The file contains a private journal kept by Lewis Pelly from January to February 1865; notes taken by him during his journey to Riyadh January to March 1865; sketches, correspondence, financial accounts and other papers.Included within the file are:Extract showing a record of posting from the Bushire Post Office 16 January 1865 (f. 45)Letter from Austin Layard, Foreign Office to Sir Andrew Buchanan, 1 September 1865 regarding Pelly's intention of returning to Bushire through Russia, the Caspian and Persia and asking that Pelly be enabled to travel through these regions (f. 46-47)Letter from Austin Layard, Foreign Office to Colonel Pelly, 6 September 1865 informing him of rumours from Cairo that Sultan Feysul [Faisal ibn Turki al-Sa'ud], the Nejdean Chief has been assassinated [f. 48]Ink sketch 'H.M's Residency Steamer
May Frerefor the Persian Gulf' 1867 - possibly drawn by Captain Edwin Dawes [f. 49]Two accounts of a story of a king and his Persian slave, one written by Henry Byam Abbott 5 June 1873 and the other by Charles Allan Baylay 6 June 1873 as well as two documents in Persian, one of which is the story of a death in a bazaar in Persia. These papers appear to be attempts at translation to and from Persian being undertaken by Baylay and Abbott [ff. 50-55]Ink sketch of a building atop cliff with shoreline - possibly drawn by Captain Edwin Dawes [f. 56]List of letters to be sent by Lewis Pelly to Bushire to Captain Carew, Charles Alison and Captain Henry W Warner and briefly outlining the topics for discussion in the letters [ff. 57-58]A folio of notes titled 'explore vast solitudes and call them Russia' which contains notes about England's mission in Asia and Russian interests there [ff. 59-60]Papers containing financial accounts: one for coal, camels and horses and the other giving an exchange rate for Dollars to Rupees for an amount to be paid to Ebrahim ibn Sayed Hossein as well as detailing deductions from an account including the purchase of a horse and waterskin and an advance to camelersTwo undated letters, either in Urdu or Persian.1 file, 2 items (66 folios)The file has been arranged in chronological order, those folios without dates have been placed at the rear of the file.Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated in the top right corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.Condition: There is damage to the lower portion of the first three folios, which has made some of the text difficult to read.
The file concerns the refusal of the Government of Persia (later referrred to as Iran) to issue visas for travel to Persia to holders of British passports bearing endorsements for Koweit [Kuwait] and Bahrain. The issue arose because of Persia's claim to sovereignty over Bahrain. This refusal by the Iranian authorities was later exetended (1938) to British passports bearing endorsements for the Trucial Coast and Muscat. The file also contains papers dated 1947 concerning the issue by the Political Agent, Bahrain of visas for Eritrea.The principal correspondents are the Foreign Office, and HM Minister, Tehran (later HM Ambassador to Iran).The Persian language content of the file consists of a single form.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.1 file, in two parts (255 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: this file consists of two physical parts. The foliation sequence commences at the first folio of part one (ff 1-129) and terminates at the last folio of part two (ff 130-255); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 1-255; these numbers are printed, and are not circled. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers of the parts.
This file consists of two separate physical files as follows:1) An account of a journey in Kashmir in 1898-99 written by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer of the Indian Army. His account is entitled 'Three Months of Privilege Leave'. It contains his observations on the languages, peoples, transport, flora and fauna, trade and climate of the region. There are occasional edits and corrections to the original text marked in red pen. The Persian language material in the file is a proverb written on folio 194.In addition to this travel diary, the following is enclosed: an essay by Lorimer entitled 'Modern Education' dated 9 February 1895 (folios 1-24); two copies of a pamphlet that was published 'for private circulation' in memory of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, following his death on 8 February 1914 (folios 255-262); and another essay by Lorimer entitled 'Our Indian N.W. Frontier - a study in a bye-gone Civilisation. A forgotten Chapter of Frontier History' (folios 221-253).2) Copies of letters that were sent from Emily Overend Lorimer to her parents, Thomas George Overend and Hannah Kingsbury. The letters describe the lives of Emily and her husband, David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer (referred to as 'Lock' in the letters), while living in Bahrain from October 1911 until November 1912 (folios 263-310) and in Kerman from January 1913 until November 1914 (folios 313-634). David served as Political Agent in Bahrain 1911-12 and as HM Consul, Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, 1913-14.The letters discuss a range of topics including Lorimer's observations of local customs, food, climate, scenery and festivals; the couple's domestic life and arrangements (especially their servants, who are often discussed in racialised, insulting language); and her interactions with other non-local residents. Also discussed are Lorimer's reading habits, her and her husband's health, family news and, occasionally, world events and political developments.On folios 322-324, the file contains a description of a walk around Kerman in March 1914 that is accompanied by a sequence of six small black and white photographs of various points in the journey (folios 315-321).In addition to these letters, the file also contains a number obituaries and letters of condolence written upon the death of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, on 8 February 1914 (folios 299-302, 415-416 and 543-544).On folio 417, the file contains an obituary of David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer published in an unknown newspaper following his death on 26 February 1962.2 files (630 folios)Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-262) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 263-634); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
