This file contains correspondence between British officials at Bahrain and Bushire; Captain Oldham on board HMS
Lapwing; Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, ruler of Bahrain; and the
kaymakam(Ottoman governor) of al-Qaṭīf.These correspondence concern the murder in 1900 of Salmān bin Di‘aj Āl Khalīfah, cousin of Shaikh ‘Īsá, together with some twenty-five others, at the hands of the ‘Behaih’ section of the Āl Murrah tribe while on their annual hawking trip on the mainland of Eastern Arabia at al-Darayah, some thirty to forty miles south of al-Qaṭīf.The file contains details of the murder itself (folio 7), as well as subsequent dealings with Turkish officials and the Āl Thānī family in order to avert revenge attacks (‘blood feud’) by the Āl Khalīfah family (for example, folio 45) between 1902 and 1906. There are incidental references to the outbreak of plague in the Gulf in 1903 (folio 76).1 file (126 folios)This file is arranged approximately in chronological order.Foliation: This file has two foliation numbers in the top right hand of each folio. The primary number is enclosed by a circle and begins on the first page. The secondary number is not enclosed by a circle and begins on the first page of text.
This file contains correspondence between British officials at Bahrain, Bushire, Baghdad and Kuwait, and Harry St John Philby, as well as ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Suwaylim, Amir of al-Qaṭīf. The file concerns Philby and Robert Edward John Hamilton's 1917/1918 mission to ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd) at Riyadh.The object of Philby and Hamilton's mission was to discuss Ibn Sa‘ūd's relations with Sharīf Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī of Mecca, Ibn Rashīd of Ḥā’il and the Āl Ṣabāḥ family of Kuwait. The file contains correspondence between the Captain Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent at Bahrain, and Philby detailing the arrangements and progress of the trip to Najd and onward journey to Taif (for example. folio 7, 9-17. 39-49, 60-63), including a report on his first impressions of Ibn Sa‘ūd (folios 23-28) and details of an interview with Aḥmad Thāniyān (folios 30-32). There is also a memorandum by F Cunliffe Owens, deputed as a military expert on the mission, concerning military possibilities in Najd (folios 53-55).In 1918, there is correspondence concerning Philby's meeting with Ibn Sa‘ūd in Hasa (al-Aḥsā’) (folios 76-78) and his return to Najd (folios 80-84, 107-114 and 120). There are deails within the correspondence concerning Ibn Sa‘ūd's dispute with Sharīf Ḥusayn of Mecca at al-Khurmah, the Kuwait blockade and the progress of the Mesopotamian Campaign (folios 92-98). In addition, there are also correspondence concerning the retrievel of Philby's lost baggage and supplying him with tobacco and a copy of Charles Doughty's
Arabia Deserta(folios 79 and 115).1 file (121 folios)This file is arranged approximately in chronological order.Foliation: This file has an uncircled foliation number in the top right hand corner or the centre of the recto of each folio.
This volume contains correspondence between the British Political Agent at Bahrain and the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, as well as with Arnold Talbot Wilson, Civil Commissioner at Baghdad and Sheikh ‘Īsā bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, ruler of Bahrain. In addition, there is correspondence with various members of the Arabian Mission, including Samuel Marinus Zwemer, Jim Moerdyk, C. Stanley, G. Mylrea, Dirk Dykstra, Paul Harrison and Gerrit John Pennings.This correspondence concerns the establishment of the Arabian Mission in Bahrain and the procurement of land and property for their activities, including the Mason Memorial Hospital and Bible Shop. In addition, there is correspondence concerning the American Mission's activities in al-Ḥasā’, Najd, Qatar, the Trucial Coast and Basra; their relations with local rulers, including Sheikh ‘Īsā bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, Ibn Sa‘ūd and Sheikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī, as well as with national governments, including the United States Government and the Government of India, especially in the context of the First World War.1 volume (212 folios)This file is arranged approximately in chronological order.Foliation: Circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on number 1, on the first folio after the front cover, and runs through to 207, ending on the inside of the back cover of the volume. Anomalies: f.1A-1E; no f.34.
The majority of the file contains correspondence exchanged by the Political Agent at Bahrain between 1914 and 1917 with the Political Resident in the Gulf, the Secretary to the Most Eminent Order of the British Empire, and the Ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa [‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah] (including letters in Arabic).There are some earlier letters at the beginning of the file, regarding the recognition of Shaikh Hamad [Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] as successor to Shaikh Isa in 1901.The correspondence concerns the title of CSI (Companions of the Order of the Star of India) conferred on Shaikh Isa in 1914, the title of CIE (Companion of the Indian Empire) conferred on Sheikh Hamad, and arrangements for the visits abroad made by the Rulers' sons, Hamad and Mohammed and their entourage, to Lingah [Bandar Lengeh, Iran] and to Kuwait.1 file (132 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence is written in pencil, circled, and is located in either the top right or centre of the recto side of each folio. The numbering commences at the front cover with 1, 1A, and 1B; then 2-29; 30 and 30A; 31-60; 61 and 61A; and terminates at the back cover with 63. Two additional foliation sequences are present between folios 2-39 and folios 2-62; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.Folios 61-62 are damaged and with some fragments secured on a piece of Japanese paper. It is not possible to read them.
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 volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Secretariat of the High Commissioner in Baghdad and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd) , Sultan of Najd and Dependencies, and British relations with him, including the payment of a £520,000 subsidy in 1923-1924 and British visits to Rihad [Riyadh].The volume includes:Petition denouncing Ibn Saud's occupation in Katiff [Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia] and Hassa [Hasa, Saudi Arabia] from inhabitants claiming to be Bahraini nationals and requesting the British Government's help (folios 61-63);Petition from the Shi'ah community in Al Qatif to the Ruler of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al Khalifah, asking for help to maintain their religious freedom against Ibn Saud's persecutions (in Arabic on folio 209 with English translations on folios 201-203 and 210-212 and notes on the signatories on folios 204-206);Hejaz Nationality Law (folios 214-215).There are some letters in Arabic, to and from Ibn Sa‘ūd.1 volume (247 folios)The documents in the volume are arranged in chronological order.The foliation is in pencil, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The numbering commences at the first folio with 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E; then 2-132; 133 and 133A; 134-143; 144 and 144A; 145 and 145A and terminates at the last folio with 239. Circled index numbers in blue crayon can also be found throughout the volume.
The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Agents at Bahrain at the time, Major Cyril Charles Gordon Barrett, then Captain Reginald George Evelin Alban and Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior, the Government of India and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, regarding ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd) , Sultan of Najd and Dependencies and the British relations with him.Subjects include the Political Agent at Bahrain being made British Consul for Qatif and Ojair, the creation of a British Legation at Jedda, and ammunition and bombs being requested by Ibn Sa‘ūd from the British Government.There are some letters in Arabic, to and from Ibn Sa‘ūd and the Amir of Qatif, Muhammad bin 'Abdur Rahman as-Suwailim.1 volume (173 folios)The documents in the volume are arranged in chronological order.The foliation is in pencil, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The numbering commences at the first folio with 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E and terminates at the last folio with 168.
The volume contains minutes of meetings at Office of the Secretary of State for India in London; and correspondence and telegrams between the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Political Resident in Bushire, the Financial Adviser to the Government in Bahrain, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, and representatives of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO) on the draft Mining Lease contract between the Sheikh of Bahrain, Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifah, and BAPCO.The volume also includes: letter enclosing copy of the Power of Attorney given by BAPCO to Mr. F.A. Davies and other American citizens, to execute the Mining Lease in Bahrain on behalf of the Company (folios 146-152); 'Plan Showing Open Land Near Zallāk, Bahrain' (folio 136E) and a sketch in pencil representing 'Sakhir' (folio 246B and photocopy on folio 246C).There are documents in Arabic, including a translation of the draft Lease (folios 227A-S).There is an index and some notes at the end of the volume (folios 233-250).1 volume (287 folios)The documents in the volume are arranged in chronological order. There is an index at the end of the volume (folios 233-250). The index is arranged chronologically and refers to documents within the volume; it gives brief description of the correspondence with a reference number, which refers back to that correspondence in the volume.The foliation is in pencil, encircled, in the top right corner of recto. The numbering starts on the first page of writing (5th folio) of the volume and carries on until 135; then 136, 136A-E; 137-226; 227, 227A-S; 228-245; 246, 246A-C and then carries on until 250, which is the last number given on the last page of writing. Folio 136E is kept in an envelope on folio 136D; folios 227B-227S are kept in an envelope on folio 227A. Folios 246B-C are kept in an envelope on folio 246A. An additional foliation sequence, since crossed out, starts with 93 (on folio 97).
The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Secretary of State for India and Bahrain Petroleum Limited (BAPCO) representatives on the production of aviation fuel in Bahrain, the enlargement of the refinery and the employment of Italian workers from Eritrea.The file contains reports, including data and tonnage on: 'Production of Refined Petroleum Products for years 1939 to 1945', 'Production of Crude Petroleum for years 1939 to 1945' and 'Exports of all products for the years 1938 to 1945' (folios 136-138).There are letters in Arabic to and from the Sheikh of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifah.There are file notes (folios 157-168).1 file (172 folios)The documents in the file are arranged in chronological order. There are file notes (folios 157-168). The notes are arranged chronologically and refer to documents within the file; they give a brief description of the correspondence with a reference number, which refers back to that correspondence in the file.The foliation sequence starts at the front cover; numbering is in pencil and can be found in the top right corner, it starts with 1A, 1B; 2-39; 40A, 40B and 40c and then it finishes on 170, which is the last number given on the back cover of the file.
The file consist of two parts. The beginning of the file contains correspondence relating to a dispute between the Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah. The main correspondents are British officials in London, Bushire, Bahrain, Residency Agent Sharjah; Shaikh Sa'id bin Maktum of Dubai; Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Sulaiman, Shaikh of Bakha. The dispute concerns the Shaikh of Rams who was no longer able to afford the payment of R1000 to the Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah which was part of a treaty. The correspondence discusses the disputes of the Gulf and in a letter to the Political Resident Persian Gulf, Bushire, the Political Agent, Bahrain notes that if the Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah were killed he would probably be succeeded by his brother Muhammad bin Salim and an assessment is given of his capabilities.The second part of the file contains papers containing information on the general situation on the Trucial Coast from October 1924 to June 1937, which is about the 'intrigues which are a permanent feature in the Persian Gulf'. This includes a report on the rulers of the Trucial Coast and many accounts of disputes between al-Khawatir, 'Awamir bedouin and the people of Batnah [Batinah] over raiding of goats and camels, and fishing rights. One letter describes an incident involving the looting of a boat. The letter notes how the Shaikh of Bakha perceives the role of the British government in the incident in correspondence with Shaikh Sa'id bin Maktum, Ruler of Dubai.1 volume (77 folios)Foliation: The foliation consists of small circled numbers located in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio, the sequence runs from the front cover to the last folio.
The file contains the following title deeds: title deed in Arabic, with plan on reverse, and accompanying translation in English, recording exchange of land by the British Government of a piece of land at Ghosaibia, Manamah [Manama] with the Government of Bahrain, for a plot of land situated at Ummul Hassam, Manamah for a sum of 3304 rupees dated 1 February 1944, by which the piece of land situated at Ghosaibia became the property of the Bahrain Government; and title deed in Arabic, with plan on reverse, and accompanying translation in English, recording transfer by the Bahrain Government of a piece of land situated at Umm al Hasam, Manamah to the British Government in exchange for a plot of land owned by them at Qadhaibieh, Manamah for a sum of 3304 rupees, dated 3 February 1944, by which the piece of land situated at Umm al Hasam became the property of the British Government;The file also contains a covering memorandum from the Political Agent, Bahrain, Major Tom Hickinbotham, to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 15 April 1944, explaining that in order to provide the necessary separation between transmitters and receivers situated in the Royal Navy base [at Jufair] it had been necessary to acquire a transmitting site in the area by exchanging a piece of land at Qudhaibia belonging to the Royal Air Force for a property belonging to the Sheikh of Bahrain at Umm al Hassan.1 file (7 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file, with a covering letter of later date at the front of these papers. A red serial number enclosed in circle, indicating an item of incoming correspondence, would have referred to an entry in the notes, but these are not present.Foliation: the foliation system in use commences at 1 on the front cover, and continues through to 7 on the back cover. The sequence is written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appears in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. A second sequence, numbered 24-30, appears on all the pages bearing text between ff. 2-6. This sequence is also written in pencil, and appears in a similar position to the main sequence.
This file contains correspondence between British officials at Bahrain, Bushire, Baghdad, Kuwait, the India Office and the Government of India, as well as with ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd) and Sālim al-Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ of Kuwait.These correspondence concerns relations between Britain, Ibn Sa‘ūd and Kuwait. Issues covered in this file include Ibn Sa‘ūd's boycott of the port of Kuwait in favour of the ports on the Eastern coast of Arabia; raids on Kuwait by the Ikhwān Movement (folios 6-14); relations between Ibn Rashīd, Ibn Sa‘ūd and the Āl Ṣabāḥ family of Kuwait; and defining the boundaries of Kuwait via-à-vis the territories held by Ibn Sa‘ūd (folios 41-44, 109 and 124).The latter part of the file (folio 126 onwards) concerns the Battle of al-Jahrā’ in October 1920, when the Ikhwan Movement, under the leadership of Fayṣal al-Dawīsh, laid siege to the Red Fort (Qaṣr al-Aḥmar) in the town of al-Jahrā’, Kuwait. There is correspondence concerning the extent to which Ibn Sa‘ūd had control over Fayṣal al-Dawīsh and the Ikhwan forces (folio 148); copies of Arabic letters (with translations) between Ibn Sa‘ūd and Fayṣal al-Dawīsh (folios 246-263); and correspondence detailing British intervention on the basis of
Anglo-Kuwaiti Treatyof 1899, including the provision of military assistance by sea and air (folios 160-63 and 170-71).1 file (389 folios)This file is arranged approximately in chronological order.Foliation: This file has an uncircled foliation number in the top right hand corner or the centre of the recto each folio.
The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, receipts and notes on various topics concerning the Kuwait Political Agency, January 1921 to August 1921. An index of topics contained in the volume is listed on folio 6. Topics discussed in the volume include:The presentation of saluting guns to Shaikh Salim Shaikh [Sālim al-Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ], 1919.The unpopularity of Shaikh Salim, 1920.Kuwait customs receipts, 1920.Exile of Shaikh Ghadhban of Iraq, 1920.Expulsion of prostitutes, 1921.Quarantine, 1921.`Ajman raids, 1921.The transfer of the Kuwait Post Office to the Iraq Postal Department, 1921.The principal correspondents in the volume include: the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad; the Office of the Civil Commissioners, and the Under Secretary to the Political Resident, Captain Walter Frank Quantock Shuldham.1 volume (230 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 232; 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 intermittently between ff 7-227; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is present between ff 2-227 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
This file contains correspondence between the various Political Agents in the Persian Gulf, the Political Resident at Bushire, the ruler of Kuwait, and various other officials on the arms trade in the Persian Gulf. Most of the papers pertain to a broad attempt to control the illegal trade in arms. The correspondents speculate and investigate the manufacture of arms- and the geographic origins, smuggling routes, and identities of intermediaries involved in the arms trade. Most of the trade occurs between the Arab ports of the Persian Gulf, southern Iraq, and the ports of the Persian side of the Gulf, but particularly the Makran coast.Of note is a widespread investigation into the theft of arms from the Iraqi Army carried into the Arabian Peninsula by way of Bedouin tribesmen.1 file (308 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 310; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The file discusses the Ruler of Kuwait's wish to import arms to maintain his territorial power by land.The file contains correspondence, permits to export arms and ammunition from Muscat to Kuwait, invoices and receipts for articles - mainly machine guns, other arms, accessories and ammunition - received by the Political Agent at Kuwait and supplied to the Ruler of Kuwait.The principal correspondents are: the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Mubarak bin Sabah Al-Sabah; the Foreign Office; the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent at Muscat; and the Political Agent at Kuwait.There are numerous letters and statements in Arabic within the file, mostly correspondence with the Ruler of Kuwait, often with English translation.1 file (323 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 325; 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 1-253; 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 related to Kuwait-Iraq smuggling. British officials stood as mediators between the Iraqi Government and the Shaikh of Kuwait to try and solve the smuggling issue. They discussed possible ways to persuade the Shaikh of Kuwait to agree to a friendly arrangement for cooperation for checking smuggling on the lines which had been contemplated. British Government officials also suggested various methods to control smuggling such as a system of manifests, trade control posts, as well as the appointment of a British Director of Customs at Kuwait.The volume includes minutes of a meeting held in London discussing the question of Kuwait-Iraq smuggling with the Shaikh of Kuwait, a list of regulations of the Customs Code in Iraq issued by the King of Iraq and published in the official gazette, correspondence related to a number of cases of violation of Kuwaiti territorial waters by Iraq Customs launches, as well as the arrest and detention of Kuwaiti nationals.The Shaikh raised his complaints to the Political Agent who in turn shared the Shaikh’s concerns with other British officials. On the other hand, complaints were also raised by the Iraqi Ministry for Foreign Affairs regarding the Kuwaiti Government’s lack of control of its border lines.Lists of violation incidents are also included in the volume. Each list includes the following information: date and place of occurrence by whom, a summary of the incident, date of report to the Political Resident and the Iraqi Government’s reply. The volume also includes summary lists of Iraqi newspaper articles which discuss Iraq-Kuwait related issues including smuggling, and the annexation of Kuwait by Iraq.1 volume (267 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The volume contains correspondence in the form of letters and reports related to the abdication of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman Taymūr bin Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Bū Sa‘īdi and the succession of his son, Sa‘id bin Taymūr in 1932. The correspondence is concerned with the financial difficulty the abdication will impose, and the resulting procedure the Government of India will adopt in the event of the Sultan persisting in his abdication. After the Government of India’s recognition of the abdication, the Political Agent, Muscat communicated with the future Sultan, Sa‘id bin Taymur informing him that his father, Taymur, in agreement with the British Government appointed him as his successor to the throne. The announcement of the accession was held during the first day of ‘Id al-Fitr on 10 February 1932.The correspondence in the volume reports on the announcement of the accession in the presence of members of the ruling family, their positive reaction to the news, and the formal event which took place at the Political Agency, Muscat.The correspondence includes letters of congratulation sent mainly from the Political Agency, Muscat, the Political Residency, Bushire, and the Government of India Foreign and Political Department. It also includes notification letters which were sent to the French, Dutch and United States Governments announcing the accession of the new Sultan.1 volume (115 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 first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 115; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
The file contains correspondence from the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) manager, requesting information from the Political Agent on the Bahrain land regulations.There are two notices in Arabic and English and a document on 'Land Registration' (folios 10-15).1 file (19 folios)The documents in the file are mainly arranged in chronological order. There are notes at the end of the file (ff. 16-18). The notes refer to documents within the file; they give a brief description of the correspondence with a reference number, which refers back to that correspondence in the file.The foliation is written in pencil in the top right corner. The numbering starts at the first page of writing with 1 and terminates at the last page of writing with 18.
