Abstract: The file comprises correspondence from two distinct periods. Correspondence at the beginning and end of the file is dated 1909 to 1913 (ff 2-16, ff 52-87), and discusses the British protection of Bahrainis in Ottoman Turkey, in response to Ottoman Government representatives in Constantinople [Istanbul] questioning Britain’s claim of Bahrain being under its protection, and the registration and status of the increasing numbers of Bahrainis residing in the port of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], thanks to that port’s relative stability and affluence. Some of this correspondence deals with a specific incident occurring in March 1911 in which three Bahrainis were detained by the Basra authorities, with the latter refusing to recognise that the men were under British protection (ff 56-63). The principal correspondents in these parts of the file are: the British Ambassador at Constantinople [Istanbul] (Sir Gerard Augustus Lowther); the British Consul at Bussorah [Basra] (Francis Edward Crow); the Acting British Consul for Arabistan (Arnold Talbot Wilson).The middle portion of the file (ff 17-50) comprises copies of correspondence from the Basrah [Basra] archives, dated 1873-1878, sent to the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Stuart George Knox) by Wilson in December 1910 (covering letter, f 16):letters dated 1878 from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Charles Ross), reporting of the destruction of Zobara [Zubarah] by the Shaikh of el Bidaa [Al Bidda] with ‘two or three thousand followers’, under a Turkish flag (ff 20-21);letters dated 1873-1874, chiefly between the British Consul at Baghdad (Colonel Charles Herbert) and the British Ambassador at Constantinople (Sir Henry George Elliot), discussing a disagreement between British and Turkish Government officials over the Turkish Government’s intention to conscript Bahrainis residing in Turkish-administered Iraq into the Ottoman army, including a copy and translation of a memorial from the ‘Bahrainees of Kerbulla [Karbalā']’ (ff 22-50).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 88; 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 2-87; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.Condition: There is considerable insect damage on some pages in the file, in the form of small holes in the paper. However the damage is not sufficient to impair the legibility of any text.
Abstract: The volume contains a chronological list of brief summaries of papers relating to the activities of the Indian Expeditionary Force D (also known as the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force) between 16 and 30 June 1916. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, tables, and memoranda containing instructions and reports.The volume mostly relates to:Reinforcements and supplies for Force D, including: weapons; airplanes; ammunition; clothing; river and sea craft; equipment; animals; and hospital servicesStaff: appointments; recruitment; changes in command; salaries; illnesses; and leaveRe-organisation of some staff structuresProcesses for sending packages and gifts to troopsPrisoners of warUpdates from the Tigris line, especially at Kut [Al-Kut, also rendered as Kut-al-Amarah in text] and Sannaiyat [As Sina‘yat]Updates from the Euphrates line, especially at Badar and NasiriyahActivities and movements of Ibn Rashid, Shaikh of Shammar Arabs [Saʿūd bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Rashīd, Emir of Ha‘il]Intelligence about the Turkish [Ottoman] Army: commanders; plans towards Kermanshah [also rendered in text as Kirmanshah]; possible attacks on Nasiriyah and Serdesht; distributions on the Caucasus and Persian [Iranian] fronts; status in Syria and on the Tigris lineCommunications with the French Army‘Friendly Kurds’ between Amadia [Amadiya] and NeriArrests of high-level German army officials in PersiaFunctions of the Arab BureauConstruction of railwaysProposals for a modified inspection centre at Fao [Al-Faw] to prevent enemy ships entering the Shatt-al-ArabViolence at Karbala [also rendered in text as Kerbella], including copy of a letter describing the events written by inhabitants of Karbala and addressed to the Persian Government and leaders of the Kashgai [Qashqāy] and Bakhtiari [Bakhtiyārī] (ff 85-86).The volume also includes:Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia on 19 June (ff 39-41) and 26 June (ff 100-101)Distribution of Force D for week commencing 25 June 1916 (ff 90-94).A summary of the contents of this volume can be found at the start of IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3254.Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 135; 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 3-133; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio.Dimensions: 21 x 33cm
