The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Sheikh of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifah, the Sheikh of Qatar, Abdullah Bin Qasim Al Thani, the Political Agent in Bahrain and representatives of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO), on the division of the sea-bed between Bahrain and Qatar, notably the Hawar Islands and Deebel and Jaradeh shoals.There are letters in Arabic and a map of Bahrain (folio 45).1 file (52 folios)The documents in the file are arranged in chronological order.The foliation is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. The numbering begins on the front cover of the file, on number 1 and it carries on until 51, which is the last number given on the last page of writing. There is another foliation, incomplete and misplaced: the numbering starts with 4 on the first page of writing (folio 2) and ends with 136 (folio 31); missing folios: 6-23; 25-35; 38-42; 43-44; 49-54; 59-65; 67-74; 82-87; 88-95; 97-129; 133-135.
The file contains correspondence relating to the discussion over the proposed return of a Shī‘a judge and cleric, Shaikh Khallaf bin Ahmad al-Asfour. The discussion was triggered by a petition from Shī‘a village headmen, presented to the Political Agent, Bahrain, that called for his return from exile. The correspondents include the High Commissioner in Iraq, the Political Agent, Bahrain, the ruler of Bahrain (Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah [Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah]), and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave).The papers cover several matters, including:a petition from Shaikh Khallaf himself, requesting permission to return and deal with his properties in the country;the question of Shaikh Khallaf's nationality;legal cases to be brought against the Shaikh in Bahrain courts.1 file (45 folios)The file is arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 47; 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 4-46; 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numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
This file contains detailed paperwork and correspondence pertaining to the appointment of wakils or representatives/court clerks at the joint courts and Agency Court. The file also contains documentation on the initiation of court proceedings by plaintiffs, usually foreign subjects, against various Bahrain subjects. Many papers pertain to the striking off of wakils from the court registers, and ensuing petitions by dismissed wakils to the agency, protesting their dismissal.1 file (120 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 122; 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 2-121; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
This file contains correspondence related to a trading blockade imposed on Kuwait by Abdul Aziz ibn Abdulrahman ibn Faisal Al Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)], the King of Saudi Arabia.The correspondence is primarily between British officials attempting to mediate between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and relates to a number of agreements between them; a Bon Voisinage Agreement, an Extradition Agreement and a Trade Agreement.The file contains draft copies of this legislation (in Arabic and English) and discusses the reaction of both parties to the various proposals.1 volume (203 folios)File is arranged in chronological order, from earliest at beginning of the file to most recent at end.Condition: A bound correspondence volume.Foliation: The file's foliation sequence commences at the title page and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The file contains the following foliation errors: 1, 1A and 1B
An introduction to the principles of alchemy spuriously ascribed to Democritus. This Democritus is not the atomist philosopher of Abdera, but the Greek alchemical authority of the same name, sometimes equated with Bolos of Mendes. The text’s style and content suggest that it is not, in fact, a Greek, pre-Islamic text translated into Arabic. The lower half of fol. 57b and the whole of 58a are taken up by tabulated descriptions of the four elements, and the remaining text is divided into three sections (
maqālāt):Section 1 (ff. 57v line 1 - 59r, line 10) describes a progression of the 4 elements from the grossest (earth) to the most refined (fire) and this progression with that of the 4 seasons;Section 2 (fols. 59a, line 10 - 64a, line 7) deals with the unity of matter; the formation of the microcosm out of opposing forces; the relationship between chemical substances and the four elements and other subjects;Section 3 (ff. 64r, line 7 - 66r, end) is divided into seven parts (
abwāb), each one describing a chemical procedure.The text was copied in the middle of Rajab 925 AH (mid-July AD 1519) at Damascus by Qudrat Allāh al-Marandī al-Ādharī (see colophon, f. 66r).Begins (f. 57v, lines 2-5):قال الحكيم ذومقراطيس إنّه ينبغي لمن طلب هذه الحكمة أنْ يعرف الأركان التي وُضِعَتْعليها والأجناس والطبائع والألوان والائتلاف والبعث والثبات والقراباتوالملائمة والمخالفة والتعادي والطعوم والتمازيج والهئات والدفاع وتزويج الأركانوتركيب الأجناس ثم يضع يده بعد ذلك الصناعةَ المكرّمةَ ...Ends (f. 66r, lines 15-19):... هذه المنازل السبعة قد أفصحت بها جهدي وبالله الذيإليه معاد كلّ شيء ما كتمتُ أهلَ العلم من أصل هذا الحجر شيئًا ولا من منازل تدبيرهوما أرجو أنْ يكون قد وضح لأهل العلم والرأي ومَن أراد الله إفهامه وعميتذلك على أهل الجهل والنقص والدين (sic) وأنا أوصي مَن طلب هذا العلمأنْ لا يستخف بهذا الكتابColophon (f. 66r, lines 19-22):... تم الكتاب بحمد الله تعالىوحسن توفيقه على يدي العبد قدرة الله المرندي الأذريفي أوساط شهر رجب سنة ٩٢٥بدمشق المحروسةوصلواته على نبيه سيدنا محمدوآله وصحبه أجمينff. 57v-66rMaterial: PaperDimensions: 215 x 150 mm leaf [168 x 112 mm written]Foliation: British Museum foliation in pencil; Arabic foliation in the purple crayon typical of Lebanese bookdealers of the 19th centuryRuling:
Misṭarah; 19 lines per page; vertical spacing 11 lines per 10 cm (ff. 113r-158v: 29 lines per page; vertical spacing 17 lines per 10 cm)Script:
Naskhwith
nasta‘līqtendencies and some titles in
thuluth(ff. 113r-158v:
