Mss Eur F126/22

Correspondence between Colonel Sir William Lockyer Merewether, The Commissioner in Sind; Colonel Robert Phayre, Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind; Captain Charles Henry Harrison, Political Agent at Khelat [Kalāt]; Captain Robert Sandeman, Deputy Commissioner, Dehra Ghazee Khan [Dera Ghāzi Khān]; His Highness Mir Khudadad Khan, Khan of Khelat; and the Government at Bombay regarding affairs in Khelat 1869-1870 and relations between the British Officials responsible for maintaining friendly relations with the Khan.

The correspondence focuses primarily on Colonel Robert Phayre and his opinions of both the intentions of the Khan of Khelat during the period November 1869 to September 1870 and the actions of Captain Charles Henry Harrison, the Political Agent at Khelat during this time with responses to his letters from Colonel William Lockyer Merewether, to whom Colonel Phayre reported, in which Colonel Merewether attempts to correct Colonel Phayre's views and opinions on Khelat affairs.

Particular matters focused on in the correspondence include the Khan's governance of his own state; relations with his Chief's and Sirdars; correspondence with individuals from Seistan [Sīstān]; and his use of the title Khan of Beloochistan [Baluchistan].

Also included in the correspondence are matters relating to Captain Robert Sandeman who had taken up correspondence with Sirdar Moollah Mahomed Raisanee [Sardar Mullah Mohammed Raisani] despites orders from Colonel Merewether that no British official should have any sort of contact or communication with him and his people, and the difficulties that this correspondence caused for both the Khan of Khelat and the relations between him and the British Government.

The correspondence with the Government of Bombay relates solely to Colonel Merewether's concerns over Colonel Phayre's actions and opinions and his treatment of Captain Harrison.