Abstract: The file concerns the disposal of a sum held on deposit at Bagdad Consulate in respect of the unexpended balance of money given by Raja Mohamed Khushalbai of Ahmedabad (Bombay Presidency) for the provision of an electric light system at shrines in Kerbala [Karbalā']. It consists of correspondence and a memorandum.The main correspondents are: the three sons of Raja Mohammed Khushalbai - Gulamali Rajemahomed Panjetani, Gulammohomed Rajemahomed Panjetani, and Gulamabbas Rajemahomed Panjetani; the British Consul, Bagdad [Baghdad]; the Collector of Ahmedabad; the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, General Department; the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Political and Reforms Department; the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India; the Under Secretary of State for India; and the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.The file contains multiple spellings for the persons mentioned as follows:Raja Mohamed Khushalbai (Raja Mohammed Khushalbai, Rajemuhammad Khushalbhai, Rajemohamed Khushalbhai, Rajemahomed Khushalbhai, Raja Mahamad Khushalbhai, Raja Mohamed Khushalbhai);Gulamali Rajemahomed Panjetani (Gulamali Rajemahomed, Gulamali Rajemuhammad);Gulammohomed Rajemahomed Panjetani (Gulammahomed Rajemahomed, Gulam Muhammad Rajemuhammad);Gulamabbas Rajemahomed Panjetani (Gulamabbas Rajemahomed, Gulam Abbas R. Panjetani, Ghulam Ali Rajamohammed Panjetani, Gulamabbas Rajemohomed Panjetani, Gulamabbas Rajemohamed Panjetani, Gulam Abbas Rajemuhammad).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 1, and terminates at f 35, it is the fifth file in a larger physical volume, each file has its own foliation sequence; 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 1-35; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This volume is a printed account of the official winter tour of 1886-87 in Babylonia, Assyria and Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) undertaken by Colonel William Tweedie, Bengal Staff Corps, Political Resident in Turkish Arabia (Iraq) and His Majesty's Consul-General at Baghdad. The purpose of the tour was to visit the Vice-Consulate of Mosul in Upper Mesopotamia and the Consulate at Bussorah [Basra], as well as Indian subjects residing in Karbala and Najaf, the two centres of Shiah pilgrimage. In addition, the author identifies it as an opportunity to see the inhabitants and features of Turkish Arabia more generally (folio 7). The report was published by the British Residency Baghdad on 24 May 1887, and printed by the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, India in 1888. This copy was presented by the author to George Curzon (see inscription on folio 2v).The volume contains a table of contents (folio 5), list of maps and illustations (folio 6), and note on Arabic and Persian transliteration and names (folio 6v). The volume includes the following sections: 'Section I.- Marching in Turkish Arabia'; 'Section II.- Transport'; 'Section III.- Equipment'; 'Section IV.- From Tigris to Euphrates'; 'Section V.- Across Al Jazîrah [al-Jazīrah]'; 'Section VI.- Localised Bedouins east of Tigris'; 'Section VII.- Through Al Hawîja [al-Ḥawījah] to Kirkûk'; 'Section VIII.- Kirkûk to Sulimânîa [Sulaymānīyah]'; 'Section IX.- Sulimânîa to Mosul'; 'Section X.- Mosul to Sinjâr Hills', including details about the Yazîdîs [Yazidis]; 'Section XI.- Sinjâr to Der on the Euphrates'; 'Section XII.- Right bank of Euphrates, from Der to Rumâdi [al-Ramādī]'; 'Section XIII.- Southern Shâmîya'; 'Section XIV.- Karbalâ and Najaf'; and 'Section XV.- Baghdad to Bussorah and back, by steamer', including details on Arab coast of the Persian Gulf and Muhamarah.Illustrations include: 'Resident's Camp, Turkish Arabia, 1886' (folio 7v); 'Mule gear equally for draught and pack' (folio 8); 'Arab pâlân [
pālān, pack-saddle]' and 'Persian pâlân' (folio 9); 'Arab Camel-rider: and Saddle' and 'Horseshoe of Arabs, Persians, Turkomans, Afghans, and others' (folio 9v); 'Picqueting chain and peg (forefront)' and 'Arab and Persian paiwand' (folio 10); 'Arab rashma [
rashmah]: including (1) rashma proper, or (iron) nose-band: (2) idhâr [
‘idhār]
,or headstall: and (3) rasn [
rasan] (lit. rope) or rein' (folio 10v); and 'Flying camp: Sinjâr to Karbala (all three tents Baghdad-made)' (folio 24).Maps include: 'Map Accompanying Account by Resident, Turkish Arabia, of his Winter-Tour, 1886-87' (folio 4v); 'Sketch of Map of Route from Hît to Tikrît crossing lower portion of Al-Jazîra' (folio 14v); 'Mosul Pashâlik, 1887' and 'Plan of Mosul Town (After Capt. F. Jones), 1852' (folio 18v); and 'Straightest route (across Syrian desert) for camel riders only, between Baghdad and Mediterranean, as followed by late (Consular) dromedary post' (folio 27).Physical description: Condition: Folio 34 includes annotation (likely by Curzon) and a section of text has been cut out and removed.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: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.