The file contains correspondence regarding arms traffic through Kuwait to Turkish territory, the Persian Gulf and Persia, and British measures prohibiting contraband.The main correspondents are: the Ruler of Kuwait, Mubarak us Subah (Shaikh Mubarak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ); the Foreign Office; Percy Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, Political Agent in Kuwait.There are notes containing names of merchants dealing in firearms and ammunition in Kuwait and in Oman. The majority of the documents in the volume deals with a dhow involved in arms trading in Muscat, flying the French flag; where the British request the French to intervene. The volume contains a copy of the 'Titre de Navigation' of the dhow, and extract of correspondence.There are some documents in Arabic within the file, copies of letters from and to Shaikh Mubarak and receipts for arms and ammunition confiscated by the Political Agent, and some in French, copies of documents produced by the French Consulate in Muscat.1 volume (302 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume. There is an index of names at the end of the volume (folio 303), which refers to names and pages which are not in 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 304; 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 mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel throughout; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are either not circled or crossed out.
This file contains correspondence between British officials in Kuwait, Iraq, Britain and India concerning the political implications and practical logistics regarding a proposal to construct a port under Iraqi control in Kuwaiti territory (and a related proposal to link the port to Basra by rail).Subsequently, the correspondence discusses an alternative plan to construct temporary port facilities for military use at Umm Qasr in Iraq, that was eventually followed instead. As well as the details of these specific proposals, the correspondence also discusses relations between Iraq and Kuwait, and Britain's position in both countries.The majority of the correspondence is between British officials but the file also contains a limited amount of correspondence between the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and the Political Agency in Kuwait (in Arabic with English translations).The file also contains a record of a conversation between Foreign Office officials and the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs during a meeting held at the Foreign Office in London on 4 October 1938 (folios 54-56).1 file (230 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 232; 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 present in parallel; between ff 3-6, ff 2-229, and ff 173-231; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, printed reports, and notes for the period from November 1920 to February 1923 relating to the Kuwait/Najd boundary.The main topics discussed include:The attack on Jahra by the IkhwanBahrain Agency Mission to Ibn Sa`ud, 1920Ikhwan raidsKuwait Mission to Ibn Sa`ud, 1921Death of Shaikh Salim, 1921Boundary settlementThe volume includes an index (folio 232) which lists topics including: air reconnaissance; boundary, Kuwait-Iraq; Chasib mission; Council for Kuwait; letters with Ibn Sa'ud; trade with Najd.The principal correspondents in the volume include: the Political Agent, Bahrain; the Political Agent, Kuwait (James Carmichael More); the Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia, Baghdad (Arnold Talbot Wilson).1 volume (231 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 233; 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 2-232; 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 file contains correspondence, telegrams, statements and notes regarding incidents of arms and ammunition smuggling incidents in Kuwait.The file includes:accounts from the Commander of the Persian Gulf Division regarding rifles carried by pearling dhows;request for all vessels leaving the port of Kuwait to be provided with a permission to carry arms, countersigned by the local rulers and the Political Agent (several copies of the form in Arabic on folios 15-20);correspondence on weapons owned by Ibn Saud and confiscated near Sharjah;smuggling of American rifles in the Persian Gulf;arrest and deportation of an arms smuggler from Muscat;the establishment of a role of Informer at Kuwait, to update the Intelligence Officer for the Persian Gulf, and extracts from the Intelligence Officer's Arms Traffic Diary;price list for French arms for sale at Muscat.The principal correspondents are: British India Steam Navigation Company, the Amir of Nejd, Abdul Aziz bin Saud (Āl Sa‘ūd, ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal); the Rulers of Kuwait: Mubarak us Subah (Shaikh Mubarak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ) and his successor, Shaikh Salim bin Mubarak Al Sabah; the Foreign Office; the Commander of the Persian Gulf Division; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Percy Cox; the Political Agent at Muscat; the Political Agents in Kuwait, Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, followed by William George Grey.There are letters in Arabic within the file, mostly with English translation.1 file (246 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 inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 248; 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 3-247; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence between ff 1-82, which was also written in pencil and circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The file contains correspondence, telegrams, statements, and memoranda regarding incidents of arms and ammunition smuggling in Kuwait.The file contains: lists of arms and ammunition smuggled; lists of people purchasing arms and ammunition in Kuwait in 1919-1920; 'Report of the Conference held at Karachi in August 1921 on the Arms Traffic in the Persian Gulf' (folios 62-65), containing details on routes via sea and land and on the principal outlets for arms smuggling in the area. The file also contains a printed copy of the 1919
Convention for the Control of the Trade in Arms and Ammunition and Protocol, in English and French (folios 166-183).The principal correspondents are: British India Steam Navigation Company; the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Salim bin Mubarak Al Sabah; the High Commissioner for Iraq in Baghdad; the Intelligence Officer in the Persian Gulf, at Bushire; and the Political Agent in Kuwait.There are numerous letters and statements in Arabic within the file, mostly correspondence with the Ruler of Kuwait, sometimes with English translation. The file also contains letters and reports in French, from the Bushire Customs.1 file (225 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. There is an index at the end of the file, on folio 226. The index contains names of people and subjects which appear in the file, and folio numbers referring to the additional foliation.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 227; 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 2-225; 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 file contains proclamations and public notices issued by the Government of Bahrain. The notices are mostly in Arabic with brief or full translations in English given for many. They are concerned with a wide range of matters relating to boating, driving, trade and pricing (particularly the import of rice, tobacco, and ghee), customs, travel documents and restrictions, government office closures, public holidays, property registration and land regulation, health, government appointments, and numerous miscellaneous prohibitions. Some notices are issued by the Customs House and the Manama Municipality.The file also contains correspondence between the Adviser to the Bahrain Government (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave) and the Political Agent, Bahrain.1 file (254 folios)The file is arranged in 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 256; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Additional foliation sequences are present in parallel but irregular; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
The file contains proclamations and public notices issued by the Government of Bahrain. The notices are mostly in Arabic with brief or full translations in English given for many. They are concerned with a wide range of matters relating to boating, driving, trade and pricing, customs, travel documents and restrictions, government office closures, public holidays, property registration and land regulation, health, government appointments, municipal elections, applications for Bahrain citizenship, education, electricity, currency regulation, and numerous miscellaneous prohibitions. Some notices are issued by the Customs House and the Manama Municipality.The file also contains correspondence between the Adviser to the Bahrain Government (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave) and the Political Agent, Bahrain.Folios 172-94 are internal office notes.1 file (193 folios)The file is arranged in 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 195; 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; 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 comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, for the period April 1918 to August 1918 relating to the main topics:Harry St John Bridger Philby's Mission to Ibn Sa`ud.Friction between Najd and Kuwait because of the British blockade of land trade.The volume also includes an index (folio 192) listing key individuals and subjects mentioned in the correspondence including: the blockade; King Husain [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī]; Ibn Rashid [Saʿūd bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Rashīd]; an alleged Turkish agreement with Ibn Sa'ud; Imam Yahya [Yaḥyá Muḥammad Ḥamīd al-Dīn].The principal correspondents in the volume include: the Political Agent, Kuwait (Gordon Percy Loch); Ibn Sa'ud; the Office of the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad; the Viceroy; King Husain of the Hijaz.1 volume (191 folios)Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 193; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Additional foliation sequences are present in parallel between ff 2-192; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
The file concerns Persian claims to Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein).The correspondence is mainly between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent, Bahrain. Other correspondents include the British Consular Agent, Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh], and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave). Enclosures to correspondence from the Political Resident include copies of correspondence from senior officials in the Foreign Office, the Government of India, the Colonial Office and the India Office, and other British officials in the region, including HBM's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia, Tehran (Sir Percy Lyham Loraine), the High Commissioner, Baghdad (Major-General Sir Percy Zachariah Cox), and the Consul at Shiraz (Herbert George Chick).The main topics covered in the papers are:reports by the Political Agent and Political Resident;discussion of the issue by the British Government and Government of India;the nature of the claims made by the Persian Government and the question of the British response to those claims;the issuing by the Persian authorities of passports and passes (
Ilm-o-Khabar) for Bahrain as though it were an inland port of Persia;use of British certificates of identity;anti-British agitation in Bahrain and support for a return to Persian rule;the need for the British Passport Office to make it clear to persons wishing to travel to Bahrain that they did not need a visa from the Persian Legation, London (folios 24-26);support for the Persian claim to Bahrain in the Persian press;proposal to give Bahrain the right to return a member to the Persian Madjliss [majlis] (folio 52);the question of British jurisdiction in Bahrain over foreigners;the history of Persian claims to sovereignty over Bahrain, including analysis of records held by the Government of India;attitude of the Bahrain ruling family;the treatment of Bahraini subjects in Persia, and the question of the protection of their interests by the British.The Arabic and Persian language content of the file consists of approximately ten letters, newspaper cuttings and associated items.1 volume (341 folios)The papers are filed in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file, except where enclosures of an earlier date are filed after the relevant covering letter.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the 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 100-111; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence. A third foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 7-116; these numbers are written in blue crayon, are circled, and can be found 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 concerns the recess (absence on extended leave) of the Political Agent and Assistant Political Agent, Bahrain (who were not allowed to proceed on recess at the same time).The papers, which consist of correspondence, telegrams, notes, sanction orders and circulars, cover the following topics: request (unsuccessful owing to the general situation there) by the Political Agent to recess in Palestine, April to May 1937; requests for information on proposed destination of recess; travel arrangements, expenses and accommodation; transport of personal effects; travel arrangements for servants; transport of Confidential Stenographer's Bahrain Agency secret and confidential records and cyphers, and one typewriter, July 1941; administrative arangements in the absence of the Political Agent; certificate confirming status as Government servant; correspondence concerning permission to recess; financial arrangements during recess; circulars concerning recess of Political Agent; correspondence in Arabic (including translations/summaries) with Rulers of Bahrain, Qatar and Trucial Coast states concerning absence on recess in India of Political Agent, Bahrain, July to August 1941; and programme for recess/leave of Political Agent in the Persian Gulf, May 1942.The date of the final piece of correspondence in this file is 2 May 1942. The overall date range is provided by an entry in the notes at the end of the file.1 file (260 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 251 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. Between ff. 225-251 these numbers are enclosed in a circle. Foliation anomalies: ff. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D; ff. 17, 17A; ff. 58, 58A, 58B, 58C; ff. 74, 74A; after f. 198 ff. 190-198 are repeated in error. The following numbers do not appear in the sequence: 167-175. The following folios need to be folded out to be read: ff. 28, 31. There is a separate pagination sequence numbered 1-43 between ff. 227-251.
The file concerns the removal of the Dowasir [Dawāsir] (also spelled Dawasir) tribe from Bahrain following disturbances between the Dowasir and other Bahraini communities.The correspondence is mainly between the Political Agent, Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein) and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. Other correspondents include Shaikh Hamad, Deputy Ruler of Bahrain [Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah]; Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser the Government of Bahrain; Bin Saud, Sultan of Nejd [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd]; and British naval commanders in Persian Gulf. Enclosures to correspondence from the Political Resident to the Political Agent, Bahrain include copies of correspondence with the Government of India and the rulers of Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.The papers covers the following:reports from the Political Agent, Bahrain;relations between the (Sunni) Dowasir and Bahraini Shiahs (also referred to as Baharnah);reported aggression by the Dowasir against Baharnah, June 1923;involvement of Bin Saud;confiscation and sale of property belonging to the Dowasir by the Government of Bahrain;departure of two thirds of the tribe to the island of Raka, October 1923;the Dowasir reported to have gone to Dammam [Dammām], November 1923;involvement of the Royal Navy, November 1923;the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Ahmad al-Jabir as-Subah [Aḥmad bin Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ] agrees to deny the Dowasir entry to Kuwait, November 1923;involvement of Shaikh Hamad of Bahrain;the Dowasir and pearl diving;terms for the readmission of the Dowasir to Bahrain, and return of their property, 1927.The Arabic content of the file consists of approximately twenty letters (with translations) between British officials and local rulers, including Shaikh Hamad of Bahrain and Bin Saud.1 volume (165 folios)The papers are filed in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file, except where enclosures of an earlier date are filed after the relevant covering letter.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 167; 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 7-161; these numbers are written mostly in crayon, with a few written in pencil, 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 deals with political relations between the Sultan of Nejd [Najd] (from 1926 King of Hejaz and Nejd) [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud) and the state of Iraq, specifically in terms of raids by Najdi tribesmen into Iraq (and Kuwait), and the British response to those raids.The correspondence is mainly between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent, Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein). There is also correspondence from Bin Saud; Abdulaziz Algosaibi & Company, Bahrain; and other British officials in the region. Enclosures to correspondence from the Political Resident to the Political Agent, Bahrain include copies of correspondence with the Political Agent, Kuwait; the office of the High Commissioner, Iraq; the Colonial Office, London; the Government of India; Bin Saud; and other British officials in the region.The papers cover the following:reports on raids by Akhwan [Ikhwān] tribesmen, especially the Mutair, and their effect on Mesopotamian desert tribes;role in the raids of Akhwan leader Faisal al Dawish [Fayṣal al-Dawīsh];attack by Mutair on Busaiyah [al-Başīyah] in Iraq, November 1927;the response of the British to the attacks, e.g. permission from the Secretary of State for the Colonies for British aircraft to pursue Akhwan raiders across Nejd, November 1927;diplomatic contact between Bin Saud and the British via Abdul Aziz Gusaibi [‘Abd al-‘Azīz al-Quṣaybī], Abdulaziz Algosaibi & Company, Bahrain;implications for Bin Saud and the Akhwan of the construction by Iraq Government of a fortified post at Busaiyah (e.g. folio 171);notes of conversations between the High Commissioner for Iraq and his Counsellor and Shaikh Hafidh Wahba [Hāfiẓ Wahbah] (folios 308-315), February 1928;raid on Kuwait, January 1928, including involvement of Royal Air Force (RAF), use by Kuwaiti forces of motor cars against tribesmen, and requests by the Shaikh of Kuwait for purchase of machine guns and Lewis guns (folio 367) and advice on how to convert motor cars into armoured cars (folio 368), February 1928.The date range indicates the covering dates of the main run of correspondence within the file. However, the earliest document is dated 27 November 1925 (enclosure to letter dated 12 December 1925).The Arabic content of the file consists of approximately fifty folios of correspondence (with translations into English) from Abdulaziz Algosaibi & Company, Bahrain; the Political Agency, Bahrain; and Bin Saud.1 volume (381 folios)The papers are filed in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file, except where enclosures of an earlier date are filed after the relevant covering letter.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 383; 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 7-37; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The file deals with political relations between the King of Hejaz and Najd [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud) and the states of Iraq and Kuwait, particularly in terms of raids by Akhwan [Ikhwān] tribes from Najd.The correspondence is mainly between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel Berkeley Holt Haworth) and the Political Agent, Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein, Major Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett). There is also correspondence between British officials and Bin Saud. Enclosures to correspondence from the Political Resident include copies of correspondence with the Political Agent, Kuwait; the office of the High Commissioner, Iraq; the Colonial Office, London; the Government of India; the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf; and other British officials in the region.The papers cover the following:disputes over border posts in Iraq;diplomatic contact between the British and Bin Saud;report on Bin Saud and the Iraqi press (folios 27-28);activities of Faisal ad Dawish [Fayṣal al-Dawīsh] and other Akhwan leaders;raids by Akhwan tribes, especially Mutair and Ajman;activities of the Royal Navy and Royal Indian Marine to protect Kuwait;activities of the Royal Air Force (RAF) to protect Kuwait;use of air reconnaissance against tribes;the British response to the raids, including the need to protect British subjects and British property in Kuwait (e.g. folio 79);note on Bin Saud by Barrett, 3 March 1928 (folios 134-140);use of cars, aeroplanes and armoured cars to defend against attacks by Akhwan;threat to British oil supplies (folios 192-194);descriptions of plunder taken by Akhwan from desert tribes (donkeys, sheep, goats etc.);Akhwan 'jehad' [jihad] against non-Akhwan tribes (e.g. folios 209-210);provision by British of machine guns and Lewis guns for defence of Kuwait (e.g. folio 234);threat of extension of conflict to Trans-Jordan (folio 310).The Arabic content of the file consists of approximately ten folios of correspondence, mainly copies of letters from the Political Agent, Bahrain.The date range gives the covering dates of the main run of correspondence. The earliest document in the file is an enclosure to the first item of correspondence and is dated 28 January 1928.1 volume (452 folios)The papers are filed in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file, except where enclosures of an earlier date are filed after the relevant covering letter.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 454; 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 7-453; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The file relates to the service of Major Tom Hickinbotham as Political Agent, Kuwait.The papers consist of invoices, receipts, correspondence, telegrams, and personal letters, and cover the following topics: travel arrangements, expenses and allowances; cost of transporting personal effects; accommodation; provision of a guide to places of interest in Kuwait; the holding of a licence for a wireless/radio set, September to October 1941 and September 1942; leave; membership of the Magwa Club (for staff of the Kuwait Oil Company); invitations to events; invitations to dinner; medical fees; hiring of a cook; the whereabouts of a British officer; the ill-health of a friend in Kuwait; expressions of condolences; correspondence with banks; application for a military pass; Christmas and New Year messages; a complaint concerning a lack of co-operation from a member of the Kuwait Oil Company, December 1942; telegrams of congratulations; and invoices for books, clothes, wool, cloth, alcohol, cigarettes, tyres, automobile parts, ice, fruit, general provisions, and household goods.The file includes correspondence in Arabic and printed invoices and letterheads in Arabic.The last item of correspondence in the file is dated 20 October 1943. The overall date range is supplied by an entry in the notes at the rear of the file.1 file (420 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 394 on the back cover. The sequence appears written in pencil in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff. 1A, 1B; ff. 2A, 2B; ff. 11, 11A, 11B; ff. 13, 13A, 13B; ff. 32, 32A, 32B, 32C; ff. 36, 36A; ff. 37, 37A, 37B, 37C; ff. 42, 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42E, 42F, 42G; ff. 59A, 59B; ff. 84, 84A; ff. 86, 86A; ff. 95, 95A; ff. 127, 127A; ff. 131, 131A; 131B, 131C; ff. 149, 149A; ff. 247A, 247B: ff. 253, 253A; ff. 350, 350A; ff. 385, 385A. The following numbers do not appear in the sequence: 166-169. The following pagination ranges occur: 78-79, 95A-95B, 118-119, 306-307. The following folios need to be folded out to be read: ff. 95A, 130, 347. A second, short foliation numbered 113-120 runs between ff. 16-23.