naskh)Scribes: Qudrat Allāh al-Marandī al-Ādharī (ff. 3r-112v) and Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān al-Mawṣilī (ff. 113r-158v)Ink: Black ink, with rubricated, yellow and green headings and overlinings in red (ff. 113r-158v: black)Binding: British Museum bindingCondition: Some worm damage, foxing, and tears towards the fore edge. Folios 19, 21 and 24 have been replaced.Marginalia: Extensive marginal corrections, conjectures, glosses in Arabic and Persian and other evidence of collation and textual study (ff. 113r-158v: very few)
The volume contains secret correspondence (original correspondence received and copies of correspondence sent) within the following three separate categories: Bahrein [Bahrain]; Muscat and Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas] (and local); and miscellaneous and local. The Resident in the Persian Gulf during the period covered by the volumes was Commander (James) Felix Jones (acting until July 1856).The correspondence is principally with Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to Government, Bombay and other East India Company officials, including Commodore Richard Ethersey, Indian Navy, commanding the Persian Gulf Squadron; Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent, Turkish Arabia; and the commanders of vessels of the Indian Navy. There is also correspondence with other British officials, including Charles Augustus Murray, Envoy and Minister-Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, and correspondence (some of it in Arabic) with local rulers and Persian officials.General topics include:the slave trade;political intelligence;the Wahabees [Wahhabis];the operations of the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf;Russian involvement in Persia;relations with Persia;administrative matters;appointments;the transmission of dispatches around the region;pearl fishing;the Anglo-Persian War (1856-57).Specific topics include:correspondence concerning the effect of the British suppression of the slave trade, January - May 1856 (folios 12-19);correspondence concerning the migration of the Al Ali tribe to Demaum [Dammām], March 1856 - January 1857 (folios 20-90);correspondence concerning relations between Muscat and Persia in the light of the claim of the Imam of Muscat to Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas], February - August 1856 (folios 92-110);letter from Jones to Henry Frederick Disbrowe, Assistant Resident, Persian Gulf, dated 3 May 1856, briefing him on his duties at Bushire during Jones's temporary absence (folio 144);papers concerning Civil Surgeons' fees for attendance on the families of public officers of the East India Company in the light of the unhealthy nature of the climate at Bushire, June - September 1856 (folios 148-152);correspondence between Jones and the Government of Bombay and between Jones and the staff officers of the Bombay Army, concerning military operations in the Persian Gulf, September 1856 - February 1857 (folios 172-297).2 volumes (305 folios)The volumes are divided into three parts, with separate title pages: 'Secret Records 1856/57, Bushire Residency, Bahrein [Bahrain]' (ff 11-90); '1856/57 Secret Records, Bushire Residency, Muscat and Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas]' (ff 91-112); and '1856/57 Secret Letters, Bushire Residency, Miscellaneous' (ff 113-297). Within each section the correspondence is arranged in approximate chronological order. There is an index between ff 4-9. This is divided into three sections corresponding to the three parts of the volumes: 'Bahrein' (ff 4-5); 'Muscat and Bunder Abbass and Local' (f 5); and 'Miscellaneous and Local' (ff 5-9). The index is entered in the same order as the correspondence and has columns for number, address, subject, and page.Foliation: the foliation sequence runs across the two volumes into which this record has been bound (Part 1 ff 1-141B; Part 2 ff 142-299). The foliation sequence commences at 1 on the (modern) title page of volume one and terminates at 299, the last folio before the back cover of volume two. The numbers are written in pencil and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff 141, 141A, 141B. This is the system in use.Pagination: three original pagination sequences, which generally number only those pages bearing text, numbered 1-124 (ff 12-90); 1-30 (ff 92-111); and 1-305 (ff 113-297) are also present. The numbers are written in ink and appear in various positions at the top of each page.
This file relates to the renewal of the 1891 Commercial Treaty between Britain and Muscat. The original treaty was given a term of twelve years, which was extended at regular intervals afterwards, initially for several years at a time and later on an annual basis.The file concerns the replacement of the existing treaty with a new treaty, following a request from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] that the two parties enter into negotiations to revise the existing treaty. Matters covered include the following: informal discussions with the Sultan regarding the revision of the existing treaty; the Sultan's reported unwillingness to agree to any further renewals of the treaty in its existing form after 11 February 1938; amendments to the initial draft of the new revised treaty, and the preparation of signature copies, in English and Arabic; the signing and ratifying of the new treaty, on 5 and 7 February 1939 respectively; the extension of the provisions of the treaty to certain British territories.The file features the following principal correspondents: the Political Agent and Consul at Muscat; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Secretary of State for India; the Sultan of Muscat and Oman; officials of the India Office, the Foreign Office, the Dominions Office, the Colonial Office, and the Government of India.In addition to correspondence, the file includes the following: copies of the initial draft of the revised treaty, in English and Arabic (ff 18-53 and ff 54-70 respectively); a signature copy of the draft treaty, in Arabic (ff 100-111); copies of the draft certificate of exchange of ratifications, in English and Arabic (f 177 and ff 179-180).The file's Arabic material consists of the aforementioned copies of the treaty, several items of correspondence, and a transcript of a speech given by the Political Resident on the occasion of the signing of the treaty (English translations are included).1 file (244 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 246; 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 100-241; 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.
