Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 13 November 1847. A copy of this Political Letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2238/112322, alongside details of further enclosures. The item is the thirty-sixth in a series of fifty-nine items on events in the Persian Gulf.This item relates to an extract of a letter from Moollah Houssein [Mullā Ḥusayn], Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], to Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 19 December 1846. Moollah Houssein reports on the good treatment experienced by the crews of two vessels belonging to subjects of Sheik Sultan ben Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī], after their vessels were wrecked near to Debaie [Dubai] and Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn]. He contrasts this with the treatment experienced by a vessel from Debaie which was swamped near Sheik Sultan ben Suggur’s territory of Shargah. Hennell forwards the extract to the Government of Bombay, and includes his comments on the events.Debaie is also rendered in text as Debaye and Debaei.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft No. 345/48’, ‘Collection No. 2 of No. 139, Vol: 36.’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 445, and terminates at f 448, 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 correspondence, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Government of India; Lieutenant James Tronson, commanding East India Company brigantine
Tigris, and Hajee Yacoob [Ḥājjī Ya‘qūb], British Agent at Shargah [Sharjah]. It is the second in a series of three items about the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:A report from Tronson about receiving the payment due from the shaikhs of Debaie [Dubai] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] for cases of aggression committed by their subjects at seaInternal disputes at Debaie concerning the ruling familyThe refusal by Sheik Houssein [Shaikh Ḥusayn bin ‘Abdullāh of Bandar-e Charak] to pay the sum required by Kemball due to his subjects’ seizure of a boatRaiding expeditions in Batinah [Al Batinah] by Sheikh Sultan ben Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī of Ra’s al-Khaymah] and Humaid ben Rashid [Shaikh Ḥumayd bin Rāshid al-Na‘īmī of Ajman]The arrival of a firman directing Sheikh Abdul Rahman [Shaikh ‘Abd al-Raḥmān] to give up Bunder Abbas [Bandar ‘Abbas] to the Prince of Fars.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft No 350-1853’, ‘Collection No. 1 of No. 16 of 1853’, and ‘Supplementary Volume 2’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 8, and terminates at f 17, 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: Correspondence between the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Major, then Lieutenant-Colonel, Samuel Hennell), his native Agents at Muscat and Sharjah, and the Government of Bombay. The correspondence in the file reports on the hostilities taking place between the Governor of Muscat, Thuwaini bin Said, and the Chief of Suhar, Said Hamood bin Azan, and the Bombay and India Governments' responses to the crisis.Physical description: Foliation: The file is foliated from the front cover to the last page of correspondence, with a pencil number in the top-right corner of each recto. The inside back cover is unfoliated.Condition: Close-cropping of pages during a earlier binding/preservation, has resulted in some words at the edges of the page being truncated. There is also evidence of insect damage on some pages. Neither of these issues affect the legibility or understanding of items in the file.
