The first part of the file (folios 1 to 2) consists of a chronological table of 'principal events' which took place in Afghanistan, Burma, China, Turkestan, and Persia between June 1885 and December 1887. Each entry includes a brief description and the date. In addition, it also indicates who was the Secretary of State for India and who was the Viceroy of India during the event in question. This list is dated 1 January 1888.The second part of the file (folios 3 to 5) consists of a copy of letter from Sir Arthur Hirtzel to Mr Parker dated 26 February 1913. It concerns a compromise that might be reached with the Ottoman Empire over the status of Koweit [Kuwait]. It also includes copies of the following enclosures:1. a proposed statement defining the territorial limits to which the British will guarantee the autonomy of the Sheikh of Koweit;2. extract of a letter from Major Stuart George Knox, Political Agent, Kuwait, dated 23 May 1908. It concerns the suzerainty of Anta'a;3. extracts from Major Knox's report on his trip to Anta'a, which claims that the local population views the Sheikh of Koweit as their legitimate ruler;4. extract of a letter from Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, Political Agent, Koweit, dated 23 March 1910. It conveys some of his opinions concerning the territorial extent of Koweit;5. extract from Captain Shakespear's diary dated 25 February 1910.Also included in the second part is a map (folio 4) showing the limits of Koweit and adjacent territory, which includes south eastern Iraq, south western Persia, and a significant part of the Persian Gulf.1 file (5 folios)The file consists of two parts: part one (folios 1 to 2) and part two (folios 3 to 5).Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; 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 consists of two parts and each has an original printed pagination sequence.
The bundle consists of a English translation of a paper produced by the Persian Government. The paper outlines Persian complaints against the conduct and line of policy adopted by HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, and his predecessors: Colonel Justin Sheil, Colonel Francis Farrant, and William Taylour Thomson. It also explains the Government of Persia's position on Herat.The paper was enclosed in a letter from Murray – Number 15 of 1856.1 item (4 folios)
The memorandum consists of printed papers on the subject of whether persons of Persian origin born in India are entitled to protection as British subjects. The question arose from the fact that Persia did not recognise British nationality in persons of Persian descent. In particular, it references the case of Agha Mehdee; a person of Persian descent who has enjoyed British subject status for a number of years. His status as a British subject is accepted by the Government of Persia, but they do not consider this to be a precedent to be conferred on others. The attitudes of France and Russia towards their subjects are considered in order to inform the British position on the matter. The papers included are outlined below.A letter (No. 1, folios 96-100) from William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, to Edward Henry Stanley, Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated Tehran 15 February 1876, with the following enclosures:1. Translation of a memorandum from Minister for Foreign Affairs, dated 19 January 1876 respecting the position of Agha Mehdee;2. Memorandum No. 920 of 1868 respecting Nazir Mohammed Mehedee, signed W Whinvail, Acting Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, dated Bombay Castle 16 May 1868;3. Memorandum No. 2740 of 1870 respecting Nazir Aga Ahmed bin Aga Ali, signed Herbert Henry Jacomb, Under Secretary to the Government of Bombay, dated Bombay Castle 11 November 1870;4. Letter from Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, dated Bushire 27 January 1872;5. Government Resolution No. 1905 regarding the position of persons of Persian parentage born in British territory, dated Bombay Castle, 27 March 1872;6. Opinion of J W [James Sewell] White, Advocate-General, Bombay, regarding the position of persons of Persian parentage born in British territory. It is dated Bombay Castle 5 March 1872;7. Telegram from Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, dated Bushire 27 May 1872;8. Telegram from E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, to Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated Bombay 7 June 1872;9. Telegram from Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, dated Bushire 7 June 1872;10. Letter from Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, dated Bushire 26 June 1872;11. Government Resolution No. 5446 regarding the position of persons of Persian parentage born in British territory, dated Bombay Castle 14 December 1872;12. Opinion of C J Mayhew, Acting Advocate-General, Bombay (No. 34), regarding the position of persons of Persian parentage born in British territory, dated Bombay 2 September 1872;13. Letter from Charles Umpherston Aitchison, Secretary to the Government of India, to Colonel Ross, dated Fort William 5 September 1874;14. Letter from G C Paul, Assistant Advocate-General, Bengal, to Charles Umpherston Aitchison, Secretary to the Government of India, dated Fort William 21 August 1874;15. Telegram from the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Governor of Bushire, dated 22 Zuhejjeh 1292 (20 January 1876);16. Letter from William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, to B Schimanovsky, Russian Chargé d'Affaires, dated Tehran 25 January 1876 (enclosure in French);17. Letter from B Schimanovsky, Russian Chargé d'Affaires, to William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, dated 31 January 1876 (enclosure in French);18. Memorandum of a conversation between Mr Larcom and B Schimanovsky, Russian Chargé d'Affaires, respecting the laws regulating Nationality in Russia, dated Tehran 10 February 1876;19. Letter from William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, to R de Balloy, French Chargé d'Affaires, dated Tehran 10 February 1876 (enclosure in French);20. Letter from R de Balloy, French Chargé d'Affaires, to William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, dated Tehran 11 February 1876 (enclosure in French);21. Extract from "Les Codes Français" (enclosure in French);22. Extract from a law modified 7 February 1851 concerning persons born in France to foreign parents (enclosure in French).A memorandum (No. 2, folios 100-101) as to the protection to be granted to persons of Persian origin born in India, signed by A Walmisley, dated Foreign Office 20 April 1876. It considers a couple of cases; the case of 'Bagio', a Jew born to Ottoman parents; and 'Schlizzi', a man born in Ottoman territory, but who had resided for a time in England.1 file (6 folios)Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 96, and terminates at f 101, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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.
