Abstract: The file contains copies of letters sent under the heading ‘Secret Department’ from the Residency in the Persian Gulf (either from the Resident, Captain Samuel Hennell, or the Assistant Resident, T Mackenzie), to the Chief Secretary to the Government Bombay, throughout 1840 and 1841.The principal subjects covered by the correspondence are:The British position at Karrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk], including discussions of increasing the British garrison on the island, the state of health of the garrison’s European soldiers, procurement of supplies (provender), and proposals to avoid loss of life amongst the European troops during the summer months;Discussions on the viability of a British occupation at Bahrain (spelt Bahrein throughout) should the British need to evacuate their position at Jazīreh-ye Khārk;The Egyptian occupation of Nedgd [Najd], including at Lahsah [Al-Hasa], and the movements and actions of the Egyptian army, led by Korshid Pasha;Ratification of the Treaty of Commerce between Britain and the Imam of Muscat, Sa‘id bin Sulṭān, at Zanzibar;French ships at Muscat, French intentions to establish a consular agent at Zanzibar, and French occupation of an island of the African coast;Affairs in Persia, including the Shah of Persia’s intentions to march against Bagdad [Baghdad];Relations between Muscat and Persia, including a proposed matrimonial alliance between the two states;Reports to Government, comprising précis of the situation in the various parts of Persia, Arabia and the Gulf, including one report with information on Bremee [Al Buraymī], taken from a reconnaissance undertaken by Captain Atkins Hamerton (folios 38-46);Anglo-Egyptian relations, and the risk of interruptions to the overland mail route linking Britain to India via Egypt and Syria, and Hennell’s recommendations for an alternative route across Asia Minor;Wahabee [Wahhābī] influence on the Arab coast;A report (folios 80-82) of Austen Henry Layard’s travels through Persia, and his meeting with Mahomed Takee Khan of the Bukhtiaree [Bakhtiari tribe].As a result of the volume having been significantly weeded in the past, there are multiple instances of truncated letters throughout the volume, some of which are identifiable by their having been crossed out in blue pencil.Physical description: Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. This sequence, which should be used for referencing, begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 93. Foliation anomalies: f 27 is followed by f 27A.Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which appears in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.Condition: Insect damage in the form of small holes around the edges of pages, throughout the file.
Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent in 1849 by Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department, Bombay Castle and to Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran.In May and June 1849, Major Hennell undertook his annual tour of the Trucial Coast Sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf, aboard the Honourable Company (HC) sloop of war
Elphinstone(folios 90-91, 93, 25, 201). During Hennell’s absence from the British Political Residency at Bushire, his official correspondence was carried out by Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Assistant Resident.The correspondence is predominantly political, discussing events in the Persian Gulf in terms of their significance for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. The main topics of discussion are: British suppression of piracy and slave trafficking in the Persian Gulf, relations between the Arab Maritime Chiefs of the Trucial Coast, the Imam of Muscat and the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd], relations between British and Persian authorities in Shiraz and Bushire.Many of the Resident’s letters to the Bombay Government refer to enclosures, the majority of which are present in the volume, including several documents dated 1848 and one document dated 1846 (folios 4-5). Among the enclosures are copies of the Resident’s Arabic and Persian correspondence with agents, officials and rulers. These are in the form of English translations only.MUSCAT: Khojeh Hiskael the British Government Native Agent at Muscat, Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwayni bin Sa‘id Al Bu Sa‘id] the Governor of Muscat and the Imam of Muscat [Sa`id bin Sultan Al Sa‘id] correspond with the Resident about the importation of African slaves by sea from Zanzibar to Muscat; the contemplation of an attack on Bahrain by the Imam of Muscat at the request of Bahrain seceders; alleged aggressions against the territories of the Imam of Muscat by Sheikh Syf ben Humood [Sayyid Syf bin Ḥamūd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and Sheikh Sultan