Remaining letters written from Iran.
United Provinces, Chinese Turkestan,
Indore, Calcutta, Assam, N.W.F.P.
1930 – 1947
Miscellaneous letters
Letters from H.A.N.B. to his sisters written from the British Consulate, Kerman, Iran. 1942 – 1944.
Letters to John Miller.
| 4.1 | • 5 May 1930. Agra. Written on the day of Gandhi’s arrest. Censoring all incoming and outgoing telegrams. Superintendent of Police’s action with Satyagraha demonstration |
| 4.2 | • 20 November 1934. Kashgar. Describes arduous journey from Srinagar – taking two months. Gilgit, Hunza Valley, Kilik, Tashkurghan, Yongi Hissar. 5 major passes. Is Vice Consul at Kashgar – describes area. Strange mixture of ancient and modern. Comments on political situation – Nanking’s control. |
| 4.3 | • 12 October 1935. (Kashgar) Bostan Terek. On leave – staying at Swedish Missionaries’ bungalow. Visit of Peter Fleming writing for The Times, having come overland from Peking in 5 months 10 days, travelling with Mlle. Maillart, a Swiss journalist. |
| 4.4 | • 6 February 1936. Kashgar. Decoded telegram carrying warning of agents being planted in Consulate. Plagued by Secret Police. |
| 4.5 | • 5 July 1936. (Kashgar) Bostan Terek. Describes routing of letters addressed to Sinkiang as via Moscow and always opened. Only one month’s leave granted. Hoping to return to a posting in India. |
| 4.6 | • 15 January 1939. Calcutta. Refers to murder of P.A. Major Bazalgette – Culmination of long crisis. Demand for reforms in States used by Congress Government at last given more personnel and armed force. |
| 4.7 | • From Kernan, Iran |
Letters to his sisters from Indore, Calcutta, Shillong, Margherita – Upper Assam. June 1944 – April 1946.
| 4.8 | • 4 June 1944. Indore. Secretary to the Resident, Col. Campbell. Magnificent Residency. Others on the staff include the Political Agents of Malwa, Bhopal and Bundelkand: Col. Webb, Col. Harvey and Mr. Thompson. Indore Agency controls 50 States. Strict petrol rationing. Col. Nicholson is the doctor – recalled because of the war. |
| 4.9 | • 18 June 1944. Indore. Responsible for most of price control. Luggage arrived. New leave scheme. |
| 4.10 | • 2 July 1944. Indore. Moves into his own house – description. Conference for Princes from the Agency and Political Agents. Buys refrigerator at great expense. |
| 4.11 | • 16 July 1944. Indore. Hears from missionary in Kimen of shooting. On tour: Rajgarh under British administration as Raja is a minor.. Reservoir- no pipes as unobtainable during war time. Comments on Political Agents free hand in administered States. |
| 4.12 | • 30 July 1944. Dhar State. On tour. Describes ancient city of Mandu. Visits Ratlain, Sailana, & Jama States with some description of each. |
| 4.13 | • 6 August 1944. Indore. What his work involves – re controls. |
| 4.14 | • 3 September 1944. Colonel Webb granted 6 months leave. |
| 4.15 | • 17 September 1944. Mr. Bradshaw to succeed Colonel Webb. Entertains Mr. Wakefield I.C.S. (later Sir Edward Wakefield, M.P.) |
| 4.16 | • 1 October 1944. Entertains two Army Officers on leave from Burma who are appreciative of the Nagas’ help. Considerable nuisance of Brahmini bulls in Indore. |
| 4.17 | • 15 October 1944. Meets Mr. Egerton who is replacing Mr. Thompson (later Sir Herbert Thompson) as Political Agent in Bundelkhand. |
| 4.18 | • 29 October 1944. |
| 4.19 | • 12 November 1944. Account of tour to Bhopal, Datia, Orchha, Panna and Rewa. Nawab of Bhopal – a prominent war supporter. Maharajah of Datia decrepit. Panna – diamond mines. Rewa – difficult state, Wakefield is Chief Minister. Mr. Keen – the new Under Secretary and family arrive. |
| 4.20 | • 26 November 1944 |
| 4.21 | • 10 December 1944. Air letters introduced. Mr. Herbert (later Sir Charles Herbert) takes over from Colonel Campbell. |
| 4.22 | • 17 December 1944. Accommodation plans for Viceroy’s visit to Bhopal. |
| 4.23 | • 24 December 1944. Viceroy’s visit to Bhopal cancelled. Patrick Keen appointed Under Secretary in Political Department. Christmas social events. |
| 4.24 | • 3 January 1945. Four days at Rajgarh – Khilchipur and Nasingarh. The Nawab of Jaora has succession problem. |