The volume contains correspondence in the form of telegrams and letters regarding the question of the relative rank of Royal Navy Commanders and Foreign Consuls in the Gulf for special occasions such as Durbars, processions and other public ceremonies under the direct control of the Government of India. The volume also contains correspondence regarding the Queens-Empress’s Day, specifically how it was celebrated in Muscat, the number of gun salutes required, and whether to invite Foreign Consuls in Muscat to dress their flag on the day or not.The Political Agent, Muscat, the Political Resident, Bushire, and other officials of the Government of India discussed the attitude of the French Consul on the anniversary of the Proclamation of Her Majesty as Empress of India, and they also discussed the number of gun salutes to the President of the Council of Ministers, the Ministers and to the Chiefs in the Persian Gulf collectively and individually. Other correspondents in the volume are the French Consul at Muscat, and the Secretary to the Government of India, Marine Department.1 volume (106 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 108; 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 7-58; 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.
The letters, telegrams and other papers in the file relate to various forced landings or crashes of Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft, as well as other incidents involving the RAF, in and around the Gulf, during and immediately after the Second World War. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Political Officer on the Trucial coast (both posts being occupied by numerous incumbents), and a number of RAF officials.The key events and topics discussed in the file are: reports of a crashed Blenheim aircraft near Dohah [Doha] in December 1941; reports of a missing Boston aircraft in May 1942, and the subsequent discovery of it having made a forced landing on the Persian coast while skirting prohibited airspace above Bahrain; reports of a crashed Bisley aircraft near Sharjah in March 1943; the recovery of aircrews and salvage of aeroplanes; the treatment of aircrews by local inhabitants, including payments to guards requested to protect crash sites; and an incident in February 1942 in which a man was accidentally killed at the bombing range at Sharjah.1 file (96 folios)The file is arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the file to the latest at the end. The office notes at the end of the file (folios 93-98) mirror the chronological arrangement.Foliation: The file is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers written in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1, 1A.
The file’s contents relate to the introduction, maintenance and withdrawal of air services operated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) in the Gulf, stopping at Bahrain, Sharjah or Dubai. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Agent in Bahrain (numerous incumbents during the period covered by the file), the Persian Gulf Political Resident (principally Lieutenant-Colonel William Rupert Hay), and various representatives of BOAC, chiefly Geoffrey F W Parker, Station Manager at Bahrain.Specific subjects covered in the file include:In 1932/33, the use of wireless communications by Imperial Airways aircraft during emergencies, and instructions for aerodrome officers in the event of distress signals received from aircraft (ff 2-19);Damage to rubber mooring buoys in Dubai creek, by wildlife and launch/steamer propellers, 1938 (ff 21-28);Wartime changes to BOAC services at Bahrain, including notice of the British Government’s taking over of BOAC operations (ff 36-37); increased services at Bahrain to maintain essential supplies in the region (ff 41-47); an assessment of all aspects of the aerodrome facilities at Muharraq, Bahrain, with the prospect of further flying-boat operations between Cairo and Calcutta [Kolkata] (ff 51-64); customs and censorship in relation to luggage searches, and security clearance for an individual who will be handling diplomatic mail (ff 77-79);The post-war cessation of flying-boat services at Bahrain, and the concern of the Government of Bahrain and the oil companies working in Bahrain and Qatar at the prospective lack of passenger services at Bahrain (ff 80-89, 120, 132); lists of passenger numbers embarking/disembarking at Bahrain for the years 1942 to 1946 (ff 125, 128, 130, 137); confirmation of a new Plymouth flying-boat service operating between the UK and Bahrain, with timetables (ff 141, 157-158);The announcement of additional post-war air services intended to stop at Bahrain, including services between Britain and Hong Kong and between Britain and Bombay, with timetables.1 file (226 folios)The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 211-227) mirror the chronological arrangement.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 also present in parallel between ff 2-210; these numbers are written in pencil and ink, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled.
