Abstract: This file concerns attacks made against the South Persian Rifles [South Persia Rifles] by members of Persian tribes at Kazerun and Dashtistan [Dashtestan] (also spelled as 'Dasht-i-Arjun' and 'Dashtarjin' in the file), and the possibility of sending troops from Bushire.The file consists of a memorandum, dated 25 December 1916, by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) [William Robertson], and a minute, dated 27 December 1916 and written in response to the memorandum, by Edmund George Barrow, Military Secretary, India Office, and John Evelyn Shuckburgh, India Office.The memorandum proposes that control of the South Persian Rifles, commanded by Sir Percy Sykes, should be placed under the Commander-in-Chief in India, Sir Charles Carmichael Monro.The minute, which follows on from the memorandum, disagrees with some of its points. It argues that it is not quite fair to suggest that the failure to deal with the situation in Southern Persia was due solely to a lack of machinery, and suggests that a lack of resources was also a contributing factor. However, the minute does agree with the memorandum's proposal of placing the South Persian Rifles under the control of the Commander-in-Chief in India, so long as military action is taken with due regard both to political and diplomatic considerations and to the views of His Majesty's diplomatic representatives; the minute also advises that the Commander-in-Chief in India should invariably act in consultation with the Viceroy of India [Frederic John Napier Thesiger].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 40, and terminates at f 45, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Abstracts of dispatches from Sir Harford Jones, British Envoy Extraordinary to Persia [Iran], to the British Government, sent from Tehran and dated between March and April 1809. Subjects covered include:The French presence in TehranThe Preliminary Treaty signed between Jones and Persian Ministers, and the terms of subsidy and loan of personnel and artillery offered to Persia under this treatyA demand by Lord Minto, Governor-General of Bengal, that Jones abandon his mission and leave Persia, and Minto’s refusal to continue paying Jones’s expensesThe appointment of Meerza Abdul Hassan [Mīrzā Abul Hassan] as Vakeel (Envoy) to London.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: The volume contains letters and enclosures from Captain John Malcolm, British Envoy at Abusheher [Bushehr, various spellings appear in the volume] to the Earl of Mornington, Governor-General, Fort William (Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess, Wellesley, spelled Marquis in the volume). Letters were also sent to Neil Benjamin Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government in the Secret Political and Foreign Department, Fort William; Lieutenant-Colonel William Kirkpatrick, Secretary to the Government in the Foreign Department, Fort William; Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai]; Henry Dundas, President of the Board of Control; and to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors.The letters cover a variety of issues and topics including:Malcolm's journey to Persia [Iran], via Muscat, and his meeting with the Imam of Oman [Sayyid Sulṭān bin Aḥmad Āl Bū Sa‘īd, also written as Imaum]Malcolm's arrival at Abusheher and his reception by Persian officialsHis visits to a number of cities and regions including: Muscat, Hormuz [Jazireh-ye Hormoz], Kishm [Qishm], Anjam, Sheraz [Shiraz, various spellings appear in the volume], Isfahaun [Isfahan], Kashan [Kashan], and Teheraun [Tehran]Malcolm’s observations on the following: a general view of the former trade of European nations with the Persian Gulph [Gulf], from its first establishment until the year 1763; the present state of the trade with the Persian Gulph; the model by which the East India Company (EIC) could improve its trade; the port best situated for a settlement in the Gulph; an estimate of revenues and expenses; and the best way to carry this plan (ff 29-62)His communication with the ambassadors from the late Tippoo Sultan [Sulṭān Fātiḥ ʻAlī Ṣāḥib Tīpū, Ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, d 1799], to the Court of Persia offering his advice to enable them to return to IndiaCorrespondence with Jaffier Ali Khan [Ja‘far ‘Alī Khān, various spellings appear in the volume], ‘Native Agent’ in Sheraz; and with Mirza Mehdi Alli Khan [Mirzā Mahdī ‘Alī Khān, various spellings appear in the volume], ‘Native Agent’ in AbusheherMalcolm’s memoir on the origin and rise to power of the Royal Family of Persia, covering narration of the character of Baba Khan [Fatḥ ʻAlī Shāh Qājār], his ministers and generals, the Persian army, the internal state of Persia, and its foreign relations (ff 68-76)‘Abridged memoir of the Khajar [Qājār] Family’ (ff 77-92)Reports received from Herat about the advance of Zemaun Shah’s army [Zamān Shāh Durānī, Amīr of Afghanistan] in PersiaRussian-Persian war over GeorgiaPersian-Afghan WarBritish-Afghan relations‘Substance of a Declaration or manifest of the Empress Catherine the 2nd on taking up arms against Aka Mahummud Khan [Āqā Muḥammad Khān Qājār], King of Persia, printed at Astracan [Astrakhan] 23rd May 1796 in the Russian and Armenian languages’ (ff 114-117)Translations of rukums [royal grants confirming specific trading privileges] from the Shah of Persia, Futteh Ally Khaun [Fatḥ ʻAlī Shāh Qājār, various spellings appear in the volume] (ff 128-129 and ff 182-183)The relations between Zemaun Shah and the late Tippoo SultanArrangements for Malcolm to meet with the Shah of PersiaThe French activities in Baghdad [also spelled as Bagdad] and Bussorah [Basra]The appointment of certain officials in the Persian CourtThe communication between the Shah of Persia and Prince Mahomood [Maḥmūd Shāh Durānī, brother of Zamān Shāh]Copies of a Political treaty (ff 247v-251) and a Commercial treaty (ff 253v-259r) between the English Government and the Government of Persia. Each treaty was preceded by firmaun [farman, also spelled as Firimaun] from Futteh Ally Khaun (ff 246-247, 