1. 'Persia - Head II - Subject 14'

Description:

Correspondence regarding the Persian Gulf Political Residency's responsibilities with regard to maritime peace; its relations with Persia and discussing in particular recent disorder on the Persian Coast and the decision of the Persian Authorities to cooperate for their suppression.Folio 122 is an 'anonymous friendly protest' written in Persian and translated into English, although James Charles Edwards, Accountant to the Residency in the Persian Gulf, who translated the letter has noted that the handwriting appears to be that of Mirza Syed Khuleel and that the letter was handed to Hajee [Haji] Ahmed by one of the Mirza's servants.The correspondence is primarily between Captain Felix Jones, Political Resident; the Government at Bombay; Sir Henry Rawlinson and Charles Alison, HBM's Envoy's Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary's at the Court of Persia; and Sultan Murad Mirza Isham-es-Sultanah, Prince Governor of Farsistan.The correspondence includes translations and accounts from individuals and tribes of the types of disorder, disquiet and destruction that have been occurring on the Persian Coast, and naming those responsible. The correspondence also discusses the Persian Government's disinterest and unwillingness to engage with the British Government on the matter and the question of what the Resident in the Persian Gulf's powers and responsibilities should be in preventing incidents at sea from occurring.58 folios

2. Kharita

Description:

The item includes a letter (ff 2-4) referred to as murasaleh(a type of letter), a paper envelope (f 5) and a two piece pouch envelope. These items together are called Kharita. Kharitais an official letter from a paramount power, usually sent in an elaborate silk cover and received with great ceremony.The letter (ff 2-4) is an official one and it is sent by Abdur Rahman Khan, the Amir of Afghanistan (1880-1901) to Lord George Nathaniel Curzon. It is dated Sunday 2 Ramadan 1316 which is given as 15 January 1899. The Amir of Afghanistan is recounting a previous letter that he received from Lord Curzon in which Lord Curzon emphasized the importance of building a strong relationship between the Empire in India and Afghanistan. Lord Curzon also clarified the reasons which caused the late arrival of his letter to the Amir. After recounting the content of Lord Curzon’s letter, the Amir of Afghanistan concludes with his congratulations to Lord Curzon on his new position, and emphasizes on the strong relations and friendship between the two. The letter has a date in English, 23 January 1899, written in red ink at the top of its first folio.The letter is written in Persian on illuminated large white papers. A circular black ink seal holding the name of the Amir of Afghanistan has been provided at the end of it. The letter was originally folded and kept inside a paper envelope (f 5). The paper envelope is open from the right side corner and has the names of the sender and the recipient. Marks of red sealing wax are still visible on the front side of the envelope. The envelope itself is dated Wednesday 28 Sha‘ban 1316 which is given as 11 January 1899, that is four days earlier than the date on the letter.The paper envelope with the letter inside was placed inside a two piece pouch envelope: a silk pouch and a bobbinet cotton pouch. The dimensions of these two pieces indicate that the bobbinet cotton pouch was used as an outer protective cover for the silk one. The date of the pouch envelope is unknown.Kharita (a ceremonial illuminated letter, a paper envelope, and a two piece pouch envelope)

3. A Ceremonial Illuminated Letter

Description:

The item includes a letter (f 1), which is referred to as khat(standard letter). The letter is a personal one and it is sent by Abdur Rahman Khan, the Amir of Afghanistan (1880-1901) to Lord George Nathaniel Curzon. It is dated 19 Safar 1313 which is given as 11 August 1895. In the letter, the Amir thanks Lord Curzon for a set of family photos as well as a magic lantern the latter sent to him.The letter is written in Persian on an illuminated large white paper. A circular black ink seal holding the name of the Amir of Afghanistan has been provided at the end of it.1 letter (1 folio)