Intermediate recension (وسطى) of a zoological encyclopedia by Kamāl al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Mūsá al-Damīrī (كمال الدين محمد بن موسى الدميري, d. 1405). The work, arranged in alphabetical order, deals not only with strictly zoological material, but also with lexical and legal considerations of animals, their medical uses and appearances in proverbs, hadith and dream interpretation.The copy was completed, for the scribe's own use, on 10 Shawwāl 821/10 November 1418 by Shihāb Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Abī Bakr ibn Raslān ibn Naṣīr al-Kitābī al-Bulqīnī al-Shāfi‘ī (شهاب أحمد بن محمد بن أبي بكر بن رسلان بن نصير الكتابي البلقيني الشافعي), descendent of a well-known and influential Cairene family of Shāfi‘ī legal scholars and judges (see see colophon, f. 224r, lines 14-16 and 30-33, transcribed below; and Petry,
The Civilian Elite of Cairo in the Later Middle Ages[Princeton University Press: Princeton, 1981] pp. 232-40). The scribe tells us that he copied the text from two manuscripts. The first portion of the text, up to the letter
ẓā’, he copied from a manuscript of Shaykh Tāj al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Abī Bakr ibn Muhammad al-Samannūdī al-Muqri’, known as Ibn Tamrīyah (تاج الدين محمد بن أبي بكر بن محمد السمنودي المقرئ الشهير بابن تمرية, d. 1433), who was Qur‘ān reciter (
muqri’), preacher (
khaṭīb) at the Mosque of Bashtāk (جامع بشتاك) in Cairo and associate of al-Damīrī (see colophon, f. 224r, lines 18-19, transcribed below; and Ibn Ḥajar al-ʻAsqalānī,
Inbā’ al-ghumr bi-anbā’ al-‘umr, ed. by Ḥasan Ḥabashī, vol. 3 [Lajnat Iḥyā al-Turāth al-Islāmī : al-Qāhirah, 1972] p. 529). The second portion of the text, from the letter
‘aynto the end of the work, he copied from a copy copied from the author's autograph copy (see colophon, f. 224r, lines 19-20, transcribed below) in a volume at Mecca. The copy was collated with the author's autograph copy read by the legal scholar (
faqīh) Shaykh Zayn al-Dīn ‘Ubād ibn ‘Alī al-Mālikī al-Anṣārī al-Khazrajī al-Zarzarā’ī (زين الدين عباد بن علي المالكي الأنصاري الخزرجي الزرزرائي, d. 1443; see Suyūṭī,
Bughyat al-wuʿāh fī ṭabaqāt al-lughawīyīn wa-al-nuḥāh, ed. by Muḥammad Abū al-Faḍl Ibrāhīm [(al-Qāhirah): Maṭbaʿat ʿĪsá al-Bābī al-Ḥalabī, 1964-65] vol. 2, p. 26 [no. 1341]), and the collation was completed on 14 Dhū al-Qa‘dah 810/11 April 1408 (see colophon, f. 224r, lines 24-27, transcribed below).The upper cartouche on the illuminated title page (f. 2r) contains the title of the text (كتاب حياة الحيوان الوسطى) and the lower cartouche contains the name of the author (للشيخ العلامة كمال الدين الدميري). Between these two catouches is a
shamsahin which there is an erased inscription.Begins (f. 2v, lines 2-3):الحمد لله الذي شرف نوع الإنسان بالأصغرين القلب واللسان وفضله على غير الحـ[ـيوان]بنعمتي المنطق والبيان ورجحه بالعقل الذي وزن به قضايا القياس في أحسن [ميزان]Ends (f. 224r, lines 10-13):... هذا ما أنتهى إليهالغرض مما يحصل به في هذا الشأن الأكتفاء وختم بملك النحل الذي استخرج الله منلعابة العسل والشمع وجعل أحدهما ضياء والآخر شفاء وابتدئ بملك الوحشالذي منه الشجاعة تقتفي وحسبنا الله تعالى وكفي وصلى الله على محمد النبي المصطفىColophon (f. 224r, lines 14-33):علقه لنفسه وإن شاء الله تعالى من بعده أقل عبيد الله وأفقرهم إلى رحمةالمعترف بالتقصير الراجي عفو ربه القدير أحمد بن محمد بن أبي بكر بن رسلان بن نصيرالكتابي نسبًا البلقيني بلدًا الشافعي مذهبًا غفر الله تعالى له ولوالدهولمن نظر فيه ودعا له بالمغفرة ولجميع المسلمين وكان تعليق ذلك مننسختين فمن الأول إلى الآخر باب الظاء المشالة من نسخة الشيخالفاضل الخطيب تاج الدين السمنودي الشهير بابن تمريّة ومن بابالعين إلى آخر الكتاب من نسخة نقلت من نسخة مؤلفها رحمه اللهالمجلدة بمكة المشرفة شرفها الله تعالى وعظمها معانا (؟)عليها مجررة حسبما يعرض لذكر ذلك كاتب النسخة المذكورة فيآخرها بما مثاله (؟) بلغ مقابلة على خط المؤلف وكانالقارئ الشيخ زين الدين عباده (!) المالكي الأنصاريالخزرجي وكان الممسك له محمد كاتبه يعهدهماالله رحمته حسب الطاقة في رابع عشر ذا (!) القعدة الحرامسنة عشر ثمانمائة انتهى وكان الفراغ من تعليقهذه النسخة المباركة في يوم الأربعاءالعاشر من شوال المباركسنة 821Codex; ff. i+225+iMaterial: Eastern laid paperDimensions: 264 x 170 mm leaf [210 x 135 mm written]Foliation: Eastern Arabic foliation in black ink; British Museum foliation in pencilRuling:
Misṭarah; 35 lines per page; vertical spacing 17 lines per 10 cmScript:
Naskh; the scribe is Shihāb Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Abī Bakr ibn Raslān ibn Naṣīr al-Kitābī al-Bulqīnī al-Shāfi‘ī (شهاب أحمد بن محمد بن أبي بكر بن رسلان بن نصير الكتابي البلقيني الشافعي; see colophon, f. 224r, lines 15-16)Ink: Black ink, with rubricated headings and some words filled in redDecoration: Illuminated title page, with central
shamsahBinding: British Museum half-leather binding in redCondition: Minor insect damage, lower margins repared towards front of volumeMarginalia: Marginal notes, many by the hand of the main scribe; see in particular ff. 54r and 116Seals: f. 2r
