Abstract: The file comprises copies of the Administration Report of the Bahrain Political Agency for 1918, 1919, and 1920. There is also an amended version of the 1919 report as it did not cover the correct time period and certain headings had been omitted.The administration reports contained headings on relations with the Shaikh of Bahrain and the Shaikh's family; medical matters including statistics for the hospital and epidemics; customs and trade statistics; the maintenance and upkeep of the Agency; tours taken by the Political Agent and his staff; and notable visitors to Bahrain during the year in question.Copies of the administration reports were submitted to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Civil Commissioner at Baghdad.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 58; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file comprises notifications, resolutions, circulars, and memorandum from the following Government of India departments: the Finance Department, Home Department, Foreign and Political Department, Department of Industries and Labour, Army Department, Department of Education Health and Lands, Department of Overseas Trade, and Department of Commerce.Included in the file are:the announcement of an updated version of the Indian Arms Rules, 1878, published in 1924 and subsequent amendments to the wording of revised rules throughout 1924 and 1925;amendments to the Superior Civil Services (Revision of Pay and Pensions) Rules 1924;amendments to the warrant of precedence in India, including additions to and removals from the warrant, and changes to the position of titles within the order of precedence;alterations and amendments to the rules on passage allowances, pensions, leave rules, payments to subscribers of the General Provident fund, and the premature retirement rules;the publication of 'rules for the supply of articles for the public service' in 1924 and the subsequent publication of a list of authorised firms as required under the rules;a copy of the dress regulations for officers of the political department under the Government of India and the Government of Bombay and amendments to those regulations;amendments to regulations for the study of foreign languages;corrections to the 'Manual of Instructions to Officers of the Political Department of the Government of India';instructions relating to the purchase of publications in the United Kingdom for official use by Government of India departments;an Order in Council enacted by His Majesty King George V to enable an amendment of the Government of India Act allowing the Secretary to the High Commissioner to India to make and discharge contracts on behalf of the Secretary of State for India in the High Commissioner's absence;correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Francis Beville Prideaux and the Political Agent at Bahrain, Clive Kirkpatrick Daly, following the announcement that the Daly was to be made a Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (C.I.E.);the announcement of the death of Queen Alexandra (wife of Edward VII) and information relating the official memorial service for her, and procedures for official mourning.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 276; 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 2-274; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.Condition: Folios 2-6, 157 have some minor tears and other imperfections which obscure a few of the words on each folio.
Abstract: This volume is a confidential report, printed at the War Office, by Harrison and Sons, printers in ordinary to Her Majesty, in 1899, and authored by Major George Washington Brazier-Creagh, Intelligence Division, War Office, concerning the resources, administration and general affairs in Baluchistan and Seistan [Sīstān] following his political mission in 1897. The report contains an introduction by the author, (folio 4), dated 5 December 1898, in which he mentions that details from the report are being incorporated into the Baluchistan Gazetteer and Route books. He also pays tribute to Colonel Bell and Captain Henry Dundas Napier who preceded him, as well as Captain Arthur Henry McMahon and George Passman Tate. The text of the report is accompanied by footnotes and section headings appear in the left and right hand margins.The report includes a table of contents on folio 5 with the following five chapters:'Chapter I. General Account of Journey across the Baluchistan Desert' (folios6-8), including details of incidents en route, future trade prospects, danger threatening commerical prospects, and a list of leading merchants in Seistan;Chapter II. Russian Designs and Political Consideration' (folios 8v-10), includsing details of future policy, approaches to Seistan, alternative routes, influential Sardars of Seistan, treatment of refugees by the British Government, and the feeling of the people;'Chapter III. Resources and Population of Seistan' (folios 11-24), including details of administration, fertile places, a list of villages, climate, seasons and winds, sanitation, population, transport (camels, donkeys and horses), windmills, agriculture, industries and trade, Camel Corps, sport and shooting, locusts, and fish;'Chapter IV. Exploration of the District in the West and South' (folio 25), including details of crossing the Dasht-i-Shelag, pollution of wells, character of country, routes, and pilgrimage;'Chapter V. Land System - Revenue and Productions &c' (folios 26-29), including details of ijaras [
