Abstract: The volume is an overview of the political history of Persia, Iraq and Arabia, authored by the Office of the Chief Political Officer, Indian Expeditionary Force “D”, and printed by the Superintendent Government Printing, Calcutta [Kolkata], India in 1917. The volume is divided into a number of chapters:1. An introduction to the political history of Persia, Iraq and Arabia, chiefly concerning Britain’s history of naval intervention and military occupation in the Persian Gulf, and its efforts in eradicating the slave trade, arms traffic and piracy;2. A chapter entitled ‘The Arab attitude in Iraq before the War’, including: political conditions in Turkish Iraq prior to the War; the arrival of the Indian Expeditionary Force “D” at the start of the War; Ottoman ‘jihad’ against the British; Arab attitudes to the British in Iraq, central Arabia and Persian Arabistan;3. British relations with Arabistan, including an overview of the Anglo-Persian War (1856-57), and a brief outline of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s activities in the region;4. The Bakhtiari tribes, their leaders and their standing with the Persian Government, and the importance of maintaining British relations with them, with reference to trade routes, the maintenance of order in the oil fields, and the maintenance of friendly relations with the Shaikh of Muhammareh [Khorramshahr] and the Russians at Ispahan [Isfahān, or Eṣfahān];5. Pusht-i-Kuh – ‘the right flank of Indian Expeditionary Force “D”’: a description of the area, and its strategic and economic importance, including: topography; climate; the position and powers of its Wali [governor] (taken from Lorimer’s
Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf), the Wali’s relatives; and Kaka Siyah, who reside in the region and who are of African origin;6. Arabia – the left flank of Indian Expeditionary Force “D”. The chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is a general description of the Arabian peninsula, including: topography and geographic features; political powers in Arabia: the Wahhabi, with a history of their development and territorial gains; Egypt; Ibn Rashid [Ibn Rashīd]; the British Government; and Turkish interests in Arabia. The second part is a detailed historical outline of British relations with Ibn Sa‘ūd;7. Entitled
The Trend of Turkish policy before the War and since (official), and subdivided into parts on internal and external politics. The first part includes an assessment of the characteristics of ‘Ottoman people’ and their Government, the second concentrates on German influence and activity in Ottoman territories.There are pencil annotations on the front flyleaf of the volume (folio 2), which make note of sections within the volume, with the corresponding page numbers.Physical description: Foliation: 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 inside of the back cover, on number 29.Pagination: A printed pagination system runs through the volume (ff 7-27), the numbers of which are located top and centre of each recto and verso.
Abstract: This volume contains a strategical study of Persia and the Persian Gulf for the purpose of foreseeing the development of British military and commercial activity in Persia. The volume was prepared by the General Staff, Army Headquarters, India, and printed at the Government Monotype Press, Simla, 1913.It is divided into four sections: 'Information', mainly of geographical and social kind (folios 5-30); 'Strategical Conditions'(folios 9-32); 'Social and Political Conditions' analysing how other national powers play out in the area (folios 31-55); 'General Conclusions' acknowledging the Russian influence over the Northern Zone and the British influence over the Southern Zone of Persia, including the Gulf and over lower Mesopotamia [Iraq], and analysing the Turkish claim over the area (folios 56-57) and 'Tables and Appendices' containing information on the Russian and Turkish armies and on the Persian and Arabic Tribes (folios 58-73).There are three identical maps of Persia contained in a box enclosed to the volume, each containing statistic information supporting the strategical study.Physical description: Foliation: 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 inside of the back cover, on number 75. Folios 65, 68 and 72-73 extend to about twice the size of the other folios. There is an original pagination, from 2-130.
