Persian Affairs

Content

This item comprises a copy of an enclosure 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. 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. , Number 149 of 1846, dated 14 December 1846. The enclosure is dated 14 October 1846.

The enclosure consists of a despatch, with enclosures, from Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary A diplomatic representative who ranks below an ambassador. The term can be shortened to 'envoy'. at the Court of Persia [Iran], to Viscount Palmerston, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, relating to affairs in Persia. The despatch is copied to the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, and the Governor-General of India, for information.

The papers notably cover the following matters:

• The efforts of Sheil and the Russian Minister in Tehran, Prince Dolgorouki [Prince Dimitri Ivanovich Dolgorukov], to persuade Meerza Tekkee Khan [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Taqī Khān Farāhānī], the Persian Minister at Erzeroom [Erzurum], to conclude negotiations with Turkish [Ottoman] representatives and sign the Treaty between Persia and Turkey. Included are copies of instructions to Meerza Tekkee Khan from the Persian Prime Minister, Hajee Meerza Aghassee [Ḥājī Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. (ʿAbbās Īravānī) Āqāsī] (ff 427-429, ff 438-442), with a warning of ‘severe reprehension’ if ‘this business is further suspended or delayed’ (f 442)
• Sheil’s investigations into alleged British captives in Afghanistan
• The opinion of Sheil that the Persian Prime Minister has rejected recent overtures for an attack on Herat as it would involve the aggrandisement of the asef ood dowleh [Āṣaf al-Dawlah]
• The cholera outbreak, including; its spread in Persia and towards Bagdad [Baghdad]; Sheil’s belief that it will not extend to Europe; and its prevalence in Tehran causing the Shah [Shāh of Persia] to remain at his summer encampment, outside the city
• Sheil’s report of anti-British ‘intrigues’ by Russian diplomats in Tehran in connection with Treaty negotiations at Erzeroom and dissent in Heart
• The plea to Sheil of the Ameer of Kaeen [Amīr of Qaen] to intercede on his behalf to the Persian Government for the restoration to him and his son of their territories, and the Persian Prime Minister’s promise to guarantee the Ameer’s safe passage to Tehran and the restoration of his governorship (ff 420-421)
• The proposal by the Governor of Fars, supported by the Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to engage a ship of war in ‘punishing the chiefs on the Persian Coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. who had committed aggressions on British commerce’ (f 417)
• Persian grievances regarding the Turkish ship of war anchored near Mohemmera [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah]
• Orders issued by the Persian Government for the removal of Rasool Bey, Chief of Rewadooz [Rasūl Beg, Ruler of Ruwandiz or Rawandiz, Iraqi Kurdistan] and Ahmed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [Aḥmad Pāshā], Governor of Sooleimaneeya [Sulaymaniyah] from Ooshney [Oshnaviyeh?] a frontier town in the Ooroomeeya [Urmia or Orumiyeh] district in Azerbijan [Azerbaijan].

Extent and format

1 item (36 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 85

1104 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/447

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/5/447, ff 412-446

Former external reference(s)

No. 149 of 1846

History of this record

Date(s)

14 Dec 1846 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

RebelsInternal politicsCholeraTreatiesNegotiationPrisoners

Places

PersiaPersian GulfErzeroom

People & organisations

HM Ambassador to IranGovernment of PersiaPolitical ResidentGovernment of the Russian EmpireSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs

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Persian Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/447, ff 412-446, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100156189964.0x000005> [accessed 6 October 2024]

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