IOR/L/PS/7/47 ff.145-164

Description

Scope and content : Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department (Secret/Frontier) to the Secretary of State for India, dated Simla 17 May 1886, forwarding correspondence regarding Afghanistan. The bulk of the enclosures consists of the diary of W. R. H. Merk, Political Officer with the Afghan Boundary Commission, written during his return march from the Helmund along the eastern border of Iran to the Herat Valley, between 26 December 1885 and 13 January 1886.Other matters include: no. 4, telegram of condolence to the Amir on the death of his mother; no. 6, suggestion that a letter be written to the Amir 'regarding the exploration of the Gorband Passes, etc., and the refusal of the Governor of Afghan-Turkistan to permit of a sanitarium for the Mission being established in the vicinity of Balkh'; no. 7, discovery by C. L. Griesbach of extensive coal fields in the Saigan district.