IOR/L/PS/9/76/283

This item contains translations of four letters from Persia [Iran] received by Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], on 2 October 1802:

1. A letter from Meerza Reza Kooli [Mīrzā Rezā Qulī Navā’ī Munshī al-Mamālik, Principal Secretary to the Shah of Persia], to Harford Jones. The letter concerns a possible Persian expedition against the Wa-ha-bies [Wahhābī movement]. Meerza Reza Kooli states that he has not passed on Jones’s suggestion of an expedition via the Persian Gulf to the King [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia], claiming that a decisive Persian expedition against the Wa-ha-bies will take place unless the Pasha [Governor] of Bagdad moves against them.

2. A letter from Meerza Bozurg [Mīrzā ‘Īsá Khān Farāhānī, Vizier to the Crown Prince of Persia] to Harford Jones. The letter reports the reaction at the Court of Persia to the death of the Pasha of Bagdad [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā], expressing hope for continued good relations between Bagdad and Persia and stressing the need for the new Pasha [‘Alī Pāshā al-Kahyah] to organise repairs and defences in Kerbelai [Karbala] after the recent Wa-ha-by attack. Meerza Bozurg also states that no decision has been taken regarding an expedition against the Wa-ha-bies and that French overtures to Persia will be rebuffed.

3. A letter from Meerza Bozurg to Harford Jones. The letter concerns communication between the Government of Bagdad and the Court of Persia. Meerza Bozurg suggests that the Government of Bagdad establish communication with the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia].

4. A letter from Mohammed Reza Khan [Muḥammad Rezā Khān], Persian representative in Kerbelai. Mohammed Reza Khan states that he has been granted permission to travel to Tehran, reports on the campaign of the King in Khorasan and relations with Afghan princes, and reports that an envoy, Aga Baba Khan Afshar [Āghā Bābā Khān Afshār], has been sent to Bagdad to address the issue of the Wa-ha-bies.