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the East India Company Court of Directors and the governments of Bombay [Mumbai] and India. It is the first in a series of two items on general affairs in the Persian Gulf (the other is IOR/F/4/1596/64626), with some of the enclosures to the political letters contained in the second item.As well as the above, principal correspondents include: Samuel Hennell, Assistant Resident (also called the Acting Resident) in the Persian Gulf; Thomas Elivon, Commodore in the Persian Gulf; Captain John Pepper, Commander of the
Amherst; and the Native Agents at Shargah [Sharjah], Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh], Bahrein [Bahrain], and Muscat.The item covers several subjects. The majority of the item relates to acts of 'piracy' committed by inhabitants of Debaye [Dubai] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], including details of:The measures taken by Hennell to force the Chiefs of Debaye, Obed bin Saeed ['Ubayd bin Sa'īd Āl Bū Falāsah] and Mukhtoom bin Bustey [Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāsah] to give up the offenders and pay compensationThe 'piracy' committed by a fleet from Aboothabee on a number of different vessels including the
Duriah Dowlut[Daryā Dawlat], a ship from Bombay flying under English coloursThe engagements undertaken by Company ships, notably the
Amherstand the
Elphinstone, to suppress the 'pirates' and exact compensation from Shaik Khuleefa bin Shackboot, Chief of Aboothabee and the Benyas [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and of the Beni Yas]The compensation agreed on by Shaik Khuleefa after being threatened with the destruction of the Benyas' forts, boats and the blockade of their ports; details of which can be found at ff 266-267The subsequent trials of the 'pirate chiefs' Mohummud bin Suggur bin Zeb [Muḥammad bin Ṣaqr bin Dhīb] and Mohumed bin Mirhud [Muḥammad bin Rāshid ?] at Bombay, including a detailed report by the Advocate General on the latter's trial which can be found at ff 345-354.To a lesser extent, the item also contains information on:An attack on a boat belonging to Kasaab [Khaṣab] by people from Juzeerat ool Humra [Al Jazīrah al Ḩamrā’] and a request by the Shaik of Kishm [Qeshm] for the British to interveneAn attack on Soweek [As Suwayq] by Shaik Humood bin Azan [Shaikh Ḥamūd bin Azan Āl Bū Sa‘īd] during the Imam of Muscat's absence, including Hennell's concerns about the retaliations ordered by the Imam's son and nephew who have been left in charge as governors of MuscatA six-month truce arranged by Hennell between: Obed bin Saeed; Shaik Shakboot (the father of Shaik Khuleefa); Sultan bin Suggur [Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Ruler of Ra's al Khaymah and Sharjah] and Rashid bin Humeed [Rāshid I bin Ḥumayd al-Na'īmī], Shaikh of Ojman [Ajman], the terms of which can be found at ff 263-264Events at Bushire relating to claims on the governorship by Shaikh Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir II Āl Mazkūr], who is supported by the chiefs of Brazgoon [Borāzjān], Shubunkrah [Shabānkāreh] and Rohilla [Rūd Ḥillah]A request from the Prince-Governor of Shiraz for the British to help capture the fugitive sons of the late Prince of Shiraz.Other matters briefly referred to include:Claims for salvage of the
Duriah Dowlutby the crew of the
AmherstThe communication chain between the Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Government of BombayMinor updates on events at Bahrein regarding control over Katif [Al-Qatif].The political letters sent between the Government of Bombay and the Court of Directors also briefly touch on a number of other minor topics, mostly relating to expenses, 'piracy', and the Company policy of non-interference in the Gulf.There are multiple variant spellings of multiple people and place names. In particular, the 'pirate' Mohumed bin Mirhud's name is also written as: bin Murghad; Mujhud; Meeshad; Meerjud; Misheed; Meshud; Mishud; Mujhid; Mijhid; Mujhed; Muhad; Mulah; Mujheed; and Meshid. A later correction in pencil reveals that this name should in fact be 'Rashid'.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'P.C. [Previous Communication] 1944, Draft 432, 1837' and 'Examiner's Office'.Physical description: The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the item. The item also contains a table of contents (ff 5-9), noting ‘Page’, ‘Date’, ‘From’, ‘To’ and ‘Date of Consultation’.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence sent and received by the Political Agent at Bahrain concerning the proposed opening of a bank called Indian and Persian Gulf Bank Ltd with Iraqi capital, headquarters in Karachi and branches at Kuwait, Dubai and Muscat.There is a letter in Arabic with English translation, and a copy of a letter forwarded by the Residency Agent at Sharjah.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 39; 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 2-38; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. They are located in the same position as the main sequence, except for some instances which are located on the verso.