25 April, greeted by a purported crowd of 60-70,000 inhabitants.Physical description: 1 item (16 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 11 of 1838, dated 22 May 1838. The enclosures are dated 18 January-22 May 1838.The item comprises despatches between: William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India; Captain Claude Martine Wade, Political Agent at Loodhiana [Ludhiana]; and Captain Alexander Burnes, on a mission to Cabool [Kabul, also spelled this way and Kabool in this item] and later ‘in Political employ on the North West frontier’.The despatches concern: British policy towards and relations with the ruling parties in Cabool and Candahar [Kandahar, also spelled this way in this volume] and with the Sikh Ruler Maharaja Runjeet Singh [Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Ruler of the Sikh Empire, also spelled Maharajah and Maha Raja in this item], notably with regard to Peshawur [Peshawar, also spelled this way in the item]; the decision of the rulers of Cabool and Candahar to ally with Persia [Iran] and Russia; and the Government of India’s consequent development of its future policy in Afghanistan.The papers cover the following matters in detail:The unsuccessful conclusion of Burnes’s negotiations with the Ameer of Cabool, Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] and the events leading up to his decision to leave Cabool (ff 416-417, ff 419-423, ff 441-456, ff 525-531, and ff 540-542), including: the arrival of Sirdar [sardar, leader or ruler] Mehar Dil Khan [Sirdār Mīr Dil Khān, also spelled Mirh and Merh in this item] in Cabool during the presence of the Russian Agent Vitkievitsch [Jan Prosper Witkiewicz]; Dost Mahomed’s refusal of British mediation over his dispute with Runjeet Singh; the intention of the Cabool and Candahar Rulers to join with Persia and Russia, send a deputation to the Shah of Persia at his camp outside Herat, and encourage the ‘downfall’ of that city; copies of Burnes’s correspondence with Dost Mahomed before his departure (ff 451-455) and copies of solicitous letters purportedly written by Mehar Dil Khan and Dost Mahomed to the Shah (ff 540-541); the apparent opposition of Nawab Jubber Khan [Nawwāb Jabbār Khān, also spelled Jabar and Jabbar in this item] to (his brother) Dost Mahomed’s actions and his regret at Burnes’s departure; Burnes’s departure from Cabool and instructions to Captain Robert Leech to leave Candahar and advance to Shikarpoor [Shikarpur] and to Charles Masson to leave Cabool for Peshawur; Wade’s speculation on possible courses of action to take if Herat falls and the Afghan rulers renew hostilities against Runjeet Singh; and the reaction of Runjeet Singh to the news of Burnes leaving Cabool and the prospective Cabool-Candahar deputation to HeratReports from Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger describing his communications with the Vizier [prime minister] of Herat, Yar Mahomed Khan [Yār Muḥammad Khān ‘Alī Kūzāy], and forwarding to Burnes letters from Prince Kamran [Shāhzādah Kāmrān Durrānī, Ruler of Herat] and Yar Mahomed containing urgent requests for British assistance (notably money) to repel the Persian Army (ff 426-433)The deputation of Macnaghten on a mission to Lahore to meet with Maharaja Runjeet Singh, including: a Minute by the Governor-General of India, regarding past policy in Afghanistan, the failure of negotiations with Dost Mahomed, the policy to be adopted in future in Afghanistan, the course to pursue if Persia is successful against Herat, and instructions to Macnaghten to enter openly and unreservedly into discussions with Runjeet Singh; and additional instructions to Macnaghten by Torrens. In these documents (ff 464-482) Macnaghten is directed to reassure Runjeet Singh of Britain’s desire to secure peace and to promote ‘commerce and the blessings of civilization’ (f 474), and to propose an expedition headed by former Afghan Ruler Shah Shooja ool Moolk [Shujā‘ al-Mulk Durrānī], with both British and Sikh support, ‘to recover his throne’ (f 467) but to leave Shah Kamran ‘unmolested’ in the possession of Herat and its dependencies (f 484)Burnes’s report of the successful termination of the visit to Koondooz [Kunduz] by Dr Percival Lord and Lieutenant John Wood, noting the improvement of Britain’s relations with Meer Moorad Beg [Mīr