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)
Correspondence in Arabic, mostly with translations in English, from Thuwaini bin Said, Sultan of Muscat; Zayid I bin Khalifah Al-Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi; Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki al-Saud, Ruler of Najd; Majid bin Said Al-Busair, Sultan of Zanzibar; the British native agent at Sharjah, Haji Ya'qub; and other individuals.The topics discussed in the letters includes the historic rights of ownership of the Arab Coast by individual tribes; movements of Arab tribes and their choice of settlement; attempts by the Wahhabis to extend their influence along the Arab Coast; allegations of acts of piracy on merchant vessels; and the British Government's attack on al-Qatif in response to disturbances which led to damage to British subjects property.1 file, 9 items (17 folios)There does not appear to be any discernable arrangement to the fileFoliation: The file has been foliated using small pencil numbers located in the bottom right hand corner of the recto of each folio
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)
The file contains two letters (f 1 and ff 2-4), a paper envelope (f 5), and a two piece pouch envelope (un-foliated). The first letter (f 1) 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 has sent him.The second letter (ff 2-4) is referred to as
murasaleh(a type of letter), together with the paper envelope (f 5), and the two piece pouch envelope 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 that is part of the
Kharitais an official one and it is also sent by Abdur Rahman Khan, to Lord 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 emphasized 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.Both letters are 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 each letter. The four-year gap in the dates given on the letters, as well as the difference in dimensions between the first letter (f 1), when folded, and the paper envelope indicate that this letter is not part of the
Kharita. Rather, it has been misplaced and eventually ended up in this file.The second 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 (ff 2-4).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.1 file (5 folios and a two piece pouch envelope)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. The paper envelope with the letter inside was placed inside two pieces of a 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.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 5; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the two piece pouch (silk pouch and bobbinet cotton pouch).Silk pouch construction: Orange silk folded in half, and hand stitched along one short and one long edge. Emerald green silk attached to opening edge with running stitches. There is some evidence of sealing wax.Bobbinet cotton pouch construction: Net folded in half, and hand stitched along one short and one long edge.Dimensions: The orange silk pouch: (height) from bottom edge 415mm x (width) 155mm and (width) of opening green edge 170mm.The cotton bobbinet pouch: (height) from bottom edge 380mm x (width) 165mm and (width) of opening edge 185mm.
Copies of laws, codes, regulations and decrees issued by the Government of Persia [Iran]. The materials are either original copies in printed booklet and typewritten form, chiefly in French, or typewritten copies which have been translated into English by British officials. The volume includes:The Persian Government’s civil (ff 489-561), penal (ff 359-420) and commercial codes (one dated 1928 (ff 278-339), a second dated 1934 (ff 142-215)), and subsequent amendments to these codes.Prison regulations (in Persian as well as French, ff 341-355, ff 258-273), and supplementary prison laws (ff 101-134).Laws concerning the punishment of highway robbers (f 256), individuals who foment social unrest (ff 239-240), and judges who show partiality in their judgements (ff 223-224).Laws concerning the administrative organisation of the country (ff 46-55).Also included in the file is an analysis (in French) of Persian legislation (
L’Analyse de la Léglislation Persane), produced in November 1927 by Maitre R Aghababoff [Raphael Aghababian] (ff 562-737).A small amount of British Government correspondence is also included throughout the file, in the form of covering letters which occasionally comment on the contents of the laws and regulations they enclose.1 volume (741 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.Some of the larger items in the file have their own numbering systems (pagination, numbered articles), with contents and index pages:The analysis of Persian legislation by Raphael Aghababian (ff 562-737) has a pagination system which is referred to in a table of contents at the front of the analysis (ff 572-575).The articles of the Persian Civil Code (ff 489-561) are numbered, and referred to in an index at the rear of the code (ff 558-561)The Penal Code (ff 359-420) has a pagination system which is referred to in a table of contents and alphabetical index at the rear of the code (ff 407-419).The 1928 Commerce Code (ff 278-339) has a pagination system which is referred to in a table of contents and alphabetical index at the rear of the code (ff 328-338).The 1934 Commerce Code (ff 142-215) has a pagination system which is referred to in a table of contents and alphabetical index at the rear of the code (ff 210-214).Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 737; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers; nor does it include the four leading and ending flyleaves.An additonal foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 224-312; these numbers are also written in pencil and circled, but are crossed through.
