Persian Affairs and Persian Gulf Affairs

Content

This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 13 dated 2 February 1856. The enclosures are dated 6 December 1855-29 January 1856.

The primary correspondents are the Secretary to the Government, Bombay; Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy in Persia [Iran] ‘at a place near Tehran’; and Commander James Felix Jones, Indian Navy, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire [Bushehr]. The item also includes minutes of the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, and the members in Council and a memorandum by the Secretary to the Government, Bombay.

The papers cover the following matters:

• Murray’s report to the Bombay authorities of the withdrawal of the British Mission from Tehran due to the ‘offensive conduct’ (f 168) of the Persian Government, and recommendation to increase naval security in the Gulf at Bushire
• Discussions by the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. of measures required to enhance British security in the Gulf region, including augmenting the Naval Squadron at Bushire under Commodore Richard Ethersey and improving communications between Bushire and Bussorah [Basra] and Baghdad
• The decision to despatch the HEIC [Honourable East India Company] steamers Ajdaha and Victoria to Bushire with a detachment of European artillery, with the prospect of further steamers to follow
• The Government of Bombay’s request to the Government of India for instructions regarding action to be taken in the event of a total breakdown in diplomatic relations, in particular the question of sending a force to the island of Karrack [Kharg, also known as Khark]
• The Bombay Government’s request that Jones remind Commodore Ethersey that his officers should abstain from corresponding with associates in India about the current diplomatic rupture, following the appearance of an article in the Bombay Times which implies that the ‘quarrel betwixt the Hon’ble Mr Murray and the Shah of Persia is occasioning an amount of inconveniency to the [British] State’ and shows ‘to what an extent the personal indiscretions of an intemperate man may interfere with public affairs’ (f 182).

Extent and format

1 item (22 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 124

1014 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/486

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

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/5/486, ff 167-188

History of this record

Date(s)

2 Feb 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

RumoursPolitical conflictsDiplomacySecurity measures

Places

Persian GulfKarrack (island)

People & organisations

Government of Bombay, Chief SecretaryHM Ambassador to IranPolitical ResidentGovernment of BombayPersian Gulf Naval SquadronSenior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf

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Cite this record in your research

Persian Affairs and Persian Gulf Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/486, ff 167-188, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100129828683.0x00000b> [accessed 2 October 2024]

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