| 4.25 | • 12 January 1945. Jaora. Visits to hospitals and offices. Meets several of Nawab’s sons – comments on the State.- Colonel Bradshaw new Policical Agent replacing Colonel Webb in Malwa Agency. Sitamun – small State: Neemuch State. |
| 4.26 | • 28 January 1945. Indore. On tour to Dhar, Jhabua, Jobat, Alirajpur, Kathiwara and Barwani. Visits Mandu again – once a population of 700,000 now 700. Thebna State – primitive – tribal dancing by Bhils. Tobat – very small state. Comments on Maharajah of Alirajpur and his grandson who was educated at Marlborough. |
| 4.27 | • 2 February 1945. Canadian missionaries done good work. Kathiwara State – entertained by Ruler. Bagh: Buddhist caves. Jain statue. Comment on work. |
| 4.28 | • 11 February 1945. New Under Secretary arrives – F.F. Gilboy. Sir Cyril Norwood lecturing in India. |
| 4.29 | • 26 February 1945. Panna State. Bhopal where Colonel Webb will succeed Mr. Harvey. Raja of Nagod. Irrigation Dam on River Ken: Chhatarapur – meets Raja at Khajuraho, Hindu and Jain temples. Bijawar State – Raja a minor. |
| 4.30 | • 3 March 1945. Nowgong. Charkhari State. War exhibition, demonstrations by troops, men and women. Kitchener College for young officers. Entertained by Raja at Harpelpur. |
| 4.31 | • 11 March 1945. Indore. |
| 4.32 | • 25 March 1945. Personal comments. Two naval officers on leave. |
| 4.33 | • 8 April 1945. Mr. Herbert leaves: Colonel Webb becomes Resident. |
| 4.34 | • 22 April 1945. Visit of Freya Stark. |
| 4.35 | • 29 April 1945. |
| 4.36 | • 15 May 1945. Germany’s surrender. Two days holiday. Thanksgiving services. State reception. |
| 4.37 | • 20 May 1945. |
| 4.38 | • 27 May 1945. |
| 4.39 | • 3 June 1945. Colonel Campbell returns. Leave confirmed. |
| 4.40 | • 10 June 1945. F.F. Gilboy succeeds H.A.N.B. then Bazalgette (brother of the murdered man). |
| 4.41 | • 17 June 1945. |
| 4.42 | • 24 June 1945. Returned P.O.W.’s pass through. |
| 4.43 | • 2 July 1945. More N.C.O.’s P.O.W.’s entertained. |
On Leave.
Letters to his brother and sister-in-law from Indore, Assam, Calcutta & New Delhi:
30 December 1945 – 7 August 1947.
| 4.44 | • 30.12.1945. Indore. Preparing to go to Assam. |
| 4.45 | • 3.1.1945. Posted to Margherita in Upper Assam. |
| 4.46 | • 8.1.1946. Calcutta. Journey. Meets Mr. Richardson, Political Service – expert on Tibetan affairs. |
| 4.47 | • 11.1.1946. Shillong. News of his servant Napoleon and chauffeur. Recounts arduous journey. Discovers more of what his work will entail and the people he will work with. |
| 4.48 | • 14.1.1946. Wave of depression spreading among European members of the Services, – disheartened by corruption. India & Communism. Leaving for Margherita with. Mr. Meiklejohn. |
| 4.49 | • 18.1.1946. Margherita. Meets acting Political officer, Mr. Kellett. Opinion of Naga people. |
| 4.50 | • 20.1.1946. Over 10,000 Americans in the area. Not enamoured with local society. Says touring will be difficult. |
| 4.51 | • 23.1.1946. Describes the 300 mile long Ledo road. Tour programme. |
| 4.52 | • 28.1.1946. Describes bungalow. Social Describes Naga dress – also the Konyak Nagas and Semas. |
| 4.53 | • 3.2.1946. Tour to Howgrijan Tea Garden via Digboi and Tinsukia. Appalling road conditions. Mr. Stewart host at Jaipur tea garden. Military post at Dilli. Proceeding to Namsang which is an independent territory – Raja called Bong Wang Ang. Results of Naga contact with plains. Much power in hands of Raja’s brother, Wanglok. Abor tribe at Sadiya. Lunch at Naga village. Fire in the servants’ ‘bashas’ (bamboo huts with thatched roofs). |
| 4.54 | • 11.2.1946. Sumtsi – describes trek on foot with Meikeljohn, Wanglok and interpreter, Wangkop, on to Laptang; marching song of Naga coolies. Marvels at furniture made from bamboo for the camps. Borduria – next territory. Great animosity with Namsang. To Khonsa – meets Americans bringing in the bodies of airmen who crashed in the mountains. |
| 4.55 | • 15.2.1946. Khonsa – unadministered Konyak Naga country. Assam Rifles Post and Dispensary. Incident with Raja at Khetti. A doctor from the Khonsa Dispensary and 6 Ghurka soldiers join tour. Has to adjudicate in a quarrel between two villages. Descriptive of the different Nagas and of each days march. Camps at Thinchha, Laju (Layu) and Tuthyu. |