Twenty cases relating to individuals and small groups, kidnapped or transported from Baluchistan or India, to the Trucial Coast, in particular Dubai. Some of the cases are straightforward and involve the appearance or retrieval of slaves in the Dubai area, often initiated by the Sharjah Residency Agent ('Isa bin 'Abd al-Latif) and their manumission, plans for repatriation, and punishment of traders/kidnappers, where they are identified. Other cases are more complex, where the identification of slaves, their parents, or those who traded them, is more difficult. Of particular note in the volume:Subject 8, relating to a young Persian boy kidnapped from Sind and brought to Dubai, which stretches over 100 folios. Difficulties are encountered in obtaining a photograph of the boy for purposes of identification. The extensive correspondence in the case is in part also cause by obstructions and procrastinations of al-Latif. Subject 16, relating to two Baluchi men kidnapped by Bedouins in the interior of the Trucial coast. The case reveals tensions between the coastal Sheikhs of the Trucial region, and the Bedouin chiefs of the interior. Questions over the control how much control Sheikhs, who have signed treaties with the British, have over actions of Bedouins from the interior. Subject 20, account of the capture of a dhow carrying slaves at Dubai, and the burning of the dhow by the British navy, off the Dubai coast.1 volume (435 folios)The correspondence contained in the volume is arranged by subject, with twenty subjects in total included in the volume. Within each subject, correspondence is arranged in rough chronological fashion from earliest at front to latest at rear. The subjects themselves are arranged chronologically, based on the earliest pieces of correspondence included in each, from earliest at the front to latest at the rear. There is a handwritten contents page on ff.2-3, which lists the titles of these subjects, but not their corresponding page or folio number.Foliation: The volume is foliated with a circled number in the top right-hand corner of each front-facing page. Cover (containing cover title), blank front page and 2 blank rear pages are unnumbered. Each of the subjects into which the volume is divided has its own internal pagination system, expressed as page number
xof subject number
y.
The volume contains miscellaneous slave trade correspondence, distilled from a number of original subject files, covering a disparate range of slavery related from a four-decade period.The contents of the original subject file 5/194 I relate to an incident in 1924 in which twenty-five members of the same family (the figure is initially stated as being 21) are kidnapped from Baluchistan, and sold and distributed on the Arabian Peninsula. The correspondence in the file relates to two men who are relatives of the family members, who spend several years trying to trace their relatives. In November 1925, the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Prideaux) wrote to the Residency Agent at Sharjah (‘Īsá bin ‘Abd al-Latif) requesting his help in tracing family members in the region, it being understood that two were in Dubai, were in Abu Dhabi, and a further two in Umm al-Qaywayn (folio 29). Prideaux wrote to the Shaikhs of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Umm al-Qaywayn to request their help in each case. In March 1928, ‘Īsá bin ‘Abd al-Latif wrote to the Political Resident (now Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel Haworth) stating that he had managed to retrieve two of the relatives in Dubai (folios 70-73). In January 1931 he wrote to state that another one of the relatives had been retrieved, also from Dubai, and given a manumission certificate (folios 81-85);Correspondence formerly contained in the original file 5/104 IV relating to Samuel Zwemer of the Theological Seminary in New Jersey, requesting the help of the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle) in 1936, in locating the papers of a colleague of his, one William Solomon, who was manumitted from slavery by the Muscat Political Agent in 1896. In response to Zwemer’s request, the British Consulate General wrote to Zwemer, stating that all papers in Muscat dated prior to 1909 had been destroyed. This case was directly related to correspondence in ‘5/104 II, III – Miscellaneous slave trade correspondence’ (IOR/R/15/1/202, folios 67-72) in which Samuel Zwemer made the same request two years previously;Subject 4 of file 5/104 IV relates to the manumission of a slave at Bushire in 1906. The slave’s statement (folio 159) being the earliest of its type found in the Bushire Residency files.1 volume (164 folios)Correspondence from five different subject files are contained within the volume, in no obvious order. Within the contents of files 5/194, 5/195 I, 179 III and 5/169 II, the correspondence has been ordered chronologically, from the earliest at the front to the latest at the rear. Files 5/194 and 5/195 I deal with a single specific case of slavery, and all correspondence within each relates to these cases. The contents of files 179 III, 169 II and 104 IV are individual slavery or manumission cases. 179 III contains one case, 169 II three cases (contents page on folio 117), and 5/104 IV three cases (contents page on folio 140). The cases in 169 II are ordered chronologically; those compiled in 5/104 IV are not in chronological order.Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover with circled numbers in the top-right corner of each front-facing page. There is evidence on some pages of an earlier foliation system using uncircled numbers.
The volume, which is a continuation of ‘File 7/1 I RAF and naval bases in Bahrain’ (IOR/R/15/2/260) comprises correspondence and other papers relating to the acquisition in 1934 of land at Manama and Muharraq by the British Government, for air and naval facilities. The principal correspondents in the file are Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent in Bahrain, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, and officials from Air Headquarters in Iraq, and the India Office and Air Ministry in London.The correspondence deals with outstanding issues related to the purchase of land, including responsibility for its maintenance, ownership of the fish traps, huts and date palms remaining on the land, and copies of title deeds. The greater part of the volume’s correspondence concerns the plots of land at Jufair, purchased covertly by the Government on behalf of the Admiralty. In late 1934 the British Government purchased an additional strip of land between the two existing plots at Jufair, in order to create a single plot (folio 24). This purchase meant that a mosque, used by the area’s Sunni community, was now surrounded by British property, resulting in arrangements having to be made to maintain public access to it.The volume also contains correspondence concerning the Air Admiralty’s decision to abandon their aerodrome at Manama in preference for the new aerodrome at Muharraq. The explanation for this move, as detailed in the officiating Political Agent’s letter to Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, was that the soil at Manama was unsuitable for the modern, heavier aircraft (folios 102-03).1 volume (139 folios)The contents of the volume have been arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front to the latest at the back. Office notes at the end of the volume (folios 125-47) mirror the chronological arrangement.Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 53a, 55a, folio 23 is missing.The following folios are fold-outs: 10, 13, 14, 32, 53, 71.
The volume is a continuation of correspondence from ‘File 7/2 I Landing grounds and seaplane anchorages’ (IOR/R/15/2/263), its contents relating to ongoing negotiations between Arab rulers and the British Government and Royal Air Force on the installation and maintenance of air facilities along the Arab coast, between Qatar and Ra’s al-Khaymah. The principal correspondents in the file are Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent at Bahrain, and Khan Bahadur ‘Īsá bin ‘Abd al-Latif, the British Government’s Native Agent at Sharjah. The majority of the volume’s correspondence relates to specific air facilities in the Gulf, notably in the dominions of Shaikh Shakbut bin Sulton of Abu Dhabi:1. Damage to the unguarded petrol store at Yas Island [Şīr Banī Yās], and the contamination of its contents, was reported to Loch in June 1934 (folio 12). The damage enforced further negotiations with Shaikh Shakbut bin Sultan over arrangements for guards to be installed at the store. Loch arranged for negotiations to take place, with Shaikh Sa'id bin Maktum of Dubai acting as a mediator between the two parties (folios 51-52).2. The establishment and marking out of an air strip at Şīr Banī Yās. Negotiations over the guarding of the petrol tank at Şīr Banī Yās went hand-in-hand with negotiations for an emergency landing strip at the same location. Negotiations with Shaikh Shakbut bin Sultan were successfully concluded on 13 February 1935. The original agreement is included in the volume (folio 226), with a copy of the English text (folio 162, 163).3. The erection of beacons at air facilities across the Gulf for night-time flying. While arrangements were made for landing strips at Şīr Banī Yās and at Abu Dhabi, British Government officials in London and the Iraq RAF Command pressed for the installation of beacons at air facilities in the Gulf to enable night time flight along the India air route (folio 121). British officials in London and the Gulf were at odds with each other over the speed with which beacons could be installed (folios 201, 204-05), given the slow and precarious nature of negotiations with the Arab shaikhs. In a letter to Fowle, dated 13 December 1934, Loch expressed reservations about raising the issue of beacons with Shaikh Shakbut bin Sultan, given the difficulties in resolving existing issues with the landing strips and petrol store (folios 138-40).1 volume (264 folios)The contents of the volume are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the volume to the latest at the end. There are office notes at the end of the file (folios 227-54), which mirror the chronological order of the file correspondence.Foliation: The main foliation sequence begins on the contents page and ends on the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two other pagination sequences are also present in the volume, between ff. 114-224 (incomplete) and ff. 227-254; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence. Foliation anomalies: 1A and 1B; 146A, 146B and 146C.
The volume is a continuation of correspondence from ‘File 7/2 II Landing grounds and seaplane anchorages’ (IOR/R/15/2/264), its contents relating to ongoing negotiations between Arab rulers and the British Government, Royal Air Force, and Imperial Airways, on the installation and maintenance of air facilities along the Arab coast, between Qatar and Ra’s al-Khaymah. The principal correspondents in the file are Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent at Bahrain, and Captain A Cole, Officiating Political Agent at Bahrain.The main issues raised in the volume are:1. Disagreements between British officials and Shaikh Shakbut bin Sultan of Abu Dhabi, over the installation of a petrol store at Abu Dhabi, not officially mentioned in the agreement signed between the two parties on 13 February 1935, and only verbally agreed upon. In a letter addressed to the Shaikh, dated 5 June 1935, Fowle threatened action against Abu Dhabi’s pearling fleet, should he continue to raise objections to the expansion of air facilities in his domains (folios 64-66). Fowle’s letter led to an angry exchange between Shaikh Shakbut and British officials aboard HMS
Fowey(reported in a letter from Cole to Fowle, folios 93-97), which in turn led to protracted mediations prior to Shaikh Shakbut issuing a formal apology over his outburst (folios 122-23).2. Proposals for a seaplane anchorage at Umm al-Qaywayn (folios 138-40a), including a visit to the Arab coast by Mr B Cross, Manager of the Near East Area for Imperial Airways Limited, in order to ascertain the best site for such a facility (folios 185-87).The volume also contains a number of revised schedules of air facilities required along the Arab coast of the Gulf, listing facilities by both location and by RAF or civil aviation function (folios 68-72, 173-75a, 196-200).1 volume (251 folios)The volume’s correspondence is arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the volume to the latest at the end. Some items in the volume are marked with red or blue crayon numbers (for incoming or outgoing items respectively), and are prefixed by the letters S.No [Serial number]. This numbering system constitutes part of the original filing arrangement, and is referred to in the office notes at the end of the file (folios 230-44).Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. An earlier foliation system, which uses uncircled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of rectos, runs through the volume. The following anomalies occur in the main foliation system: 1a-1e, 79a, 140a, 167a, 195a, 241a. The following folios are fold-outs: 7, 11, 13, 20, 64, 76.
The volume’s correspondence and other papers relate to the construction of air facilities along the Arab coast of the Gulf, and as such is a continuation of volumes IOR/R/15/2/263-265. The principal correspondents in the volume are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven Fowle, the Political Agent at Bahrain, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, and his deputy, Captain Tom Hickinbotham, Husain bin Hasan ‘Amad, in charge of the duties of the Residency Agent at Sharjah until May 1936, and his successor as Residency Agent, Sayid ‘Abd al-Razzaq.The volume’s correspondence deals with a number of proposals for facilities (including landing strips, wireless stations, accommodation, petrol stores, beacons), in particular an aerodrome at Kalba, but also extended aerodrome facilities at Sharjah, a renewal of the lease for the petrol storage facility at Ra’s al Khaymah, a seaplane anchorage for Imperial Airways in the lagoon at Umm al-Qaywayn, and a seaplane anchorage at Dubai creek. The correspondence chiefly concerns the negotiations between the Residency Agent and the various shaikhs of the region, on permission for the British to install facilities along the coast as part of the improved air route to India. Correspondence also documents arrangements for the survey of potential sites, and the construction of facilities. The proposal for a landing strip at Kalba occupies the largest proportion of the file; a result of the shaikh of Kalba’s initial resistance to the proposal, and questions over the extent of his independence from the authority of the shaikh of Sharjah, and British recognition of this independence.1 volume (265 folios)The volume is arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the volume to the latest at the rear. Some items in the volume are marked with red or blue crayon numbers (for incoming or outgoing items respectively). This numbering system constitutes part of the original filing arrangement, and is referred to in the office notes at the end of the file (folios 250-63).Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following anomalies occur in the main foliation system: 1a-1e, 226A, 226B. Folio 150 is missing, folio 230 is bound out of order. The following folios are fold-outs: 2, 8, 18, 19, 26, 100, 109, 110, 170.
The volume’s letters, telegrams and other papers relate to the installation, maintenance and extension of British air facilities along the Arab coast of the Gulf. The principle correspondents in the file are the Political Resident, the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Officer on the Trucial Coast, and representatives of the Royal Air Force [RAF] and Imperial Airways (referred to after 1939 as the British Overseas Airways Corporation [BOAC]).Correspondence in the first part of the volume (folios 1e-50) concerns a fire at the RAF petrol store at Doha in August 1937, resulting in serious burns to a number of men. Some of this correspondence also refers to an injury to Nasr bin Jassim [Nasr bin Jāsim Āl Thānī], brother of Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī, the ruler of Qatar, suffered while riding his horse during a parade prior to travelling to Zubarah to fight against the Bahraini forces. Agreement was reached between British Government officials and the Adviser to the Bahrain Government, Charles Belgrave, for Nasr bin Jāsim to travel to Bahrain for medical attention.Most of the later correspondence in the volume is dated to the Second World War, and relates to the creation of new or improved RAF facilities in the Gulf in early 1942. These included extended facilities, capable of accommodating bomber squadrons, at Bahrain and Sharjah, and new facilities at Dubai (folio 131). Correspondence also records the arrangements made with the Bahrain hospital and American Missionary hospital in Bahrain, to accommodate RAF patients as required.1 volume (298 folios)The contents of the volume are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the volume to the latest at the rear. There is a set of office notes at the end of the volume (folios 266-97) which mirror the chronological arrangement.Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. This foliation system has been adapted from an earlier pagination system. The following foliation anomalies occur: ff. 1a-1e, 34a, 34b, 84a, 85b, 139a, 139b, 193a, 193b. The following folios are missing, as a result of the volume’s original pagination system: ff. 106, 212, 231. The following folios are fold-outs: ff. 47, 48, 65, 93, 104, 138, 173, 174, 179, 211, 230, 268, 277, 278, 280, 282, 287.
