1. 'File 32/2 Cases before Foreign Judicial Courts'

Description:

The file contains correspondence, witness statements, marine (or sea) protests, and other documents related to legal cases involving subjects or residents of Kuwait tried before foreign courts.Documents relating to the first thirteen cases have been indexed (folios 2-3), and include claims of debt, marine protests, witness statements, powers of attorney, certificates, and bills of landing.The remainder of the file includes documentation relating to similar types of case and also to stolen property, suspected and attempted murder, fugitive and small causes cases. Papers also include arrangements for the Political Agent, Kuwait, to collect evidence and for police personnel to travel to the relevant countries for investigations. The correspondence is between the Political Agency, Kuwait, Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, several political and judicial offices in the places where cases were being heard (including Bangkok, North Kanara, Mohammerah [Korramshahr], Karachi, Basra, Baghdad, and Gwadur), and a number of individuals and companies involved in the cases. Some of this correspondence included discussion over regional legal matters and the interpretation of certain laws.1 file (379 folios)The file is arranged in rough chronological order.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 381; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 5-130; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

2. 'Vocabularies: English, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish, Syriac'

Description:

This volume contains vocabularies for the following languages: English, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish, and Syriac. It was published in London and was compiled by the Admiralty War Staff, Intelligence Division, on behalf of the Admiralty and the War Office during the First World War.As well as providing translations of common words from English into the listed languages, the volume also contains a brief note on pronunciation, basic numerals, and commonly used 'questions and answers'.1 volume (90 folios)Words are listed in alphabetical order (in English) until f 74 where numerals are listed. From ff 76v-90 'questions and answers' are arranged by theme.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 92; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.

3. 'File 2/5 III SHAIKH’S DATE GARDENS'

Description:

The volume contains correspondence related to the date gardens owned by the Shaikh of Kuwait, Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, in southern Iraq. In particular, the correspondence concerns the court suit raised in Basra Court by members of al-Zuhair family complaining against the Ruler of Kuwait. The suit in question concerns a portion of the Shaikh’s Faddaghiya estate on Shatt al-Arab, and the Bashiya land to which members of al-Zuhair family lays claim to. According to the reports, the Faddaghiya estate was owned by Aisha, wife of Ahmad Pasha Al-Zuhair, and she has given her husband a Power of Attorney to sell the land.In the volume, British officials discuss issues related to the land registration granted to the Shaikh by Sir Henry Dobbs, Revenue Commissioner, Basra, in 1915, and the importance of obtaining an original copy of the claimed Power of Attorney authorising the sale of the land by Ahmed Pasha al-Zuhair. British officials correspond with the Shaikh and his lawyer, Jacob Gabriel, asking them to prepare certain documents, including a list of the names of the legal living heirs of Ahmed Pasha al-Zuhair, an original Turkish copy of the Power of Attorney, and translated copies of the document both in Arabic and English.The volume includes notes of meetings held in Baghdad between British officials discussing the cases. It also includes copies of the four Tapu title deeds (ff 55-64) connected with the Shaikh of Kuwait’s Faddaghiya estate dispute, dated 1915. The volume also includes reports on agrarian troubles caused by the fellaheenon the Shaikh’s Faw estates.The main correspondence in the volume is between the Political Resident, Bushire, the Political Agent, Kuwait, British Ambassador, Baghdad, the India Office, London, the Foreign Office, London, the Ruler of Kuwait and Jacob Gabriel, the Shaikh’s Agent in Basra.The volume’s core correspondence covers June- October 1933. The earlier start date given to the volume is a result of correspondence by Jacob Gabriel (f 153), which is dated 20 November 1909. The correspondence includes a certificate from a school where he was a pupil. Jacob Gabriel provides testimonies and letters from previous places and people he worked with to prove his ability to take the Shaikh’s case on.1 volume (205 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 207; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Three additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 6-202, ff 42-127, and ff 176-202; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

4. 'File 8/51 MUSCAT STATE AFFAIRS: SAIYID TARIQ & SAIYID FAHR BIN TAIMUR.'

