The Anglo-Persian War 1856-1857

Persian attempts to bring the Afghan principality of Herat under their control were strongly resisted by the British. Despite Persian promises to cease intervening in Herat, a Persian army again marched on Herat and succeeded in capturing it in October 1856. After the capture of Herat, British agents were expelled from or left Persia. To avoid public outcry against the Palmerston government, the British (through the British East Asia Company) declared war from Calcutta on November 1, 1856.

A British naval expedition under the command of Major-General Stalker occupied Kharg Island on December 4th; on December 10th the mainland Persian city of Bushire (also spelled Bushehr) surrendered and was placed under British administration. On January 27, 1857, Sir James Outram landed at Bushire and took command. The Persian army was ill prepared for the British campaign that followed and British forces inflicted a massive defeat on the Persians at Khoosh-ab on February 8th. In March the British embarked for Mohammerah at the northern end of the Persian Gulf. Although Mohammerah was well defended, British warships bombarded while, on March 26th an Anglo-Indian landed and captured the Persian position before ceasing operations on April 4th. The Persian Shah had already sued for peace.

The Persian government had sued for peace almost immediately after the capture of Bushire. Through the mediation of Napoleon III and his foreign minister, the Persians managed to start negotiations with the British minister in Paris. These negotiations led to the signature of the Treaty of Paris on March 4, 1857, with ratifications exchanged at Baghdad on May 2, 1857. Persia was obliged to relinquish all claims over Herat and Afghanistan, while Britain was to serve as arbiter in any disputes between Persia and the Afghan states. Significantly, the British sought no other concessions from the Persians.

References

Clodfelter, 382; COW25; EIran - Anglo-Persian War (1856-57); Kohn, 19.

Category

Inter-State War

Region

Western Asia

Belligerents

Persia, UK

Dispute

Governance

Initiation Date

October 25, 1856

Termination Date

April 4, 1857

Duration

162 days

Outcome

Imposed Settlement
(UK victory)

Fatalities

Total: 2,000
Persia: 1,500
UK: 500

Magnitude

3.3