ijārah], tenant rights and responsibilities, hardship of tenants, collection of revenue, culturable area, annual yield, surplus grain, irregularity and delayed water supply, and ancient ruins.There is a list of nine appendices (folio 5v) as follows:'A.- Geneaological tables of Sarbandi, Kayani, and Naroi tribes' (folios 30-31);'B.- List of Taoki tribes in Seistan' (folio 31v);'C.- Average temperature of each camp', April to November 1897 (folios 32-35);'D.- Aneroid readings', April to November 1897 (folios 36-39);'E.- List of wells and springs', with serial numbers corresponding to 'Map No. II' (folio 39v);'F.- List of villages', with serial numbers corresponding to 'Map No. II' (folios 40-41);'G.- Table of meteorological observations, Baluchistan' (folios 41v-43);'H.- Table of meteorological observations, Seistan' (folios 44-50);'I.- Table of meteorological observations, Neh and Birjand Districts' (folios 50v-51).The file also includes five maps and sketches, store in a pocket (folio 58). They are listed on folio 5v as follows:'No. 1. Baluchistan and Seistan' (folio 53);'No. 2. Seistan' (folio 54);'No. 3. Route plan of Robat Nala' (folio 55);'No. 4. Waterways of the Helmund [Helmand] Delta' (folio 56);’No. 5. Nasratabad [Naṣratābād] Fort' (folio 57).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: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of correspondence between the Government of Bombay and the Board of Control regarding the proposed closure of the Residency at Baghdad and the transferal of its responsibilities to the Residency at Bussorah [Basra]. It includes a proposal from Bombay that the position of ‘Political Agent in Turkish Arabia’ should be created to match the increased jurisdiction.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 295, and terminates at f 302, 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 printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Document outlining the administration and history of Bahrein [Bahrain] from 1908-28. Covering:administration – control by the Government of India and titular Shaikh of the Islands, Bahrein's status as an independent Arab State, internal administration conducted by the Shaikh and a European Financial Advisor and European Director of Customs, the roles of the Bahrein Political Agent, and the responsibility for expenditure;internal History of Bahrein (including relations with His Majesty's Government), 1908-23 – concerning Sheikh Isa [Shaikh Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah] and the events leading up to his deposition;internal History of Bahrein (including relations with His Majesty's Government), 1923-28 – concerning Sheikh Hamad [Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] and the role of the Political Agent;oil in Bahrein;external Relations of Bahrein (other than with His Majesty's Government) 1908-28 – concerning Turkey, Persia and the reassertion of Persian claim to Bahrein and appeal to the League of Nations in 1927, and Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd].It also includes a summary, notes the position in Bahrein of His Majesty's Government, lists points referred to in connection with the Persian Gulf Sub-Committee, and states the view expressed by the Government of India.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 17, and terminates at f 22, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The map accompanies
Military Lessons of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine, 1936, and shows the northern portion of Palestine, indicating hospitals, field ambulances, power stations, stores, ordnance depots, workshops, boundaries, roads, cities, towns, Arab villages, Jewish settlements and landing grounds. Three inset maps show the cities of Haifa, Jerusalem and Jaffa & Tel Aviv at a scale of 1:40,000.A legend appears in the bottom margin, alongside schematic diagrams which show supply and evacuation arrangements for vehicles, ordnance and the sick.The map was reprinted by the Survey of Palestine in 1939.Physical description: Materials: Printed in colour on paperDimensions: 800 x 530mm, on sheet 1015 x 618mm
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, 13 January 1853, and found at IOR/F/4/2504/142185. Further enclosures to the letter can be found at: IOR/F/4/2504/142194; IOR/F/4/2504/142195; IOR/F/4/2504/142197; IOR/F/4/2504/142198; IOR/F/4/2504/142199; and IOR/F/4/2504/142200. The item is the twelfth in a series of sixteen items about the Persian Gulf.The item relates to complaints from Sheikh Sultan ben Suggur, 'Chief' of Rasel Khymah [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Ra’s al-Khaymah and Sharjah], to Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Resident in the Persian Gulf, regarding the Company policy of paying compensation, from incidents of 'piracy' and homicide, directly to the affected individuals rather than through their respective leaders. Sheikh Sultan's complaints also touch on wider issues relating to his right to administer the affairs of his people and his dissatisfaction with the amount of compensation offered in a recent case involving subjects of the Beniyas 'Chief' [Ruler of the Banī Yās tribe].Kemball forwards these complaints on to the Government of Bombay, along with his extensive comments on Sheikh Sultan’s complaints. He includes a memorandum of references of amounts previously paid to shaikhs between 1841 and 1851 to support his comments.The item also contains two extracts of letters from the Resident in the Persian Gulf to the Government of Bombay, dated 25 October 1850 and 30 January 1851, which contain details relevant to Sheikh Sultan's complaints.The Government of Bombay forward copies of the above to the Court of Directors.Whilst the item contains extracts of material dating from 1841, the bulk of the item's contents are dated 1850-52.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'Draft No. 350 of 1853', 'Collection No. 1 of No. 8 of 1853', 'Vol: 12', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was given as '3' but this has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1226, and terminates at f 1238, 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 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-third in a series of fifty-nine items on events in the Persian Gulf.The item contains several letters from the Government of Bombay, all dated 7 October 1847. The letters comprise:Three letters to Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, acknowledging receipt of his letters regarding: the Company ships