252-253, and 258v-259r)The possibilities of the Russian Government forming a connection either with the Aosbegs [Uzbeks] led by Shah Mooraud [Shāh Murād r 1785–1800], Zemaun Shah, or the Persians for the purpose of invading IndiaMalcolm’s arrival at Baghdad and his meeting with Soliman Pacha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, also spelled as Pashaw]; Harford Jones, British Resident at Baghdad; and Samuel Manesty, British Resident at BussorahA journal of Malcolm’s mission to Persia including notes on the manners and habits of the Persian Court, and details of general military affairs in the region (ff 288-291).Further correspondence, included as enclosures in the volume, comes from Persian officials: Cheragh Ali Khan, Wakeelud dawlah [Chirāgh ‘Alī Khān Navā’ī, Wakil al-Dawlah, Vizier to the Prince Regent of Shiraz]; Hajy Abrahim [Ḥājjī Ibrāhīm Khān Zand Kalāntar Shīrāzī, Eʿtemād al-Dawlah, Persian Prime Minister]; and Reza Kouli Khan, Governor of Kazeroon (Rezā Qulī Khān, Governor of Kazerun]. Besides some intelligence received from notable merchants, and native inhabitants of Afghanistan, Georgia and Persia.The volume includes some duplications, and some faded letters/enclosures.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 293; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This volume is a diary of Sir Arthur Hirtzel (then Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for India) for the year 1907. Entries start from 2 January and end at 31 December (some dates in between these dates do not have any entries). The entries are usually brief (although entries for some dates run over into the space for the entry for the next date).Apart from brief references to the weather, Hirtzel’s attendance at church services, and other personal matters, Hirtzel’s diary entries mostly concern John Morley (Viscount Morley of Blackburn, Secretary of State for India, referred to as ‘J.M.’ throughout). The entries mainly record the following: the views and opinions expressed by Morley on various issues, largely relating to India and India Office business, and individuals (as recorded by Hirtzel); meetings between Morley and various individuals; Cabinet and Committee meetings and other events attended by Morley; conversations between Hirtzel and Morley (including Morley informing Hirtzel that he had recommended him for the Companion of the Order of the Bath, 18 June, folio 69 verso); and Morley’s moods, emotions and health (as recorded by Hirtzel).The diary includes entries relating to Morley’s views on matters including: India’s military requirements (5 and 8 January, folio 20 verso); the proposal of the Viceroy of India the Earl of Minto (Gilbert John Elliot Murray Kynynmound) to appoint an Indian member to the Viceroy’s executive council (8 April, folio 48 verso; 18 April, folio 52 verso; and 22 April, folio 52 verso); the visit of the Amir [Emir] of Afghanistan Habibullah Khan to India (9 January, folio 20 verso; 12 and 13 January, folio 31 verso); and the visit of the German Emperor (Kaiser Wilhelm II to the United Kingdom (15 November, folio 117 recto).The volume itself is a
Blackwood’s Desk Diaryfor 1907, published by Chas. Straker & Sons, Ltd., London. It includes printed information at the front and the back, such as an almanack [almanac], Post Office regulations, local information about large towns, a list of public museums and places of interest in London, and a list of country bankers and their London agents and the market days of each town. There are also various advertisements at the front and back of the volume.Pages (not folios) in the diary which relate to press cuttings in the Sir Arthur Hirtzel Press Cuttings volume [Mss Eur D1090/6], are noted in the Press Cuttings volume.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 151; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This volume is a diary of Sir Arthur Hirtzel (then Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for India) for the year 1909. Entries start at 1 January and end at 24 December (some dates in between these dates do not have any entries). The entries are usually brief (although entries for some dates run over into the space for the entry for the next date).There are brief references to the weather and what Hirtzel did on particular days, such as his attendance at church services, but Hirtzel’s diary entries largely concern John Morley (Viscount Morley of Blackburn, Secretary of State for India, referred to as ‘J.M.’ throughout).The entries mostly record the following:The views and opinions expressed by Morley on India and India Office business, including the Indian Councils Act of 1909 (entries including: 12 February, folio 22 recto; 25 March, folio 28 recto; and 27 and 28 July, folio 45 verso), and possible candidates to be the next Viceroy of India (30 March, folio 28 verso; 9 May, folio 35 recto; and 21 July, folios 44 verso to 45 recto).The views and opinions expressed by Morley on various individuals.Meetings between Morley and various individuals, including King Edward VII (10 January, folio 17; 5 February, folio 21 recto; and 21 July, folio 44 verso to 45 recto), and the Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith (3 February, folio 20 verso).Cabinet and meetings and other events attended by Morley.Morley’s health.Before the entry for 1 January on folio 16 recto, there are five lines in German, including an (inaccurate) quotation of the second verse of
O Gott, du frommer Gottby Johann Heermann.The volume itself is a
Letts’s No. 35 Rough Diaryfor 1909, published for Letts’s Diary Company, Limited by Cassell & Company, Limited. It includes printed information at the front of the volume, such as information about Inland Revenue duties, commercial stamp duties, and postal rates and regulations, a list of colonial governors of the British Empire, and a list of London banks. There are also various advertisements at the front and back of the volume.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 77; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, 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.