Abstract: This file contains papers that discuss the possible annexation of Khor Fakhan, Kalba and Dibba by Oman from June-July 1886, as well as administration report and trade returns from 1885-86. The file also contains a discrete report on weights and measures employed in the pearl trade in the Gulf by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Mockler the Political Agent in Muscat, as well as separate reports entitled 'Notes of a tour through Oman and Dhahira' by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Barrett Miles. Ancillary papers discuss relations between Oman and Sharjah.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 66; 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 A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.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: Volume regarding affairs in Muscat relating to Syed Torkee [Turkī ibn Saʻīd Āl Sa‘īd] of Sohar's rebellious actions against Syed Soweynee [Thuwaynī ibn Saʻīd Āl Sa‘īd].The volume discusses the Joasmee [Āl Qāsimī] Chief's attempts at spreading dissention in Oman; the involvement of their brothers Sayid Majed [Mājid ibn Saʻīd] Sultan of Zanzibar and Syed Burgash [Barghash ibn Sa'id]; attempts at reconciliations between the brothers; the actions of the British Agent at Muscat (Lieutenant Walter Murray Pengelly) which were not approved of by the Government of Bombay; Wahabee [Wahhabi] interests in Sohar; and Sohar eventually being given over to Syed Soweynee, with Syed Torkee being confined to a fort in Muscat, which led to a large scale rebellion against Syed Soweynee. Contained within the volume are several letters in Arabic, some with translations, and one letter with translation in Hebrew.From folio 10 onwards the volume has been divided into smaller sections, each with their own subheading:English correspondence regarding differences between H H Syed Soweynee, Imam of Muscat and H H Brother Syed Turki of Sohar 1857-1860 (ff 10-119);Correspondence regarding piracies attended with murder during hostilities between the Chief of Sohar and the Imam of Muscat (ff 120-141);H H Syed Soweynee quarrel with Syed Majid of Zanzibar, Syed Bughash and Syed Torkee [who?] figure in the compilation (ff 142-194);Correspondence about Sued Soweynee's disputes with Syed Majid. Syed Soweynee intriguing secretly with the French attended to herein, also Syed Burgesh and Syed Torkee (ff 195-225);Miscellaneous. Complaints from Bombay Native Merchants against the authorities at Muscat for demanding customs upon the cargo of the Buglah
Fath El Khair; complaints of Syed Soweynee's indifference towards British Commissariat interests at Muscat; an attack on the
Fath El Khairsouth of Ras El Had [Ra’s al Ḩadd] (ff 226-317).Also included in the volume are four folios of manifest registers for goods exported by Bugla [Buggalow] to Aden produced 17 September 1856, which were sent to Colonel Atkins Hamerton, British Consul at Zanzibar in January 1857.The principal correspondents within the volume are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Commander James Felix Jones); the Secretary to Government, Political Department, Bombay (Henry Lacon Anderson); the Native Agent at Muscat (Khoja Hiskale); the British Native Agent at Shargah [Sharjah] (Haji Yaqub); the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron (Commodore Griffith Jenkins, Commodore Henry Albert Matthew Drought); the British Agent at Muscat (Lieutenant Walter Murray Pengelly); the Imam of Muscat (Thuwaynī ibn Saʻīd Āl Sa‘īd); Her Majesty's Consul and British Agent at Zanzibar (Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Palmer Rigby, Colonel Atkins Hamerton).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences on the title page and terminates on the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Foliation anomalies: 1, 1A, 1B, 164, 164A, 165, 165A, 166, 166A.Folios 256, 257, 258 and 259 are blank.