Elphinstoneand
Mahi; the peaceful state of the Gulf; and the recent peace between Sheikh Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] and Ameer Fysul, the Wahabee ruler [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd, leader of the Wahhābī]One letter to Commodore Sir Robert Oliver, Superintendent of the Indian Navy, forwarding him an extract of Hennell’s letter regarding the outbreak of cholera on-board the
Mahi(Hennell’s letter not present)One letter to the Medical Board, Bombay, forwarding a letter from Hennell regarding the outbreak of cholera in Arabia, Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq] and Persia [Iran] (Hennell’s letter not present)One letter to Commander Edward Peirse, HM sloop
Cruizer, acknowledging receipt of his letter regarding the recent proceedings of the
Cruizerin the GulfOne letter to the Government of India, transmitting copies of several of Hennell’s letters as well as Peirse’s letter (Hennell’s letters not present).The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft No. 345/48’, ‘Collection No. 2 of No. 139, Vol: 33.’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 429, and terminates at f 434, 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 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, 13 January 1853, and found at IOR/F/4/2504/142185. Further enclosures to the letter can be found at: IOR/F/4/2504/142194; IOR/F/4/2504/142195; IOR/F/4/2504/142196; IOR/F/4/2504/142198; IOR/F/4/2504/142199; and IOR/F/4/2504/142200. The item is the thirteenth in a series of sixteen items about the Persian Gulf.The item contains reports from Lieutenant G N Adams, Commanding Company frigate
Queen, and Lieutenant James Tronson, Commanding Company ship
Tigris, to Commodore George Robinson, Commanding Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf. Robinson forwards these reports to Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Resident in the Persian Gulf. The reports concern:Adams's recent cruise to the Arabian and Persian [Iranian] coasts of the Gulf, and in particular his discussion with Sheik Abdulla ben Sultan ben Suggur, Governor of Shargah [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Sulṭān bin Ṣaqr, Governor of Sharjah], concerning the latter's recent dispute with Hajee Yacoob [Ḥājjī Ya‘qūb], Agent at ShargahTronson's recent cruise to the Arabian Coast, and in particular a discussion he had with Sheik Saeed ben Butye, Sheik of Debaie [Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Buṭṭī, Shaikh of Dubai], concerning a recent act of 'piracy' committed by the latter's subjects against a subject of Shargah.The item also contains Kemball's responses to Robinson, in which he states:Independent Arab rulers are not obliged to visit the squadron's vessels if conditions are unsuitable, alluding to a recent case involving Sheik Sultan ben Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Ra’s al-Khaymah and Sharjah]Tronson acted beyond his authority in his discussion with the Sheik of Debaie.Kemball includes a copy of a letter from Sheik Sultan regarding his first point, and a copy of a letter from his predecessor, Samuel Hennell, to Robinson's predecessor, Commodore Porter, dated 23 October 1850, regarding his second point. He forwards copies of the reports and his responses to Robinson to the Government of Bombay, who also share their opinions on the above correspondence.Additionally, the item contains reports from Hajee Yacoob to Kemball regarding the state of affairs among the tribes of the Arabian Coast, in particular concerning:Relations between Sheik Saeed bin Tahnoon, Sheik of Aboothabee [Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Ṭaḥnūn Āl Nahyān, Shaikh of Abu Dhabi], and Sheik Sultan ben SuggurRecent disturbances in Debaie linked to the contested succession to leadership of the Boo Felasa tribe [Āl Bū Falāsah]Recent attack on Sheik Saeed ben Butye's subjects near Wukrah [Al Wakrah].Kemball forwards these reports to the Government of Bombay, who in turn forward them to the Government of India.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 No. 350 of 1853', 'Collection No. 1 of No. 8 of 1853', 'Vol: 13', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was given as '4' but this has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1239, and terminates at f 1259, 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 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 1 October 1851 and found at IOR/F/4/2442/134094. Further enclosures can be found at IOR/F/4/2442/134097. The item is the fifth in a series of five items relating to the 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people] in the Persian Gulf and on the Arabian Peninsula.The item relates to reports from Khojih Hiskael bin Yoosoof [Khawājah Ḥizqīl bin Yūsuf], Acting Native Agent at Muscat, that he has detained a vessel flying under British colours, the
Futhool Khyr[
Fatḥ al-Khayr], at Muscat after discovering it was carrying four Abyssinian [Ethiopian] enslaved females, between the ages of ten and twenty. The item concerns arrangements for:Bringing the Abyssinians to Bombay [Mumbai]Punishing the
