Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 28 November 1853, and found at IOR/F/4/2536/147461. It is the seventh in a series of seven items about the 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people].The item relates to two recent seizures of vessels carrying enslaved people, one near Ras-el-Hadd [Ra’s al Hadd] and one near Bassadore [Basaʻidu], as reported to the Government of Bombay by Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Resident in the Persian Gulf.The first seizure involves ships, the
Saad[also rendered as Saiad and Said] and the
Futh ul Mubaruck[
Fatḥ al-Mubārak], bearing the Imaum [Imām] of Muscat's flag. The item contains:Letters from Lieutenant Stradling, Commander of the Company ship,
Constance, to Commodore George Robinson, Commanding the Persian Gulf Squadron, providing details of: the capture of the vessels; the enslaved people onboard; and the subsequent transfer of the vessels and people involved to MuscatStatements and depositions by the nakhodas [nakhudas] of the vessels and crewmembers of the
ConstanceAccompanying letters from Khwaja Hiskael [Khawājah Ḥizqīl bin Yūsuf], British Agent at Muscat, reporting actions taken at Muscat following the vessels' arrivalLetter from Captain Sir Henry John Leeke, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy, to the Governor of Bombay, enclosing reports from Robinson and receipts from Khwaja HiskaelMinutes by the Governor of Bombay with instructions, based on the relevant Act of Parliament 5 September 1848, on what to do with the vessels and the nakhodas.The second seizure involves a Persian [Iranian] vessel, the
Furras[
Faras[?], also rendered in text as Turras], owned by merchants from Hyderabad and seized by Lieutenant James Tronson, Commanding the Company ship
Tigris. The item contains:Letters from Tronson to Robinson, providing details of: the capture of the vessels; the owners of the vessel; and enslaved people onboardTronson's request for 'head money' [money paid per enslaved person as a reward for capturing them from enslavers]Letter from Kemball to William Taylor Thomson, HM Chargé d'Affaires at the Court of Persia, reporting on this incidentMinute by the Governor of Bombay discussing the 'head money' conventions in the numerous treaties Britain has with the Imaum of Muscat, with Persia, and with the 'Arab chiefs' of the Persian Gulf.The item also contains the Government of Bombay's instructions for forwarding on the above papers to Leeke, the Government of India, and the Secret Committee [mostly likely the Court of Directors Secret Committee].The item contains multiple spellings of multiple personal names and place names.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', Draft Number '161 1854', 'Collection', 'Vol: 7', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection was described as 'No. 2 of No. 108 of 1853' but this has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 850, and terminates at f 877, 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, consultations, resolutions, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Samuel Hennell, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Mahomed ibn Ali ibn Humood Alawee [Muhammad bin ‘Ali al-Jaylani], Shaikh of Jaalan [Jalan Bani Bu Ali]. It is the fifth in a series of ten items on the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/1767/72461, IOR/F/4/1767/72462, IOR/F/4/1767/72463, IOR/F/4/1767/72464, IOR/F/4/1767/72466, IOR/F/4/1767/72467, IOR/F/4/1767/72468, IOR/F/4/72469, and IOR/F/4/1767/72470).The item concerns:An act of ‘piracy’ carried out on the cotteya [kuttiya]
Luxoomee Pursad[
Lakshman Parsad], also referred to as a ‘nowry’ [nauri], at Rasel Hudd [Ra’s al Hadd], while sailing under British coloursAn inquiry into whether the Beni Boo Ally [Bani Bu Ali] tribe or the inhabitants of Zoor [Sur] were the perpetratorsAttempts to reclaim the cargo of rice.The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 550, 1839, P.C. [Previous Communication] 2491’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 804 and terminates at f 820, as it was originally 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 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.