| 4.56 | • 20.2.1946. Camp flooded out. Khimyang – Assam Rifles post; back in administered territory. Describes appearance and dress of local people. Describes casework. Yanman. Sema Nagas hymn singing. Appreciation of the Naga people. Changlang – impressed by heavy loads the women coolies carry. |
| 4.57 | • 25.2.1946. Tipang for two nights. Margherita – Col. Leitch, Resident for Shan States and family staying en route for Burma. Also staying – Dr. Segrave of the book Burma Surgeon. Plans next tour. Comments on local languages. |
| 4.58 | • 10.2.1946. Margherita. Surmises about his future and the future of the services during transition. Comment on American attitude. |
| 4.59 | • 14.2.1946. Rima. On tour. Ledo road to frontier post called Hellgate. Misses Meiklejohn but feels at home with Napoleon and the Nagas. Camp at Ningrang. Singpho country — describes the Singphos. Miao – travelled on elephants belonging to Chief Bisa Ladoi – camps on banks of river Noa Dihing. Food given by villages. Enjoyment of touring: |
| 4.60 | • 18.2.1946. Detailed description of daily life on tour. Phalah – Singpho country. Modoi – luggage raft made. Kalanja Ghat – describes usual procedure when meeting village headman – food given. Bisa Nthem. |
| 4.61 | • 24.2.1946. Margherita. Overwhelming impression he has of both tours is hospitality of the people. 35 officers and a number of soldiers coming to guard equipment left by Americans. Comments on difference in behaviour of British and American troops. |
| 4.62 | • 2.4.1946. Possibility for H.A.N.B. of posting as Consul General in Kashgar. His views on the pro’s and cons of this in view of coming transition. Finds Margherita society dull. |
| 4.63 | • 7.4.1946. All Residents summoned to Conference in Delhi – possible to give date of departure for India. Attitude of Tea Company to appalling condition of his bungalow. |
| 4.64 | • 12.4.1946. Incident between Sema and an Indian subordinate; feels future government of India will need very special men as officers if they want to control the hill people. |
| 4.65 | • 19.4.1946. Anxious as has not been notified of future posting. |
| 4.66 | • 28.4.1946. Return of Mr. Walker. H.A.N.B. plans to go to Shillong. Critical week for negotiations in Delhi. |
| 4.67 | • 1.5.1946. Shillong. Posted to Quetta as Political Agent. Comments on refusal of the Foreign Secretary and Government of India to allow him a posting under the Assam Provincial Government in the Naga Hills. Moving send-off from Margherita. |
| 4.68 | • 5.5.1946. Calcutta. (Great Eastern Hotel). |
| 4.69 | • 12.5.1946. New Delhi. (Imperial Hotel). Kashgar appointment given to Shipton. Sees old friend Major Hassan from Keman days. (Later Pakistan Ambassador to Ankara and elsewhere). Assistant Tom Rogers. Finds people depressed about the future. |
| 4.70 | • 16.5.1946. Quetta. Describes awful journey. Momentous announcement given in Parliament. Says Quetta is incredibly behind the rest of India in its social activities. |
| 4.71 | • 25.5.1946. Back from tour to Chaman on Afghan border.. Nice house. Says things are not promising in India as both sides have put off a decision. |
| 4.72 | • 2.6.1946. Angry at delayed dispatch of luggage from Grindlays in Calcutta. Describes house and hired furniture. Pleased with his other house at Pishin. District stretches to Afghan border. |
| 4.73 | • 9.6.1946. Job entails presiding over many meetings, e.g. Boy Scouts Committee. Airborne Brigade display. Crop inspection at Pishin and other visits.. Meets Sir Henry Holland and family again. Holland starting a dispensary at Barshor. |
| 4.74 | • 13.6.1946. Colonel Poulton officiating Agent to Governor General. Describes strenuous day inspecting crops at Pishin. Social. |
| 4.75 | • 23.6.1946. Typhoid and cholera infections. Sees some mechanical farming at Khanozai – farmer says tractor did in 10 days what would have taken him four years with manual labour. Ziarat, local hill station – very popular. Brief comment on riots in Kashmir. |
