The Colonial Intelligence Service (CIS)

Offices of the Eastern Directorate

The Colonial Intelligence Service was established in the year 1860, following the transfer of administrative authority from the former mercantile governance of the East India Company to the direct oversight of the Crown. In the years immediately succeeding that transition it became evident to the Colonial Office that the defence of Imperial interests in Asia required not only naval and military strength, but also the discreet gathering of information concerning political developments, commercial activity, and matters affecting the stability of British territories and allied administrations.

Accordingly, by order of the Colonial Office and with the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a small and discreet bureau was constituted for the purpose of coordinating intelligence from across the eastern dominions of the Empire. This bureau, initially operating under various administrative titles within the Colonial Office, evolved into the organisation now formally recognised as the Colonial Intelligence Service (CIS).

The Eastern Directorate maintains a network of offices throughout territories of strategic importance to the Empire. These offices serve as centres for the receipt, evaluation, and transmission of intelligence relating to political developments, maritime activity, and commercial affairs within their respective regions.

Colonial Intelligence Service Field Handbook

Officers appointed to the Colonial Intelligence Service are entrusted with the responsibility of gathering and reporting information of importance to the security and administration of the Empire. The duties of such officers require careful observation, sound judgement, and strict adherence to the principles of discretion upon which the Service depends.