Murād Beg, also referred to as Mahomed Moorad Beg], Ruler of Koondooz, increased trade prospects, and the presence of a Russian emissary at Bulkh (ff 435-439)Two reports by Burnes relating to trade and commerce west of the frontiers of British possessions in India and the prospects of introducing and extending British involvement in that sphere, entitled ‘Establishment of an Entrepot [entrepôt] or Fair for the Indus Trade’ and ‘Prospects of trade in Toorkistan in reference to the contemplated establishment of an annual fair on the banks of the Indus drawn up at Koondooz by Mr Lord’ (ff 485-524).Physical description: 1 item (139 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises three separate documents, as follows:General Orders issued by Lieutenant-General Sir John Keane, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Indus (published in the
London Gazette30 August 1839), congratulating the army and its commanders on the capture of Candahar [Kandahar] and detailing the ceremony to take place on the occasion of HM Shah Shoojah-ool-Moolk [Shāh Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrāni] taking possession of his throne (ff 264-267)Substance of two letters, 31 May-28 June 1839, from the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat informing Sir James Rivett Carnac, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], that he has concluded a treaty with the British Government and requesting guidance on the course of action he should take regarding the army of Mahomed Ali Pacha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pasha al-Mas‘ūd bin Āghā, Governor of Egypt] which has appeared ‘in the Arab Country’ (ff 268-270)Memorandum of Intelligence, dated 10 June 1839, covering events in: Lahore; Peshwar [Peshawar]; Cabool [Kabul]; Mooltan [Multan]; the Army of the Indus in Candahar [Kandahar], Afghanistan (particularly concerning finances); Upper Scinde [Sindh]; Gwalior; Joudhpore [Jodpur]; Nipal [Nepal]; and Items of General Intelligence (ff 271-278).Physical description: 1 item (17 folios)
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: A bulletin of intelligence from Afghanistan, written in French and dated 9 March 1802.The bulletin relays information from a messenger and merchants in Cabul [Kabul], including: reports that Shugia al Mulk [Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrānī] has taken refuge near Pishaver [Peshawar]; the consolidation of power by Chah Mahmoud [Mahmūd Shāh Durrānī]; the allocation of the governments of Herat and Candahar [Kandahar] to members of Chah Mahmood’s family; the relations of Chah Mahmoud with Fat Ali Chah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia]; and the potential threat from Mir Haydar Chah, Chief of the Eusbeks [Uzbeks] [Amīr Ḥaydar of Bukhara].The bulletin was copied by Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad]. Another copy of the bulletin is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/223.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A bulletin of intelligence from Afghanistan, written in French and dated 9 March 1802.The bulletin relays information from a messenger and merchants in Kaboul [Kabul], including: reports that Shugia al Mulk [Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrānī] has taken refuge near Pishaver [Peshawar]; the consolidation of power by Chah Mahmoud [Mahmūd Shāh Durrānī]; the allocation of the governments of Herat and Kandahar to members of Mahmood’s family; the relations of Chah Mahmoud with Fat Ali Chah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia]; and the potential threat from Mir Haydar Chah, Chief of the Eusbeks [Uzbeks] [Amīr Ḥaydar of Bukhara].The bulletin was copied by Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad]. Another copy of the bulletin is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/221.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A bulletin concerning events in Afghanistan, written in French, dated Bagdad [Baghdad], 8 November 1802. The bulletin describes a state of calm in Candahar [Kandahar] after the defeat of the Gilgeis [Ghilzai] faction by Chahzadé Kiamran [Kāmrān Durrani] and the activities of Mahmoud Chah [Mahmūd Shāh Durrānī] and Chugial Mulk [Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrānī].Physical description: 1 item (1 folio)