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SALIENTS OF THE ONGOING, HISTORICAL AND AGAIN VISIBLE GREAT GAME (Confidential) No. 1359 F. FROM THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, TO THE RESIDENT IN KASHMIR. FOREIGN DEPT. SIMLA, the 15th September 1891. SIR, I am directed to forward a copy of a memorandum prepared by Lieutenant Colonel A. Durand regarding the measures necessary to strengthen the position at Gilgit, and giving his views on the political situation. 2. The proposals contained in this memorandum, which relate to the frontier garrison, have been considered and generally approved by the Governor General in Council; and I am to invite your active co-operation, as well as that of the Kashmir Darbar, in bringing into effect the several measures which the Governor General in Council has decided should now be undertaken. …………………………………. …………………………………. 5. The above orders dispose of paragraphs 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of Lieutenant Colonel Durand’s memorandum. Upon the remainder the Government of India desire to receive any observations you may wish to make. I have the honour to be, SIR, Your most obedient Servant, (Sd.) II. M. DURAND, Secretary to the Government of India. (Confidential.) No. 1360 F. A copy of the foregoing and of its enclosures is forwarded confidentially to the Military Department. By Order, &c., FOREIGN DEPARTMENT, SIMLA, (Sd.) W.J.CUNINGHAM, The 15th September 1891. Deputy Secretary to the Government of India. ……………………………………………………………………… MEMORANDUM The last Russian move on the Pamirs seems to necessitate our strengthening our position at Gilgit, and in order to arrive at this result I would propose the following steps:- 2. First, the bringing of Hunza and Nagar under complete control. To do this it is in my opinion necessary, as has been often pointed out, to build a proper fort at Chalt, and to improve the road to that place from Gilgit. This should be undertaken about the end of the coming October when the rivers are falling. (Subjection of Hunza and Nagar) 3. The step will lead to protests on the part of Hunza and Nagar, which should I think be met, or indeed forestalled, by the plain declaration that Government will no longer tolerate the existing condition of things on the frontier. I should inform the rulers of both Hunza and Nagar that we do not wish to interfere with the form of their Government, but that we mean to exercise complete control over them, to make roads into their country, and to place troops or officers in Hunza and Nagar if it seems advisable to us. 4. At the least sign of opposition to our wishes, I think a small force should cross the frontier and subdue both States. This I believe to be a matter of no great difficulty. 5. Once these States are in our hands, the question of their future treatment arises. Nagar can be neglected; it has no outlet to the north, and is dependent for all its wants on Gilgit or Kashmir. I should improve the road leading through the country, destroy the forts and fortified positions, and possibly disarm the people. Uzr Khan, the eldest surviving son of the present Raja, must be removed, and the most likely successor acknowledged. Nothing more need, I think, be done. Perhaps it would be advisable to put a native agent into the country. 6. The Hunza question is more serious. Hunza exercise some shadowy rights over the Tagdumbash and Sarikul, and has direct dealings with the Chinese in Kashgar, &c. The present Raja is absolutely untrustworthy. He has broken every stipulation of his agreement with us, has levied blackmail in Kashgar in return for abstaining from raiding the Yarkand road, has received Chinese officials in his country, has invited the Russians into it; during the late trouble in June last, he sent to Kashgar and to the Russians, asking for help against us; in a letter received by me at Chalt, he distinctly claimed to be dependent on China. In subsequent letters he certainly changed his tone on this point, but he is utterly false. He and his Wazir must be removed; the son, a boy of five, might be recognized as Raja, and put under the guardianship of the late Raja’s Wazir, now a refugee in Chitral, who hates the present Raja and Wazir with a deadly hatred, and who moreover has a large following in the country. 7. Whether permanently to occupy the country remains to be considered. Chalt is 30 miles from Gilgit, and Hunza some 40 miles on, so that an outpost in Hunza would be rather far away. Possibly the best thing to do would be leave during all next winter and spring a small force under a British officer in the country. But no definite conclusion can safely be come to beforehand. 8. The second thing I would suggest is that a British officer from the Agency at Gilgit should winter in Chitral. The importance of Chitral is such that, if there is any question of Russian attack, it is in my opinion essential to have an officer there. I would propose sending Mr. Manners-Smith there as soon as the Hunza-Nagar business is settled, replacing him by Captain Stewart from Kashmir. (Chitral) …………………………… Increase of Agency Guard. ……………………………… Guns. ………………………….. ……………………………. Telegraph line …………………………….. Agency Staff. ……………………………….. …………………………….. In order to place the Kashmir troops on such a footing that it would be safe to take them into the field, I think it is imperatively necessary to increase the Agency staff to the numbers below:- British Agent… … 1 Assistant in Chitral … 1 Engineer Officer… … 1 Artillery Officer… … 1 Infantry Officers… … 10* Total … 14 With this number of officers in addition to placing the Kashmir troops in a state of efficiency, we could organize to a certain extent the auxiliary levies of Punyal and Chitral. ………………………… …………………………… A. DURAND, Lt. – Col., British Agent at Gilgit. SIMLA; The 4th Sept. 1891. Repeated to: United Kingdom High Commissioner, Karachi No. 11 United Kingdom High Commissioner, New Delhi No. 48 Kabul No. 6 Addressed to Foreign Office No. 2865 of 31st December Repeated to United Kingdom High Commissioner, Karachi No. 11: United Kingdom High Commissioner, New Delhi No. 48: Kabul No. 6 My telegram No. 2385. Situation in Kashmir Pravda of 29th December gives Delhi Tass report on Military Operations in Kashmir. Report goes on to “Hindustan Times” for allegation that Lord Cunningham is the immediate organizer of invasion of Moslem tribes into Kashmir, which is said to be designed to produce chaos advantageous to British Colonies, report also carries India United Press reports that tribesmen are recruiting Afghans to fight in a “free Kashmir Army” and that American Agents are seeking to warm their hands in the Kashmir Conflagration. Foreign Office please pass to United Kingdom High Commissioner at Karachi and New Delhi as my telegrams Nos. 11 and 48 and to Kabul as my telegram No. 6. (Repeated to Kabul and copies sent to commonwealth Relations Office (Down Street) for repetition to United Kingdom Commissioners at New Delhi Karachi). G G G G
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