The file’s correspondence concerns an agreement to exempt customs duty on imports (particularly of oil and petrol) to the Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Muharraq in Bahrain. The key correspondents in the file are the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman, from October 1937 to October 1940, Major Reginald George Evelin Alban from October 1940 to January 1942, Edward Birkbeck Wakefield thereafter), the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave), and representatives of the RAF and Air Headquarters in Iraq.An initial agreement to exempt customs duty on the import of oil and petrol, as well as building materials, food and drink, to the RAF base at Muharraq, was proposed in 1938, and agreed in principle by Belgrave, acting on behalf of the ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah. The file’s contents track the finer details and negotiations of this agreement, based on the principle that the goods imported were used towards Bahrain’s wartime defence. Included in the file are details of the imports of oil and petrol into Bahrain during 1942, including the amount of customs duty paid (folios 40-41).1 file (48 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 46-47) mirror the chronological arrangement.Foliation: The file is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 43a, missing folio 16.
The volume mainly contains correspondence between the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Political Resident in Bushire, the Adviser to the Government in Bahrain, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, and representatives and staff of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO) on the conditions and benefits requested by BAPCO employees, and on a special 'War Allowance' agreed by BAPCO to meet the increased cost of living.The volume includes correspondence on members of the Afghan royal family refuged in India and seeking for employment in Bahrain (folios 43-46); list of food prices 'prewar price' and 'present price' (folio 68); memorandum on 'The strike situation as on 28 December 1943' (folio 209).There are some letters in Arabic in the volume. There is an index at the end of the volume (folios 270-283).1 volume (293 folios)The documents in the volume are arranged in chronological order. There is an index at the end of the volume (folios 271-283). The index is arranged chronologically and refers to documents within the volume; it gives brief description of the correspondence with a reference number, which refers back to that correspondence in the volume.The main foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner. It begins with the first item of correspondence, on number 2, and runs through to 291, ending on the inside of the back cover. There is another foliation sequence, incomplete.
The file mostly contains applications for manumission certificates granted by the British Residency in the Persian Gulf. The file also contains correspondence about the inheritance of a deceased manumitted slave (folios 2-7) in which both the former master who freed him, and his widow claim his inheritance, and correspondence on the rescue of a young Persian slave by Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī, Emir of Qatar (folios 37-43).1 file (195 folios)The papers in the file are arranged chronologically.Foliation: The foliation is in pencil on the top right corner, starting and ending on the covers. The numbering starts with 1, 1a, and then carries on until 196, which is the last number given on the back cover.
The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to the following main topics:Dissatisfaction with Shaikh Salim [Shaikh Sālim al-Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ], Ruler of Kuwait, 1918.A proposal to establish British detachment in Kuwait, 1918.A note (ff 34-38) on `Ajman question, 1918.The file includes an index (folio 6) which lists the following entries: Ajman; Anglo-Persian Oil Company; blockade; Husain, King; Japanese steamers; occupation of Kuwait, proposed; oil; description of Shaikh Salim.The principal correspondents in the volume include the Political Agent, Kuwait; the Political Agent, Bahrain; Deputy Civil Commissioner for Mesopotamia, Baghdad; and the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Salim al-Mubarak al-Sabah.1 volume (46 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 48; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Additional foliation sequences are present in parallel between ff 6-43; these numbers are also written in pencil but, where circled, are crossed through.
This file contains correspondence between British officials at Bushire and Bahrain, Dr Samuel Zwemer of the Arabian Mission, and Captain Kemp aboard HMS
Phoenix.These correspondence primarily concern the presence of Turkish local governors (
mudīrs) in the Qatar peninsula, in particular Yūsuf Beg at al-Wakrah and al-‘Udayd, as a part of a Turkish plan to establish a series of guardhouses along the eastern coast of Arabia.The file contains details of John Calcott Gaskin's visit to Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī in retirement at Lusayl in 1903 (folio 47), as well as relations between Shaikh ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Jāsim and Aḥmad bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī. There are also details concerning the attempted assassination of Shaikh ‘Abd al-Raḥmān by a member of the Āl Bū ‘Aynayn tribe at al-Wakrah in December 1907, and subsequent relations between the Āl Thānī family and Āl Bū ‘Aynayn tribe in 1908.There are incidental mentions of the 1903 outbreak of the plague in the Gulf, the Arabian Mission hospital at Bahrain (folio 15), the opening of a dispensary by the Agency in Bahrain (folios 18-19), and protests by pearl divers at the proposal of a Frenchman to dive with ‘modern appliances’ (folio 25).1 volume (102 folios)This file is arranged in approximately chronological order.Foliation: This file has a foliation number in the top right hand corner of each folio. The number is enclosed by a circle.
Government of India Foreign and Political Department documents: three identical copies, one (volume three) enclosed in a red cover. Volume two is inscribed 'Received under Foreign and Political Department endorsement 147EA of 22.6.16'. The documents contain transcripts of fifteen treaties and undertakings between the British Government and the Rulers of Bahrain in English and (at the rear of the volumes) in Arabic. In addition to agreements dated by year only, the agreements relate to piracy, the slave trade, arms traffic, observance of treaties, jurisdiction over foreigners, pearl fisheries, post office, wireless telegraphy, and oil. A note at the start of the agreements states that in the event of doubt about the precise interpretation of any portion of the English and Arabic text, the English text was to be considered decisive.3 volumes (69 folios)There is a list of contents at the front of each volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the front cover of volume one and terminates at 70 on the back cover of volume three. The foliation runs through all three volumes as a single continuous sequence, split between volume one (ff. 1-23); volume two (ff. 24-46); and volume three (ff. 47-70). These numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Each volume also has its own separate printed pagination sequence.
Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows ‘the west side of the Mount [‘Arafah]’ as well as the Plain of Arafat or ‘Arafah. Located 21 km southeast of the Masjid al-Haram, the plain, which extends 6km from east to west and 12 km from north to south, and the 70 metre high granite hill at the centre of it are stations of the hadj. Mount Arafat is located northeast of the plain and is also known as Jabal al-Rahmah or Mount of Mercy.On the ninth day of
Dhul-Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafat, just before noon, pilgrims gather on the plain to perform
wuqufor ‘standing before God’, as can be seen in this image: this is a pillar of the hadj and must be undertaken in order the pilgrimage to be valid. In this image the background and middle ground are populated by pilgrims and their tents while in the left middle ground beasts of burden, including horses, camels and donkeys can be seen.A boy standing by the tent in the foreground at left and facing the camera has a shaved head and wears the two piece garb, consisting of two white seamless sheets, associated with being in the state of
ihram. At right a camel is couched; this is the same camel visible in X463/14.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality throughout where the original plate may have been over-exposed and where the photographer wished to pick up some small details, such as the face of the boy at left.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower right of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.This is the third (left hand) of three photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the plain. The first and second are X463/14 and X463/15 respectively.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XV’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam: Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.1 collotype printDimensions:190 x 243 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XV’Process:Collotype
Correspondence about the dispute between the rulers of Muscat and Dubai over claims to the village of Hatta. Correspondents include the Political Resident Persian Gulf; Residency Agent, Sharjah; Sayyid Taimur bin Faisal, Sultan of Muscat; Shaikh Sa'id bin Maktum, Chief of Dubai; Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Department, Simla.A letter discusses that the village of Hatta was granted by Sayyid Faisal, Sultan of Muscat to Shaikh Rashid of Dubai. A letter from the Political Resident Persian Gulf advises that Shaikh Said bin Maktum should be warned not to enter into direct correspondence with the Sultan of Muscat but should rather send all letters to the Residency Agent, Sharjah for immediate referral to the Political Resident Persian Gulf. Similarly, the Sultan is requested not to enter into direct correspondence with the Shaikh of Dubai.The file includes hand-written letters in English, typed correspondence, letters in Arabic and their translations.1 volume (10 folios)The papers are arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: The foliation system in use is the sequence of numbers appearing in a circle in the top right hand corner of each folio. The file also bears a former foliation system consisting of uncircled numbers in the top right hand corner too.
This file contains Arabic language correspondence between Major Tom Hickinbotham, Political Agent in Bahrain, and numerous Bahraini figures, including members of the ruling family (such as Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah, the Ruler of Bahrain) and several prominent merchants.The correspondence primarily consists of short, formal letters accepting invitations to dinner at the Political Agency and others acknowledging various gifts and visits. The majority of the correspondence is in Arabic with English translations included for some letters.The file also contains a limited number of letters from individuals outside of Bahrain including members of the ruling families of Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.1 file (92 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 94; 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 2-92; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The file comprises correspondence relating to claims on the estate of Sa'd bin Abdulla Musabahi (also given as Saad bin Abdullah Musabhi) [Sa‘d bin ‘Abdullāh Musabaḥī] who died in June 1911.The claims are from individuals, merchants and companies who the deceased had business dealings with, or held goods and cash for at the time of his death. The claims were submitted with proof to the Majlis and the Political Agency at Bahrain between 1911 and 1912.Later correspondence and notes relate to the handling of the case in 1911 and the examinations of the deceased individuals' account books, concluding that the case had not been handled properly, with claims against the estate not being properly pursued, and money owed to the estate not having been recovered.1 file (217 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 back cover with 217; 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 file has been paginated using blue and red crayon.Foliation anomalies: 205a, 205b.
The file contains correspondence regarding eight separate cases raised with the Bahrain Political Agency from Courts, Firms, and Attorneys outside of Bahrain, asking for help in obtaining testimonies from certain individuals in Bahrain. Examples of those are the Law Offices of Thelen, the Court of the Subordinate Judge of Noakhali, the Court of Small Causes at Bombay, and Fall and Fall Attorneys. Where possible, the Political Agent made the necessary investigations and wrote back to the senders providing them with witnesses' testimonies.1 file (178 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. Folios 176- 179 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 180; 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 2-127, and ff 133-175; these numbers are also written in pencil and crayon, but are not circled.
Correspondence relating to negotiations over revisions in the tariff questions relating to the proposed tarrif treaty with Muscat. Includes correspondence relating to negotiations with France, United States, Irish Free State and Canada. Arabic terminology is discussed relating to alcohol and tobacco and the Sultan's understanding of specific terms in English relating to alcohol such as "under proof". Also contains a number of letters in Arabic with translations in English from Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr], Sultan of Muscat; a few letters in French from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the British Embassy, Muscat.An annex to the file (35/146) consists of printed confidential letters, 1929-1930, relevant to the finances of the sultanate.Correspondents include Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr], Sultan of Muscat; Percy Gordon Loch, Political Resident Persian Gulf; Major Ralph Ponsonby Watts, Political Agent Muscat; Major Claude Edward U Bremner, Political Agent Muscat; John Charles Walton, India Office, Whitehall. Alfred Wiseman, Dominions Office, London; Maurice J Clauson, India Office, London.1 file (211 folios)The 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.Foliation errors: 1, 1A and 1B. Foliation omissions: 145 and 148
Correspondence on the education of Saiyd Sa'id bin Taimur [Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr], son of the Sultan of Muscat, Taimur bin Faisal. Letters discuss his education at Mayo College, Ajmer in a school for the sons of Indian rulers. The Sultan, Taimur bin Faisal [Taymūr ibn Fayṣal] wished him to attend a school suitable for Arabs, partly to improve his Arabic. The American Missionary School in Beirut was considered by British officials but the Sultan felt this was not suitable. Letters discuss a school in Baghdad and necessary arrangements such as the rent of a house.1 volume (45 folios)The papers are arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: The main foliation sequence commences at the title page and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A second foliation sequence also runs between ff 2-40; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence. Foliation errors: 1 and 1A. Fold out folios: 22
The contents of the file relate to 'K' an individual whose name was at the time known only to the Political Agent (Percy Gordon Loch) and Head Munshi (Saiyid 'Abdul Razzaq) at Bahrain and who provided information and intelligence on affairs in the Persian Gulf, particularly attempts by American oil companies to compete for an oil concession in Qatar.The file contains correspondence includes letters and reports written by 'K', and a letter from the Political Agent at Bahrain regarding the decision to dispense with 'K's services in April 1935.Also included in the file are intelligence reports from 1935 written by Charles Clark Mylles, an employee of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company based in Qatar, regarding the activities of certain locals believed to be acting on behalf of American oil interests. It was believed that the American Oil Companies wished to negotiate for an oil concession in Qatar and were attempting to make this known to the Shaikh of Qatar (Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī) through local agents employed on their behalf.1 file (17 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 19; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Correspondence concerning the abdication of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal [Taymūr bin Fayṣal]and the accession of his son, Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr]. The file includes a letter in Arabic (folio 97) from Sultan Taimur with a translation in English, giving reasons as to why he cannot return to Muscat and willingness to accept a reduced subsidy. Correspondence discusses the timing of the abdication and arrangements for Taimur bin Faisal to reside in Ceylon.Correspondents include Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Agent, Muscat; Hugh Vincent Biscoe, Political Resident Persian Gulf; Taimur bin Faisal; Said bin Taimur.1 volume (170 folios)The papers are arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file. The volume includes a subject index.The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. An earlier foliation system, which uses uncircled numbers in the top-right corner of rectos, runs throughout the volume. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 97a. Folio 97 is an inset.
This file concerns the 1913 uprising of the Ibāḍī imamate and the tribes of the interior of Oman under the leadership of Sālim bin Rāshid al-Kharūṣī against the authority of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, al-Sayyid Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Bū Sa‘īd, and the subsequent intervention and deployment of British Indian troops of the 2nd Rajput Regiment stationed at Bushire. The correspondence in the file is between Major Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, and Major Stuart George Knox, Political Agent at Muscat. There are also correspondence with Sayyid Muammad bin Sayyed Saeed [Sayyid Muḥammad bin Sayyid Sa‘īd]; Faysal bin Turki Al Bu Said, Sultan of Muscat; Foreign Department of the Government of India; Foreign Office officials Tehran; Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf; Commander of the Steam Ship
Dwarka; Major Smith, Officer Commanding of troops at Reshire; General Officer Commanding, Bombay Brigade; Residency Agent, Sharjah, ‘Abd al-Latif; and Arnold Talbot Wilson, India Office.1 volume (303 folios)Folios 1C to 3 contain an index, which lists the principal topics within the file and gives folio references for them.Foliation: The main foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A second incomplete foliation sequence runs between ff 4-17 and ff 73-296; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence. Foliation errors: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D; 26 and 26A. Fold out folios: 67 and 246.
Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows the 'Mount‘Arafah, during the annual gathering of pilgrims [hadj] (as seen from the south)’ as well as the Plain of Arafat or ‘Arafah. Located 21km southeast of the Masjid al-Haram, the plain, which extends 6km from east to west and 12km from north to south, and the 70 metre high granite hill at the centre of it – visible here on the horizon at centre – are stations of the hadj. Mount Arafat is located northeast of the plain and is also known as Jabal al-Rahmah or Mount of Mercy.On the ninth day of
Dhul-Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafat, just before noon, pilgrims gather on the plain to perform
wuqufor ‘standing before God’, as can be seen in this image: this is a pillar of the hadj and must be undertaken in order the pilgrimage to be valid. In this image the background and middle ground are populated by pilgrims’ tents.Most of the pilgrims visible here – male and female – are wearing the two piece garb, consisting of two white seamless sheets, associated with being in the state of
ihram. The men have clearly shaved their heads as a part of the ritual cleansing ceremony undertaken at the beginning of the hadj in order to enter into the state of
ihram.In the foreground, two camels are couched at left, an awning or tent billows in the wind and a crouching man turns to face the camera, though most other figures face away from it.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality throughout , where the original plate may have been over-exposed.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower centre of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.This is the first (central) of three photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the plain. The second and third are X463/15 and X463/16 respectively.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XIII’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.1 collotype printDimensions:193 x 245 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XIII’Process:Collotype
A printed map of the border between the British Protectorate of Aden and the Ottoman Vilayet of Yemen. The map is one of four that fit together to show the border area in its entirety.The map was surveyed by the Anglo-Turkish Boundary Commission under Colonel R A Wahab and Colonel Mustapha Remzi Bey.The map has all place names listed in English and Arabic.1 folioDimensions: 700mm x 1,110mmMaterials: 1 paper folio
A printed map of the border between the British Protectorate of Aden and the Ottoman Vilayet of Yemen. The map is one of four that fit together to show the border area in its entirety.The map was surveyed by the Anglo-Turkish Boundary Commission under Colonel R A Wahab and Colonel Mustapha Remzi Bey.The map has all place names listed in English and Arabic.1 folioDimensions: 700mm x 1,110mmMaterials: 1 paper folio
A printed map of the border between the British Protectorate of Aden and the Ottoman Vilayet of Yemen. The map is one of four that fit together to show the border area in its entirety.The map was surveyed by the Anglo-Turkish Boundary Commission under Colonel R A Wahab and Colonel Mustapha Remzi Bey.The map has all place names listed in English and Arabic.1 folioDimensions: 700mm x 1,110mmMaterials: 1 paper folio
A printed map of the border between the British Protectorate of Aden and the Ottoman Vilayet of Yemen. The map is one of four that fit together to show the border area in its entirety.The map was surveyed by the Anglo-Turkish Boundary Commission under Colonel R A Wahab and Colonel Mustapha Remzi Bey.The map has all place names listed in English and Arabic.1 folioDimensions: 700mm x 1,110mmMaterials: 1 paper folio
The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes for the period of February 1925 to December 1927 relating to the Najd-Transjordan boundary.Topics discussed include:The Najd-Transjordanian boundary and raiding between Iraq and Najd.The mission of Sir Gilbert Clayton Mission to Ibn Sa`ud.Najd-Iraq Frontier Agreement (Bahra Agreement), signed in 1925.Included in the volume is a copy of the English version (folios 36 to 37) of the ten articles of the Bahra Agreement signed by the Sultan of Najd and Dependencies and Sir Gilbert Clayton on behalf of the 'Mesopotamia Government' to regulate raiding. The file also includes letters in Arabic from Ibn Sa'ud to British officials.The principal correspondents include: the Secretary of State for the Colonies, London; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire (Francis Beville Prideaux); the High Commissioner, Baghdad; the Political Agent, Kuwait; HM Consul, Jeddah; and the Sultan of Najd and Dependencies (Ibn Sa'ud).1 volume (175 folios)The papers are arranged in rough 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 177; 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 5-173; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
The file consists of miscellaneous official and demi-official correspondence relating to the outbreak of World War One and its impact on Bahrain (which is generally referred to in the papers as Bahrein). Most of the correspondence dates from 1914.The papers largely consist of correspondence from the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, but also includes correspondence in Arabic and English between Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa [Sheikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah], Ruler of Bahrain and the Political Agent. The papers include regular reports by the Political Agent on general conditions in Bahrain. Specific topics include: proposed increase in Agency guard, June 1914; proposed regulations covering foodstuffs, pearls and security [1914]; Turkey, and the possibility of Turkish support for Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd)], July 1914; the pearl trade, August 1914; prohibition of export of foodstuffs, August 1914; food prices, August, October 1914; effect on customs receipts, September 1914; problems caused by unemployed Kurds and Basris in Bahrain, September - October 1914; distress among pearl divers, September 1914; currency issues, October 1914; rumours of German ships in the Persian Gulf, October 1914; the services rendered by Sheikh Abdullah [Sheikh ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] to the British, the statement that he had been the moving spirit behind the donation of 9600 rupees by Sheikh Isa's family to British charitable war funds, and the recommendation that he receive an honour, November 1914; and hardship caused by the infrequent arrival of mails, March 1917.1 file (81 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1A on the front cover and terminates at 81 on the back cover. The numbers are written in pencil and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff. 1A, 1B; ff. 16A, 16B; ff. 78A, 78B, 78C, 78D, 78E. In some places the foliation system has numbered versos as well as rectos, with the result that folios 35, 41, 49 and 63 are missing from the recto pages. The following folio needs to be folded out to be read: 78E.
The volume consists of the following:memorandum on tribal divisions in the Principality of Oman to accompany table of tribes, by Major Edward Charles Ross, Political Agent at Muscat (folios 2-3);table entitled 'Principal Tribes of Oman', signed by Ross (folio 4). The table is divided between the Hinawi and Ghafiri divisions and contains information in columns headed Names of Tribes. Adjective Form; Name of Tribes. Collective Plural Form; Religious Sect; Province; Villages or Districts; Number of Males; and Remarks;table entitled 'Genealogical Table of Descendants of the Imam Ahmed Al-Bu-Sa'idi', signed by Ross and dated at Muskat [Muscat] May 1872 (folio 5);map entitled 'Map of Oman Showing Distribution of the Principal Tribes. Compiled for Official Use by E C Ross, Political Agent, Muscat' (folio 6).The Arabic content of this volume is confined to letters of the Arabic alphabet appearing in the key to pronunciation and transliteration on folio 4.The date of the item is supplied by the date of Ross's tenure as Political Agent, Muscat, and by the date of the genealogical table (folio 5).1 volume, 2 items (7 folios)Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the first folio after the front cover and terminates at 6, the last folio bearing text. The numbers are written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appear in the top right-hand corner of the recto page of each folio. The following folios need to be folded out to be examined: ff. 4, 5, 6.Condition: the front and back boards of the volume are detached.
A printed map of the Haushabi and Subaihi border regions of the British Protectorate of Aden. The map is signed by Colonel R A Wahab, the Commissioner of the Aden Boundary Commission. The map includes a list of place names in English and Arabic.1 folioDimensions: 680mm x 550mmMaterials: 1 paper folio that has been lined with cloth support at a later date.
A printed map of the Subaihi border region between the British Protectorate of Aden and the Ottoman Vilayet of Yemen.The place names on the map are listed in English and Arabic.1 folioDimensions: 1050mm x 840mmMaterials: 1 paper folio lined with a cloth support.
Imprint:Published by James Horsburgh, Hydrographer to the East India Company.Distinctive Features:Relief shown by hachures. Depth shown by soundings.Nautical chart of the Persian Gulf compiled from the surveys carried out by the Bombay Marine’s officers between 1820 and 1829, with place names inserted in both English and Arabic.Includes an engraved note on the survey with dates and names of the officers responsible for surveying respective parts of the coast.Contains dedication to the Court of Directors of the United East India Company from George Barnes Brucks.Inscriptions:On verso of the western portion of the map, in pencil, extensive annotations on discrepancies in latitude and longitude values.1 map on 2 sheetsDimensions:1460 x 1160 mm, on sheets 863 x 673 mm
Journal, in Arabic and English, recording Hajee Ahmed's [Haji Ahmed] travels from Bushire to Busreh [Basra], Koweit [Kuwait], Mahomereh [Khorramshahr], Felahieh and back. The journal contains daily entries from 24 February 1863 to 21 March 1863 (also given as Hijri dates 6 Ramazan 1279 to 1 Sherraul 1279). Ahmed was accompanied on the journey by the Resident, Lewis Pelly.The journal entries record the time and day of arrival and departure at each destination; the weather; peoples met en route; travel and accommodation arrangements for each stage of the journey including prices paid; and the places visited including details on their local rulers and geographic locations.The entries for 4-7 March relate to their stay in Koweit, during which time Pelly met and held conversations with Sheikh Sabah [Sabah II bin Jaber Al-Sabah] and Yoseph ibn Buder (written in Mss Eur F126/55-64 as Eusef bin Bedr), which included a conversation about the Bedouins of Sulbeh.16 folios
This volume is Part III of Volume 1 of the
Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, ’Omān and Central Arabia(Government of India: 1915) compiled John Gordon Lorimer. The contents are divided into two sections and contain genealogical tables of Persian Gulf and Arabian ruling families, and one map, housed in pockets.Genealogical Trees:'Table of the ruling Āl Bū Sa’īdī families of ’Omān and Zanzibar' (folio 2A, inside 'Pocket No. 1');'Table of the ruling Qasimi family of Shārjah in Trucial ’Omān' (folio 4, inside 'Pocket No. 2');'Table of the ruling Āl Bū Falāh (Bani Yās) family of Abu Dhabi in Trucial ’Omān' (folio 5, inside 'Pocket No. 3');'Table of the ruling Āl Bū Falāsah (Bani Yās) family of Dibai in Trucial ’Omān' (folio 6A, inside 'Pocket No. 4);'Table of ruling Āl ’Alī family of Umm-al-Qaiwain in Trucial ’Omān' (folio 7, inside 'Pocket No. 5');'Table of the ruling Āl Bū Kharaibān (Na’īm) family of ’Ajmān in Trucial ’Omān' (folio 8A, inside 'Pocket No. 6');'Table of Qāsimi family formerly ruling Lingeh' (folio 9, 'Pocket No. 7');'Table of the ruling Āl Tānī (Ma’ādhīd) family of Dōhah in Qatar' (folio 10A, 'Pocket No. 8');'Table of the ruling Āl Khalīfah (’Atbi) family of Bahrain (Sheet No. 1)'. (folio 11, 'Pocket No. 9');'Table of the ruling Āl Khalīfah (’Atbi) family of Bahrain (Sheets Nos. 2 and 3)' (folios 12A and 12B, 'Pocket 10');'Table of the ruling Āl Subah (’Atbi) family of Kuwait' (folio 13, 'Pocket No. 11');'Table of the ruling (Wahhābi) Āl Sa’ūd (’Anizah) family of Southern Najd (Sheets Nos. 1,2 and 3)' (folios 14, 15 and 16, 'Pocket No. 12');'Table of the ruling (Wahhābi) Āl Sa’ūd (Anizah) family of Souther Najd (Sheets Nos. 4 and 5)' (folios 17 and 18, 'Pocket No. 13');'Table of the ruling Āl Rashid (Shammar) family of Jabal Shammar' (folio 19, 'Pocket No. 14');'Table of the ruling Abul Khail (’Anizah) family of Buraidah in Qāsim' (folio 20, 'Pocket No. 15');'Table of the ruling Salaimi (Sabai) family of ’Anaizah in Qāsim' (folio 21, 'Pocket No. 16');'Table of the Qādirīyah (Saiyid) family of the Naqībis of Baghdād in Turkish Irāq' (folio 22, 'Pocket No. 17').There is also one map:'Chart Showing the Pearl Banks along the Arabian Shore of the Persian Gulf between Ras Tanurah and Diba, vide Page 2253 of Part II' (folio 27, 'Pocket No. 25').The geneaological tables were compiled by Lorimer in 1906 and 1907 and some were based on information provided by John Calcott Gaskin, Francis Beville Prideaux, and Stuart George Knox, Political Agents at Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as a number of native informants. The tables typically contain named (in Arabic and English) and unnamed individuals, chronological lists of rulers, and notes on the compilation and arrangement of the tables, and references to other parts of the
Gazetteer.The volume is labelled on the spine as 'For Official Use'.1 volume, 22 items (45 folios)Pockets Nos. 1-17. Most pockets house one geneaological table, while pokcets No. 10 houses two, No. 12 houses three, and No. 13 houses two. Pocket No. 25 houses a map. Pockets Nos. 18-24 and 26-30 are empty.Foliation: The foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio with text, on number 1, and ends on the last folio with text, on number 30.Foliation anomalies: folio 2 is followed by folio 2A; f. 6 is followed by folio 6A; folio 8 is followed by folio 8A; folio 10 is followed by folio 10A; folio 12 is followed by folio 12A and folio 12B; folio 13 is followed by folio 13A; folio 18 is followed by folio 18A; folio 20 is followed by folio 20A.
This volume is Volume I, Part II (Historical) of the
Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, ’Omān and Central Arabia(Government of India: 1915), compiled by John Gordon Lorimer and completed for press by Captain L Birdwood.Part II contains an 'Introduction' (pages i-iii) written by Birdwood in Simla, dated 10 October 1914, 'Table of Chapters, Annexures, Appendices and Genealogical Tables' (pags v-viii), and 'Detailed Table of Contents' (ix-cxxx). These are also found in Volume I, Part IA of the
Gazetteer(IOR/L/PS/20/C91/1).Part II consists of three chapters:'Chapter X. History of ’Arabistān' (pages 1625-1775);'Chapter XI. History of the Persian Coast and Islands' (pages 1776-2149);'Chapter XII. History of Persian Makrān' (pages 2150-2203).The chapters are followed by nineteen appendices:'Appendix A: Meteorology and Health in the Persian Gulf' (pages 2205-2211);'Appendix B: Geology of the Persian Gulf' (pages 2212-2219);'Appendix C: The Pearl and Mother-of-Pearl Fisheries of the Persian Gulf' (pages 2220-2293);'Appendix D: Date Production and the Date Trade in the Persian Gulf Region' (pages 2294-2307);'Appendix E: Fisheries of the Persian Gulf' (pages 2308-2318);'Appendix F: Sailing Craft of the Persian Gulf' (pages 2319-2332);'Appendix G: Transport Animals and Livestock of the Persian Gulf Region' (pages 2333-2348);'Appendix H: Religions and Sects of the Persian Gulf Region' (pages 2349-2385);'Appendix I: Western Christianity and Missions in the Persian Gulf Region' (pages 2386-2399);'Appendix J: The Telegraphs of the Persian Gulf in their relation to the Telegraph Systems of Persia and Turkey' (pages 2400-2438);'Appendix K: Mail Communications and the Indian Post Office in the Persian Gulf' (pages 2439-2474);'Appendix L: The Slave Trade in the Persian Gulf Region' (pages 2475-2516);'Appendix M: Epidemics and Sanitary Organization in the Persian Gulf Region' (pages 2517-2555);'Appendix N: The Arms and Ammunition Traffic in the Gulfs of Persia and ’Omān' (pages 2556-2593);'Appendix O: The Imperial Persian Customs' (pages 2594-2625);'Appendix P: Cruise of His Excellency Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, in the Persian Gulf [1903]' (pages 2626-2662);'Appendix Q: British and Foreign Diplomatic Political; and Consular Representation in the Countries Bordering on the Persian Gulf' (pages 2663-2699);'Appendix R: Book References' (pages 2700-2736)'Appendix S: Explanation of the System of Transliteration' (pages 2737-2741).1 volume (1165 pages)Volume I, Part II is arranged into chapters that are sub-divided into numbered periods covering, for example, the reign of a ruler or regime of a Viceroy, or are arbitrarily based on outstanding land-marks in the history of the region. Each period has been sub-divided into subject headings, each of which has been lettered. The appendices are sub-divided into lettered subject headings and also contain numbered annexures, as well as charts. Both the chapters and appendices have further subject headings that appear in the right and left margins of the page. Footnotes appear occasionally througout the volume at the bottom of the page which provide further details and references. A 'Detailed Table of Contents' for Part II and the Appendices is on pages cii-cxxx.The foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio with text, on number 879, and ends on the last folio with text, on number 1503.