The file consists of a despatch concerning the appointment of additional consular officers in Persia, from Henry Mortimer Durand, the British Minister at Tehran, to Robert Arthur Cecil, the Marquess of Salisbury.Durand reiterates suggestions previously given in 1895 regarding the state of affairs in Persia, and proposals for improving the strength of the British position. He also submits further suggestions which form part of a general scheme of policy, based upon examination of the current state of affairs in Persia in 1899. The principal changes which have taken place since 1895 are outlined regarding: succession, government, finance, Russian trade and political influence, and British trade.Diplomatic, Political and Consular staff in Persia are listed with costings, and suggestions are provided for places where the appointment of consular officers would be desirable, including the limits of their districts and an estimate of expenditure which the appointments would entail. He also proposes to: improve roads and possibly prospect for a railway, utilise the Telegraph Department and organise it for political purposes, grant a loan to Persia to foster goodwill, and check Russian encroachments.The file notes the enclosure of a sketch map; however this is not present and has not been bound into the file.1 file (9 folios)The file consists of a single despatch.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 99, and terminates at f 107, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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.
This file consists of additions and corrections to the Gazetteer of Persia. Additions and corrections are organised in alphabetical order. Each addition or correction is accompanied by the source of the information.The corrections are accompanied by a memorandum from the Quarter Master General in India, Intelligence Branch, to the Honourable George Curzon, MP, Carlton Club, London. The subject of the memorandum is given as 'Additions to Gazetteer of Persia, Volumes II to IV.' A note states that they are 'Forwarded for information in continuation of this office No. 3146.I. dated 24th October 1896 by F. G. Cardew, Captain, for Quarter Master General, India.'Also included (folio 41) are tables of routes within Persia with hours riding time by horse and costs of carriage. In addition there are a number of tables of data. For example, weather observations (ff 53-63), bazar prices (f 109), imports and exports (ff 119-120). Mostly the additions contain supplementary information on the settlements.Individuals submitting additions include Butcher and Stotherd, Picot and Preece.1 file (185 folios)The papers in the file are arranged in order of the various submitted contributions and in approximate chronological order.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 185, these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
The file consists of a printed copy of the Convention between the United Kingdom and Russia relating to Persia [Iran], Afghanistan and Thibet [Tibet], signed at St. Petersburgh [St Petersburg] on 31 August 1907, and ratified at St. Petersburgh on 23 September 1907. The Convention was presented to both Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom in October 1907.The Convention sets out the respective spheres of influence of the United Kingdom and Russia in Persia, recognises the United Kingdom’s influence over Afghanistan, and states that both countries would refrain from all interference in the internal administration of Thibet, in recognition of the suzerain rights of China in Thibet.The text of the Convention is written is French, and is followed by an English translation.1 file (10 folios)Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 10, these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
This printed report consists of a note prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Talbot Wilson, Officiating Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, concerning the use of aeroplanes in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf. The note consists of two parts: the first covers South-West Persia and the second Mesopotamia.1 file (2 folios)Foliation: The foliation sequence for this file commences at folio 39, and terminates at folio 40, 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 7-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Narrative report on surveys conducted in Mesopotamia [Iraq], North-West Persia [Iran] and Luristan [Lorestān]. The preface provides the following information:'The object was to explore various tracts of little known country through which roads lead north from the head of the Persian Gulf to the Waliat of Van and North-West Persia near Urmia. To accomplish this, two routes through Luristan from the Tigris valley were travelled. In southern Kurdistan the roads from Kifri to Sulaimaniah, from there to Rawanduz, and Rawanduz to Amadiyeh, were gone over in Turkey, and Suj-Bulak to Karmanshah through Sakiz and Sihna in Persia. The country south of lake Van to Mosul was traversed in the routes Amadiyeh to Mosul, Mosul to Jazirah, Jazirah to Bashkala, Bashkala to Urmia, and Urmia to Suj Bulak through Ushnu.'The report contains the following illustrations:Tak-i-Girra, looking east (f 42).Sketch showing the Town of Rawanduz [Rāwāndūz], (f 63).Sketch showing the bridge at Rawanduz. (f 66).Sketch showing Amadiyeh [Al 'Amādīyah] from the north-east, (f 76).Sketch showing the bridge of Mosul (f 85).The report contains the following maps:Pass of Tak-i-Girra, on the Baghdad-Kermanshah Route, December 1889 (f 41).Country in vicinity of Rawanduz, May 1889 (f 64).Plateau of Amadiyeh and surrounding country, June 1888 (f 74).Plan of Mosul and surrounding country, corrected from Jones' survey, August 1889, (f 87).Country between Feishkhabur [Fīsh Khābūr] and Zakho, June 1888, (f 101).1 volume (152 folios)Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 154; 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.