Abstract: This file is a chronicle of political events in Oman submitted by the Political Resident in Muscat to the Political Resident in Bushire at fortnightly intervals. The contents of the fortnightly reports vary widely, but are recorded for their significance or relevance to the political situation in Oman or the wider Gulf. The report often contain the names of significant individuals involved in events, disputes, or business dealings. The reports take the form of lists of daily events when and where the Agent in Muscat thought them relevant to record. This format is especially visible toward the end of the file.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 352; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This file contains a letter, dated 31 August 1950, from F L C Chauncey, His Majesty's Consul at Muscat, to the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf at Bahrain, enclosing a report entitled 'Notes on the Tribes of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman' (ff 4-28). The report is in response to a letter from the Political Residency, No. 378/27/50G, dated 19 August 1950, regarding specific tribes and their relations with Saudi Arabia. These include: Al bu Shamis [Āl Bū Shāmis], Awamir [al-‘Awāmir], Janabah, Al Daru [al-Darū‘] and Bani Qitab [Banī Qitab]. The report contains details about these and other tribes. In addition, the final eight folios are comprised of a table of details of the tribes, such as district, principal settlements and villages, names of shaikhs, estimated population, estimated number of rifles and other remarks.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 additional incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-28; these numbers are also written in pencil and ink, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to the oil concession in Muscat, Oman, and Dhofar. The principal correspondents are: the Political Resident at Bushire (later Bahrain) [Persian Gulf Political Residency]; the Political Agent at Bahrain; the Political Agent at Kuwait; the Political Agent at Muscat; the India Office; the Foreign Office, Sultan Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr Āl Sa‘īd], the ruler of Muscat and Oman; and representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited and its subsidiary, Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited.Matters covered by the file include:
the ambition of Petroleum Development Concessions for the concession over Rub al-Khali, the desert region that spans the territories of Oman and Saudi Arabia;Standard Oil's interest in the Muscat concession;Lermitte's visit to Muscat in the summer of 1937 to discuss the agreement with the Sultan;the suspension of oil operations during the Second World War;the company's attempts to extend the period within which they have the option to drill by 2-5 years;company plans to begin exploration in Oman during the winter of 1947/48;and Richard Bird's dealings with the Al Bu Shamis tribe in Buraimi in March 1948.Folios 3-7 is a memorandum produced by the Petroleum Department (of the British Government) giving an overview of the current situation regarding oil concessions in Arabia and the Persian Gulf.Folios 9-19 is the record of a meeting between representatives from the Colonial Office, Foreign Office, India Office, Admiralty, Petroleum Department, and Indian Political Service, held at the Colonial Office on 3 May 1933. The meeting covers similar topics to that of the memorandum above.Folios 107-111 are 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 additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-91; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department and the Under Secretary of State at the India Office in London, Sir Winston Churchill (Secretary of State for the Colonies at the time), the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agent at Kuwait, the Vice-Consul at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr, Iran] and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives regarding contacts with local rulers about oil concessions in Bahrain and Kuwait.The file also contains:copy of a letter from the Political Resident to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, dated 8 September 1921, on oil explorations in the various Persian Gulf states, and on APOC's desire to exclusive prospective rights in Oman (folios 11-13);draft agreement between the rulers of Bahrain and Kuwait and D'Arcy Exploration Company Limited for oil explorations (1921 ca.) (folios 22-27, 102-107 and 257-260);notes concerning meetings of Major Frank Holmes with Ibn Saud re oil exploration in Arabia [Saudi Arabia] (folio 80)letter from the Political Agent at Muscat to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding oil in Muscat (folios 96-97).The file is incomplete. Some letters, mainly containing pledges signed by Trucial Coast rulers not to grant any oil concession to anyone except with the permission of the British Government, were removed from the original file and forwarded to the Foreign Office in 1953. In these instances the former numbering sequence presents gaps, and these letters are replaced by folios indicating page numbers, sender, receiver, date and subject of the letter removed. These letters are now in FO 371/7723 and FO 371/104408.Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil in encircled numbers in top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering starts on the front cover with 1 and carries on until 153, which is the last number given on the back cover of the file. A former sequence runs from the first to the last folio of writing, pencil numbers (not circled) in top right recto of each folio, not crossed through - the numbering runs 1-260 missing numerous numbers out. The reason is that some letters were removed from the original file to be forwarded to the Foreign Office in 1953, whereas the former numbering sequence presents gaps.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence regarding arms traffic through Kuwait to Turkish territory, the Persian Gulf and Persia, and British measures prohibiting contraband.The main correspondents are: the Ruler of Kuwait, Mubarak us Subah (Shaikh Mubarak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ); the Foreign Office; Percy Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, Political Agent in Kuwait.There are notes containing names of merchants dealing in firearms and ammunition in Kuwait and in Oman. The majority of the documents in the volume deals with a dhow involved in arms trading in Muscat, flying the French flag; where the British request the French to intervene. The volume contains a copy of the 'Titre de Navigation' of the dhow, and extract of correspondence.There are some documents in Arabic within the file, copies of letters from and to Shaikh Mubarak and receipts for arms and ammunition confiscated by the Political Agent, and some in French, copies of documents produced by the French Consulate in Muscat.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 304; 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 throughout; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are either not circled or crossed out.