This volume is Volume II of the
Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, ’Omān and Central Arabia(Government of India: 1908) compiled by John Gordon Lorimer. The volume is a geographical dictionary with a series of alphabetically arranged articles relating to the physical and political conditions of the Persian Gulf and its surrounding areas.Pages i-iv are an 'Introduction' to the volume written by John Gordon Lorimer at Strathmartine, Dundee, on 24 December 1908. Details are given within the introduction concerning the content and arrangement of principal and subordinate articles and explanations of estimates of distance and time and other statistical information.Lorimer's introduction identifies the principal articles as:'’Omān Sultanate' (pages 1382-1425);'’Omān (Trucial)' [Trucial Oman] (pages 1425-1451);'Qatar' (pages 1505-1535);'Bahrain Principality' (pages 233-253);'Hasa Sanjāq' (pages 657-679);'Kuwait Principality' (pages 1058-1077);'Najd' (pages 1313-1351), supplemented by articles on 'Najd (Southern)' (pages 1351-1359), 'Qasīm' (pages 1485-1503) and 'Shammar (Jabal)' (pages 1732-1748);'’Irāq (Turkish)' (pages 759-882);'’Arabistān' (pages 115-151), suppplemented by articles on '’Arabistān (Northern)' (pages 151-157) and '’Arabistān (Southern)' (pages 157-165);'Persian Coast' (pages 1455-1468);'Makrān (Coast of Persian)' (pages 1130-1155).All articles have a similar form. The English and Arabic place or tribe name appears in the right or left margin, followed by the text of the article split into sub-sections and with topographical information arranged in tables. Arabic words are given in the text next to their equivalent transliterated into Latin script, with the transliteration system employed appearing in 'Appendix S' in Volume I, Part II (IOR/L/PS/20/C91/2, pages 2737-2741).Topics of information contained within the articles include: boundaries and sub-divisions; physical character and main features (for example, mountains and rivers); climate and seasons; natural products (vegetable, animal and mineral); agriculture and crops; livestock, including transport animals; inhabitants, with reference to racial and tribal distinctions, religious differences, mode of life, character, language, customs, dress and arms, and estimates of populations; trade (internal and external), with notice to currency, weights and measures, shipping, manufactures and industries, and miscellaneous occupations; communications by land and water, with descriptions of routes and estimates of transport; administration and government, especially police, justice, military resources, taxation and finance, and political constitution; and, international position and foreign interests, especially British and their representation in the country. Lorimer refers readers to the Appendices of Volume I, Part II (IOR/L/PS/20/C91/2, pages 2205-2741) for fuller details concerning: meteorology, health, date cultivation, transport animals and livestock, religions and sects, trade, sailing vessels, fisheries, pearl fisheries, and postal and telegraphic communications.There are fifty-six folios lacking page numbers that contain illustrations. The images are labelled as follows:'Wādi Bani Habīb in Jabal Akhdar'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'A Creek near Basrah from the Shatt=al=’Arab'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Bridge of Boats, Baghdād'. Photographer: Major G Arbuthnot;'The Hanaini well, Bahrain Island'. Photographer: John Calcott Gaskin;'Ancient Tumuli, Bahrain Island'. Photographer: John Calcott Gaskin;'Village of Qatārah Baraimi Oasis'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'The ’Ashshār creek in Basrah Town'. Photographer: Mr Albert Charles Wratislaw;'The British Consulate. Basrah, from the Shatt=al=’Arab. (Consulate building on the right of picture)'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Parade of British and Persian troops at Rīshehr, 1905';'Part of the town of Būshehr';'The Sea Front, Būshehr Town';'The British Political Residency, Būshehr';'Bridge at Buziyeh'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'The Fort [Qasr al-Ḥuṣn] of the Shaikh at Abu Dhabi'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'The Shaikh of Sharjah's Fort at Dhaid, Trucial Oman'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Dizfūl Town'. Photographer: Major G Arbuthnot;'Dohah in Qatar'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'A Canal in the Fallāhiyeh District'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'A Creek at Fāo'. Photographer: Mr W D Cumming;'Muti at the head of Wādi Halfain'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Near the village of Qārah in the Hasa Oasis'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'The village of Qārah in the Hasa Oasis'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'Desert bewteen the Hasa Oasis and Qatar'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'The Imāmzādeh of Haidar Karār at the place of formation of the Hindiyān River'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'The Hindyān River near Zaidān'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'General View of Hofūf'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'The Na’āthil Quarter, Hofūf'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'Hormuz - View from the old Fort'. Photographer: Raja Deen Dayal & Sons;'Crowd at Rās=al-Khaimah'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Rās=al-Khaimah, looking towards Ruūs=al=Jibāl'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Kumzār'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'The foreshore Kuwait, showing boat harbour'. Photographer: John Calcott Gaskin;'Camel riders of the Shaikh of Kuwait'. Photographer: Raja Deen Dayal & Sons;'Lingeh';'The Tīs Valley in Persian Makrān'. Photographer: Mr R H New;'Country between the Bīr and Kair Rivers in Persian Makrān'. Photographer: Mr R H New;'Mouth of the Tīs valley looking seawards'. Photographer: Mr R H New;'The British Agency, Manāmah, Bahrain'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'An Arab of the Manāsīr tribe'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'The Cemetery, Maqlab. (From A Photograph in the Possession of H Gabler, Esq, I E T D)';'Eastern end of Masqat Town, British Consulate on the left, Sultan's palace on the right'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'West end of Masqat Town from Sultan's Palace. & Fort Mīrāni'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Centre and Western end of Masqat Town with part of the Harbour'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'View of Wādi Mi’aidin from Sharaijah'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'River Scene Muhammareh'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Two Views of Muhammareh Town'. Photographer: John Calcott Gaskin;'Persian Battery at Muhammareh'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'View at Haz’=Dhabi, Trucial Oman'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'’Oqair Port'. Photographer: Herr Hermann Burchardt;'Salt Rocks on Qishm Island near Namakdān'. Photographer: Raja Deen Dayal & Sons;'The "Earl Canning" lying in Elphinstone inlet, Ruus=al=Jibal 1868. [Head of Inlet.] From A Photograph in the Possession of H Gabler, Esq, I E T D)';'Wadi Samail near Hisn Samail'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Eastern Face of Jabal=ash=Sham';'The port of Sur'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'Bilād=as=Sur'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox;'The Fort of Wakrah, Qatar'. Photographer: Major Percy Zachariah Cox.1 volume (1952 pages)Following the title pages and 'Introduction', entries are arranged in alphabetical order from '’Abādilah' to 'Zubair Town'.Foliation: The foliation sequence is circled in pencil in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio with text, on number 1, and ends on the last folio with text, on number 1034. It should be noted that f. 192 is followed by f. 192A.
https://libraries.aub.edu.lb/xtf/data/aco/LeBAU_b12768030/thumb.jpg"Part of the Arabic Collections Online (ACO) projectcontributed by American University of Beirut's Jafet Memorial Library"'Electronic reproduction'137، c-h، 48 صفحة لوحات غير مرقمة : مصورات (معظمها ملون)، صور طبق الأصل (معظمها ملون) ؛ 25 سم"وللأستاذ مروان نصر، رئيس مصلحة الصناعة في وزارة الإقتصاد الوطني، وواضع هذا الكتاب لغتيه العربية والإنكليزية..." --صفحة 6
Correspondence concerning proposals to create a union on the Trucial Coast to counter the activities of Bedouin raiders. Correspondence also discusses the attitude of the Shaikh of Ras al Khaima who refused to observe the protocol of calling on visiting ships during the visit of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. The file also discusses plots in Ras al Khaima and includes the original Arabic and translation of a letter from Shaikh Sultan bin Salim, Ruler of Ras al Khaimah to William Rupert Hay, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf requesting the Political Resident's involvement in reconciling the Shaikh with his brother.Correspondents include the Political Resident Persian Gulf; Political Agent, Bahrain; Residency Agent, Sharjah; Shaikh Sultan bin Salim.1 volume (43 folios)Foliation: The sequence consists of pencil numbers, enclosed in a circle, located in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio. The file also contains former foliation sequences which are inconsistent and use either uncircled pencil numbers or red numbers.
Correspondence concerning the seizure by a Persian customs launch of a boat carrying tea and sugar and implications for British prestige on the Arab coast. The file includes a sketch map of Jezirat Tunb [Tumb] (folio 4) and Jezirat Abu Musa (folio 9).Correspondents include the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf; Political Resident Persian Gulf; Secretary of State for India, London; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London.1 Volume (366 folios)The papers are arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file.There are two foliation sequences. The older foliation sequence begins on the second typescript folio and runs from number 2 through to 344, ending on the last typescript folio. It is not comprehensive in that some of the folios are not numbered. The second foliation sequence, which should be used for referencing, begins on the first folio of writing on number 1. There follows a blank folio with no folio number, and then the sequence resumes on the following folio, which is the first typescript folio. The sequence continues through to number 366, ending on the inside of the back cover of the volume.The first foliation sequence is written in pencil in the top right corner of each folio. The second foliation sequence is written and circled in pencil, also in the top right corner of each folio.
The file comprises a letter from Ernest Vincent Packer, Manager for Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior) enclosing a copy of the concession agreement signed with Shaikh Aḥmad bin rāshid Āl Mu'alla ( of Umm-al-Qawain [Umm al Qaywayn]. The concession agreement is in Arabic and English.1 file (20 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 22; 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 2-4; 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 comprises a letter from Ernest Vincent Packer, Manager for Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Arnold Crawshaw Galloway) enclosing a copy of the oil concession agreement signed with Sheikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī of Ras-al-Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah]. The concession agreement is in English and Arabic.1 file (21 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 23; 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 6-19; 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 comprises of a letter from Ernerst Vincent Packer, Manager for Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior) enclosing a copy of an amendment to the Sharjah Oil Concession agreement agreed with Sheikh Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī. The amendment is in Arabic and English.Also enclosed is a letter from the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (Raymond Clive Murphy) to which includes details of an agreement reached between the Shaikh of Sharjah and the Chiefs of the Beni Qitab, which would grant Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited permission to operate in Beni Qitab territory in return for a share of the income derived from the oil concession agreement.1 file (5 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 7; 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 2-6; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
This file consists of correspondence between British officials in Bushire, Sharjah, Tehran and Simla. The main correspondents include: the Political Resident Persian Gulf, Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf; Minister for Foreign Affairs of Persian Government.The file includes reports on two dhows that left Ajman on the Trucial Coast with food for pearl banks. They were stopped by the Persian Customs Director at Farur who confiscated rupees and pearls; it ordered the second dhow to proceed to Lingah with police on board. The dhow returned to Ajman and the Shaikh imprisoned the police; only the presence of a British ship prevented Ajman from sending an armed force. The Political Resident Persian Gulf noted that it was 'undesirable that Persian officials should correspond with Trucial Shaikhs'. Following discussions with the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Persian Government the matter was resolved and arrangements made for the Persian Custom Authorities at Bushire for transfer of the confiscated rupees. The file includes the Shaikh of Ajman's original letter in Arabic to the Residency Agent, Sharjah and English translation.1 volume (89 folios)Foliation: The foliation sequence consists of pencil numbers located in the top right corner of each folio. Foliation begins at the first telegram on number 1 and runs through to 89, ending on the inside of the back cover of the volume. Foliation omission: There is no folio 10.
The volume comprises correspondence in English and Arabic between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Hugh Weightman), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman, John Baron Howes), the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Saiyid ‘Abd al-Razzaq), the India Office (John Charles Walton, John Percival Gibson, Roland Tennyson Peel), and Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros, Frederick Lewisohn, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg, Basil Henry Lermitte, Ernest Vincent Packer) regarding negotiations for oil concessions with the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s.Petroleum Concessions Limited’s negotiations with Shaikh Sultan bin Salim [Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Ras al Khaimah [Ra’s al Khaymah] are discussed, in which an agreement was initially reached with the Shaikh, who requested to see the political agreement between His Majesty’s Government and Petroleum Concessions Limited prior to concluding a concession agreement with the Company. A copy of the political agreement can be found at folios 65-66. The negotiations ultimately concluded an exploration permit for the Shaikh’s territory; with an allowance within the permit to a subsequent agreement for drilling and exploitation should the results of the exploration be favourable.Also included is correspondence regarding the Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah’s refusal to undertake the previously agreed exchange of letters, including his attempt to reword one of the letters, and potential measures that could be used to compel him to complete the exchange prior to his eventual agreement and formal completion of the Sharjah Concession Agreement. A printed copy of the concession agreement, political agreement and letters exchanged can be found at folios 92-101.Further correspondence relates to the question of the political agreement and whether the agreement of the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s to such an agreement is necessary.The correspondence concludes that the agreement does not require the Shaikh’s approval however as Dubai and Sharjah had both previously agreed to the political agreement and the Regent of Kalba was happy to agree to it as part of the concession it was not necessary to take any action on the matter at that time. Also discussed is the requirement for HMG approval to the establishment of a bank as part of the agreement and whether this was necessary; and the movements of the Standard Oil Company of California and the likelihood that they were using their alleged interest in Trucial Coast Oil Concessions to improve their chances of obtaining a concession in the unallotted area in Bahrain.Other matters discussed in the volume include:attempts at re-opening negotiations with Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan [Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān], Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and the Shaikh’s insistence in writing that he was not bound by His Majesty’s Government approval and was free to negotiate with whomever he wished;a conversation between the India Office and Hamilton Ballantyne of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) regarding representatives of the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah) having alluded to the Shaikh’s desire to grant a concession for the remaining unallotted area of his territory to BAPCO but fearing that he would lose control of the Hawar Islands if he did so;Petroleum Concessions Limited’s interest in a negotiating concession for the territory of Kalba [Kalbā] with Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Sultan [Shaikh Khālid bin Aḥmad bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī], Regent to Shaikh Hamad bin Said [Shaikh Ḥamad bin Sa‘īd Āl Qasimī] who was a minor. The correspondence discusses the actual extent of Kalba territory; Shaikh Khalid’s desire to create a combined Qawasim [Qawāsim] Shaikhdom with himself as ruler and his close relations with the Bani Chittab [Beni Qitab] tribe; and the concession agreement that was reached between the two parties;printed summary issued by the Petroleum Department of His Majesty’s Government detailing petroleum developments in the Arabian Peninsula in relation to Petroleum Concessions Limited (folios 103-105, 127-129).A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 196-203.1 volume (206 folios)The volume contains a table of contents on folio 4 comprising of subject headings and page references. 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, 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 6-195 with a gap between f 40 and f 91; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Percy Gordon Loch), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), the India Office (Maurice Clausen, John Charles Walton) and Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington, General Manager of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (also referred to by their former name Anglo-Persian Oil Company) about options and concessions to explore for oil on the Trucial Coast.The volume discusses negotiations being undertaken by Hajji 'Abdullah Williamson on behalf of the D'Arcy Exploration Group (part of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company) with Shaikh Sultan ibn Salim [Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah], Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah and Shaikh Said bin Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], Ruler of Dibai [Dubai] which resulted in the group securing two year options to explore for oil in those territories. Also discussed is the possibility of pursuing options to explore for oil in Ajman and Umm al Qaiwaim [Umm al-Qaywayn], and negotiations for a two year option in Abu Dhabi which is unsuccessful.Other matters discussed in the volume include:major Frank Holmes interest in exploring for oil on the Trucial coast, including his correspondence with the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi and his involvement in a new British oil exploration company which does not come to fruition;a trip taken by the Shaikh Shaqbut bin Sultan bin Said (Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān), Ruler of Abu Dhabi to Basrah [Basra] and Baghdad to seek medical advice, and rumours that he may also be discussing oil exploration whilst there;discussions held in the India Office regarding the British Government's future policy with regards to the Persian Gulf and the development of oil there; along with measures to be taken to safeguard British interests in the Gulf and minimise the additional workload that oil concession negotiations might add to the Political Residency;the formation of Petroleum Concessions Limited, a part of the Iraq Petroleum Company to manage non Iraqi concessions and pursue new ones. The intention was for the new company to manage the Qatar concession and to follow through exploration and negotiations for those areas that the D'Arcy exploration group had obtained options for as well as to look at possible concessions in the Kuwait neutral zone, the unallotted area of Bahrain, and the remaining areas of the Trucial Coast;possible interest by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in exploring Kalbah [Kalbā] and the island of Tunb [Greater Tumb] for oil and minerals.Other correspondents in the volume include the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf (Captain Vernon Saumarez Butler); and the British Vice-Consul at Mohammerah (also given as Khoramshahr) (Frederick Charles Leslie Chauncy) who relays correspondence and information relating to Persia, Iraq and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.The correspondence from the various Trucial Coast Shaikhs is in Arabic, with translations in English, and the letter-head for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company is in Persian and English.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 254-268.1 volume (271 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume. There is a table of contents on folio 4 which lists subjects discussed in the volume and the page references for them.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 2-272; 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 volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), the India Office (John Charles Walton); the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (L Lefroy, Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington, Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros) on the subject of possible concessions with the Trucial Coast Shaikhs and the formation of a new company, Petroleum Concessions Limited to undertake negotiations for these concessions.Matters discussed include:correspondence from Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson, negotiator for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) discussing what he had learned of the extent and boundaries of Abu Dhabi territory; his negotiations with the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi and his eventual success in securing a two year option, including a copy of the agreement signed between Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān), Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Also included in the correspondence is information on the different tribes and tribal groups within Abu Dhabi; the availability of water, livestock and food supplies; and transport options within the country;the decision by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company to form a new subsidiary company, Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) to take on the options obtained from Trucial Coast Shaikhs and exploit potential concessions should oil be found. The correspondence is primarily between Sir John Skliros, Chairman of Petroleum Concessions Limited, Langlois Massy Lefroy and Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and representatives of the India Office discussing the establishment of PCL and their interest in negotiating an extension of their options to five years and including draft concessions in those extensions. Enclosed within the volume are PCL’s proposed draft concession agreements for Ras-al-Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah], Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait Neutral Zone and Bahrain; the two year option agreement signed with Shaikh Rashid bin Homaid [Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī], Ruler of Ajman ; and interest in an option in Umm-ul-Quwain [Umm al Qaywayn];correspondence from Saiyid Said bin Taimur [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat expressing a desire to have a mineralogical survey undertaken within his territories, as although the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (now the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company) had surveyed the area in the past he wished to have a second opinion to settle the question of whether or not there might be oil;attempts by Major Frank Holmes to form a British Company to pursue possible Oil Concessions on the Trucial Coast, which failed, and his subsequent appointment by Petroleum Concessions Limited to act as their negotiator in the Persian Gulf;the question of whether an option for Kalba [Kalbā] would be of interest and discussing its complicated political status involving the Shaikh’s of Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah;discussion over the wording of the option agreement between the Shaikh of Ras-al-Khaimah and AIOC and whether it covers the island of Tamb (also given as Tanb) [Greater Tumb].Correspondence with the various Trucial Coast Shaikhs is in Arabic, with translations in English, and the letter-head for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company is in Persian and English.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 200-204.1 volume (207 folios)A table of contents is given on folio 6 with subject headings and page references. 