IOR/L/PS/9/71/31

Copy of dispatch No. 56 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in camp at Khorum Tuppa, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 22 July 1827. The letter concerns the ongoing war between Russia and Persia in the Caucasus [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], detailing the capture of the fortress of Abbasabad [‘Abbasabad] by Russia following a battle several days previous (see IOR/L/PS/9/71/30). Macdonald Kinneir indicates his belief that the fall of Abbasabad represents a significant disadvantage to the Persian war effort, and places the blame for the defeat on Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] and the Prime Minister of the King [Shah] of Persia, the Asuf oo Dowleh [Allāh Yār Khān Qājār Davallū, Āṣaf al-Dawlah], whom the King no longer trusts as a result of the defeat. Macdonald Kinneir argues that the hitherto ‘golden opportunity’ for an advantageous peace, represented by Persia’s strong position in the war, has been lost, and also reports that Russian troops have crossed the River Aras and threaten the city of Khoee [Khoy].

The substance of a conversation between Dr John McNeill and the Persian Ministers was originally enclosed with this letter (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/32).

This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 22 July 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/29).