This file consists of a report, written by Sir Arthur Hirtzel, Political Secretary, India Office, which provides the British perspective on recent events in Persia, from mid-1916 to early 1917. The report is divided into sections using headings, which cover the following locations: Tehran, Ispahan, Fars, Bushire, Kerman, Seistan and Khorassan.The report discusses the threat posed to Britain's position in Persia, mainly by Turkish troops, but also by tribal groups which are reportedly under the influence of German agitators.The report states that the Persian Government has acquiesced in the formation of a force [South Persia Rifles] commanded by Sir Percy Sykes, which will be incorporated into the Persian army and will amount to 11,000 men.The report concludes that the situation across Persia is 'in the highest degree unstable', with Turkish forces occupying 30,000 square miles of Persian territory.The report is followed by a cutting from the
Daily Telegraph, dated 21 February 1917, which reports on a House of Lords session from the previous day, in which Earl Curzon [George Nathaniel Curzon] is reported to have spoken about Sir Percy Sykes's mission, and to have described the improvement in the general situation in Persia as considerable.1 file (7 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 68, and terminates at f 74, 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.
This previously secret file, compiled by the India Office, contains various papers relating to expenditure on the Malleson Mission and troops in East Persia between 1918 and 1921.The file opens with a note about the contents of the file, and is followed by an India Office Political Department Memorandum and a memorandum by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Correspondence regarding expenditure is then included which dates from after the Chancellor's memorandum (November 1919) until January 1921.There are two appendices. Appendix I contains correspondence on the subject which was exchanged prior to the Chancellor's memorandum. Appendix II provides copies of the main military and political telegrams which are referred to in the memoranda and the later correspondence regarding expenditure. At the end of the file is a copy of a separate telegram from the Viceroy, Army Department, to the Secretary of State for India dated August 1919 (folios 16-17).The main correspondents throughout the file are the India Office, the Treasury, the War Office (including the Secretary of State for War, Winston Churchill), the Secretary of State for India (Edwin Samuel Montagu), and the Viceroy, Army Department.1 file (17 folios)The content of the main file is arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. The content of the appendices is also arranged in chronological order within each appendix.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 17; 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 printed pagination sequence.
Bound volume containing two secret reports, both authored by Colonel Wilfrid Malleson (referred to as Division of the Chief of the Staff in the first report, and Assistant Quarter Master General for Intelligence in the second), and both issued by the Division of the Chief of the Staff in 1909.The first report is entitled
Statistics regarding the Masqat [Muscat] Arms Traffic (Revised.)(ff 4-16), and contains several appendices and fold-out tables giving details of: caravan routes along which arms trafficking is carried out on the Makran coast; total values of arms and ammunition imported into Muscat and other Persian Gulf ports; importers and (European) exports of arms.The second report is entitled
Special Reports on the Masqat Arms Traffic, Season 1908-09(ff 17-60), and comprises a number of reports on the arms trade through Muscat, submitted by ‘secret agents’, and a map illustrating the arms traffic from Muscat to Persia, Baluchistan and Afghanistan (f 59). The report also includes two appendices, lettered G and H. Appendix G is a letter (in French) dated 28 October 1907, from M Pick to Messieurs Malcom and Company of Muscate [Muscat]. Appendix H comprises lists (in French) of arms for sale, with prices given in French francs.The voluime includes a map illustrating the Muscat arms traffic, dated 1909, indicating routes taken by the Muscat arms trade from the Persian (Makran) coast and inland, into Persia, Baluchistan and Afghanistan (f 59).1 volume (60 folios)Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 62; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: this part also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
The memorandum concerns various agreements — between the British and Persian Governments — relating to telegraphic communications between India and Europe via Persia. It outlines the landing rights that the Indo-European Telegraph Department has at Bushire and Jask. It also includes copies of a number of agreements and conventions signed between the two states, which are as follows:agreement for the construction of a telegraph line from Khanakeen [Khānaqīn] to Bushire, dated December 1862 (ff 25v-26);convention for an additional wire between Bushire and Khanikin [Khānaqīn] for the exclusive use of international messages, ratified 1 May 1866 (ff 26v-28);convention for the construction of a telegraph line between Guadur [Gwādar] and a point between Jask and Bendar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās], ratified 25 August 1868 (ff 28v-29);convention for the erection of a third wire between Tehran and Bushire, and the replacement of wooden poles with iron ones, ratified 31 March 1873 (ff 29-31);the Jask agreement to extend the territory of the telegraph establishment, dated 25 February 1887.Also included in the memorandum is a letter (folio 26) from the Persian Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Governor of Bushire dated 18 May 1863, which orders the construction of a telegraph station at Bushire for the use of the British.1 file (9 folios)Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 24, and terminates at f 32, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.