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, 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 7-199; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The volume discusses the intention of Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) to negotiate extensions on the options that the D’Arcy Exploration Company had acquired with the rulers of Abu Dhabi (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān), Ajman (Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī), Dibai [Dubai] (Shaikh Saʻīd bin Maktūm), Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah] (Shaikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī) and Sharjah (Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī) and to open negotiations for concession agreements with them too.Included in the file is correspondence with the various rulers from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle) informing them of Her Majesty’s Government’s approval of the option negotiated with the D’Arcy Exploration Compan; and correspondence regarding the British Government’s knowledge and approval of the decision by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) for PCL to enter into negotiations with them through the PCL negotiator Frank Holmes. Also enclosed are copies of the proposed draft concessions for Abu Dhabi (ff 6-22), Dibai (ff 22-37), Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah.Further correspondence regarding the question of negotiations and concessions is included between Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum, Ruler of Dubai and the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch) regarding the Shaikh’s request that Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson accompany any surveying parties visit his territory; and his concern over the inactivity of the D’Arcy Exploration Company with regards to their two year option and subsequent reluctance to discuss any extension to the option until surveying had commenced.The volume also contains correspondence between representatives of the India Office (John Walton, Maurice Clauson), the Director of Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros) and representatives of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (Langlois Massy Lefroy, Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington) discussing potential boundary issues with regard to the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s territories; the need for a special risks clause should any Company employees wish to visit or survey the interior of some of the Trucial Shaikhdoms; the procedure to be followed for Major Holmes to be permitted to commence his negotiations; and discussions around the draft concession agreements presented to the India Office and possible requirements to be included in a political agreement between the British Government and PCL.Also included in the volume are:correspondence between Sir Andrew Ryan, HM Minister at Jedda, and George Rendel of the Foreign Office explaining the Red Line Agreement, which was concluded in 1928, including the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and Iraq Petroleum Company’s expectations under it and that the Kuwait Neutral Zone was not considered to be part of Kuwait proper and was therefore included within the agreement; reports submitted by the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Abdur Razzaq) to the Political Agent at Bahrain on the movements of Frank Holmes and his agents (Muhammad Yateem, Ashrif Halim) on the Trucial Coast including details of their visits to the various Shaikhs, and the topics discussed with them where known; the agreement that Petroleum Concessions Limited could open negotiations with the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah) for a concession in the unalloted portion of Bahrain, and guarantees made by Major Frank Holmes to the Shaikh of Bahrain that PCL had no intention of transferring any potential concession to a third party but would exploit it through a subsidiary company which would most likely be named Petroleum Concessions (Bahrain) Limited; the proposal by Petroleum Concessions Limited to appoint Ernest Vincent Packer as Local Manager for PCL at Bahrain, and follow up of Packer’s references by the India Office; correspondence around the potential need for a separate Local representative to be appointed for Muscat should any concession be granted there, as the geographic area and expected workload would be too much if the local representative at Bahrain was expected to be responsible for both the Trucial Coast and Muscat.The draft concession agreements and correspondence to and from the Trucial Coast Shaikhs is in Arabic and English; the letter-head for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company is in Persian and English.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 237-243.1 volume (246 folios)The volume contains a table of contents on folios 4-5 comprising of subject headings and page references. 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, 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 between ff 70-236; 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 volume contains a record of negotiations between Major Frank Holmes and Ashraf Halim [Ashraf Halīm] on behalf of Petroleum Concessions Limited, and the Shaikh Sa'id bin Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], Shaikh of Dibai [Dubai], over a concession agreement for Dibai, which resulted in a concession being agreed and the clauses of the concession being initialled by each party with the Shaikh of Dubai intending to sign the concession formally once it had been approved by the British Government, draft copies of the concession are included at folios 70-73 and 91-109.Also included in the volume are correspondence and meetings between Petroleum Concessions Limited (Stephen Hemlsey Longrigg), the India Office (John Walton, Maurice Clauson), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Percy Gordon Loch), the Petroleum Department (Harold Gordon Gunn), the Admiralty (Ebenezer Seal) and the Foreign Office (Terence Vincent Brenan) to discuss both the amended clauses of the concession agreement for Dubai and the necessary Political Agreement between Petroleum Concessions Limited and Her Majesty’s Government. The main points of discussion being the clauses in the Political Agreement relating to protection of Company Employees, jurisdiction for expelling foreigners from Dibai, and the need for a British controlled Refinery in the Persian Gulf.Also under discussion is the question of boundaries between the Trucial Coast Shaikhdom’s and how best to settle them in relation to concession agreements; and reports of communications between the Shaikh Sa'id bin Maktum, Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan [Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān], Ruler of Abu Dhabi with the intention of settling themselves the boundary between their respective territories which the Political Resident believes to be the best solution to the boundary question, provided they are able to reach a consensus.Correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf , the Secretary of State for India, the Political Agent Bahrain and Petroleum Concessions Limited discussing the protection undertaking required by the British Government before the options secured by the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s could be approved. The correspondence confirms the acceptance by the Shaikh’s of Abu Dhabi and Dibai of the condition; the refusal of the Shaikhs of Sharjah (Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī) and Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah] (Shaikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī) to agree to the condition as it contained references to compensation without any upper limit or detail of amounts; and the non-response of the Shaikh of Ajman (Rāshid bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī) to the agreement. The correspondence continues by discussing ways of convincing the Shaikh’s of Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah to agree to the undertaking and possible reassurances that could be given in relation to the question of compensation.Other topics discussed include:the continuation of negotiations with the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi regarding a possible concession agreement;the appointment of Ernest Vincent Packer as Chief Local Representative for Petroleum Concessions Limited, including correspondence from the India Office following up his references;reports through the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Saiyid 'Abd al-Razzaq) of attempts by the Shaikh of Sharjah to convince the Shaikh’s of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to go back on their acceptance of the protection undertaking; and to convince the Shaikh of Dubai not to sign a concession agreement until all the Trucial Coast Shaikhs had an opportunity to come together and discuss the question of oil jointly;summary of Petroleum Concessions Limited’s position and progress in relation to the concession agreements they were pursuing; progress updates were given for the Kuwait Neutral Zone; Qatar; Bahrain and the Trucial Coasts along with details of the appointment of a Chief Local Representative, the intended movements of their geologists and their intentions in regards to the shipping of equipment and materials and the recruitment of employees.Reports from the Residency Agent at Shargah of the movements of Hussain Yateem [Husayn Yatīm] in Sharjah and Dubai; and unconfirmed rumours that he had been employed as an agent and negotiator for an American Petroleum Company and had approached the Shaikh’s of Sharjah and Dubai in this capacity.Draft concession agreements and correspondence with Shaikh's in Arabic and English.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 248-255.1 volume (257 folios)The volume contains a table of contents on folio 5 consisting of subject headings and page references. 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, 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 present in parallel between ff 6-247; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The volume contains correspondence, primarily between Major Frank Holmes as negotiator for Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL), John Skliros, Director of Petroleum Concessions Limited in London, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent at Bahrain regarding progress in negotiations with Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah for a concession in his territories. The correspondence discusses the amendments to the agreement which the Shaikh wished to make, various conditions he wished to place on the concession. and negotiations over the financial terms of a potential concession. A draft copy of the concession agreement can be found at folios 94-111.Also discussed is the signing of the Debai [Dubai] concession and PCL's acceptance of the signed copy; along with the written agreement given by Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum al Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm] to the Political Resident regarding a termination of contract undertaking.Further correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and Secretary of State for India considers methods of applying pressure on the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s to sign concessions with Petroleum Concessions Limited in order to prevent American interests from acquiring concessions in the area. A letter is issued by the Secretary of State for India, on behalf of the British Government, to be used if negotiations and initial pressure failed to secure the concessions. The letter made it clear that the British Government would not permit more than one Oil Company to operate on the Trucial Coast and that they had approved agreements with PCL and were not prepared to permit negotiations with other Companies. The intention was for the letter to be used as a last resort as there could be difficulties if either Petroleum Concessions Limited or the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s came to learn of its existence before it was required.Other matters of note within the volume include:circular issued by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to all Consuls and Political Agents with powers to grant visa’s requesting that no visa for the Trucial Coast be granted to Haji ‘Abdullah Williamson without prior discussion with the Political Resident. Also included is a note of a discussion which the Political Resident had with Mr Gordon, Assistant General Manager for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company at Abadan, regarding Williamson’s activities on the Trucial Coast whilst being employed by Petroleum Concessions Limited;report on a conversation between the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān) over statements made to the Shaikh about Major Frank Holmes and Petroleum Concessions Limited and their British status, which the Political Agent was able to correct; and concerns about rumours being spread on the Trucial Coast which could cause problems for both PCL and the British Government;draft copies in Arabic and English of the proposed Umm-al-Qaiwain [Umm al Qaywayn] concession agreement (ff 48-65), Ajman Concession agreement (ff 30-47), and Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah] concession agreement (ff 112-129);Correspondence regarding a disturbance in Kalba [Kalbā] which had briefly prevented individuals visiting Ras al Khaimah;letter from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman (Sayyid Taymūr bin Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Bū Sa‘īd) to the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts) regarding an encroachment by the Geologists for Petroleum Concessions Limited into his territory in the Buraimi [Al Buraymī] district; and observations by the Political Agent of the need to define the limits of the Sultan’s territory as soon as possible.1 volume (221 folios)The volume contains a table of contents on folio 4 giving subject headings and page references. 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, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers arewritten 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 5-214; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Olaf Kirkpatrick Caroe), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Tom Hickinbotham, Hugh Weightman), the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Saiyid ‘Abd al-Razzaq), the Secretary of State for India and Burma (Lawrence Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland), India Office (John Charles Walton, Alexander Colin Symon, John Percival Gibson) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (Frederick Lewisohn, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg, Frank Holmes, Basil Henry Lermitte, Ernest Vincent Packer) regarding negotiations for oil concessions on the Trucial Coast.The correspondence focuses on the negotiations between Shaikh Sultan bin Salim [Shaikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah] and Basil Henry Lermitte of Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) and the progress made in attempting to reach an acceptable agreement for both parties.Also included in the volume are details of the situation with the Shaikh Ahmad bin Rashid [Aḥmad bin rāshid Āl Mu'alla] of Umm al Qaiwain [Umm al Qaywayn] who wishes to await the conclusion of the Ras al Khaimah negotiations before agreeing to a concession with PCL; Shaikh Rashid bin Humaid [Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī], Ruler of Ajman who wishes to await the expiry of his existing option with PCL before commencing negotiations; and Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan bin Zaid [Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān], Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with whom it is concluded that negotiations should be put on hold until the Shaikh’s uncle and chief adviser Khalifa bin Zaid [Khalīfah bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān] had returned from Braimi [Al Buraymī].Further discussions refer to Qatar, where PCL intended concluding their geological explorations and to commence their drilling programme; and Muscat and Dhofar where they hoped to make use of an RAF plane in order to reach more remote areas for geological survey.Also included in the volume is confirmation of the acceptance by Shaikh Sultan bin Saqar [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah of the political agreement and exchange of notes required by His Majesty’s Government in order approve the concession agreement made with Petroleum Concessions Limited; and the signing of the oil concession agreement in Sharjah on 13 September 1937. Later correspondence discusses some typing errors identified in the text of the concession agreement and the need for the political agreement to be the same as Debai’s [Dubai] and not the amended version recently approved by the India Office. Copies of the signed concession can be found at folios 6-85 and 157-175, and a copy of the political agreement and letters to be exchanged at folios 179-186.Other matters discussed in the volume include:formal confirmation by His Majesty’s Government of their approval of the grant of a concession by Petroleum Concessions Limited to the Shaikh of Debai and the acceptance by both parties of this approval. Also includes a printed copy of the Dubai Concession, political agreement and letters exchanged (ff 195-204);a letter from the Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi in response to the ultimatum issued to him by His Majesty’s Government preventing him from negotiating with any oil company not approved by them; and stating that he would negotiate with Petroleum Concessions Limited if approached by them but was otherwise free to negotiate with whomever he wished;request by Petroleum Concessions Limited to employ a French citizen, René Pomeyrol, as part of the geological team exploring Qatar and the Trucial Coast as no suitably qualified English geologists were available at that time; and to employ A Abdul Aziz Helmy as an interpreter on the Trucial Coast;letters sent by Haji ‘Abdullah Williamson to the Shaikhs of Ras al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi in which he proposes returning to the Trucial Coast and continuing negotiations with them, despite not being permitted to travel there or having the permission of Petroleum Concessions Limited to do so.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 202-215.1 volume (218 folios)The volume contains a table of contents on folio 5 consisting of subject headings and page references. 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, 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 mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 7-203; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. The additional sequence is located in the same position as the main foliation, though some numbers are instead located on the verso. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superceded and therefore crossed out.
The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Percy Gordon Loch), the India Office (Maurice Clauson), the Foreign Office (John Cecil Sterndale Bennett), the Colonial Office (Owen Gwyn Revell Williams), representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited (Frank Holmes, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg, John Skliros, Ernest Vincent Packer), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch, Tom Hickinbotham), and the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib 'Abd al-Razzaq) regarding the conclusion of negotiations with Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum Al Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], Ruler of Dubai for an oil concession for his territory and the signing of the concession agreement on 22 May 1937.Correspondence includes discussions around the conclusion of a Political Agreement (folios 192-193) and Refinery Agreement (folios 194-195) between the British Government and Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL); the approval of drafts of an exchange of notes (folios 9-10) to be held with the Shaikh of Dubai once the agreements had been signed; and the final negotiations over the wording and clauses of the Commercial Agreement between the Shaikh of Dubai and Petroleum Concessions Limited.Also discussed are concerns by the representatives of the British Government about the movements of representatives of the California Arabian Standard Oil Company who were alleged to be attempting to persuade the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s to not sign concession agreements with PCL and to wait until the end of their option clauses to negotiate better terms with them; and attempts by the Shaikh’s of Sharjah (Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī) and Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah] (Shaikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī) to convince the Shaikh of Dubai to join with them in undertaking such an action.Also discussed in the volume is the reluctance by the Shaikh’s of Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah and Ajman (Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī) to accept the security undertaking owing to the inclusion of an unlimited amount of compensation liability; the proposal by the British Government to amend the undertaking so that compensation requirements would be subject to Shara’ [Sharia] Law which the Shaikh’s of Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah and Ajman ultimately agreed to, and including formal acknowledgements in Arabic and English of this undertaking.Other items of interest within the volume include:a report from Thomas Fulton Williamson and David Glynn Jones, geologists for Petroleum Concessions Limited on their survey of Ras al Khaimah, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and their cursory investigations in Ajman; also included is correspondence regarding the area of Jibal Fayah in Sharjah which the geologists were prevented from entering by the ruling Bani Kitab [Beni Qitab] tribe;meeting between the Shaikh’s of Abu Dhabi and Dubai at which Ahmad bin Khalif bin ‘Utaibah [Shaikh Aḥmad bin khalīf bin ‘Utaybah] and Shaikh Ahmad bin Hilal [Shaikh Aḥmad bin Hilāl], Ruler of Dhawahir [ Z̧awāhir] had served as mediator’s in order to settle the question of where the boundary between Abu Dhabi and Dubai should be;correspondence with Shaikh Saqar bin Sultan Al Hamid [Shaikh Saqr bin Sulṭān Āl Ḥamīd], Chief of Braimi [Al Buraymī] regarding a rumour that the Residency Agent at Sharjah was intending to visit Braimi in order to negotiate an oil concession and response from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf that they wished the Residency Agent to visit Braimi to establish personal contacts with local notables there;query from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding the need for PCL to appoint a Chief Local Representative; and noting that Ernest Vincent Packer had been appointed as General Manager and whether they intended this to be the same as a Chief Local Representative or not;a request by PCL to employ Robert Sutherland Cooke as a negotiator in the Middle East and whether Cooke’s past employment difficulties in Iraq might hinder this request;the appointment of Basil Henry le Riolet Lermitte as Assistant Manager for PCL in Bahrain;a request for Mrs (Dorothy) Holmes to visit Sharjah with her husband which was initially rejected by the Political Resident over fears of setting a precedent for oil Company and Superintendent’s wives in the future but was ultimately approved as 'Um Rashid' (mother of the Shaikh of Dubai?) wished her to visit;correspondence between Major Frank Holmes and the Political Agent at Bahrain regarding his intention to commence negotiations for concessions with Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah as soon as the Dubai concession was signed;correspondence regarding the Shaikh of Umm al Qaiwain’s [Umm al Qaywayn] interest in opening negotiations with Petroleum Concessions Limited; and the possibility of opening negotiations with the Shaikh of Kalba [Kalbā] as it was now a Trucial Shaikhdom;correspondence regarding the alleged intrigues of Haji ‘Abdullah Williamson who was believed to be involving himself in local politics in the Trucial Shaikhdom’s and working for the California Arabian Standard Oil Company, whilst visiting there as an interpreter for Petroleum Concessions Limited;table detailing the amount of money being paid to each Trucial Shaikh under their Anglo-Iranian Oil Company options, including how often the payments are being made and which AIOC agent was handling the payments. The table also includes notes on instances where existing or future payments differed from the norm (ff 184-185).Correspondence with the Trucial Shaikhs and copies of agreements are in both Arabic and Engliash; letters written by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company have a Persian and English letterhead.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 288-300.1 volume (302 folios)The volume contains a table of contents on folio 4 consisting of subject headings and page references.The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.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 present in parallel between ff 5-287; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The volume contains correspondence between the India Office (Maurice Clauson), the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Hamilton R Ballantyne), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Percy Gordon Loch) , the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), and the Government of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, Charles Dalyrmple Belgrave) regarding the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO)’s wish to erect an oil refinery in Bahrain.The primary subject of discussion in the volume is the Bahrain Petroleum Company’s interest in erecting a refinery in Bahrain; the possible markets for oil produced by it; the Admiralty’s interest in the potential value of access to petrol during wartime conditions; and the possibility of using a refinery in Bahrain to refine imported oil. Also discussed is the Company’s interest in securing further tax exemptions from the Bahrain Government in relation to establishing a refinery; an agreement to increase the minimum amount of royalty paid by BAPCO to the Bahrain Government; and the desire of the Shaikh of Bahrain to ensure that every effort would be made to employ Bahraini subjects at the refinery once complete.Other matters discussed in the volume include:BAPCO’s intention of loaning American refinery construction workers from the Standard Oil Company of California to work on construction of the refinery at Bahrain, and arrangements with the British Consul-General in San Francisco (Cyril H Cane) for the issuing of visas to the relevant individuals;the drafting of a deed which would modify the mining lease between BAPCO and the Government of Bahrain in order to enable the erection of a refinery in Bahrain, and the procedures required for its signature in Bahrain. A copy of the original mining lease can be found at folios 6-16, and a copy of the deed modifying the lease can be found at folios 167-170.BAPCO’s intention of attempting to acquire some of the plant for the refinery from Germany and the need for the plant to be accompanied by 2 Germans to assist in its erection and to oversee the training of BAPCO staff in its use.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 213-217.1 volume (220 folios)The volume contains a table of contents on folio 2 comprising of subject headings and page references. The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. File notes for the volume can be found at folios 213-217, the notes cover the correspondence contained within the volume as well as references to correspondence covering the period 15-20 June 1936 which is recorded as having been transferred to file 86/2 [IOR/R/15/1/662].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 mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 6-217; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. The parallel sequence is located in the same position as the main sequence, although some folios are also numbered on the verso.