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence sent and received by the Political Agent at Bahrain concerning the establishment of branches of the Imperial Bank of Iran at Dubai and Muscat.The file contains documents in Arabic and English: two copies (one drafted in 1941) of the banking agreement between Sheikh Said bin Maktum [Shaikh Saʿīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], Ruler of Dubai, and the Imperial Bank of Iran and related correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 90; 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 2-82; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file mainly contains applications submitted for US dollar exchange for importing goods, plus letters of credit granted by the Political Agent at Bahrain.Subjects discussed within the file are an increase in the quota for imports to the ports of Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai, Muscat and Gwadur, and the purchase of plants for the production of ice in Bahrain.Correspondents include the Persian Gulf Residency at Bahrain, the Eastern Bank Limited, the Imperial Bank of Iran, Petroleum Development Qatar and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain.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 137; 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 1-136; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain and Holloway Bros, an engineering company in London, which is seeking to establish a branch in Dubai.There is correspondence with the Ruler of Dubai, in Arabic with English translation.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 25; 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 2-24; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The correspondence in the file is related to the silting up of a creek at Dubai, which is of potential concern for flying boats following the Arab coast route, if they want to stop at Dubai. The file contains an assessment of the creek, made in 1941, by a chartered civil engineer named Bernard Whitteron, assessing the creek and proposing options for dredging and preventing future build-up of silt. The report also contains a hand drawn map of the creek, indicating the creek's deep water channel, unusual shallows, and other features including the Gray MacKenzie office buildings, jetty, and tower (folios 6-11).Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation system starts on the front cover and runs to the inside back cover, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. There is a second foliation system which uses uncircled numbers in the top-right corner of each folio, and runs from the first item in the file to folio 23.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence between the Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) representative, the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf on the roster of employees of Petroleum Concessions Limited in Bahrain, Qatar and Dubai and lists of employees.Physical description: The foliation is in pencil in circled numbers in the top right corner of each folio. The numbering starts on the front cover with 1 and carries on until 90, which is the last number given on the back cover of the file.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to Petroleum Concessions Limited's operations in the territories of Dubai. The correspondence is between the Political Resident at Bushire (later Bahrain) [Persian Gulf Political Residency], the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Officer at Sharjah, and E V Packer, Manager of Petroleum Concessions Limited at Bahrain.The papers within the file cover the matter of the suspension of operations in the region during the Second World War and the initiation of drilling in Dubai in 1950.Folio 8 contains internal office notes.Physical description: 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 addition foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-7; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file comprises correspondence in response to various reports of arms smuggling in around the Arabian Peninsula. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Agent at Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Crawshaw Galloway), the Political Officer on the Trucial Coast (Captain Raymond Clive Murphy; Captain Hugh Dunstan Rance), the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Jasim ibn Muhammad Kadmari), and the British Consular Agent at Lingah (sometimes spelt Lingeh) [Bandar-e Lengeh], D J Stephens.The file includes correspondence concerning:reports of arms and ammunition smuggling from Dubai into the Iranian coast, including several reports from the British Consular Agent at Lingah (for example, ff 15, f 17, and f 23), which were forwarded to the Political Agent at Bahrain, and in turn onwards to the Political Officer on the Trucial Coast or the Residency Agency at Sharjah who reported their investigations into the accuracy of the claims back to the Political Agent;the theft in October 1944 of ammunition from stores at RAF Sharjah, the implication of the RAF Levies in the theft, and the status of RAF investigations and courts martial (ff 6-25);reports of large quantities of SAA (small arms ammunition) dumped by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in shallow waters at Ras al Hadd, and subsequently recovered by the local population and sold to local sheikhs (ff 29-30);British officials’ efforts in 1946 to track the movements of a vessel carrying arms from Mukalla [Al-Mukallā] to Dubai via Muscat (ff 52-57 and ff 61-64);an allegation of arms dealing between the Āl Thānī of Qatar and the Āl Mana of Bahrain, in correspondence exchanged between the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple-Belgrave) (ff 65-69);the theft of Government rifles from the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) Station Manager’s office at Sharjah, in early 1947 (ff 79-80 and f 82);a compensation claim from a nakhuda who was commissioned to transport ammunition for the Royal Navy during the war, and who was subsequently robbed of his cargo and possessions (ff 85-88 and ff 93-97);Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 111; 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 1-110; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.