IOR/L/PS/5/378, ff 201-374

The papers mainly relate to affairs in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.

They notably cover and include:

• Movement and actions of Egyptian forces in Arabia during the Anglo-Afghan War, including distribution and position of units; details of Bedouin troops and positions; their military weapons and equipment; troops under the command of Mahomed Ally of Egypt [Kavalali, Muhammad ‘Ali Pasha, Governor of Egypt] and other aspects of the conflict
• Restrictions on commerce in Karrack port [Kharg, also known as Khark; also written as Kharrack in the correspondence], as imposed by the British Government
• Report on the proceedings of Captain Atkins Hamerton, on a Mission to Baghdad (various spellings used throughout), including observations on the city and its officials
• Correspondence between British officials and Khorshid Pasha [Hurshid Pasha, Amir al-Umara] Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Forces in Nedgd [Najd].

The item also includes intelligence reports (entitled ‘news letters’) covering the following: events in Lahore; Peshawar; Cabool [Kabul]; Bokhara [Bukhara]; Herat; the Army of the Indus; Nipal [Nepal]; British Mission to Heerat [Herat]; financial matters.

The main correspondents are: John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai]; Lestock Robert Reid, Acting Chief Secretary to the Government, Political Department, Bombay; Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent in Aden; William Sprott Boyd, Acting Secretary to Government, Bombay; Colonel Campbell, HM Consul General in Alexandria; Samuel Hennell, Resident, Persian Gulf; and Colonel Justin Sheil, Secretary to the British Legation in Persia [Iran].