IOR/L/PS/9/71/41

Copy of dispatch No. 64 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in camp near Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 5 September 1827. Macdonald Kinneir gives a detailed account of the victory won by Persian troops, led by Prince Abbas Meerza [Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār], over Russian forces near Eutch Keleesia [an Armenian religious site, possibly at present-day Vagharshapat] during the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828] (see IOR/L/PS/9/71/39). The account gives details of the troops involved, the events of the battle itself and the losses incurred by both sides, and includes a brief annex of the Persian troops present, detailing their numbers and where they were from. Macdonald Kinneir also praises the recent performance of Abbas Meerza’s troops, whom he notes have been trained by British officers, particularly Major Isaac Hart, and indicates that the victory has given confidence to the troops and will help to improve Abbas Meerza’s reputation in Azerbijan [Azerbaijan].

The letter includes a list of papers concerning the battle, which were originally enclosed (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/42-46).

This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 5 September 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/38).