Description:

This file relates to family members of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Sa‘īd]. It contains correspondence regarding the Sultan's younger half-brothers, Saiyid Tarik bin Taimur [Tāriq bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and Saiyid Fahr bin Taimur [Fahr bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd]. The correspondence mainly concerns the brothers' education and their respective allowances.Related matters of discussion include the following: the payment of Tarik bin Taimur's allowance, following a change of address; requests from Tarik bin Taimur's mother, Kamile Ilgiray, for news about her son (now residing in Muscat) and for an increase in the allowance that she has been receiving from the Muscat State; the Political Agent's proposal that Tarik bin Taimur be enlisted in the Muscat Levy Corps; arrangements for Fahr bin Taimur to be admitted to Mayo College, Ajmer, on a Government of India scholarship; arrangements for Tarik bin Taimur to undergo a course of training at the Police Training School at Vellore, in Madras; plans for Tarik bin Taimur to join the Zhob militia, in Baluchistan, following the completion of his course at Vellore; the possibility of Tarik bin Taimur also undergoing training in civil administration, in preparation for the role of Minister for External Affairs.Notable correspondents include the following: the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the British Embassy in Ankara, Turkey; the Sultan of Muscat and Oman; the Minister for External Affairs, Muscat; the Government of Muscat and Oman's Treasury Officer; the Principal and other representatives of Mayo College; the Inspector-General of Police, Madras; officials of the India Office and the Government of India.The Arabic language material consists of correspondence between the Political Agent and representatives of the Sultan (English translations are included). The Turkish material consists of a letter from Tarik bin Taimur's mother to the British Consul General in Istanbul (an English translation is included).There is no material in the file covering the period 1937-1939.1 file (267 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. Circled serial numbers (red for received correspondence; blue for issued correspondence) refer to entries in the notes at the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 269; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

5. 'Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. I. 1918'

Description:

This volume is A Handbook of Mesopotamia, Volume I, General(Naval Staff, Intelligence Department: November 1918). This is an updated and expanded edition of A Handbook of Mesopotamia, Volume I, General(Admiralty War Staff, Intelligence Department: August 1916) (IOR/L/MIL17/15/41/1). This is an introductory volume containing matter of a general nature giving an account of conditions in Mesopotamia, for the most part as they were before the First World War.The volume includes a note on official use, a title page and 'Note'. There is a page of 'Contents' that includes the following chapters and sections:Chapter 1: Boundaries and Physical Features;Chapter 2: Climate;Chapter 3: Minerals;Chapter 4: Fauna and Flora;Chapter 5: Hygiene;Chapter 6: History;Chapter 7: Inhabitants;Chapter 8: Religions;Chapter 9: Administration;Chapter 10: Irrigation of Irak [Iraq];Chapter 11: Agriculture and Land Tenure;Chapter 12: Commerce and Industry;Chapter 13: Currency, Weights, and Measures;Chapter 14: Communications and Transport;Vocabularies;Index.1 volume (282 folios)The volume is arranged in numbered chapters. There is a contents page and an alphabetically arranged index.Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto of the folio.Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

6. ''Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. I. 1916''

Description:

This volume is A Handbook of Mesopotamia, Volume I, General(Admiralty War Staff Intelligence Division: August 1916). It is an introductory volume containing matter of a general nature giving an account of conditions in Mesopotamia. The volume includes a note on official use, title page and ''Note''. There is a page of ''Contents'' and includes the following chapters and sections:Chapter 1: Boundaries and Physical Features;Chapter 2: Climate;Chapter 3: Minerals;Chapter 4: Fauna and Flora;Chapter 5: Hygiene;Chapter 6: History;Chapter 7: Inhabitants;Chapter 8: Religions;Chapter 9: Administration;Chapter 10: Irrigation of Irak Iraq;Chapter 11: Agriculture;Chapter 12: Commerce and Industry;Chapter 13: Currency, Weights and Measures;Chapter 14: Communication and Transport;Transliteration of Arabic, Persian and Turkish Names;Vocabularies;Index.There is a List of Maps which includes:Map 1: Administrative Divisions and Chief Towns;Map 2: Racial Divisions;Map 3: Area Available for Irrigation.1 volume (186 folios)The volume is arranged according to numbered chapters. There is a page of contents and an alphabetically arranged index at the end of the volume. A list of maps appears following the table of contents.Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

7. Coll 17/8(1) 'Shaikh of Koweit: Date Gardens of the Sheikh in Iraq'

Description:

