IOR/F/4/1399/55442A

The item consists of a copy of a covering letter from David Wilson, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Government of Bombay, with enclosures. It is the fourth in a series of four items on general affairs in the Persian Gulf (the others are: IOR/F/4/1398/55440, IOR/F/4/1398/55441 and IOR/F/4/1399/55442).

The enclosures to Wilson's letter consist of copies of observations made by Charles Masson, an individual who presented himself at the Residency in Bushire [Būshehr]. Between 1827 and 1830, Masson had travelled extensively throughout the Dourannee [Durrani] states (parts of modern day Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan), before arriving at Bushire via Muscat, Kishmee [Qeshm] and Bassadore [Bāsa'īdū]. Masson's observations relate to the political status, culture, languages and religions of numerous states, provinces and tribes, and the routes taken during his travels. They include details on: people encountered; caravan entourages; landscapes; climate; agriculture; and villages and fortresses along the routes. Particular attention is paid to Ranjeet Sing [Ranjit Singh, Ruler of the Sikh Empire] and 'the Seicks' [Sikhs]. Masson's observations are arranged under the following headings:

• 'Observations on the political condition of the Doorannee states and of the neighbouring ones'
• 'Memorandum on Herat [Herāt]'
• 'Adventures from Kandahar to Serkarpore [Shikarpur]'
• 'Notice on the countries West of the Indus from the city of Deyrah Ghazie Khan [Dera Ghāzi Khān] to Kolleebat [Kālābāgh]'
• 'Adventures in a journey from Tak [Tank] to Peshawer [Peshawar] through the unfrequented countries of Muriout [Marwat, tribe] and Bunnoo [Bannu], the valleys of Angoo [Hangu], and Kwort [Kohat]'
• 'Notice on the Province of Jellalabad [Jalalabad] and on the Secapash [Siah-Posh Kafirs, tribe]'
• 'Passage through the Pass of Khybur [Khyber Pass] and notice on the countries, west of the Indus from Deyrah Ghazee Khan to Kollebah or Kolybah [Kālābāgh]. Passed through Khyber in July. Was in the countries west of the Indus from Christmas I suspect to April'
• 'Discovery of the sites of the ancient cities of Bucephalia and the presumed tomb of Bucephalus the charger of Alexander the Great'
• 'Memorandum on Lahore, the Seicks and their Kingdom and dependencies'
• 'Lahore via Mooltan [Multan], Ooch [Uch-i-Sharif], Kirepore [Khairpur], Hydrabad [Hyderabad] and Patta [Thatta] to Kerychee [Karachi] and the Ocean'.

'Muriout' is also spelled 'Murwut' in the item.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Dept.', 'P.C. [Previous Communication] 1230, Draft' and 'Examiner's Office'.