This is a correspondence file about the operation and impact on the population and economy of Bahrain and the Trucial Coast sheikhdoms, of Government of India export licensing restrictions for the supply of tea and to a lesser extent, coffee, sugar, dates and cotton piece goods, to the Persian Gulf, during the Second World War (1939-1945). Letters, telegrams and memoranda are exchanged mainly between the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Adviser to the Bahrain Government, and also between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Political Agent, Bahrain and several Government of India officials, particularly the Tea Controller for India, the Export Trade and Foreign Trade Controllers in Bombay and Calcutta and other officials, mainly in the Departments of Commerce and External Affairs.The file contains numerous supply and trade statistics, mainly for tea, and in particular the regular lists compiled by the Director of Customs and Port Officer for Bahrain, acting in his wartime capacity as the Food Controller, Bahrain. His lists show the monthly distribution of licenses for the export of tea quotas, and to a lesser extent coffee, from India to Bahrain, together with the names of the Bombay exporters and the Bahrain importers for each consignment. Throughout the correspondence, British officials discuss their several enquiries into Indian tea exports to Arab countries that they suspect are re-exported or smuggled into Germany and other enemy countries. The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf also raises his concerns about the potential impact of Government of India export controls on the economy of the Arab Gulf States and shaikhdoms if he should strictly enforce them, since they would inhibit normal trade with Iran (Persia) in essential commodities subject to severe wartime shortages, such as fresh food and firewood. The file also includes numerous letters exchanged between Bahrain importers, Indian exporters and the Political Agent, Bahrain about shipments of tea and other commodities to Bahrain.1 file (372 folios)Files papers are arranged more or less chronologically.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 374; 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 also present in parallel between ff 2-373; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The file consists of covering letters and receipts sent between the Political Agency and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave) for sums of money representing the Government of Bahrain's share of net receipts on account of Joint Court fees collected for the financial years 1944-1947.Folio 11 is a statement of annual totals taken in court fees, prepared by the Political Agency.Folios 15-16 are internal office notes.1 file (15 folios)The file is arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 17; 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 1-16; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
An early and complete copy of the comprehensive astronomical work, or
Canon, by Abū al-Rayḥān Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Bīrūnī (أبو الريحان محمد بن أحمد البيروني, ca 973-1048). The
al-Qanūn al-Masʿūdīwas dedicated to Sultan Mas‘ūd of Ghaznī (reg. 1030-1040), and summarises the astronomy of the
Almagest(كتاب المجسطي) of Ptolemy (Claudius Ptolemaeus; c 90-c 168) and brings it up to date by adjusting stellar longitudes to account for the almost nine centuries elapsed between the two authors, and by adding astronomical advancements drawn from Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit sources.The copy was completed in Rabī‘ I 570/Sept.-Oct. 1174 in Baghdad by an anonymous scribe.The text is divided into 11 treatises (مقالات) subdivided into chapters (أبواب) and then sections (فصول). A detailed table of contents is found on ff. 2r-5r.Contents:Treatise One (المقالة الأول), eleven introductory chapters (ff. 5v-17v);Treatise Two (المقالة الثاني), twelve chapters on calendars and chronologies (ff. 18r-51r);Treatise Three (المقالة الثالثة), ten chapters on trigonometry (ff. 52r-65v);Treatise Four (المقالة الرابعة), twenty-six chapters on spherical astronomy (ff. 66r-91r);Treatise Five (المقالة الخامسة), eleven chapters on geodesy (ff. 91v-109r);Treatise Six (المقالة السادسة), eleven chapters on solar motion and time (ff. 109v-131r);Treatise Seven (المقالة السابعة) eleven chapters on lunar motion. (ff. 131v-158r);Treatise Eight (المقالة الثامنة) seventeen chapters on eclipses (ff. 158v-179r);Treatise Nine (المقالة التاسعة) nine chapters on the fixed stars (ff. 179v-211v);Treatise Ten (المقالة العاشرة) thirteen chapters on the planets (ff. 212r-242r);Treatise Eleven (المقالة الحادي عشر) eleven chapters on astrology (ff. 242v-262r).Begins (f. 1v, lines 2-5):القانون المسعوديعمل أبي الريحان محمد بن أحمد البيروني رحمه اللهالمسعود من سعد بالله وتفرد تباييده اياه عن الأشكال والأشباه فلا واضع لمن رفع ولا واجد لما منع واني كان يبلغ ملكالإسلام مشارق الأرض المعمورة ومغاربها وينتاهي خبره إلى أباعدها بعد أقاربها لو لا أظهاره تعالى العزة لرسوله وللمرسـ[ـلين]Ends (f. 262, lines 10-12):... وإن توكل متوكله عليه (أمرًا حاحًا بين ؟) حوله وبين به ونفتح له عددًا وأعدادًا مسومينفالبرول إليه يشري في حنره (؟) وما النصر الأمن عند الله فمن نصره الله فلا غالب له وجوب اللهلهم الغالبون والعاقبة للمتقينColophon (f. 262, lines 13-18):تمت المقالة الحادية عشروتم بتمامها القانون المسعودي تصنيفأبي الريحان البيروني ولله الحمد والمنةبمدينة السلم بغداد في شهر ربيعالأولى من سنة سبعين وخمس مائة هجريةوالحمد لله رب العالمينCollation note next to colophon (f. 262)قوابل بها مما (؟) نقلت منه فيمحرم سنة إحدى وسبعينوخمس مائة هجرية عربية (؟) والسلمCodex; ff. iii+262+iiiMaterial: PaperDimensions: 334 x 215 mm leaf [260 x 180 mm written; the left margin is often not respected]Foliation: British Museum foliation in pencil; eastern Arabic foliation in black inkRuling:
Misṭarah; 31 lines per page; vertical spacing 12 lines per 10 cmScript:
