'The Persian Situation'

Content

This file consists of a report which discusses ways in which Britain might protect its interests in Persia. The report, written by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Secretary to the Political Department, India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , begins by stressing the importance of Britain taking an active interest in affairs in Persia, since events there may have an impact on Britain's position in India.

Shuckburgh opines that Persia, as a body politic, is in the last stages of decay and decomposition, and he describes how the country has been used as a base for anti-British agitation in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Whilst noting that the British occupation of Baghdad in March 1917 appeared to redress the balance of power in the East in Britain's favour, Shuckburgh argues that the Russian revolution has upset all calculations; he remarks that Russia has ceased to be an effective ally against German and Turkish threats to Britain's presence in Persia and may in fact become a potential enemy.

Shuckburgh suggests that Britain requests that the Persian Government takes steps to protect the North-West frontier Region of British India bordering Afghanistan. of Persia (with an offer of British military assistance), whilst making it clear that if prompt and effective action does not appear to be forthcoming then Britain will take certain measures in accordance with its own interests in the East.

Extent and format

1 file (2 folios)

Arrangement

The file consists of a single report.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 120, and terminates at f 121, 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 The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/PS/18/C173

History of this record

Date(s)

24 Feb 1918 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Military strategy

Places

Persia

People & organisations

India Office, Secretary to the Political and Secret DepartmentGovernment of Persia, Qajar dynasty

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Cite this record in your research

'The Persian Situation', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/C173, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x00016a> [accessed 4 October 2024]

Link to this record

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