Abstract: Covers a 380-mile length of the Arabian Sea coast of Umman [Oman] from Ras Saugra [Ra's Sawqirah] north-eastwards to Ras el Hadd [Ra's al Hadd], and then a 150-mile length of the Gulf of Aden coast north-westwards to Muskat [Muscat]. Includes a hinterland of approximately twenty miles. Portrays hydrology, including depths by soundings and some contours, relief by spot heights, hachures and rock drawing, sand dunes, vegetation, settlements, tribal lands and place names, and includes topographical and hydrographic notes.Surveyed by Commander I P Sanders [most likely John Parke Sanders] and Lieutenant Albany Moore Grieve, Indian Navy. Engraved by J & C Walker. Published by John Walker, Geographer to the East India Company.Physical description: Materials: Printed on paper (backed with linen)Dimensions: 941 x 604mm, on sheet 1011 x 673mm
Abstract: The file concerns proposals for the improvement of the mail service in Muscat and Oman. Muscat was said in 1944 to have been 'ill supplied with mail facilities for many months, resulting in serious delays in delivery of official mail and excessive expenditure on telegrams' (folio 45). The commercial community of Muscat was also affected, and offered to pay for improvements.The papers include: a petition from members of the commercial community of Muscat, calling for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) service to and from India via Masirah to make an extra stop at Ras al Hadd [Ra’s al Ḩadd], so that mails and passengers could be brought from there to Muscat by launch (folios 2-3); the proposed involvement of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the collection of mails at Ras al Hadd; discussion of the proposals in correspondence between the Political Agent, Muscat, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Government of India, RAF Aden, and RAF Masirah; correspondence concerning the provision of guards for the service; and proposals for the transmission of official mail from Ras al Hadd to India via Bahrain, and vice versa.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 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 present in parallel between ff 2-78; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file includes correspondence in the form of telegrams, letters and memoranda related to the establishment and the later evacuation of the landing ground at Ras Al-Hadd (Also Ras Al-Had).Folios 1 to 19 are all dated 1930, and they include correspondence between the Air Headquarters, British Forces, Aden; the Political Agency, Muscat; and the Muscat and Oman Government. The correspondence concerns the issuing of permission by the Sultan for the work to take place at Ras Al-Hadd. These folios also contain petitions that were raised by the local tribes against the establishment of the landing ground in their region.The rest of the correspondence in the file is dated 1946-1947, and it is related to the arrangements for the removal of the Royal Air Force Unit at Ras Al-Hadd, and the subsequent selling of the stores and equipment belonging to the unit. Agreements were made with the Muscat Government to buy the stores. The file includes notices to tenderers which include the conditions of sale. It also includes correspondence regarding the arrangement for watchmen to be sent to safeguard the site while the evacuation was taking place. The company of Khimji Ramdas was in charge of payment matters.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 114; 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.
Abstract: The volume contains telegrams, letters, and reports related to the agreement between the British and the Muscat and Oman governments to build air facilities/landing grounds at Salalah, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd and the use of those grounds by the Royal Air Force as a war measure. The volume also contains correspondence related to the Karachi-Aden, and Muscat-Aden Air routes.The volume includes reports related to trouble caused by a certain Shaikh of Masirah and his followers, something which affected the work taking place and forced it to stop. Further trouble was caused by 'coolies' [pejorative term used by the British to refer to a non-British labourer] striking and demanding increased wages.The volume also includes reports on the progress of the work; the budget; delays of payment claimed by the engineers; reports on ships loading and unloading at the facilities; standing orders for personnel of the Royal Air Force and British Airways stationed on the South Arabian Aerodromes in the territory of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. It also includes copies of reports sent by the Political Agent, Muscat on his tours at Salalah, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd.The main correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agency, Muscat; the Political Residency, Bushire; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muscat.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 258; 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 2-258; 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 foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence in the form of telegrams, letters, and reports related to the establishment of the Karachi-Aden, and the Muscat-Aden Air routes. The correspondence in the volume is also about the agreement between the Government of India and the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman to the building of air facilities-landing grounds for air aviation at Salalah, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd and the use of those grounds by the Royal Air Force as a war measure.The correspondence in the volume is also related to the following:The use of both Khor Jarama and Masirah Island as refuelling stages for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC)The security measures taken at the landing groundsThe arrangement for accommodation for Royal Air Force crewThe arrangement for the Muscat State Engineer to supervise the work at SalalahThe arrangement for labour to accompany the engineerThe extension of the landing