IOR/L/PS/7/47 ff.67-80

Description

Scope and content : Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department (Secret/Frontier) to the Secretary of State for India, dated Simla, 3 May 1886, in continuation of Despatch No. 62 of 19 April 1886, forwarding a 'Memorandum of Intelligence regarding the course of affairs beyond the North-Western Frontier, received during the month of April 1886.'With regard to Central Asia, the reports contains news from Tehran on the safe arrival of Colonel Maclean at Meshed on his way to join the Boundary Commission, progress on the construction of the Trans-Caspian Railway, strength of Russian forces in Turkestan. From Bokhara, it is reported that 'the Amir [Abdul Ahad] is rumoured to be alarmed at the hatred which his people show for him, and has applied to the Russian authorities either to send troops to the neighbourhood, or to locate a Russian officer permanently at Bokhara.'Western Afghanistan. 'The Amir is evidently trying to tighten his hold upon Ishak Khan's administration of Turkistan. He has lately demanded a list showing the names of all military officers appointed by himself and by Ishak; and this, it is thought, is done with the intention of eventually removing all Ishak Khan's nominees. The civil administration of the country is already in the hands of official appointed by the Amir.' Also notes that the Amir is in the course of raising a new infantry regiment at Kandahar.Eastern Afghanistan. Report from Kabul on the rumours regarding the health of the Amir: 'One day he is reported to be very ill and another well again. There seems, no doubt, however, that he is becoming very stout and is more or less dropsical.' Execution of Mir Kalan Khan (Jabar Khel Ghilzai) and his son Sultan Muhammad Khan by the Amir. Deputation of the French electrician Jerome Kichengesner to India to purchase machinery. From Badakhshan, 'rumours have been heard of a party of Russians disguised as Uzbegs in Badakshan, and they are said to be preparing maps and surveys of the country.Reports from Dir and Chitral and the Punjab border.