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An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman [‎452v] (926/1291)

The record is made up of 2 files (630 folios). It was created in 1898-1914. It was written in English and Persian. The original is part of the 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. .

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waa aura t^at is coul aot ^ave K.ept his fingara off iiim in
an intarvl©w 1 Oi couraa aa Lock aaya it waa vary
xoolisn atiC confiaing of M x . R,, o»nan ne hnaw a rival waa
coming, not to taka stops to saa tnat nis man were oounc oy
contract, for a new-comer was almost certain to try ana get
nola of tne existing experienced people if ne coula; nor
can pne say tnat Mr. B. aia anything illege .1 or exactly
immoral. No aouot in easiness you use your wits to get tn
cat ter of your competitors out it is jaaraly ti.9 gams to eat
tneIr salt xirst. r zear we are oouno. to sea trouole wit
tne man oaf ore all is none witn. Ha represents a oig Osrraan
lirm witn lots ox capital ana prooaoly 'rovt. subsiolss oenlna
it, aia nia met-*oas ono can xorsae. Ha talks of getting
nimself m&aa German Vice-Consul and of getting the Railway
consession for S, Persia. Tne latter of course is ruDolaii,
tne former all to© poasiole; tnis would give Lim a most unfair
advantage over tne otnar carpet merchantawnose pet 'Cbemes
nave to filter tnrougn tne aisintere-Jtea mind of t Con ul witn
nothing to gain cy aouotiul proceedings, wnereas B. tne consul
ana 3 , tne marcna.it could play into eacn otiier’s Lanas.
Wall tnore is no use lorseeing trouble except ju^t enougn to
guard against it ii possiole.
^a Lope to nave Mr. R .ailauo up to stay tnis waex end,
ana Mr. Oaranar next week. Dinners in tne Lot waatLer aren’t
very attractive, for everycm ; wants to get to bea aarly.
^e nave to go and aine at tne Tanners’ tonignt, tact are very
sorry for ourselves; you will not wonaar wLen you tmasrstand
tnat it is a ;f—Lours’ walk eacn way. Tne distances Lare
are cruel i However, wnen tne oicycles come we snail xeel
tnem less. I cannot you see go to dine in my riding-gear !
Tna weatnar continues aeligntiul and we are ootL solenoid
Mucn love to everyone.

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Content

This file consists of two separate physical files as follows:

1) An account of a journey in Kashmir in 1898-99 written by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer of the Indian Army. His account is entitled 'Three Months of Privilege Leave'. It contains his observations on the languages, peoples, transport, flora and fauna, trade and climate of the region. There are occasional edits and corrections to the original text marked in red pen. The Persian language material in the file is a proverb written on folio 194.

In addition to this travel diary, the following is enclosed: an essay by Lorimer entitled 'Modern Education' dated 9 February 1895 (folios 1-24); two copies of a pamphlet that was published 'for private circulation' in memory of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, following his death on 8 February 1914 (folios 255-262); and another essay by Lorimer entitled 'Our Indian N.W. Frontier - a study in a bye-gone Civilisation. A forgotten Chapter of Frontier History' (folios 221-253).

2) Copies of letters that were sent from Emily Overend Lorimer to her parents, Thomas George Overend and Hannah Kingsbury. The letters describe the lives of Emily and her husband, David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer (referred to as 'Lock' in the letters), while living in Bahrain from October 1911 until November 1912 (folios 263-310) and in Kerman from January 1913 until November 1914 (folios 313-634). David served as Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrain 1911-12 and as HM Consul, Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, 1913-14.

The letters discuss a range of topics including Lorimer's observations of local customs, food, climate, scenery and festivals; the couple's domestic life and arrangements (especially their servants, who are often discussed in racialised, insulting language); and her interactions with other non-local residents. Also discussed are Lorimer's reading habits, her and her husband's health, family news and, occasionally, world events and political developments.

On folios 322-324, the file contains a description of a walk around Kerman in March 1914 that is accompanied by a sequence of six small black and white photographs of various points in the journey (folios 315-321).

In addition to these letters, the file also contains a number obituaries and letters of condolence written upon the death of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, on 8 February 1914 (folios 299-302, 415-416 and 543-544).

On folio 417, the file contains an obituary of David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer published in an unknown newspaper following his death on 26 February 1962.

Extent and format
2 files (630 folios)
Physical characteristics

Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-262) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 263-634); 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.

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English and Persian in Latin and Arabic script
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An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman [‎452v] (926/1291), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur D922/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100179946970.0x000030> [accessed 23 June 2026]

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