Abstract: This map illustrates the agreements of 1916 in regard to Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, and nearby areas, and is colour coded to reflect the 'spheres of influence' of the following countries in 1916:France;Britain;Italy;Russia;International (collective sphere).The map is directly related to the synopsis (folios 136-137), and the agreements made with the French, Italians and Russians.Physical description: Materials: 1 paper folio with coloured ink
Abstract: The file is a report, compiled by the Army Headquarters and printed in 1914 at the Government Monotype Press (Simla), regarding planning for operations in Turkish Mesopotamia (Iraq). The report has been compiled on the basis of the latest information available and with approval of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.The report is divided into two sections. The first section, entitled 'Information' (folios 2-3), gives topographical and geographical information concerning Iraq, as well as details concerning supplies, telegraphic communications, naval and military strength, the local Arabs of Mesopotamia, and important local chiefs. A further paragraph (number 11 on folio 3v) has been pasted into the report after printing. The second section, entitled 'Plan' (folio 4), sets out a plan of operations for the occupation of Basrah [Basra] and the Shatt-al-Arab [Shaṭṭ al-‘Arab], as part of Britain's general scheme of military action against Turkey. Details are given regarding the strength of Turkish forces, landing at Umm Qasr, local chiefs, clothing and tentage, special equipment, transport, and supplies.The file also includes a map, 'Lower Mesopotamia', on folio 5, which is referenced in the text of the report.Physical description: 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. The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This printed memorandum, dated July 1920, is a report outlining the summary of proposals by the Bonham-Carter Committee for the constitution of Mesopotamia [Iraq]. The report gives a list of the members of the committee, who include: Sir Edgar Bonham-Carter, Judicial Secretary; Lieutenant-Colonel E B Howell, Revenue Secretary; Major H F M Tyler, Political Officer, Hillah [al-Ḥillah]; Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Cecil Campbell Balfour, Political Officer, Baghdad; and Major Reader William Bullard, Deputy Revenue Secretary.The report is divided into the following sections: 'Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations'; 'The Anglo-French Declaration of 8th November 1918'; 'Conditions to be fulfilled before the wishes of the people can be ascertained'; 'Wishes of the people to be expressed by an elected Legislative Assembly'; 'Framing of a suitable form of Government'; Conditions laid down for the Constitution'; 'Mandate should be granted soon'; 'Recital of the Mandate and its purposes'; 'Reservations in favour of the Mandatory Power'; 'Reservations in favour of certain foreign subjects'; 'Religious liberty to be a constitutional right'; 'Council of State (or of Ministries)'; 'Legislative Assembly, Constitution'; 'Functions of the Legislative Assembly'; 'The Capitulations'; and 'Enquiry into working of systems of Government after a period of years'.The report contains an appendix with the following sections: 'Method of Election to Legislative Assembly' and 'Qualification for Candidates of Legislative Assembly'.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this sequence commences at folio 112, and terminates at folio 114, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 folios 7-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This printed memorandum, dated 26 May 1920, by Henry Robert Conway Dobbs, Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, concerns the proposals of the Bonham-Carter Committee which sat in April 1920 to discuss constitutional reform in Mesopotamia [Iraq]. The memorandum discusses various paragraphs and clauses from the committee's proposals, namely: 'Para. 15. Council of State', 'Para. 17. Constitution of Legislative Assembly', and 'Para. 18. Functions of the Legislative Assembly'. There is also a paragraph discussing the 'Functions of the High Commissioner'.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this sequence commences at folio 110, and terminates at folio 111, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 folios 7-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This volume is Handbook of Mesopotamia, Volume 1: General (Admiralty War Staff, Intelligence Division: August 1916). The handbook contains a variety of information about the region of Mesopotamia, including its geography, economy, population, and history. The prefatory note at the start of the volume specifies that it ‘contains matter of a general nature’, while the following three volumes in the series contain ‘detailed description of the river and land routes’. The handbook comprises information about Mesopotamia under the following chapter headings:‘Boundaries and Physical Features’‘Climate’‘Minerals’‘Flora and Fauna’‘Hygiene’‘History’‘Inhabitants’‘Religions’‘Administration’‘Irrigation of Irak’‘Agriculture’‘Commerce and Industry’‘Currency, Weights and Measures’‘Communication and Transport’‘Transliteration of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish Names’‘Vocabularies’.The volume also contains three maps: ‘Administrative Divisions and Chief Towns’ (f 363), ‘Racial Divisions’ (f 364), and ‘Area Available For Irrigation’ (f 365). The volume contains a table of contents on folio 9r, a list of maps on folio 9v, and an index on folios 355-361.