NaskhInk: Black ink, with headings, overlinings, figures and diagrams in redBinding: British Museum binding in red leather with gilt tooled features in Islamic styleCondition: Minor waterstains to upper outer corner, wormholes many repaired, margins of ff. 1, 2, 261 and 262 have been repairedMarginalia: FewSeals: ff. 1r, 262v
The file contains correspondence in the form of personal letters and calls sent mainly between the Political Agent, Bahrain, and the Ruler of Bahrain. The letters are about exchanging visits and gifts such as fruit, gazelles, and tea sets.Other letters were sent by cultural centres in Bahrain such as the Sporting Cultural Club (Nadi Al-Thaqafa al-Riyadhi) and the Bahrain Club (Nadi al-Bahrain) in Muharraq to the Political Agent inviting him to attend some activities taking place including cinema shows, Arabic drama, and the Shia commemoration of the Day of ‘Ashura.The main correspondents are the Political Agent, Bahrain (Cornelius James Pelly), and the Ruler of Bahrain (Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa). Most of the file is in Arabic.1 file (134 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 136; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
The file contains notifications of postings and transfers of Officers of the Indian Political Service (IPS): senior British officials in the Persian Gulf, including the Political Resident, Political Agents, etc.The papers are in the form of telegrams, express letters, circular letters, and related correspondence. The notifications were sent variously to other senior British officials in the Persian Gulf, India and London; to members of the British community in Bahrain; and to various Gulf Rulers. The file also contains papers relating to the announcement that the Resident had been accorded the title 'Excellency', including a letter on the subject sent to Gulf rulers; replies from the Gulf Rulers themselves in Arabic with English translations; and a letter stating that after consultation with various bodies, it had been decided that the most appropriate title for the Resident in Arabic correspondence was
Fakhamanot
Sa'ada, even though the latter was usually regarded as the local equivalent of 'Excellency', April to May 1948.1 file (61 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/black for issued correspondence) refer to entries in the notes at the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation system in use commences at 1A on the front cover, and continues through to 60 on the back cover. The sequence is written in pencil and appears in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomaly: ff. 1A, 1B.
The volume contains telegrams, letters, and reports relating to affairs between Najd, Kuwait, and Iraq. Most of the correspondence is between Lionel Haworth, the Political Resident in Bushire, Henry Dobbs, the High Commissioner in Baghdad, Ibn Sa'ud, the King of the Hejaz and Najd, Leo Amery, the Secretary of State for the Colonies in London, James More, the Political Agent in Kuwait, Cyril Barrett, the Political Agent in Bahrain, Edward Ellington, the Air Officer Commanding in Iraq, George Ambrose Lloyd, High Commissioner in Cairo, Herbert Plumer, High Commissioner in Jerusalem, H. G. C. Franklin, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, Bertram Thesiger, Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station, and the Government of India.The volume covers the British response to the crisis following the Ikhwan rebellion and the threat of attack on Kuwaiti and Iraqi territory. Documents relate to:military measures taken to defend Kuwait and Iraq and counter the
Ikhwanthreat, including air reconnaissance and attacks, naval deployments (HMS
Emerald,HMS
Lupin,HMS
Crocus, the Triad,HMS
Enterprise,HMS
Patrick Stewart,and
the Bandraare all mentioned) frontier forts, and the supply of armoured cars and guns to Kuwait;rumours and reports of tribal movements in the region, usually coming from shepherds, merchants, travellers and other local sources;the thoughts and actions of Ibn Sa'ud himself, including his relations with the Ikhwan leadership;the endeavour to arrange a meeting between Ibn Sa'ud and either Gilbert Clayton or the Agent at Sharjah (a Muslim).Other subjects that emerge from the file are:a concern about the large amount of cypher work that needs to be done and the need for a cypher clerk from India;the situation in Yemen, including a rumoured meeting between Ibn Sa'ud and Imam Yahya, and the measures taken by the British to prevent further incursions into the Aden Protectorate by the Imam's forces;the official objection to a proposed visit by the Basra
Timescorrespondent to Riyadh to meet Ibn Sa'ud.Notable within the volume are the following documents:a series of intelligence reports by Gerald de Gaury, who was appointed to gather such information, including information on a Mutair informant, the topography of the Batin frontier, and the Roqah division of the 'Ataibah (‘Utaiba) tribe (folios 249-269);Report by Barrett on Ibn Sa'ud's position, frame of mind, and actions (folios 268-274).1 volume (291 folios)The volume is arranged chronologicallyFoliation: The sequence runs from the first folio through to the inside back cover (ff 1A-287). The numbers are written in pencil, circled, and found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. There are the following irregularities: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E. There is a second sequence that runs from 20 through to 286 (ff 19-283) but is inconsistent. The numbers are also written in pencil in the same place, but are not circled. Some early numbers are crossed out.
