Mss Eur F126/29-35

The series contains letters, reports, despatches, memorandum and journals relating to Lewis Pelly's special duty to travel overland from Tehran to Kurrachee [Karachi] visiting Meshed [Mashhad], Herat and Candahar [Kandahar] and in the course of the journey to gather intelligence and information on the state of affairs in the territories visited; the situation of the Persian Army in its engagements with the Tekkie [Tekke] Turcomans; and the aims and intentions of a recent Russian Mission to Herat.

Included within the series are a copy of the instructions to Pelly from Charles Alison, British Minister at Tehran, in regard to the special mission; the daily journal that Pelly kept from 15 September to 16 November 1860 detailing all he saw, heard and did, along with two neat copies for submission to the relevant authorities; copies of his despatches and letters from Herat on the various subjects he was requested to gather intelligence on, which were sent to both Charles Alison and Earl Canning, Viceroy of India; correspondence in Persian to local rulers and memorandum recording conversations held with local rulers.

The principal ruler referred to in the correspondence is Sirdar Sultan Ahmed Khan, Governor of Herat, and included with the correspondence are translations of letters from to the Viceroy; other rulers referred to in the series include Dost Mahomed Khan, Emir of Afghanistan; Mahomed Amir Khan, Governor of Kandahār; and Mahomed Omar Khan, Governor of Bakwāh.