ben Sugger [Sultan bin Saqr] of Rysulkhyma [Ras Al-Khaimah] (folios 131-135, 231-231).BAHRAIN: Hajee Jassem the British Government Native Agent at Bahrein and Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah] the Chief of Bahrein correspond with the Resident about piracy in Bahrein; the death in Muscat of ex-Chief of Bahrein Abdoollah ben Ahmed [‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah] on 6 March 1849; the restoration of peace in Bahrain following the settlement of Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa’s quarrel with Bahrain seceders and his reconciliation with rival tribal leaders; the plans of Ameer Fysul [Al Sa‘ud, Amir Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah] the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd] to recover possession of Brymee [Buraimi] and rebuild Adeed [Khor al-Udaid] (folios 6-9, 37-38, 48, 55-56, 60-61, 140-142, 170-171, 198-199, 260, 283-284).SHARJAH: Moollah Houssein the British Government Native Agent at Shargah forwards to the Resident a reply he has received from Sheikh Sultan ben Suggur of Rysulkhyma about the importation of African slaves into Shargah; he also sends several reports to the Resident about various matters, including the siege of Brymee and its eventual surrender by Sheikh Saeed ben Tahnoon [Said bin Tahnun Al Nahayan] the Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] to the forces of Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd (folios 10-14, 19-21, 42-44, 52-53, 58, 154-157, 161-164, 166-168, 207-208).OMAN: Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd and the Shereef (Sharif) of Mecca correspond with the Resident about Sheikh Saeed Tahnoon's seizure and eventual surrender of Brymee (folios 27-28, 58-59, 164-165).SHIRAZ: Meerza (Mirza) Mahmood the British Government Native Agent at Shiraz sends several reports to the Resident about the gradual restoration of public order in Shiraz, following the arrival of Prince Bahram Meerza the new Governor of Fars, on 3 February 1848 (folios 14-17, 40-41, 89-90, 92).BUSHIRE: the Resident corresponds with Prince Bahram Meerza the Governor of Fars about excessive amounts of Persian import duty demanded from Bushire merchant Joseph Malcolm, for imported sugar landed at Bushire in a British merchant ship (folios 64-67, 78, 95-96, 227-228). The Resident also corresponds with Sheikh Nasir Khan the Governor of Bushire about a runaway slave belonging to a Persian subject, seeking refuge aboard a British merchant ship in the port of Bushire (folios 63-64, 193). There are also copies in English of petitions, hearing transcripts and witness statements, relating to two separate and formal investigations conducted by the Resident at Bushire into: the plundering of a shipwrecked Persian vessel in May 1848, including correspondence with Sheikh Syf ben Nubhan, Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] (folios 274-277); stolen goods passed to a Bushire merchant (folios 237-247).Physical description: The original volume cover and cover title no longer exist. The contents have been rebound in two volumes. An identical volume title, together with part number 1 or 2, is printed on the spine of both volumes.Foliation: the contents in the volume labelled Part 1, are numbered 1-67, 68, 68A, 69-148. The contents in the volume labelled Part 2, are numbered 149-300. Folio number 286 is blank. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto, in the top right corner and encircled. The cover and the two blank folios at the front and back of each volume are unnumbered. This is the main numbering system and should be used for referencing these two volumes.Pagination: the contents in the volume labelled Part 1 are also numbered 1-141, 142, 142a, 143-297. The contents in the volume labelled Part 2 are also numbered 298-570. The numbering is written in ink in the top right or left corner on the recto and verso respectively.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence and other papers received by the Residency in the Persian Gulf during 1840. The principal correspondents are Commodore George Barnes Brucks, Commanding the Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, Commander Anthony H Nott of the Honourable Company’s Brigantine
Tigris, and Captain Atkins Hamerton, Political Agent at Muscat from May 1840.Key subjects covered by the correspondence are:Captain Hamerton’s reconnaissance to Bryeemee [Al Buraymī] in January 1840. This includes diary entries for the period 27 November 1839 to 6 January 1840, covering Hamerton’s preparations for his trip at Sharjah (folios 1-10), and a report on Hamerton’s trip to Sharjah, Al Buraymī and Saha [Sohar?], containing descriptions of Al Buraymī, its fort, defences, population, resources, communications (folios 28-39);Discussions between British officials and naval officers relating to the mooring of vessels in the Bushire roads, the recruitment of pilots at Karrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk] and rates of pay for pilots;Affairs and incidents at Bahrain (spelt Bahrein throughout) and the Arab coast, reported by Brucks;Correspondence from Hamerton, now in his post as Consul and Political Agent at Muscat, on proposals for cooperation between the British fleet in the Persian Gulf, and the Imam of Muscat’s [Sa‘id bin Sulṭān] fleet, including a description of the Sa‘id bin Sulṭān’s fleet (folios 48-51);Correspondence relating to the slave trade in the Persian Gulf, including ‘reports of guard’, forwarded by Commander Nott of the
Tigris, containing details of the slave found on vessels flying under the Muscat or Arab flag, with details of the numbers of slaves found, gender and age, their origins, price, the duty paid on them, and profits made from the slave trade at Muscat, Bushire and Bussorah [Basra] (folios 80, 86-90, 100-06).Physical description: 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 first folio after the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio before the back cover, on number 109. Foliation anomalies: f 3 is followed by f 3A; f 8 is followed by f 8A; f 44 is followed by f 44A; f 82 is followed by f 82A.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.
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Depths shown by soundings recorded in feet.Shows the proposed development at Khawr al Qulay'ah, Bahrain with additions marked in red ink and position of signalling devices indicated. Below title is an annotation stating that if to be used at night all buoys and beacons must be lit as shown.Physical description: Materials:Print on tracing paper with additions in red inkDimensions:467 x 436 mm, on sheet 497 x 459 mm
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, minutes, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Lieutenant Colonel Henry Robertson, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf; Hajee Yacoob [Haji Yakub], British coal agent at Kurruck [Khark/Kharg]; Hajee Jassim [Haji Jasim] Native Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain].The item concerns:The question of Hajee Yacoob being appointed British coal agent while still holding the position of Persian Magistrate, and his right to fly the British flagRobertson delivering charge of the Residency in the Persian Gulf to his assistant Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball on 17 April 1843The war fought by Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muhammed bin Khalifah Al Khalifah], supported by Esai bin Tareef [Shaikh ‘Isa bin Hamad bin Tarif Al Bin ‘Ali Al-‘Utbi], against Abdoola bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifah] for control of Bahrein, including fighting in Guttur [Qatar]The plunder of a boat carrying the British flag anchored at Monama [Manama]The cost of raising the East India Company Schooner
Emilyafter sinking her to kill verminRumours of a military force being assembled in the Nedgd [Najd or Nejd].The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 727, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4107, [Season 18]43’, ‘Collection No. 11’, and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 643 and terminates at f 717, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of political letters from the Governments of Bombay to the Court of Directors of the East India Company. The enclosures to these letters are contained in the subsequent items. It is the first in a series of fifty-one items on the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:News of cruises made by British ships in the GulfReports of interviews between Captain Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, and the shaikhs of the GulfIntelligence from the British Agent at MuscatAn unsuccessful attempt by the Governor of Shargah [Sharjah] to capture Ejman [Ajman]Papers carried by British vessels and those departing from ports belonging to the Imam of MuscatThe projected arrival of a French consul at ZanzibarMercantile affairsDefeat of bin Mootluk [Sa‘d bin Muṭlaq] against Sohar [Suhar]‘Piratical’ proceedings off Bahrein [Bahrain]Capture of Brymee [Al Buraymi] by the Chiefs of Sohar and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], and the subsequent intention to regain Brymee by a confederation of Omani tribes and the Chief of Rasul Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah]Agreements between Gulf states and Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd]Relations between the new and old chiefs of BahreinDiscontent with Muscat at Soor [Sur]Cholera at Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh]Death of Shaik Abdool Azeez bin Rashid [Shaikh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz bin Rāshid al-Na‘īmī, Shaikh of Ajman].The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection No 17’ and ‘Draft no 465 of 49’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 312, and terminates at f 324, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of political letters from the Government of Bombay to the Court of Directors of the East India Company. The enclosures to these letters are contained in the subsequent items. It is the first in a series of twenty-four items on events in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:Information given by Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, about the actions of the regime at Bahrein [Bahrain] and those who had seceded from itHostilities between pro-Wahabee [Wahhābi] shaikhs [those allied to the Second Saudi State] and Sheikh Saed bin Tahnnon of Aboothabee [Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Ṭaḥnūn Āl Nahyān of Abu Dhabi], and between ships belonging to Aboothabee and Debaye [Dubai]Communications between Hennell, Major Henry Rawlinson, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq] and Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, Her Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires at TehranUnfounded rumours of the death of Captain Atkins Hamerton, British Consul and Agent in the Dominions of the Imaum [Imam] of MuscatAn attack on the town of Bushire [Bushehr] by Meerza Mehdy Khan [Mīrzā Mahdī Khān]Attacks on the territory of Muscat by Syf bin Humood [Sayyid Syf bin Hamūd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] of Sohar [Sohur] and Shaik Sultan bin Suggur of Rasel Khyma [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī of Ra’s al-Khaymah].The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft no 334 of 1850’, and ‘Coll[ectio]n 4 in 24 vols’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 134, and terminates at f 141 as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, extracts of the Government of Bombay Political Consultations. It is the third in a series of four items on general affairs in the Persian Gulf (the others are: IOR/F/4/1398/55440, IOR/F/4/1398/55441 and IOR/F/4/1399/55442A).The item is chiefly concerned with general updates of events in the Gulf over the period 1829-32. In particular, the item relates to:Reported acts of 'piracy'Disputes and general relations between chieftains of the tribes in the GulfThe resurgence of the Wahabee [Wahabi] tribe led by Toorky ben Saood [Turki I bin Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd] and details of their relations with other tribesThe erection of a fort at Dareen [Dārīn] by Busheer, son of Rahmah ben Jabir [Shaikh Raḥmah bin Jābir Āl Jalāhimah], and its subsequent destructionDiscussions about the legality of attempts by Rashid ben Humed [Shaikh Rashid I bin Ḥumaid al-Nu‘aymī], Chief of Eyman [Ajman], to kill his declared enemy on neutral territoryEvents at Bushire [Būshehr], including: rumours surrounding the visit and intentions of the Prince of Fars (also referred to as the Prince of Sheerauz [Shiraz]); disturbances following the death of Shaik Abdool Russool [Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān Āl Mazkūr], the Governor of Bushire; the arrival of David Anderson Blane, the new Resident in the Persian Gulf; and proposed changes to the system of pilotage.The item also includes an extensive report by Samuel Hennell, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf, on political transactions in the Gulf between 1817 and 1832 (ff 130-225). This report includes details of: an expedition by Major General Sir William Grant Keir; British involvement in the disputes between chieftains; incidences of 'piracy'; the activities of Rahmah ben Jabir; and descriptions of the Beniyas [Bani Yas], Uttoobee [‘Utūb] and Wahabee tribes.The principal correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Major David Wilson, Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat; Robert Money, Acting Persian Secretary; Samuel Hennell, Assistant [and Acting] Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Charles Malcolm, Superintendent of Marine, Bombay.Most of the material within the item dates from 1829-32, however one enclosure includes copies of correspondence from 1810 and 1814. This correspondence relates to research into previous relations between the Government of Bombay and the Wahabees.