Futhool Khyr's nakhoda, Husson bin Ali [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī, nakhuda]Returning the
Futhool Khyrto its ownerReimbursing Hiskael bin Yoosoof and Shaik Abdool Ruhman bin Sueed bin Zueed [Shaikh ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Sa‘īd bin Zayd] for helping the Abyssinians during their stay in Muscat and their voyage to Bombay.Correspondents: Khojih Hiskael bin Yoosoof; Shaik Abdool Rahman; Archibald Spens, Senior Magistrate of Police, Bombay; Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Commodore John Patterson Porter, Commanding Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf; Commander A McDonald, Commanding Company steam frigate
Auckland; the Government of Bombay; and two different committees established to assess the condition of the
Futhool Khyr.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'Draft No. 17 of 1852', 'Collection', 'Vol: 5', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the reference read 'Collection No 2 of No 73', but 'No 2 of No 73' has been crossed out. The volume number was originally given as '4' but this has been crossed out and replaced with '5'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 725, and terminates at f 747, 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: Document outlining the administration and history of Koweit [Kuwait] from 1908-1928.Covering:'Administration' – rulers succession history; Koweit's status as an independent Arab state; internal administration conducted by the Shaikh and Council of Advisors; control by the Government of India; and the responsibility for expenditure;'History of Koweit Affairs, 1908-28' – including the rights of the Shaikh over the islands of Bubiyan and Warba; oil concessions; Anglo-Turkish negotiations of 1911-14; co-operation during the First World War; relations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], ruler succession; and difficulties with the maintenance of a blockade;'History of Koweit Affairs, 1919-28' – including the status of Koweit; Koweit Order in Council providing for British jurisdictions within the Principality; termination of the lease of Bunder Shweikh [Bandar Shawaykh], oil concessions, relations with Ibn Saud regarding the Koweit-Nejd-Iraq boundary question, the Koweit-Nejd Customs dispute, and Akhwan [Ikhwan] raids; relations with Iraq regarding the exemption from taxation of the date gardens in Iraq belonging to the Shaikh of Koweit, the position of Koweit vis-à-vis Iraq, and relations with Persia.It also includes a summary and a list of points referred to the Persian Gulf Sub-Committee. Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 10, and terminates at f 16, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of enclosures to political letters from the East India Company Court of Directors and the governments of Bombay [Mumbai] and India. It is the second in a series of two items on general affairs in the Persian Gulf (the other is IOR/F/4/1596/64625, which contains the political letters).In particular, the item relates to:An attack on the British Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain] ordered by the sons of the Shaikh, Abdoollah bin Ahmed [‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], due to a dispute over money, resulting in the British sending ships to Bahrein to blockade the port and enforce punishment for the Agent's attackersThe impact of the war between the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat and the people of Mombassa [Mombasa, also written Bombasa in text] with regards to trading at Mandavie [Mandvi] and Bombay, including: requests for intervention by the Resident at Cutch [Kuchchh] and the Rao of Cutch; and discussion by the Government of Bombay as to whether it can intervene against the Imaum's right to prevent supplies from these ports reaching his enemiesNumerous administrative points regarding the Bushire [Būshehr] Residency (also called the Persian Gulf Residency), including: charges incurred by the temporary removal of the Residency to the island of Corgo [Kharko] in 1832; absences, resignations and appointments of Residents; allowances adjusted for interim appointments; the discharge of several public servants from the Residency; and the management and disposal of various articles in the Residency Treasury, including sealed packages of great value belonging to Reza Kooly Mirza [Rizā Qulī Mīrzā Farmānfarmā], a list of which can be found at ff 533-534Minor points regarding the Imaum of Muscat, including: a proposal by the Bourbon authorities to establish a colony at Zanzibar; privileges for the Imaum's imports of salt into Calcutta [Kolkata]; presents sent by the Imaum to Lady Grant; and the Imaum's concerns that he has upset the British in some way.To a lesser extent, the item also includes mention of:Claims by the Shaikh of Kishm [Qeshm] for salvage remuneration following his rescue of the merchant vessel
Prinsep'Piracy' committed in the Gulf of Cutch and on the Kattywar [Kāthiāwār] coastRepairs and alterations required for the Company ship
CyreneThe question of whether charges of the Bushire Residency and the Turkish Arabia Agency should be debited to the Government of Bombay or to the Government of India.Principal correspondents include: the governments of Bombay and India; Shaikh Abdoollah bin Ahmed; David Anderson Blane and James Morison, successive Residents at Bushire; Samuel Hennell, Assistant (and Acting) Resident at Bushire; Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, Imam of Muscat; and Henry Pottinger, Resident at Cutch.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 372-376), noting ‘Page’, ‘Date’, ‘From’, ‘To’ and ‘Date of Consultation’.