Arabic version of the
De habitationibus(Περὶ οἰκήσεων; كتاب المساكن), a work on astronomy by Theodosius of Bithynia (ثاودوسيوس; Θεοδοìσιος; c 160-c 100 BC), translated from the Greek by Qusṭā ibn Lūqā (قسطا بن لوقا; c 820-912). The text contains twelve diagrams.The copy was completed at Yazd in Rajab 1014/November 1605 by Ibn ‘Abd al-Raḥīm Abū al-Qāsim Yaḥyá al-Astar’ābādī (ابن عبد الرحيم أبو القاسم يحيى الأسترآبادي; see colophon, f. 82r, lines 9-11, transcribed below).The title page (f. 7r) and f. 76r give the author's name as ثاودوسي اوس. Both the title page and the title appearing on f. 76r were written by a hand later than that of the main scribe.Begins (f. 76v, lines 2-4):كتاب ثاوذوسيوس في المساكن نقل قسطا بن لوقا إثنى عشر شكلًاا الذين مساكنهم تحت القطب الشمالي نصف كرة الكل الظاهر لهم أبدًا ونصف كرة الكل يخفي عنهم هو أبدًا خفي عنهموليس شيئ من الكواكب يطلع عليهم ولا يغيب عنهم ...Ends (f. 82r, lines 6-7):فإن الشمس تسيرها في ثلثين يومًا فيكون النهار في حصول المنقلب الصيفي ثلثين يومًا ويظهر لنا أن لباقيالنهار إلى باقي الليل كل ره وذلك ما أردنا أن نبينColophon (f. 82r, lines 8-12):تم الكتاب بعون الله وحسن توفيقه والصلوة والسلامعلى نبيه محمد وآله الطاهرين في بلدة يزدرجب المرجب سنة أربع عشر وألف وكاتبهأبو القاسم يحيى الأسترآباديغفر الله له ولوالديه آمينFf. 76r-82r
The file contains correspondence in the form of letters, telegrams and reports related to the negotiation of either the acquisition or lease of a base at Masirah Island. The British Government acquired a base either by the purchase or exchange of Masirah Island for Kuria Muria or the lease of whole or part of the island. The main concern raised by British Officials was on how to approach the Sultan of Muscat and Oman on the issue. They argued that the Sultan will be unlikely to agree to sell or exchange Masirah Island, for the fact that one day the island might prove to contain mineral and/or oil deposits of commercial value.The file contains correspondence related to the availability of drinking water for the Royal Air Force and native labourers on the island, and the future of the administration of the island after an agreement takes place.The file also contains correspondence, folios (144-160) related to the incident of a group of Royal Air Force men shooting eleven civilian-owned goats at Masirah Island. The Sultan raised the issue with the Political Agent at Muscat and he suggested that the Royal Air Force men should be kept within their airbase boundaries in order to prevent such incidents.The main correspondents in the file are: the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department; India Office, London; the Political Agency, Muscat; the Persian Gulf Residency, Bahrain; and the Government of Muscat and Oman.A large part of the file, folios 2-117, is dated 1944.1 file (167 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. Folios 161-168 are file notes.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 169; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Treatise on dietetics for those in health by Najīb al-Dīn Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn ‘Alī ibn ‘Umar al-Samarqandī (نجيب الدين أبو حامد محمد بن علي بن عمر السمرقندي, d. 1222).The treatise was copied by ‘Umar ibn Muḥammad ibn Sallām ibn ‘Abd Allāh al-Irbīlī (عمر بن محمد بن سلام بن عبد الله الإربيلي) for his own use (see colophon, f. 123r, lines 18-20, transcribed below).Begins (f. 56v, lines 2-7):الحمد لله رب العلمين والصلوة والسلام على أنبيائه أجمعين قالالشيخ الإمام الأجل العالم الكامل الأستاذ نجيب الدولة والملة والدينصفي الإسلام والمسلمين غرر الملوك والسلاطين فخر الأفاضل أوحد الشرقوالغرب ذو السعالات أبو الحامد محمد بن علي بن عمر السمرقندي رحمه اللهإن الله تعالى لما خلق الإنسان أعدل مزاجًا من جميع الحيوانات جعل ذلكالاعتدال عريضًا عن محصور في حد ضيقEnds (f. 123r, lines 14-20):... فلا يخفي تقوية النفس والروح والبدن وانتعاشهابروائح الأطعمة الشهية اللطيقة المناسبة لجميع الناس البعيدة منالروائتة (؟) والكيفيات القوية فينبغي أن يكون استمعالها والفزع إليهاعند الحاجة إلى تقوية القلب والدماغ وعند الضعف والغشي أكثر وأشدمن استعمال سائر الروائح الطيبة ...Colophon (f. 123r, lines 18-20):... علقها لنفسه ولمن سال الله بعدهأضعف عباد الله تعالى وأحوجهم إلى رحمة ربه الغفور عمر بن محمد بن سلام بن عبد اللهالإربيلي حامدًا لله تعالى ومصليًا ومسلمًاFf. 56r-123r
Geometrical treatise by Abū ‘Alī al-Ḥasan ibn al-Ḥasan ibn al-Haytham (أبو علي الحسن بن الحسن بن الحسن بن الهيثم; d. ca 1040) on the
De sphaera et cylindro(Περὶ σφαίρας καὶ κυλίνδρου; كتاب الكرة والأسطوانة) by Archimedes (Ἀρχιμήδης; أرشميدس; fl. 3rd century BC).Begins (f. 119v, lines 2-4):... إن أرشميدساستعمل في الشكل الرابع من المقالة الثانية من كتابه في الكرة والأسطوانة خطًا فوضعه مقسمومًاعلى نسبة مخصوصة ...F. 119v