The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts), the India Office (Maurice Clauson), Petroleum Concessions Limited (Major Frank Holmes, John Skliros, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg) and the Standard Oil Company of California (Hamilton R Ballantyne) regarding Petroleum Concessions Limited’s interest in an oil concession in Muscat and their intention of opening negotiations with the Sultan of Muscat and Oman (Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd) which were delayed owing to the Sultan extending his stay in the interior of his country near Dhofar [Zufār].Included in the file are copies in Arabic and English of the proposed concession agreement for Muscat and Oman, including correspondence regarding possible amendments to the agreement and copies of the various drafts which can be found at folios 5-20, 28-40, 109-124, 136-139, 144-159 and 195-210.Also discussed is correspondence between the Sultan of Muscat and the Standard Oil Company of California, including samples of oil seepages found near Dhofar which were sent to the company for assessment but were not found to contain crude oil.Also discussed are the concerns of British authorities at Standard Oil’s attempts to acquire concessions in the Persian Gulf and conversations between the Company’s representative in London and the India Office at which the Company were made aware that Petroleum Concessions Limited had been given first right of negotiation in that area.Other matters of interest within the file include:concerns over possible reactions by the Bani Bu Ali [Banī Bū ‘Alī] tribe to any negotiations for, or grant of, an oil concession in Muscat, which would cover the Sur district where they held power;discussion regarding the difficulty of defining the boundaries for the Imamate of Oman;a visit paid by Major Holmes to Cairo and the British authorities in the Persian Gulf interest in knowing who he had met and what he had discussed whilst there;correspondence regarding Count Byron de Prorok and his wife Alice who had travelled from Aden to Muscat and Bahrain with the intention of searching for antiquities and archaeological sites in the region, and Tullio Pastori who was visiting Muscat and Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] to recruit labour for an Italian road construction project in Eritrea; and British officials suspicions that their visits to the area were on behalf of an Italian Oil concern, which were concluded to be unfounded.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 227-236.1 volume (238 folios)Arrangement: The volume contains a table of contents on folio 4 comprising of subject headings and page references. 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, 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 21-226; 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 volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Percy Gordon Loch); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch, John Baron Howes); the India Office (John Charles Walton, Maurice Clauson); the Petroleum Department (Frederick Charles Starling); the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah); the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave); Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg, Frank Holmes); and the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Hamilton R Ballantyne, Edward Allen Skinner) regarding negotiations for a concession in the unalloted area of Bahrain including territorial waters and islands.The volume concentrates primarily on negotiations for a concession in the unalloted area of Bahrain following an initial approach from Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) and the Shaikh of Bahrain’s decision to inform the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) should they wish to compete with PCL for the concession. Offers for the concession area are made by both companies and included in the volume, along with later discussion regarding the possibility of dividing the remaining concession area in two and granting separate concessions, one for the unalloted area on the mainland and the other for the Hawar Islands and other territorial islands. Copies of the draft agreement produced by Petroleum Concessions Limited, and later amendments can be found at folios 5-22, 91-107.Also discussed is the potential of over-lapping rights should a concession be granted for the unallotted area and suggestions that a concession for that area might contain a clause granting subordinate rights in some areas in order to respect rights granted to BAPCO in their agreement. The rights related to access to fresh water, roads and harbours.Further discussion surrounds the ‘Bahrain Islands’ focusing particularly on the Hawar group of islands and whether they were owned by Bahrain, as claimed by the Shaikh of Bahrain and could therefore be included in a concession for the unalloted area. The resulting enquiries made by the India Office concluded that it appeared Bahrain owned the islands, and that the burden of disproving ownership rested with any other potential claimant.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 221-227.1 volume (229 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 inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 231; 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 23-220; 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 volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard C Fowle, Percy G Loch, Olaf K Caroe, Hugh Weightman), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy G Loch, Hugh Weightman, Tom Hickinbotham, John B Howes), the India Office (Maurice J Clauson, Roland T Peel, John C Walton, John P Gibson), the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah), the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles D Belgrave), Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros, Stephen H Longrigg, Frank Holmes, Ernest V Packer) and the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Hamilton R Ballantyne, Edward A Skinner) regarding negotiations for a concession in the unalloted area of Bahrain which would include Bahrain's territorial islands and the Hawar Group of Islands.The correspondence centres on the Shaikh of Bahrain’s decision to postpone negotiations for one year until May 1938 in order to concentrate on the resolution of his ownership claim to Zubarah [Az Zubārah] which was being contested by the Shaikh of Qatar (Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī). Later correspondence relates to the Shaikh’s decision to split the unalloted area into two concessions with the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) being granted the remaining area on the main island and some territorial waters including Sitrah Island; and Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) being granted the Hawar Group of Islands and a number of other territorial islands and waters along with an allocated site at Muharraq for use in constructing a refinery and storage areas.Also included is continued discussion around the question of ownership of the Hawar Islands and Fasht Dibal [Fasht ad Dībal]. The India Office concluded that their evidence supported the Shaikh of Bahrain’s claim to the islands and that therefore responsibility for disputing the claim lay with any other potential claimants. The question under discussion however was whether to make the Shaikh of Qatar, as the other potential claimant, aware of their conclusions.Other matters discussed in the volume include:the question of oil rights to Zubarah, which had been granted under the Qatar Oil Concession, and the assurance given by the Shaikh of Bahrain to His Majesty’s Government that should his claim of ownership to Zubarah be recognised it would not affect the Qatar Oil Company’s work in that area;notes on a meeting at the India Office with Hamilton R Ballantyne, a representative of the Standard Oil Company of California who were interested in oil concessions on the Trucial Coast as well as the unalloted area of Bahrain.discussion regarding Major Frank Holmes’ actions during his work for PCL in 1936/1937 on the Trucial Coast and the Political Resident’s wish to prevent him from travelling to Bahrain or the Trucial Coast in order to prevent further potential confusion and intrigue. Also reported on is a conversation between the Political Agent at Kuwait and Major Holmes at which Holmes' vision for oil concessions to drill under the pearl banks between Bahrain and Qatar is revealed.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 193-200.The correspondence with the Shaikh of Bahrain and various draft concession documents are in English and Arabic.1 volume (203 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 back cover with 205; 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 6-192; these numbers are written in pencil and red crayon, 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 volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior), the Political Agent at Kuwait (Arnold C Galloway, Tom Hickinbotham, Cornelius J Pelly, Gordon N Jackson), the India Office (John Percival Gibson, Roland Tennyson Peel), the Shaikh of Kuwait (Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ) and the Gulf Oil Company (Ralph O Rhoades, William Smellie, A E Angus) regarding negotiation for a sulphur concession in Kuwait. The concession was granted to the newly formed Eastern Gulf Oil Company in June 1942. A copy of the concession agreement in Arabic and English can be found at folios 118-138 and the political agreement at folios 149-150.Later correspondence discusses the commencement of exploration work in 1944 and the decision taken by the Company in 1945 to discontinue their search as exploration had been unsuccessful.Also discussed within the volume is the value and importance of sulphur both for wartime military requirements and for general trade, along with the need to establish new supplies to meet wartime needs.A request for geological data about the sulphur found in Kuwait made by the External Affairs Department of the Government of India is also included.The volumes also contains correspondence with Major M J Smith of the Middle East Supply Centre in which wartime supplies such as sulphur and sugar are discussed along with the Centre’s desire to understand how trade operated in the Persian Gulf and how decisions such as the imposition of export licences on Iraq and Persia might affect the region.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 202-218. The last folio of the file notes contains a query dated six months after the correspondence in the volume ends, and discusses the question of payments made to the Shaikh of Kuwait under the sulphur concession agreement.1 volume (220 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 221; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Bushire Residency correspondence, inwards and outwards. The correspondence is mainly concerned with the recovery of fines exacted against the rulers of the Trucial Coast. The reasons for the fines include breaching the maritime peace, abducting of slaves, and plundering of pearls. Topics include:Recovery of financial penalties levied for breach of maritime peace from various rulers on the Gulf coast including the Sharjah Chief; Himreeah [Hamriyah] Chief; Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh] Chief; Shaikh of Koomjar; Charrack. A table 'Return of Cash received from Shaikhs between 28th January and 17th February 1860' is given on folio 207;Joasmee [Qasimi] Chiefs dispute with the Sharkeeyeen [Sharqiyin] tribe at Dibba. The Joasmee chief Shaikh Sultan bin Saggar [Saqr] attempted to correspond with the Indian Government who referred him to the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Commander Felix Jones, who refuted his complaint;Commendations passed by Captain Felix Jones, Resident in the Persian Gulf, on Lieutenant Carpendale, Commander, Her Company's Corvette
Falklands, for recovery of fines from the Shaikhs of Sharjah and Himriyah;Correspondence directing the 'Aboothabee chief not to aid the Imaum of Oman against his brother, the Sohar Chief' (subject 14);Attack on Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] in 1856 (subject 18);Slave traffic connected with Joasmee Chief and East Coast of Oman.The correspondence is mainly in English except for the following letters in Arabic: f 152; copy of letter from Senior Officer to Shaikh Zaid bin Khalifah, Aboothabee (f. 177); copy of letter from Senior Officer to Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid of Oomulqawein [Umm al Qaywayn]; letter from Sheikh Sultan bin Saggar [Saqr] to Haji Yakoob (ff 179-180) ; Haji Ahmad (f. 181); Correspondents include: Commander Felix Jones, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to Government, Bombay; Commodore Griffith Jenkins, Commander, Persian Gulf Squadron; Hajee Yakoob, British Agent in Sharjah; rulers of Trucial Coast.1 volume (334 folios)The volume is arranged in 18 subject headings which give further details on the content contained in the subject: headingSubject 1 (folio 10);Subject 2 (folio 25);Subject 3 (folio 68);Subject 4 (folio 113);Subject 5 (folio 124);Subject 6 (folio 139);Subject 7 (folio 149);Subject 8 (folio 197);Subject 9 (folio 205);Subject 10 (folio 210);Subject 11 (folio 218);Subject 12 (folio 227);Subject 13 (folio 239);Subject 14 (folio 215);Subject 15 (folio 250);Subject 16 (folio 262);Subject 17 (folio 266);Subject 18 (folio 275).Foliation: Foliated with pencil number in top right front corner of each folio from front to back excluding covers and blank pages. Foliation anomalies: 1A,1B,1C,1D
The file comprises letters and their enclosures, sent under the heading of ‘Secret Department’, to the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Captain Samuel Hennell). The letters are sent by LR Reid, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay.The file’s contents include correspondence relating to:the Imam of Muscat’s desire to return the yacht
Prince Regent, given to him by King William the Fourth, and arrangements for its repairs at Bombay (folios 2-13, 76-77);praise for and costs associated with Captain Hamerton’s journey to Brymee [Al Buraymī] (folio 14);the ratification of the Convention of Commerce agreed between the British Government and the Imam of Muscat at Zanzibar on 31 May 1839 (folios 14-39), including a copy of a letter (in English and Arabic) from Lord Palmerston (Henry John Temple) to Sultan Said Syeed bin Sultan [Sa‘id bin Sulṭān] the Imam of Muscat, dated 2 April 1840 (folios 18-22);Egyptian designs on Arabia and Muscat, with details of a discussion between Colonel Hodges, Her Majesty’s Consul in Alexandria, and Mahomed Alli Pasha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Bāshā] (folios 40-43, 52-55);Commander Brucks’s orders for the prohibition of gun salutes in the Gulf, and regulations for the use of gun salutes (folios 44-51);disapproval of the East India Company Board of Directors of Hennell’s pledge to the Sultan of Muscat to protect his territory from invasion (folios 56-57);the granting of permission by Government for the British Agent at Muscat ‘to remove at the unhealthy season from that place’ (folios 61-62);British response to the blockade at Kateef [Al-Qaṭīf], Sohat [Sayhat] and Ajeer (folios 63, 78);British policy to not interfere in differences between the Maritime Arab Chiefs (folios 64-66);a letter sent by Lord Palmerston to the Imam of Muscat, dated 4 October 1840, on French designs on Oman (folios 67-68);the Imam of Muscat’s proposed trip to Zanzibar (folios 69-72);the Imam of Muscat’s designs on Bahrain (folios 73-75).1 file (79 folios)The incoming letters are arranged chronologically in the order they were received, from the earliest at the front of the file to the latest at the back. Enclosures to letters are arranged after the letter they were enclosed with.Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio before the back cover, on number 80. Foliation anomalies: no ff 21-22.Pagination: There is an incomplete pagination sequence, which is written in ink, in the top-right corners of the rectos and in the top-left corners of the versos.
This file contains miscellaneous correspondence consisting primarily of letters between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent in Muscat. The subject matter of the correspondence covers a range of subjects, most of them pertaining to the resolution of commercial and legal matters with the Secretary to the Government of India based in Bombay. Many letters also discuss the changing political situation in Oman, particularly the British discussions of support for the Sultan of Muscat. Two letters from the Sultan are included in the correspondence.1 file (282 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to 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 284; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
This file contains miscellaneous correspondence consisting primarily of letters between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent in Muscat. The subject matter of the correspondence covers a range of subjects, most of them pertaining to the resolution of commercial and legal matters with the Secretary to the Government of India based on Bombay. Many letters also discuss the changing political situation in Oman, particularly the British discussions of support for the Sultan of Muscat. Several letters contained in the file are in Gujarati.1 file (488 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front 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 490; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The volume records a dispute between the Ruler of Nejd [Najd] and dependencies and the Ruler of Bahrain [occasionally also referred to in the papers as Bahrein] over the imposition by the Ruler of Bahrain of a charge of 5% customs duty (previously 2.5%) on goods destined for Nejd and Hassa [Hasa] even when those goods did not leave the Customs House at Bahrain and find their way into Bahrain itself. The dispute resulted in intervention by British officials and the Government of India.The papers include correspondence from the Political Agent, Bahrain (Major Harold Richard Patrick Dickson), the Deputy Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Prescott Trevor), Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd)], Ruler of Nejd and dependencies, Sheikh Isa [Sheikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, Hakim of Bahrain], Ruler of Bahrain, and other British officials. The correspondence between the two rulers and the Political Agent, Bahrain is in both Arabic and English.The papers include:correspondence concerning the dispute dated February - May 1920, including letter from the Political Agent, Bahrain to the Deputy Political Resident in the Persian Gulf dated 28 February 1920 setting out both sides of the dispute and commenting in favour of Bin Saud's claim;correspondence dated July - September 1920 concerning Sheikh Isa's acceptance of the British decision that only 2% duty should be charged on transit goods consigned to the mainland, provided that those goods were removed from the Bahrain Customs House within twenty days of landing;correspondence dated November 1920 - February 1921 concerning complaints by Bin Saud that the new customs regulations were not being administered in a friendly spirit, particularly in relation to piece-goods.1 volume (137 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the foliation system commences at 1 on the sixth folio after the front cover (the first bearing any text) and terminates at 127 on the sixth folio before the back cover (the last bearing any text). The numbers are written in blue crayon and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio, except that the folios that need to be folded out to be read have their folio number in blue crayon on the fold, and again in pencil in the same place as the main sequence. The following folios need to be folded out to be read: ff. 11, 32, 68, 82, 84, 89, 92, 120, 121, 127.
Correspondence discusses the request from African and Eastern (Near East) Limited to Cornelius James Pelly, Political Agent, Bahrain, to fly the shipping company's house flag over their office when there is a ship in port. The Political Agent inquired to the Political Resident Persian Gulf, who had no objection; the request was subsequently sent to Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, who also had no objection.Correspondents include: Cornelius James Pelly, Political Agent, Bahrain; Sir William Rupert Hay, Political Resident, Persian Gulf; Dalrymple Charles Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain; and the Manager, African and Eastern (Near East) Limited.1 file (9 folios)The correspondence is arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file with a page of file notes on folio 8.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 9; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.