| 4.76 | • 30.6.1946. Chaman – dines in officers’ mess of Mewar Infantry. Entertains local Afghans official. Sees defences built in 1941-43 against possible Russian or German invasion. Is returning officer for two elections: (1) the Baluchistan representative on the Constituent Assembly; (2) Municipal Elections, the first ever held in Baluchistan. |
| 4.77 | • 7.7.1946. Comments on forthcoming elections – seat said to be worth 50 thousand rupees. H.A.N.B. is vote counter. Sudden arrival of sister of King of Afghanistan. |
| 4.78 | • 14.7.1946. Social. |
| 4.79 | • Missing. |
| 4.80 | • 24.7.1946. Camp on Toba Kakar range. On tour with Sir Henry Holland – attitude to his work. Ibrahim Khan – descriptive – Sabura – visits abandoned levy post, Injanai 7 miles from frontier. |
| 4.81 | • 4.8.1946. Ziarat. Describes Hill Station. Conference of Political Agents. |
| 4.82 | • 11.8.1946. Social. |
| 4.83 | • 25.8.1946. Quetta. Comments on national situation – very explosive, even in Quetta. Pishin Scouts – newly formed body to help security. |
| 4.84 | • 29.8.1946. Feelings running high. He is .responsible for law and order. Muslim Festival of Id – 7 local men renounce their titles. Some rioting. |
| 4.85 | • 8.9.1946. Describes riots and looting and his part in control. Five found dead. |
| 4.86 | • 15.9.1946. Tension eased. Saddened to think of the services coming to an end. |
| 4.87 | • 17.9.1946. Camp Jilga -Toba Achakzai. Descriptive. Tribal cure for stomach ache. Chaman. |
| 4.88 | • 29.9.1946. Quetta, Quiet week. Does not want to serve in Nehru’s Foreign Service if India is to leave Empire. |
| 4.89 | • 6.10.1946. Hindu Festival of Dasehra – elaborate police arrangements made, but quiet. Invited to join 8th Gurkha Regiment’s celebrations. |
| 4.90 | • 13.10.1946. Foreign Secretary, Mr. Wrightmen, wants to know his reactions to being possibly transferred to Manipur State. Comments. Prosecution cases arising out of riots. Mr. Wrightmen talks to staff. on their future. |
| 4.91 | • 19.10.1946. Comments on difficulties that would arise if posted to Manipur. Residency dance. Under new Government Baluchistan will have an Advisory Council to assist the A.G.G. Intrigues about membership. |
| 4.92 | • 27.10.1946. Visit by Field Marshall Sir Claude Auchinleck. Guest night with 8th Gurkha Regiment – their future unknown. Much uncertainty about the departure date of the services. |
| 4.93 | • 3.11.1946. Personal reactions to Sir Geoffrey Prior, the new A.G.G. |
| 4.94 | • 10.11.1946. Comments on the Constituent Assembly and the fears of communal rioting. Dispute over water rights. |
| 4.95 | • 17.11.1946. Difficult case of Hindu boy wishing to become a Muslim. Two cases of stabbing. Conference with Afghan officials at Chaman – very friendly. Cases arising out of riots taking a long time. |
| 4.96 | • 25.11.1946. Political tension increase. Comments on local Muslim League Leaders. Meets Committee for setting up a national cadet organisation. United Services Club in Simla to be sold. |
| 4.97 | • 1.12.1946. Takes in boarder – Bill Cranston, Under Secretary to Sir Geoffrey Prior. Five in his office. |
| 4.98 | • 8.12.1945. Pleased with news of London Conference – that the Government will not force a Congress-made constitution on to Muslim provinces. Comments on his riot case and the fire in his office. |
| 4.99 | • 15.12.1946. Issues all licences for cinemas etc. |
| 4.100 | • 22.12.1946. Comments on Political Officers in the provinces. |
| 4.101 | • 25.12.1946. Oliver Murphy coming to board instead of Bill Cranston. Daughter of J.P. Mills in Assam dies. |
| 4.102 | • 5.1.1947. Much wheat sown after snow and rain. Proposed Fellowship of the Royal Society of Art. Social. |
| 4.103 | • 12.1.1947. Rumour that he.5.be transferred yet again. Also that Congress.5.keep on a few Englishmen on the N.W. Frontier Province. |
| 4.104 | • 19.1.1947. Inadequate offers by British Government of alternative posts for retiring Indian Civil Servants 60 posts for 1,000 men. Indian Government does a volte-face and offers to employ all British personnel on the same terms as hitherto. |
