IOR/L/PS/5/472, ff 217-354

Enclosures no. 2-5 to a despatch from the Secret Department,Bombay Castle, dated 9 February 1852. The enclosures are dated 3 September-19November 1852.

The enclosures consist of copies ofcorrespondence relating to affairs in Persia [Iran] andAfghanistan, including:

• Persian [Iranian] threats to re-take control of Bender Abbass [Bandar Abbas] from the Imam of Muscat
• Persian claims on Mohammera [Khorramshahr] and negotiations with the Ottoman Empire over their rights ‘to collect taxes and maintain soldiers’ there
• Other events related to Persian-Ottoman border disputes, including the construction of an Ottoman fort at Katoor [Qotur] and Persian occupation of the island of Mehalleh [Minu] in the Shat ool Arab [Shatt al-Arab]
• Clashes between the Governor of Asterabad [Gorgon] and the Turkoman population of the province, including the damming of rivers to divert water away from Turkoman areas
• The appointment of the Shah’s brother [‘Abbās Mīrzā Mulk Ārā Qājār] as Governor of Koom [Qom]
• An application to the Persian Government for redress after a British subject travelling from Lingah [Bandar Lengeh] to Muscat aboard a Persian ship was beaten and robbed by the crew because he was Jewish
• Reported intrigues against Syed Mahomed Khan [Sayyid Muḥammad Khān ‘Alī Kūzāy, Governor of Herat] and attempts to persuade him to accept Persian sovereignty
• The pillaging of Ghorian [Ghurian] and capture of its Governor by forces of the Sheikh of Merve [Merv]
• Restrictions and increased tariffs on exports from Bushire [Bushehr], particularly of wheat and horses, imposed by the Governor, and British complaints to the Persian Government (particularly after the seizure of a British vessel) leading to the Governor being summoned to Tehran
• The removal of Meerza Tekkee Khan [Mīrzā Taqī Khān Farāhānī, also known as Amīr Kabīr], the Ameer Nizam [Amir-e Nezam], as Prime Minister, and the appointment of Meerza Aghan Khan [Mīrzā Āqā Khān Nūrī], the Itimad-ood-Dowleh [I‘timād al-Dawlah].

The primary correspondents are: the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; HM Chargé d’Affaires, Persia; the Prime Minister of Persia; the Foreign Minister of Persia; the British Embassy, Constantinople [Istanbul]; and the Russian Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia.