Abstract: This note was written by Major-General Percy Zachariah Cox in April 1918 in his capacity as Civil Commissioner, Baghdad. It consists of two main parts. The first part deals with the premises for British policy, namely, the proclamation issued on British arrival in Baghdad, that they had come to emancipate the country from the 'oppressive rule' of Turkey; the announcement of policy in the telegram, 29 March 1917, from the Secretary of State for India to the Viceroy which advocated annexation of the Basrah [Basra] Vilayet and the creation of a 'veiled protectorate' in Baghdad Vilayet.It discusses the 'difficulties' this would create with President Woodrow Wilson's principles of self-determination (paragraph 4) and the issues surrounding the creation of an 'Arab facade'.Part II deals with observations on more detailed issues and considers: the nature of Arab authority, dynastic or representative and Arab attitudes to King Hussein, Sherif of the Holy Places in the Hejaz [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī, Shereef of Mecca]; personnel available for establishing a local administration; relevance of Indian models of administration and British supervision; requirements for Indian troops after the end of hostilities; ways of popularising British administration through irrigation, education and civilian health; elements the British should foster; measures to consolidate commercial influence in Mesopotamia.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, on number 1, and ends on the last folio, on number 3. There are three copies of this item, of which only one (the foliated one) has been digitised.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, estimates and receipts relating to the accommodation for the Medical Officer of the Political Agency at Kuwait.The discussion in the volume relates to the leasing, maintenance and state of repair of housing for the Medical Officer, Kuwait Political Agency.Further discussion surrounds leases and rental costs with the local landlords and the administration and allocation of the cost of the lease with the Government of India.Included in the volume are copies of rental agreements and receipts for rent paid. The principal correspondents in the volume include the Political Agent at Kuwait; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and the Under-Secretary to the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 255; 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 2-238; 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.
Abstract: The volume contains copies of incoming and outgoing correspondence for the Persian Gulf Residency. At the start of 1852 Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell is Resident, before being superseded by Captain Arnold Kemball. Correspondence in the volume falls under the following headings:Persia, Basra and Baghdad (folios 2-4);The Persian Gulf slave trade (folios 6-8);Correspondence with the Muscat Political Agent (folios 10-23);Commerce (folios 25-39);Miscellaneous items (folios 40-51).Physical description: Foliation: There is an original pagination sequence, which is written in ink, in the top right of each recto and the top left of each verso. There is one foliation sequence, which is written in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. The sequence begins on the title page, on number 1, and runs through to 52, ending on the inside of the back cover of the volume. The following details should be noted: f 7 is followed by f 7A; f 8 is followed by f 8A; f 23 is followed by f 23A; f 39 is followed by f 39A.On some pages the lines of handwritten have been truncated where the pages have been later cropped, making the legibility of words at the edges of pages difficult to read. One item in the volume (f 32) is written is in cypher.
Abstract: The volume contains a mix of inward and outward letters, received and sent from the Residency. Most of the letters are outward letters, sent by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to various representatives of the Government of Bombay.The letters in the volume fall into three main categories:Reports on events in the Gulf, primarily concerning the hostilities being waged and peace deals brokered between the various tribes. Intelligence on the activities of Rahma bin Jaber [Raḥmah bin Jābir] appear extensively throughout the volume;The financial administration of the Residency, including such matters as disbursements and bills of exchange, which are sent onwards to the Accountant General in Bombay;Letters confirming the receipt of despatches, or covering notes forwarded with onward despatches, often sent between Basra or Tehran and Bombay.Physical description: 1 volume in one slipcaseFoliation: The foliation system starts on the first page of content and runs to the last page of content, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The front cover, front fly-leaf, rear fly-leaf and inside back cover are unfoliated.There is an earlier, possibly original pagination system that runs inconsistently throughout the volume, located in either the top-right or top-left of recto and some verso pages. The inconsistency of this pagination sequence is likely a result of the volume being comprised of three original volumes (each with their own pagination sequences) being merged into one volume.
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:View of the entrance to the Ashar Creek at Basra. In the foreground, at the left of the image a small vessel holds three figures. In the background at least five small and medium-sized boats are moored. A minaret is visible in the background at left, while along the shoreline a large group of people are visible; structures and walls are also visible immediately beyond the shore.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'Entrance to the Ashar Creek Basra.'Physical description: Dimensions:146 x 174 mmCondition:The print is in good condition throughout with minor toning/fading at all edgesFoliation:‘26’
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department, the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State at the India Office in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agent at Kuwait, the British Legation at Tehran and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives regarding the port of Basra and the disputes for the Shatt al-`Arab water-way between Kuwait and Iraq.Physical description: The foliation is written in pencil, not circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The numbering commences at the title page with 1, 1A, 1B; and terminates with 102, which is the last number given to the fourth folio from the back of the volume.
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-3 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 28 February 1848. The enclosures are dated 7 December 1847-15 January 1848. The enclosures consist of copies of despatches from the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia relating to affairs in and around Bagdad [Baghdad], including:A British merchant who was beaten and arrested while attempting to enter Bagdad and attempts to bring charges against the soldiers responsibleThe defeat of ‘brigands’ by the Governor of KermanshahA complaint against Khurshid Agha [Khorshid Aga], Governor of Bussorah [Basra], for the unauthorised boarding of a British vessel and his later removal from office and arrestThe immunity from British interference of Persian [Iranian] ships transporting enslaved persons in the Gulf and the difficulty of securing the release of those brought to Bussorah by them.Physical description: 1 item (15 folios)
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-3 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 12 April 1848. The enclosures are dated 26 January-1 April 1848. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in and around Bagdad [Baghdad], including: a British merchant who was beaten and arrested while attempting to enter Bagdad and attempts to bring charges against the soldiers responsible; and the unauthorised boarding of a British vessel at Bussorah [Basra] and claims for restitution. The item also contains correspondence which may belong in the previous item (IOR/L/PS/5/453, ff 532-535) concerning the arrival in Aden of the East Indian Company ship
Mahiand instructions for it to proceed to Mocha, Hodeida [Al Hudaydah] and Mussowa [Massawa] to gather intelligence. The correspondents are: the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia; the Political Agent, Aden; the Government of India; and the British Embassy, Constantinople [Istanbul].Physical description: 1 item (11 folios)
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-4 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 25 January 1848. The enclosures are dated 2-27 November 1847. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in and around Bagdad [Baghdad], including:Flood defences on the EuphratesTrade and immigration through Bussorah [Basra]The unauthorised boarding of a British vessel at Bussorah by local authoritiesTroops raised by the Governor of Kormanshah [Kermanshah] to fight against ‘brigands’ in his provinceThe immunity from British interference of Persian [Iranian] ships transporting enslaved persons in the Gulf and the difficulty of securing the release of those brought to Bussorah by them.The primary correspondents are the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, the British Consul in Bagdad and the Ottoman Governor of Bagdad.Physical description: 1 item (26 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; the Government of India; the Court of Directors of the East India Company.The item concerns allowing Assistant Surgeon John Ross to continue in his position as Civil Surgeon to the Political Agency in Turkish Arabia after attaining the rank of full surgeon.The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 240, P.C. [Previous Communication] 3868, [Season 18]43’, ‘Collection No 4 of No 49’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 1044 and terminates at f 1052, 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 extracts from political letters received from the Government of Bombay by the Court of Directors, containing enclosures regarding the measures taken to secure the return of East India Company property that was seized from the country ship
Hectorin the Persian Gulf by the Shaikh of Busheab [Shaikh of Nakhīlū].The enclosures, which discuss the Company's claim for restitution and negotiations for the return of the vessel, mainly consist of the following: letters received at Bombay from Samuel Manesty, Resident at Bussora [Basra]; letters from Lieutenant Charles Pasley of the Persian Mission to Neil Benjamin Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government in the Secret, Political and Foreign Departments, Fort William; correspondence between Manesty and Pasley.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 58, and terminates at f 87, 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 file also contains an original pagination.
Abstract: This volume is a confidential handbook on Mesopotamia prepared under the direction of the Historical Section of the Foreign Office, dated February 1919. There is a table of contents which includes the following chapters:I: 'Geography Physical and Political', including 'Position and Frontiers', 'Surface, Coast and River Systems', 'Climate', 'Sanitary Conditions', 'Race and Language' and 'Population';II: 'Political History', including 'Chronological Summary', 'Introduction', 'Early period of Turkish Occupation, 1638-1834', 'Later period of Turkish Occupation, 1834-1914', and 'Commercial Developments';III: 'Social and Political Conditions', including 'Religious', 'Political', 'Public Education' and 'General Observations';IV: 'Economic Conditions', including 'Means of Communication', 'Industry', 'Commerce', 'Finance' and 'General Remarks'.There is also an appendix which includes tables of 'Exports to Principal Countries from Baghdad', 'Imports from Principal Countries to Baghdad', 'Principal Exports from Basra' and 'Principal Imports to Basra'. This is followed by a section entitled 'Authorities' which is a bibliography of references used for the preparation of the volume. This section is divided into 'Historical' (including 'Confidential Sources'), 'Economic' ('Official' and 'General') and 'Maps'. There is a pocket at the back of the volume to house maps, but there are no maps present.Physical description: Pagination: The volume contains an original printed pagination sequence.Foliation: The foliation sequence 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.