'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎12r] (23/344)

1
CHAPTER I.
HAJI RHALILS MISSION TO INDIA-HIS TRAGIC DEATH
AT BOMBAY, 1803.
5. When Captain Malcolm was at Teheran, it was determined that an
ambassador should be sent for the formal ratification of the treaties which had
been negotiated between the Government of India's ambassador and Haji
Ibrahim under the Shah's orders. The choice for this important mission fell
upon Haji Khalil, a Persian who had amassed enormous fortune by trade
between Bushire and India. Haji Khalil had married a sister of Aga Mahomed
Nabi, a wealthy Persian merchant at Basrah and once a Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. of Harford
Jones. Haji Khalil's extensive mercantile connections with India, and his
connection with the Persian Court, pointed to him as the most suitable man for
the office of ambassador to Calcutta, and his selection met with the approval
of Captain Malcolm as well as the Shah. To Persia his deputation cost
nothing beyond a Court dress, and grant of the title of Khan and of permis
sion to wear a jeka, a piece of jewellery. To the ambassador, the visit to India
held out the prospect of a magnificent reception, large allowances and rich
presents, besides exemption from payment of duties and customs on his
goods, which would bring into his pockets profits of lacs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees .
6. The Bombay Government placed at his disposal a special frigate, the
Ingate, to convey him to Bombay from Bushire; but as it did not arrive in
time when Haji Khalil Khan reached Bushire, he appears to have hired an
Arab vessel, which was a joint property of Mehdi Ali Khan (Resident at
Bushire), and Sheikh Mahomed, a son of Sheikh Nasir. It was alleged by the
Resident that from the date of the arrival of the English frigate at Bushire to secret and Poll,
the day of his departure nearly four months elapsed all which interval he 0^802,
passed there and kept all that time the Hon'ble Company's ship of war lying pp 4951.4953.
useless in the roads of Bushire waiting his commands. He had hired the Arab
vessel for Rs. 3,300 in all to carry him to Bombay, the Resident's agent being
under the impression at the time that the trip would be at most of 40 days,
instead of which Haji Khalil vexatiously detained this vessel about seven
months without at the same time alio wins: not one farthing beyond the 3,300
rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. . After he had thus detained the vessel for a period of three months the
Resident offered him back the sum of Rs. 2,000 he had advanced, but the
ambassador wrote back in answer that if the vessel were refused he would
send back the King's seven horses and not himself proceed to India, let what
would happen, and that should the Resident say a word to the Government
of Persia, the weight of anything he might urge would soon appear. So from
apprehension of the Persian Government being displeased with him, the
Resident allowed the ambassador to take the vessel.
The ambassador did not wish to make his voyage in the English man-of- ^^^^Decem-
war, but preferred that it should accompany his own vessel. He seemed to b * r 1801> ^ thQ
have had, like all Persians, a fondness for show and pomp. Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. .
7. Captain David Seton (Resident at Maskat) describes the Persian
Ambassador's arrival at Maskat in his letter dated 7th May 1802, which No> ^3 of 1802,
might be read:— p - 2982 '
I have the honour to address the Hon'ble Board by the Hon'ble Company's Frigate
Hombay which accompanied Khadjee Khellel Khan who arrived here the third. The Emam
and Seyud Seif were absent and he would not land, but the Emam before going had ordered
Tipoo's Factory An East India Company trading post. to be ready for his reception and desired me to order what salutes 1 should
think proper.
I waited on him the 4th and offered whatever the people afforded, and what he was in
want of, I supplied on the Company's account, a list of which shall be forwarded, he requested
a spy glass and I got one for him, one of his horses was sick and landed, I offered to
replace him.