| 4.105 | • 26.1.1947. O.B.E. to be given at the Durbar at Sibi. Brief comment on Mr. Henderson’s visit to India and political situation. |
| 4.106 | • 2.2.1947. Thefts in the Office. All British troops leaving Quetta. |
| 4.107 | • 9.2.1947. Retiring Civil Servants now offered posts in ex-Italian colonies of N. Africa. |
| 4.108 | • 16.2.1947. Description of activities in Sibs. including the Durbar. Presentation of O.B.E. Railway strike. |
| 4.109 | • 20.2.1947. In Civil Hospital with amoebic dysentery. Penicillin treatment. Fears of unemployment for many British on returning to England. Lord Wavell resigns. Changes coming in Quetta Administration. |
| 4.110 | • 3.2.1947. Comments on Sir Geoffrey Prior. |
| 4.111 | • 9.2.1947. Plans for Sir Geoffrey Prior’s arrival back in Quetta. Punjab riots. Stoppages on railways. Mail is awry. |
| 4.112 | • 16.2.1947. Depressed: fear of riots in Punjab spreading. Many friends leaving India. Sir Geoffrey Prior’s arrival. |
| 4.113 | • 23.2.1947. Comments on Sir Henry Holland’s work. Received orders to go into question of what files and books need to be destroyed before handing over. |
| 4.114 | • 30.2.1947. On tour to Chaman. His guest, the Bishop of Lahore. Future so uncertain. |
| 4.115 | • 6.4.1947. Good Friday service – Hindus, Muslims and Parsees there. Many friends leaving. Feels it is sad and tragic that such a fine service is breaking up. |
| 4.116 | • 13.4.1947. Hunt Ball. Possible compensation for retiring officers. Three nights at Pishin, Masonic dinner – mostly Indians. |
| 4.117 | • 20.4.1947. Chaman – escort of Pishin Scouts. |
| 4.118 | • 27.4.1947. Selection of staff for British High Commission. Muslim League Annual Conference – nervousness of Hindus and Sikhs. 40 per cent of the minorities, about 15,000 people have left Quetta. Land values fallen 25 per cent. Indians’ comments. Believes about 90 per cent of population wishes British to stay. |
| 4.119 | • 4.5.1947. Three choices open to H.A.N.B. |
| 4.120 | • 10.5.1947. Guest of Sir Geoffrey Prior’s at Ziarat. Sir Henry Holland preaches at church – his last before retirement. |
| 4.121 | • 18.5.1947. More on the uncertainty of the present situation – indications that the Muslim League provinces will be more likely than the Congress provinces to retain British Officers. |
| 4.122 | • 25.5.1947. On tour to Tobar Plateau. Difficulty of Sir Geoffrey Prior’s position – politically. Political Agents’ Conference. |
| 4.123 | • 27.5.1947. Dobandi. Escort of Pishin Scouts. Dr. R. Halland with party – descriptive of work and places. Torkach, Borchan, Agkbarg. |
| 4.124 | • 8.6.1947. Quetta. Announcement of Dominion Status expected by August. Particular difficulties for Baluchistan. Future for I.C.S. officers still obscure. |
| 4.125 | • 15.6.1947. To have interview in London – date unknown. |
| 4.126 | • 22.6.1947. Baluchistan has to decide whether to join Hindustan or Pakistan within the week. Much intrigue and lobbying. Many decisions having to be made. |
| 4.127 | • Missing. |
| 4.128 | • 6.7.1947. Has to fly to London for interview and return immediately. Offer from Assam Government. Peaceful in Quetta after decision to join Pakistan. Comments on Nehru and the word India. |
| 4.129 | • 13.7.1947. Interview not until after transfer of power on 15 August. |
| 4.130 | • 20.7.1947. Will be released end of July but Sir Geoffrey Prior says he cannot spare him. |
| 4.131 | • 27.7.1947. Still in a state of complete uncertainty. Boats he may leave on. Ziarat to say goodbye to Sir Geoffrey Prior. |
| 4.132 | • 7.8.1947. Taj Hotel, Bombay. Sailing on Franconia. Is glad he will miss celebrations on 15th August. Farewell dinner at Quetta. |
Kashgar, Bandh State, Simla Hill States, Hunza, Jamnagar State:
1936 – 1947.
| 4.133 | • Personal file of Mr. H.A.N. Barlow re recovery of an amount of money on goods sent from Kashgar to Hunza (Misgar); correspondence covering the years 18.11.36 – 26.10.39 which shows the attempts which were finally unsuccessful, to recover an amount due from a carrier, Qadir Akhun. 17 pp. |
| 4.134 | • Bills, receipts etc., for Kashgar journey 1934. |