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department P.C. [Previous Communication] 1230, Draft 183, 1834' and 'Examiner's Office'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 4, and terminates at f 228, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters from the East India Company Court of Directors and the Government of Bombay. It is the first in a series of four items on general affairs in the Persian Gulf (the others are: IOR/F/4/1398/55441, IOR/F/4/1399/55442 and IOR/F/4/1399/55442A).The item is chiefly concerned with general updates of events in the Persian Gulf over the period 1827-32. In particular, the item relates to:War between the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat and the Chief of Bharein [Bahrain], and the attempts by Major David Wilson, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to mediate for peace without inserting himself too much into the conflict and concerns that the conflict will allow for the rise of ‘piratical acts’ once moreThe plunder of two boats from Morbut [Mirbāţ] by vessels belonging to the Chief of Bharein’s fleet and the Resident’s subsequent pursuit of restitution from the ChiefA rebellion by relatives of the Imaum during his absence from Muscat in December 1829, and the Resident’s concern about allowing such a close ally to become too weakDiscussions between the Court of Directors and the Government of Bombay regarding their attempts to persuade the Imaum to abolish all branches of the slave trade in the regionUpdates by David Anderson Blane, Wilson’s successor, on the unstable atmosphere in Bushire [Būshehr] following the death of Shaik Abdool Russool Khan [Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān]General updates regarding: conflicts between numerous Chiefs in the Persian Gulf; minor instances of ‘piratical acts’; status of trade; visits made; and the status of the Wahabee [Wahabi] tribe.The item includes Wilson’s report (ff 175-182) on the status of treaties with the Imaum, Persia [Iran] and Arabian states regarding the slave trade. His report provides details of the trade at numerous ports in the Persian Gulf, including: number of enslaved people imported; duty paid; number smuggled in; where they come from; gender ratio; prices; who brings them; and mortality rate during voyages.The principal correspondents of the item are the Court of Directors, the Government of Bombay and Wilson. Other correspondents include amongst others: Syud Syed [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, Imam of Muscat]; Shaik Abdoolah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrein]; Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Commanding Company ship
Benares; and numerous Native Agents at Muscat, Bahrein and Linga [Bandar-e-Lengeh].The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department, P.C. [Previous Communication] 1230, Draft 183, 1834' and 'Examiner's Office'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 95, and terminates at f 323, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file consists of a confidential printed report entitled 'Sherif of Mecca'. The report contains transcriptions of correspondence, a statement by a messenger (described below), and notes relating to Sherif Hosayn, the Sherif [Shereef] of Mecca [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī], particularly in terms of his relations with the United Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire. The report contains the following sections:Dispatch from His Majesty's High Commissioner for Egypt (Sir Arthur Henry McMahon), dated 26 August 1915;Communication from the Sherif of Mecca to Mr Storrs [Ronald Henry Amherst Storrs], Oriental Secretary to British Representative Cairo, dated 14 July 1915;Statemement of Messenger, Mohammed Ibn Arif Ibn Oreifan, 18 August 1915;Family and Agents of the Sherif, by 'R S' [Ronald Henry Amherst Storrs], dated 19 August 1915;Note on communication from the Sherif of Mecca, by 'R S' [Ronald Henry Amherst Storrs], dated 19 August 1915;Letter from Sir Arthur Henry McMahon to His Highness the Sherif Hosayn (undated).The file contains five copies of the report, only one of which has been foliated and digitised.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation commences at 1 on the first folio and terminates at 4 on the last folio. The numbers are written in pencil, are enclosed in a circle, and appear in the top right corner of the recto page of each folio.Pagination: the document also has an original printed pagination, numbered 2-7 (folios 1-4).
Abstract: The file is a copy of a commercial lease between Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, Sheikh of Bahrein, and the Bahrein Petroleum Company, in which the Sheikh grants to the company the exclusive right for fifty-five years to drill for, extract, treat, refine, and deal with petroleum products and natural gas within the portion of Bahrain Island delineated on the accompanying map.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 10; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:View from the walls of the Portuguese Fort, Bahrain towards a palm plantation. Crumbling ramparts at left.Inscriptions:Below image, in pen: 'Portuguese Fort, Bahrain'Below image, in pencil: ‘501’Physical description: Dimensions:54 x 78 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:‘501’Process:Silver gelatin print