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-9 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai], dated 3 February 1852. The enclosures are dated 22 September 1851-2 February 1852.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to a peace treaty between Sayud Sayud [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Imam of Muscat and Oman, and his cousin Saied Kais bin Azam [Qays bin ‘Azzān Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Chief of Sohar. By the terms of the treaty the Imam retained control of Khabura [Al Khaburah] and Soham [Saham], but returned Schinass [Shinas] to the Chief. The item also covers the journey from Aden to Muscat of two of the Imam’s grandsons.The primary correspondents are the Political Agent, Aden, and the British Consul, Muscat.Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
Abstract: The item consists of copies of correspondence enclosed with an extract Marine Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 30 September 1847.The item contains a letter from the Superintendent of the Indian Navy to the Governor of Bombay, dated 7 August 1847, enclosing reports of two journeys made into the interior of the South Coast of Arabia by members of the Company’s Surveying Brig,
Palinurus. The reports are:‘An account of an overland journey from Lesk Kaira [Al Ashkharah] to Muskat [Muscat] and the Green Mountains of Oman by Mr Cole of the EICs S[urveying] B[rig] “Palinurus”’, ff 108-195‘Account of a journey from Soor [Sur] to Jahlan [Jalan Bani Bu Hassan and Jalan Bani Bu Ali] and thence to Ras Roues [Ra’s ar Ruways] by Messrs Ward, Sylvester and James of the HCS Brig Palinurus’, ff 195-201Both reports contain details on the: routes taken; conditions of travel; governance of each region; landscapes and towns; and the people encountered.The item contains multiple spellings for multiple place names.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Marine Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5953, Draft No. 131 of 1848’, ‘Collection No. 21’ and ‘Secretary’s Office, Marine Branch, 1847’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 178, and terminates at f 201, 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 volume is
Military Report on the Arabian Shores of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait, Bahrein, Hasa, Qatar, Trucial Oman and Oman(Calcutta: Government of India Press, 1933). The volume was produced by the General Staff, India. The place name Bahrain is rendered in the title and elsewhere in the volume in the spelling 'Bahrein'.The volume contains information in separate sections for each of the places listed in the title under the following chapter headings:I Historical (ff 8-14);II Geography, Climate, Health (ff 15-54);III Population (ff 54-67);IV Water Supply; Resources (ff 68-70);V Armed Forces (ff 70-75);VI Aviation (ff 75-78);VII Political (ff 79-81);VIII Inter-Communication [wireless and telegraph] (ff 81-82);IX Communications [land routes] (ff 83-98).There are three appendices, which follow the same format:I Currency, Weights and Measures (f 99-102);II Landing Facilities - Maritime (ff 103-106);III List of Maps (f 106).The volume includes five maps of the region (ff 109-113).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the front cover and terminates at 113 on the last of the five maps inserted in a pocket attached to the back cover. The numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. All five maps (ff 109, 110, 111, 112, 113) need to folded out to be examined. This is the system used to determine the sequence of pages in the volume.Pagination: an original printed pagination sequence, numbered 2-198 appears between ff 8-106.
Abstract: This volume contains geographical information and maps about the Arabian States of the Persian Gulf. It was produced by the General Staff, India, and printed by the Manager, Government of India Press, Simla, 1940.The volume is divided into two sections: 'Military Report' including general descriptions of Kuwait, Bahrein, Hasa, Qatar, the Trucial Coast, Muscat and Oman (folios 6-127) and 'Routes' (folios 128-164) including maps of:The Arabian States of the Persian Gulf, Muscat and Oman, and Routes in the area (f 158);Kuwait Area (f 159);Bahrein, Hasa and Qatar (f 160);Trucial Oman (f 161);Muscat and Oman (f 162);and sketches of:Bahrein Oil Company's area and important places (f 163);Sharjah and Dibai [Dubai] (f 158).Physical description: 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 front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last of several maps which are stored in a pocket at the back of the volume, on number 164.
Abstract: This file concerns the 1913 uprising of the Ibāḍī imamate and the tribes of the interior of Oman under the leadership of Sālim bin Rāshid al-Kharūṣī against the authority of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, al-Sayyid Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Bū Sa‘īd, and the subsequent intervention and deployment of British Indian troops of the 2nd Rajput Regiment stationed at Bushire. The correspondence in the file is between Major Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, and Major Stuart George Knox, Political Agent at Muscat. There are also correspondence with Sayyid Muammad bin Sayyed Saeed [Sayyid Muḥammad bin Sayyid Sa‘īd]; Faysal bin Turki Al Bu Said, Sultan of Muscat; Foreign Department of the Government of India; Foreign Office officials Tehran; Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf; Commander of the Steam Ship
Dwarka; Major Smith, Officer Commanding of troops at Reshire; General Officer Commanding, Bombay Brigade; Residency Agent, Sharjah, ‘Abd al-Latif; and Arnold Talbot Wilson, India Office.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A second incomplete foliation sequence runs between ff 4-17 and ff 73-296; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence. Foliation errors: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D; 26 and 26A. Fold out folios: 67 and 246.