The volume consists of extensive correspondence, memoranda and reports regarding the Faddaghiyeh Estates of the Shaikh of Kuwait, changes made to their tax-exempt status, and lawsuits regarding their ownership.The records provide details of the lawsuits brought against the Shaikh of Kuwait in the Iraqi courts by the heirs of the previous owners of the Bashiyeh and Faddaghiyeh properties. These rested on claims that the original sales were not correctly registered with the Tapu Department under the old Ottoman Law, as the Shaikh had refused to take out Turkish nationality papers. The file also concerns changes to the tax-exempt status of the date gardens, following the instigation of the Istihlak tax by the Government of Iraq. Questions arose as to whether the Government of Iraq was obligated to guarantee the tax-exempt status originally granted by HM Government (HMG), and whether HMG was obligated to compensate the Shaikh for loss of revenue. The correspondence on file primarily concerns attempts by British Officials to defend the Shaikh's status as owner of the date gardens, and discussions about possible compensation.The principal correspondents and authors are: the High Commissioner for Iraq (Francis Henry Humphrys), the Colonial Office, the Foreign Office, the Political Agent, Kuwait (Harold Richard Patrick Dickson), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Hugh Vincent Biscoe), HM Ambassador to Iraq, HM Counsellor to HM Embassy, Iraq (Sir George Arthur Ogilvie-Forbes), and the Legal Secretary to the High Commissioner for Iraq (John Harry Barclay Nihill). The volume also contains translations of letters received from the Shaikh of Kuwait (Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ), his Basra Agent (Abdul Aziz as Salim al-Badr), his lawyer (Jacob Gabriel), and the Government of Iraq.The following reports and legal documents appear within the volume:Memorandum prepared by the Judicial Advisor to the High Commissioner for Iraq (G Alexander), regarding attempts made to deprive the Shaikh of Kuwait of certain of his date gardens, ff 658-679.Translation of judgement No. 77/930, issued on 30th December 1931 by the Court of First Instance, Basrah; and translation of decree No. 66/932 dated 9 May 1932, issued by the Court of Appeal, Baghdad, for service on the Shaikh of Kuwait, ff 634-644.Short histories of the Shaikh of Kuwait's Bashiyeh and Faddighiyeh gardens on the Shatt al Arab from the time of their purchase to date, written by the Political Agent, Kuwait, ff 621-629.List of persons to be served with legal documents from the Court of First Instance, Basrah, f 533.'The Date Gardens in Iraq of the Sheikhs of Koweit and Mohammerah. Scope of Undertakings given by HM Government in 1914. Case for the Opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown, and Opinion Thereof', ff 458-476.Explanatory notes with accompanying sketch map of the Faddaghiyeh Estate, ff 205-209.English translations of the four Tapu deeds connected with the Faddaghiyeh Estate dispute (deeds originally dated August 1915), ff 90-99.Copy power of attorney document, written in Turkish, issued by the TC Asliye Mahkemesi Altinci Hukuk Dairesi 6 [Turkish Republic Civil Court of First Instance, 6th Law Department] on the 15 Ramandan 1326 [1908] in favour of Ahmet Pasha Kazim Azzubair, ff 78-80.The file continues with Collection 17/8 part 2, reference IOR/L/PS/12/2854.The volume includes dividers which give lists of correspondence references found within the volume by year. These are placed at the end of the correspondence (folios 4-5).1 volume (721 folios)The papers are arranged in rough chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 723; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 4-721, and ff 695-721; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

8. 'File 2/5 IV SHAIKH’S DATE GARDENS'

Description:

The volume contains correspondence related to the date gardens owned by the Shaikh of Kuwait, Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, in southern Iraq. In particular, the correspondence concerns the agrarian troubles in the Shaikh’s gardens caused by the tenants and the fellaheenworking there who were refusing to pay revenue to the Shaikh.In the volume, British officials discuss issues related to the land registration granted to the Shaikh by Sir Henry Dobbs, Revenue Commissioner, Basra, in 1915, and the importance of obtaining an original copy of the claimed Power of Attorney authorising the sale of the land by Ahmed Pasha al-Zuhair.British officials correspond with the Shaikh and his lawyer, Jacob Gabriel. The lawyer in turn reported to the Political Agent, Kuwait, and to the Shaikh of Kuwait, on a few issues, including: the troubles caused by the fellaheen, procedures at the court in Basra, the Iraqi Government’s involvement in the case and the Iraqi Limitation Law.The volume includes copy of legislations under the title "Fellah’s Rights and Duties" (ff 58-68) issued by the King of Iraq and published in Al-Waqa’i‘ Al-Iraqiyyanewspaper. It also includes notes of a meeting (ff 101-114) held at the Foreign Office, on February 1934, between British officials discussing the date gardens case.1 volume (243 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 245; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 7-240; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.A previous foliation sequence has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