Correspondence and other papers relating to a trip made by an Iranian mission to India, at the invitation of the Government of India, to promote closer cultural relations between the two countries. The file includes: correspondence between the British Ambassador at Tehran, Reader William Bullard, and the Government of India, relating to the initial invitation and subsequent arrangements for the visit; details of Iranians who will be on the mission, including the Iranian Minister of Culture Ali Asghar Hikmat [Mirza Ali-Asghar Khan Hekmat e-Shirazi]; press notes and press cuttings about the mission; the Iranian mission’s proposal to bestow medals of the Order of Nishan [Nishan-e-Aqdas] on certain educational leaders in India; a copy of a souvenir brochure (written in English and Persian) commemorating the Iranian cultural mission’s visit to India (ff 8-31). The brochure includes: an introduction written by the Governor-General of India, Archibald Percival Wavell; the texts of a number of speeches made by Ali Asghar Hikmat; the text of a lecture on Iran’s history and people by Hassan Suhrawardy; maps of the mission’s itinerary; and numerous photographs of scenes of India and the mission’s visit.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.1 file (63 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 66; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Correspondence and papers relating to the Persian Government’s decision in 1935 to change the name of the country from Persia to Iran, and of the changes throughout the 1930s to the names of numerous provinces, towns and cities across the country. The papers include: translated copies of memoranda from the Persian Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announcing various name changes (some of which include place names written in Persian); correspondence amongst British officials over the implications of the changes, particularly that of Persia to Iran, for British interests such as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company; British Government instructions to replace Persia for Iran in maps and correspondence; the use of the term ‘Iranian Gulf’ in place of ‘Persian Gulf’ by some organisations, and instruction from British officials that the term ‘Persian Gulf’ should be reinstated; notification of name changes sent by the Foreign Office to the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (care of the Royal Geographical Society).1 file (155 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 156; 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.
Correspondence and other papers concerning the drafting of an agreement between the Governments of Britain and Persia [Iran], concerning the withdrawal of the Indo-European Telegraph Department from Persia, and the subsequent taking over of cables and equipment in Persia by the Persian Government. The agreement covers: the costs of daily use of the cables; maintenance of the cable between Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām] and Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]; transit dues for communications sent between Iraq and India; access to Gulf ports by cable ships. The papers include:Multiple drafts of the agreement, in French. A printed copy of the final agreement in French and English translation, dated 17 February 1932, is included (ff 141-144).Correspondence concerning difficulties in maintaining an import of supplies to telegraph stations in Persia.Registration of the Imperial and International Communications Company Limited (IICC) in Persia.Discussion amongst British officials over the merits of abandoning cable communication in the Gulf, and closing down the telegraph stations on the Persian coast of the Gulf, in favour of using wireless communications.Correspondence from 1932 concerning the costs of repairs to the Henjam-Bandar Abbas cable, incurred by IICC/Cable & Wireless Limited, and charged against the Persian Government.The volume’s principal correspondents are: the India Office (John Gilbert Laithwaite); the British Legation at Tehran (Robert Henry Clive; Charles Dodd; Reginald Hervey Hoare); the Indo-European Telegraph Department (Maurice George Simpson); the Indo-European Telegraph Company (which became the IICC, and from 1935, Cable & Wireless Limited (J O Stevens Perry; Ralph Lawson)).The volume contains a single item in Persian (f 82), being an order issued by the Shah of Persia, dated 28 Khordad 1311 (equivalent to 18 June 1932), ratifying the Indo-European Telegraph Department agreement.1 volume (407 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 409; 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.
Correspondence, memoranda, maps and other papers relating to the establishment of a precise position of the frontier between Persia [Iran], British Baluchistan [in present-day Pakistan], and Afghanistan, arising in response to the proposed transfer to Persian ownership of the Mirjawa [Mīrjāveh] to Duzdap [Zahedan] stretch of the North Western Railway, and territorial claims made by the Khan of Kalat, Mir Mohammad Azam Jan Khan, and the Persian Government. The volume’s correspondents include: Foreign Office and India Office officials; the British Legation at Tehran (Reginald Hervey Hoare; Charles Dodd); the Government of India (Francis Verner Wylie); the Agent to Governor-General and Chief Commissioner for Baluchistan (Alexander Norman Ley Cater); the British Consul for Sīstān and Kain [Ka’īn] (Clive Kirkpatrick Daly).The correspondence covers:The historical basis for negotiations, being surveys carried out in the 1870s, and a demarcation agreement concluded on 24 March 1896 by Colonel Thomas Hungerford Holdich, later referred to as the Holdich Line. Papers include correspondence from the 1930s in response to uncertainties about the precise position of the line (including extracts of the agreement in Persian), and copies of correspondence from 1895-1896 relating to the conclusion of Holdich’s agreement.Arrangements in 1932 for a joint British and Persian survey party to map the frontier, with Captain Guy Bomford of the Survey of India leading the British party. The results of Bomford’s survey are summarised in a copy of a secret letter, dated 9 June 1932, with accompanying maps (ff 113-119).1 volume (323 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 321; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the two leading and two ending flyleaves.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.