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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 [291r] (595/1291)
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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
17 - 3 - 1912
Here Mail-Day again and we are looking forward eagerly to
our letters; the boat ijn't yet sighted but she may come any
minute and that i j tho signal ror the outgoing mail-bags' being
closed, so I must begin to wind up.
We had an amusing invasion of three weird-looking Frenchmen
the other day. They cam up tne Gulf on a tour - possibly pro
specting for commercial openings - with only a few days to spare
and without making any enquiries about conditions. They chose to
travel on an Arab steamer - which must in itself be a strange ex
perience. They w re grea.tly disconcerted to learn that if they
went on to Bushire their boat would then be in Quarantine and they
would not be allowed io land at other ports - not even to signtsee.
They decided then to stay at Bahrein till their boat should call ac;
again on its downward way, so they landed here to look for the
hotel 1 They had introductions to an Arab merchant here and he
is generously giving them quarters - otherwise pretty well unpro
curable - but n. wonder how they will like native houses and native
food for 10 days. They then cams on to us to ask could not
Lock arrange that they should be exempted from Quarantine if they
went on; he na.d to explain that this was not in his power nor in
anyone else 1 s that no would if necessary have to go into Quarantine
himself. On this they thought they would like to go and t le
graph nomo; wo had to break it gently to them that th re was no
telegra.ph but that th-.y would enjoy like their betters postal
commuxiicat ion once a fornnight. Dr. Zwemer was with us when they
called and as soon as they were gonw we had a very nearly laugh
over their dismay. We have asked them to dine on Thursday next;
they ought oy that time to be ready to enjoy European food oven if
our cooking etc. is not quite up to the best Parisian standards.
We are longing to know how they communicate with their host who know--,
nothing but Arabic while on' oi them knows a little Hindustani 1
Wo are still awaiting definite news about Ba hdad though we
are pretty sure that it is impossible. Unless this post brings
some quite unexpected tale, I shall set off next Mail for Karachi.
Dr Zwemer is going to Cairo to interview the Missionary authorities
there; he has - alas- accepted an a.ppoinment in Cairo and will bo
leaving Bahrein for good in November. Meantime I shall have his
escort to Karachi which will be. very pie as any. My plans are
still rather vague; I might be able to get “back in about“ three w ok
just allowing 24 hours or so for th" dentist^ but this depends on
boats etc. Lock, whoso anxiety to have my tooth stopped is
just as much a desire -co give mo a little holiday, thinks it would
About this item
- 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.
- Written in
- English and Persian in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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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 [291r] (595/1291), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur D922/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100179946973.0x00001a> [accessed 17 June 2026]
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- Reference
- Mss Eur D922/1
- Title
- 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
- Pages
- 263r:298v, 303r:306v, 309r:391v, 393r:411v, 418r:542v, 545r:634v
- Author
- Lorimer, Emily Martha
- Copyright
- ©Munro Family
- Usage terms
- Creative Commons Attribution Licence