Abstract: The volume, stamped ‘Secret’ on the front cover and frontispiece, is part 1 (historical and political materials) of a précis of Kuwait (spelt Koweit throughout) affairs for the years 1896-1904. It was prepared by Jerome Antony Saldanha of the Bombay Provincial Civil Service, and published in 1904 by the Government of India Foreign Department, Simla, India.The volume includes a preface (folio 4), list of contents (folio 5) and list of appendices (folio 6). The sections listed in the contents run as follows:I: Brief History of Koweit from circa 1716 to 1896 A.D.;II: Murder of Mahomed bin Subah [Muḥammad bin Ṣabāḥ] and his brother Jarrah [Jarrāḥ bin Ṣabāḥ] by Mubarak [Mubārak] and Mubarak’s succession, 1896;III: (1) Proposed Turkish Quarantine at Koweit, (2) views of the Government of India and India Office;IV: Haripasa Piracy case. Warning to Sheikh of Koweit. Question of Protectorate over Koweit raised - 1895-1896;V: Threatened attack of Sheikhs Jasim bin Thani [Jāsim bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī] and Yusuf bin Ibrahim [Yūsuf bin Ibrāhīm] on Koweit. Question of Protectorate over Koweit discussed 1897-98;VI: (1) Movements of Turkish troops towards Koweit, (2) Russian intrigues, (3) Question of Protectorate over Koweit further discussed;VII: Proposed British Protectorate over Koweit. Agreement with the Sheikh of Koweit, December 1898 - May 1899;VIII: Porte's complaints against British proceedings at Koweit as infrigement of quarantine regulations, May 1899;IX: (1) Threatened attack on Koweit by the Turks, (2) Defence of Koweit, February - March 1899;X: (1) Question of status of the Sheikh of Koweit, (2) Turkish activity in the neighbourhood, (3) Imposition of customs duty by Sheikh, March - June 1899;XI: Turkish attempts to exercise soverign rights on Koweit, by appointing harbour master and opening a custom house. A forward Turkish policy advocated. The British Government's protest. July - September 1899;XII: Sheikh Mubarak's diffidence in the British and desire of Persian protection. September - October 1899;XIII: Appointment of Muhsin [Muḥsin] Pasha as Vasli of Basrah. Change of policy inaugurated. Turkish Decoration for Sheikh Mubarak 1899;XIV: Visit of the German Railway Commission to Koweit and their scheme to make Katham their Railway's Terminus, January 1900;XV: Proposal to make Koweit a Port of call for Mail steamers July 1900 - June 1901;XVI: Threatened hostilities between the Sheikh of Koweit and Amir of Nejd [Najd];XVII: Renewal of hostilities between the Sheikh of Koweit and the Amir of Nejd , December 1900 - May 1901;XVIII: (1) Ibn Rashid [Ibn Rasīd] seeks British protection, (2) Sheikh Mubarak asks for assumption of permanent British protectorate over Koweit, May - June 1901;XIX: (1) Threatened attack on Koweit by Amir of Nejd and the Turks, (2) Measures for defence of Koweit, (3) Attempt to settle difference between the Sheikh and Amir amicably, July - October 1901;XX: Question of defence of Koweit by sea and land, 1899-1901;XXI: Question of discontinuance of the use of the Turkish flag at Koweit, August - September 1901;XXII: Attempt to take the Sheikh of Koweit to Constantinople, November and December 1901;XXIII: Alarm at Koweit and Landing of British Guns, December 1901 - January 1902;XXIV: Prohibition of exports to Koweit from Turkish territory and movements of the Amir of Nejd, December 1901 - January 1902;XXV: Dispute about the Fao [al-Fāw] Estates, December 1901 - January 1902;XXVI: Occupation of Um Kasr [Umm Qaṣr], Bubyan [Būbīyān] Island and Subbiyah [al-Ṣubīyah] by the Turks, January - March 1902;XXVII: Complaints against the proceedings of the British Officer and the Sheikh of Koweit, March 1902;XXVIII: Sheikh Mubarak's offers of reconciliation with the Porte, March 1902;XXIX: Arrest of agent of Sheikh Mubarak at Basrah and his imprisonment, May - December 1902;XXX: Further movements of Ibn Rashid (2) Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal bin Sa‘ūd] in the field again, and