Sistan and Balochistan in the confrontation between Russia and Great Britain in Eastern Persia in the last third of the 19th - early 20th centuries

The features of the clash of interests between Russia and Great Britain in Eastern Persia have not been sufficiently studied in Russian and foreign historiography. The subject of research, as a rule, is the contradictions between the two empires in general in Persia. Eastern Persia occupied an important strategic position, acting as a buffer between British India and Russian Turkestan. In the last third of the XIX – early XX centuries. the region is becoming an object of close attention of London and St. Petersburg. Military and scientific expeditions map the region and study its potential in case of war.
The subject of research in this article is the clash of interests between Russia and Great Britain in two important provinces of Eastern Persia in Sistan and Balochistan. They were directly adjacent to the borders of India, so Great Britain and Russia gave them priority attention. Materials of Russian travelers, reports of diplomats and materials of discussions in the British Parliament serve as important historical sources. Based on the analysis of the sources presented, the author examines the policy of Great Britain in these provinces, aimed at weakening the state institutions of Persia and supporting the separatist aspirations of the local population. The most important direction of the British policy in Sistan and Balochistan is the fight against the possible expansion of Russian influence in the provinces.
The author emphasizes the desire of Russian expeditions, in addition to studying this region, to resist the British in the struggle for the sympathy of the local population. The Russians explained the difficulties of carrying out work in Sistan and Balochistan, in addition to difficult geographical conditions, by the remoteness of the provinces from the borders of Russia, especially Balochistan.
In conclusion, the author emphasizes the acute nature of the relationship between Russia and Great Britain in Sistan and Balochistan, including the sympathy of the local population. However, Russians and the British have never resorted to physical elimination of each other. The 1907 agreement transfers Sistan and Balochistan to the sphere of influence of Great Britain, securing its position in this region.

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