9. 'File 53/11 VII (D 94) Date Gardens of Shaikhs of Kuwait and Mohammerah'

Description:

This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding date gardens in southern Iraq owned by the rulers of Mohammerah and Kuwait. The correspondence discusses changes in legislation proposed by the Government of Iraq regarding the collection of land rent and land produce duties, and the impact of these proposed changes to the ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ.In particular, the correspondence concerns the Government of Iraq's decision to end the immunity from taxation (on the gardens) that had been granted to the former ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ and the Shaikh of Mohamerrah, Khaz‘al bin Jābir al-Ka‘bī by the British Government in return for their military support against the Ottoman Empire in World War 1.The correspondence discusses disturbances on the land owned by Shaikh Ahmad caused by his fellaheen (agricultural workers) allegedly refusing to pay rent, committing acts of sabotage and some of them demanding to be made proprietors of the land in place of the Shaikh. Within the correspondence, British officials discuss the Iraqi government's role in fostering the discontent and discuss the appropriate response with both Shaikh Aḥmad and the Government of Iraq.The file contains a Foreign Office memorandum that outlines the sequence of events regarding the Shaikhs' date gardens from 1914 until 1933 (ff 22-25).The file also contains details regarding a legal case brought against Shaikh Ahmad by members of the Al Zuhair family regarding the ownership of some of his land holdings in Iraq.1 volume (273 folios)File is arranged in chronological order, from earliest at beginning of the file to most recent at end.Condition: Formerly a bound correspondence volume, the file's sheets have been unbound and are now loose.Foliation: The file has one complete foliation sequence, which is written in pencil in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The sequence begins with the first item of correspondence, on number 1, and runs through to the final folio of writing, ending on number 258. The following foliation errors are contained in the file: f 68A, f 224A.

10. 'File 53/11 VIII (D 98) Date Gardens of Shaikhs of Kuwait and Mohammerah'

Description:

This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding date gardens in southern Iraq owned by the rulers of Mohammerah and Kuwait. The correspondence discusses changes in legislation proposed by the Government of Iraq regarding the collection of land rent and land produce duties, and the impact of these changes to the ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ.In particular, the correspondence concerns the Government of Iraq's decision to end the immunity from taxation (on the gardens) that had been granted to the former ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ and the Shaikh of Mohammerah, Khaz‘al bin Jābir al-Ka‘bī by the British Government in return for their military support against the Ottoman Empire in World War 1.The file contains details regarding a legal case brought against Shaikh Aḥmad by members of the Al Zuhair family regarding the ownership of some of his land holdings in Iraq.Correspondence in the file states that the problems between Shaikh Aḥmad and fellaheen (agricultural workers) on his land - as described in detail in IOR/R/15/1/489 - had been resolved.The file contains correspondence regarding Jacob Gabriel, the Armenian legal representative of Shaikh Ahmad (ff. 5-13) as well as minutes from two meetings held at the Foreign Office with representatives from the India Office, the Treasury, the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Foreign Office (ff.167-183 & ff. 187-200).The file also contains the following:An English translation of an article which appeared in the Iraqi newspaper Al Ahaliin December 1933. The article accuses the Al Sabah family of 'meddling' with fellaheen in order to preserve control over their lands in Iraq (f.111).A copy (in Arabic) of Iraq's Land Laws (ff. 120-130).Detailed figures concerning the produce of Shaikh Aḥmad's lands and the amount of tax and export duties paid on them (ff. 214-227).1 volume (286 folios)File is arranged in chronological order, from earliest at beginning of the file to most recent at end.Condition: Formerly a bound correspondence volume, the file's sheets have been unbound and are now loose.Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using uncircled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto.The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a-1e, 27a, 140a-140f, 142a, 146a, 237a.