The file contains correspondence regarding the murder of a local Bahraini woman. The Political Agent was concerned about the number of similar cases in the past where murderers have not been punished. He recommended that a court be set for this case and strong action taken against the murderers, to prevent similar crimes happening in the future.The main correspondence is between the Bahrain Political Agency, the Ruler of Bahrain (Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifah), and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave).1 file (9 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. Folios 8- 10 are file notes.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 11; 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 2-7; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Commentary by Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn Mūsá ibn Muḥammad ibn Maḥmūd (صلاح الدين موسى بن محمد بن محمود, d. after 1440), known as Qāḍīʹzādah al-Rūmī (قاضي زاده الرومي), on
al-Mulakhkhaṣ fī ‘ilm al-hayʾah al-basīṭah(الملخص في علم الهيئة البسيطة), an elementary textbook of astronomy by Sharaf al-Dīn Maḥmūd ibn Muḥammad ibn ‘Umar al-Jaghmīnī al-Khwārizmī (شرف الدين محمود بن محمد بن عمر الجغميني الخوارزمي; fl. early 13th century). The
nisbaJaghmīni (جغميني) is spelled Chaqmīni (چقمینی) throughout.The text contains numerous diagrams.Begins (f. 1v, lines 2-4):الحمد لله الذي جعل الشمس ضياء والقمر نورًا وبسط على بساطالبسيط ظلًا وحرورًا رفع خضراء ذات بروج وسراجوخفض غبراء ذات مروج وفجاج ومد بحرًا مسجورًاEnds (f. 100v, lines 5-7):... وعشرة أيام وإحدى وعشرون ساعةإلا دقيقة وثلثة أخماس دقيقة من دقائق الساعات على ما ذهبإليه البتاني كما لا يخفى على من له درية في الحساب والله أسرع الحاسبينColophon (f. 100v, beneath end of text in edge margin):تمت هذه النسخة الموسومةبالچقمیني وشارحهاقاضي زاده الروميFf. 1r-100v
The volume contains correspondence relating to the actions and grievances of Shaikh Ḥamad bin Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, cousin of Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, the ruler of Bahrain. The key correspondents in the file are Shaikh Ḥamad and Shaikh ‘Īsá, and a succession of Political Residents (Major Percy Cox (later Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Cox), Major Arthur Trevor) and Political Agents in Bahrain (Captain Francis Prideaux, Major Stuart Knox, Captain David Lorimer, and Captain Terence Keyes).The opening letter in the volume, dated December 1904, is from Shaikh Ḥamad to the Political Agent (Prideaux) and Resident (Cox), and is a request from Shaikh Ḥamad for an increase in his monthly allowances, which Cox rejected (folios 1a-5). Later correspondence, dated 1910, reported on the growing antagonism between Shaikh Ḥamad and Shaikh ‘Īsá, which led to Shaikh Ḥamad threatening, and then carrying out his threat, to seek the protection of the Wali [custodian] of Busorah [Basra] (folio 13). British officials did not attach great importance to Shaikh Ḥamad’s threats, but nevertheless instructed staff the steam ship company Gray Paul & Co. to refuse Shaikh Ḥamad passage (folios 17, 18). However, in September 1911 Shaikh Ḥamad succeeded in making his way to Basra, and onwards to Baghdad and Constantinople, with the apparent intention of taking his grievances against Shaikh ‘Īsá to the Porte (folios 26-27). The Wali of Basra sent an envoy to Bahrain to negotiate between the two parties (folios 38-40). In the meantime Shaikh Ḥamad returned to Bahrain, where he was reported to be wearing Turkish dress and bearing an Ottoman medal (folios 64, 65).Shortly afterwards, reports stated that Shaikh Ḥamad and Shaikh ‘Īsá were reconciled (folio 71), but in the following years, further clashes between the two periodically surfaced, including an incident in which Shaikh Ḥamad’s Bedouin servant shot the dogs of a respectable Manama resident in 1914 (folios 83, 84), and the beating, in 1915, at Shaikh Ḥamad’s instigation, of Shaikh ‘Īsá’s camel herder (folios 102-03). In a letter from the Political Agent (Keyes) to the Political Resident (Cox), dated 8 October 1915, and in light of Shaikh Ḥamad’s previous intrigues with Ottoman officials, the possibility of Shaikh Ḥamad having been the member of the Āl Khalīfah family suspected of making contact with German agents is mooted (folios 118-20). Shaikh ‘Īsá’s subsequent request to British officials to have Shaikh Ḥamad deported to Karachi, ultimately fell on deaf ears (folio 121).1 volume (123 folios)The contents of the volume are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items of correspondence at the front of the file, to the latest at then rear.Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled numbers located in the top-right corner of each recto. An earlier foliation system, which numbers versos as well as rectos containing text, runs through the volume. This foliation system uses uncircled numbers located in the top-left corner of versos and the top-right corner of rectos. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 64a.There is evidence of insect damage, in the form of small holes in the paper, throughout the file. However the damage is not extensive enough to impair the legibility of text.