IOR/L/PS/5/263, ff 105-112

Despatch from the Foreign Department, Government of India, to theSecretary of State for India, No. 212 of 1869, dated 1 July 1869, containingenclosures dated 12 March-31 May 1869.

The enclosures consist of copies ofcorrespondence relating to theconstruction of telegraph lines onthe Mekran [Makran] Coast, including:

• The movements of Ibrahim Khan [Ibrāhīm Khān], Persian [Iranian] Governor of Banpore [Bampur], his occupation of certain areas in the territory of the Khan of Kelat [Kalat], and fears that he may pose a threat to telegraph construction and to Omani rule in Charbar [Chabahar]
• An incident in which the telegraph line between Gwadur [Gwadar] and Kurrachee [Karachi] was cut
• Examination of the Anglo-Persian Convention of 1868 that agreed the construction of a telegraph line from Gwadur to Jask and Bunder Abbass [Bandar-e ‘Abbas], and discussion of whether a slight difference in the English and Persian texts of the Convention could lead to it being interpreted in different ways. A copy of the English text is on folio 110.

The primary correspondents are: Ibrahim Khan; the Assistant Political Agent, Muscat; Frederic John Goldsmid, Chief Director of the Indo-European Telegraph Company; the British Commissioner, Sind [Sindh]; the Government of Bombay; and the Government of India.