ground at MuscatPreliminary survey of Murbat (Marbat)Charter of the Shaikh of Dubai’s launchDisturbances caused by the villagers at Ras al-HaddThe Sultan of Muscat and Oman communicating with the Wali of Sur, and other Shaikhs to facilitate the work related to the landing grounds.The correspondence in the volume also includes the following: a copy of a report prepared by Flight Lieutenant Egglesfield on the Karachi-Aden experimental flight; reports prepared by J H Campbell, Executive Engineer, Civil Aviation Directorate, India on the progress of work at the landing grounds; a copy of an agenda of a meeting to be held in relation to the Muscat-Aden Air route; and a copy of the minutes of the meeting held between representatives of BOAC and the Civil Aviation Director in relation to the Southern Arabian Route.The main correspondents in the volume are: the Government of India, Simla; the Government of Muscat and Oman; the Political Agency, Muscat; the Political Residency, Bushire; J H Campbell, Executive Engineer, Civil Aviation Directorate, India; and the Chief Secretary to the Government of Aden.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 242; 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 2-242; 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 foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence in the form of telegrams, letters, and reports related to the air facilities/landing grounds at Salalah, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a war measure. The correspondence is related to the arrangement for engineers and workers to be sent to the landing grounds. In the correspondence, the term 'Coolies' [a pejorative term used by the British to refer to a non-British labourer] has been used to refer to workers.The volume includes correspondence related to the work in progress; situation of the workers, their salaries, health conditions, strike and replacement procedure; delays to payments claimed by the engineers; reports on ships loading and unloading at the air facilities and the capacities of those facilities; as well as correspondence with the firm of Khimji Ramdas to arrange for workers’ transportation.The volume contains correspondence between the Political Agent, Muscat and the Government of Muscat and Oman regarding the supply of workers and building materials, and the cooperation of the latter in storing fuel and other equipment in a safe, adequately guarded place. The volume also contains correspondence between the Political Residency at Bushire, and Royal Air Force officers at Sharjah and Basra to provide aircraft whenever needed by the Political Agent, Muscat or his Assistant at Salalah.The volume includes reports on the visits of officers of the Iraq Levies and the Political Resident (at different times) to the Southern Aerodromes at Bahrain, Sharjah, Muscat, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd. It also includes reports regarding RAF petrol landed, grade, quantity, and average daily rate of discharge in tonnes; the standing orders for personnel of the Royal Air Force; and the arrival of two hundred American base personnel at Salalah.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 165; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence mainly in the form of telegrams, and letters related to the air facilities/landing grounds at Salalah, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd used by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The correspondence covers the following subjects: the requisitions for workers supplied on the RAF account for stocking petrol; ships loading and unloading; the arrangement for a RAF officer to be sent to the landing ground in order to supervise the work; financial and handing over arrangements; workers’ conditions; water supply; visits to the landing grounds.Workers are referred to in the volume as 'coolies' [a pejorative term used by the British to refer to a non-British labourer].The volume also includes minutes of a conference on the Karachi-Aden Air Route, held on 12-13 June 1942. Representatives of Civil Aviation, India and Air Headquarters, Iraq discussed the handing over of the Karachi-Aden Route to Air Headquarters Middle East, Aden and Iraq.The volume also contains correspondence with the firm of Khimji Ramdas related to outstanding bill payments and bills for unloading RAF explosives and fuel at Ras al-Hadd and Masirah. It also contains correspondence related to the customs duty on equipment imported into the Muscat State in connection with the organisation of the Karachi-Aden Air Route.The main correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agent, Muscat; the Assistant Political Agent, Salalah; His Majesty’s Ambassador in Baghdad; Air Headquarters, Iraq; the Political Resident, Bushire; J H Campbell, Executive Engineer, Civil Aviation Directorate, India; and the firm of Khimji Ramdas Firm.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 203; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Correspondence concerning a preliminary survey of Ras al-Hadd and Ras al-Junaiz as potential lighthouse sites. The papers mostly cover the effort to obtain permission for the surveys from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. Correspondence comes from: the Political Agent, Muscat; Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Port Directorate, Basrah; Basil Woods Ballard, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Muscat; and Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat and Oman. The survey is carried out by HMS
Nearchus.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 15, 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.
Abstract: Correspondence concerning a proposal for a lighthouse to be erected at Ras al-Hadd. The proposal is made by Major Claude Edward Urquhart Bremner, Political Agent, Muscat, and forwarded to the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf by the Political Resident, Bushire.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 8; 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 3-7; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.