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 367; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This printed report contains a despatch (No 344436/75/19) from Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Talbot Wilson, Acting Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia at Baghdad, to Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State for India, dated 15 November 1919, enclosing a note by Miss Gertrude Lowthian Bell, Oriental Secretary to the Civil Commissioner, entitled 'Syria in October 1919' (folios 90-98), dated 15 November 1919.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this report commences at folio 89, and terminates at folio 97, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 folios 7-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file consists of two maps (folios 2-3) of Lower Mesopotamia and a printed report, compiled at Army Headquarters and published by the General Staff, India (Simla), concerning a plan of operations for the support of Muhammareh [Muḥammarah/Khorramshahr] in the context of the British conflict with the Ottoman Empire in Mesopotamia during the First World War. The printed report consists of two sections: the first entitled 'Section I.-Information' (folios 4-5) and the second 'Plan of Operations for the Support of Muhammareh' (folios 6-7). The second section is printed on thinner paper and appears to be a possible later addition to the report. The front cover includes the title of the report, a note on secrecy and 'Rules for the custody and disposal of secret documents' (folio 1).Physical description: 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.Pagination: Part of the file also has an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Imprint:Ordnance Survey, 1921.Distinctive Features:Relief shown by hachures.General map of Southern Mesopotamia from Baghdad down to the Persian Gulf with Turco-Persian frontier indicated by dash-dot line, and areas liable to inundation, marshes and channels, including a new channel between Suk as Shayuk and Basra marked.Physical description: Dimensions:205 x 272 mm, on sheet 245 x 331 mm
Abstract: Printed confidential memorandum (B 160), written by Major Lindsay Sherwood Newmarch, Political Resident in Turkish Arabia, dated 18 December 1906. The memorandum addresses the associated risks and benefits to be incurred and gained from not being involved in the construction of the Baghdad railway. Newmarch refers to: imperial competition over the line and the region more broadly, chiefly from Russia, France and Germany; the alternative prospect of gaining a monopoly on river traffic south of Baghdad (on the Tigris and Euphrates) if the railway were extended to Baghdad; the prospect of negotiating a concession for a steam ship monopoly south of Baghdad with the Turks, and German competition for any such concession; the difficulties that would be faced in attempting to construct a railway line south of Baghdad, to the Persian Gulf, and the easier prospects for a line from Baghdad to Urfa [Şanlıurfa; al-Ruhā] or Mosul; economic advantages to other branches of the line, in terms of transporting pilgrims, goods; his own recommendations for British involvement and control of railway construction and steam ship routes, and his conclusion that Britain should ‘secure the waterways’ south of Baghdad, at the cost of involvement in construction of the railway line to the north.Physical description: Foliation: The file comprises two separated folded sheets, foliated from 1 to 4. The memorandum also has its own original pagination, running 2 to 7 from ff 2v-4.
Abstract: This file consists of a copy of the 'Syria and Mesopotamia: Anglo-French declaration of 8 November 1918'. It is written in French and expresses the wishes of Britain and France to liberate those they feel have been 'too long oppressed by the Turks' by helping them to install functional governments and 'indigenous administrations', and by contributing to their economic development.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 104, and terminates at f 104, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence regarding the formation and provisioning of the 18 Indian Division of the British Indian Army for service in the Mesopotamia Campaign of the First World War.The primary correspondents are: the Commander-in-Chief, India; the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; and the War Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 83; 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 2-81; these numbers are written in coloured crayon and pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains memoranda and tables regarding arrangements for the transfer of 7th (Meerut) Division from Basra (also spelled Basrah), Mesopotamia, to Egypt.Notably covers: allotment, movement and routing of ships sent to Basra (via Fao) to collect the troops; details of fitting out, supplies and accommodation for ‘native’ Indian troops and for ‘white’ British troops due to sail; breakdown of military equipment, arms and ammunition to be transported; official transport programmes showing breakdown of personnel, animals, motor vehicles and baggage on each ship in each convoy.The primary correspondents are: the War Office; General Officer Commanding/General Headquarters, Mesopotamia; Commander-in-Chief, India; General Headquarters Egypt/Cairo; Chief of the Imperial General Staff; and IGC, Basra. Correspondents also include 3rd Echelon, Basra, and military transport and shipping authorities.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 78; 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 10-77; these numbers are written in coloured crayon.