captures Riadh [Riyadh], January, November 1902;XXXI: (1) Fear of Renewal of hostilities between Ibn Rashid and Sheikh Mubarak, (2) The Sheikh warned not to involved himself in difficulties with Nejd or the Turks, (3) Application of the Sheikh for guns, August - October 1902;XXXII: Threatened attack on Koweit from Mubarak's nephews and Sheikh Yusuf-el-Ibrahim. Lapwing case. September 1902 - January 1903;XXXIII: Ibn Rashid near Koweit and Sheikh Mubarak's movements, December 1902 - February 1903;XXXIV: Fao Estates' dispute, February 1903-04;XXXV: Importance of Khor Abdulla [Khawr ‘Abdullāh] as a future Railway terminus, etc. 1904;XXXVI: Recent movements of Ibn Rashid, January 1903 - March 1904;XXXVII: Montefik Arabs [al-Muntafiq] seek Russian protection, (2) Revolt of Sadun [Sa‘dūn] Pasha;XXXVIII: Advance of a loan made to Sheikh Mubarak, March - May 1904;XXXIX: Opening of a British post office at Koweit, 1901-1904;XL: Appointment of British Agent at Koweit. June 1899 - August 1903;XLI: (1) Turkish aid to Ibn Rashid, (2) Proposed British protest, (3) Appointment of Political Agent at Koweit, April - October 1904.The Appendices are as follows:A: Certain non-official reports about Koweit;B: Genealogical Table of Koweit chiefs;C: Note by Sir William Leo-Warner, dated 23 June 1898;D: Agreement with Sheikh Mubarak, January 1899;E: Communciation in Constantinople in regard to the proposal to make Koweit terminus of the Baghdad Railway, April 1900;F: Proposal made by Sir N O'Connor to advise Sheikh Mubarak to keep quiet, February 1901;G: (1) Correspondence in Europe regarding the proposed assumption of protectorate over Koweit, (2) misunderstanding between the Government of India and His Majesty's Government as regards the former's attitude in the matter, May - June 1901;H: Communication in London and Constantinople on Koweit affairs, August - September 1901;I: Communications in Europe about Turkish occupation of Um Kasr, etc. March 1902;J: Notes underlying letter to the Political Resident, Persian Gulf, No. 2918.E.A., dated 7 September 1904.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. The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume, stamped ‘Secret’ on the front cover and frontispiece, is part 1 (historical and political materials) of a précis of Najd (spelt Nejd throughout) affairs for the years 1896-1904. It was prepared by Jerome Antony Saldanha of the Bombay Provincial Civil Service, and published in 1904 by the Government of India Foreign Department, Simla, India.The volume includes a preface (folio 3) and list of contents (folio 4). The sections listed in the contents run as follows:I: Rise of the Wahabis under Abdul Wahab [‘Abd al-Wahhāb] ante1740;II: Political History of Nejd ante 1800 to 1804;III: Genealogy of the Wahabi Amirs;IV: First encroachments of the Wahabis on Oman,, 1804-1808;V: (1) Joasami [Āl Qāsimī] pirates under Wahabi influence first venture into the Indian Seas. (2) Expedition against Joasamis and Wahabis, 1808-1809;VI: First Egyptian Invasion of Nejd, 1814-1819;VII: Resurrection of the Wahabis and Reconstitution of the Wahabi Kingdom, 1824-1831;VIII: Wahabi overtures to British Government, 1831;IX: (1) Wahabi Invasion of Oman, 1833. (2) Views of the Government of India as to the claims of Maskat [Muscat] on the British Government;X: (1) Turki [Turkī] murdered by Meshari [Mashārī]. (2) Meshari executed by Feysal [Fayṣal]. (3) Feysal assumes Kingdom;XI: (1) Second Egyptian Invasion of Nejd. (2) Egyptian withdrawal under British pressure;XII: Government of Khalid [Khālid] as Turkish viceregent;XIII: (1) Abdullah bin Saneyan [‘Abdullāh bin Thānīyān] seizes the kingdom. (2) Feysal returns from exile;XIV: (1) Oman again threatened by the Wahabis. (2) British policy;XV: Wahabi attempt on Bahrein [Bahrain]XVI: Invasion of Oman by Abdullah, son of Feysal (2) Treaty between Maskat and Wahabis;XVII: Feysal's nominal dependence upon Turkey, 1855;XVIII: (1) Renewal of Wahabi attempt on Bahrein. (2) British interference, 1859;XIX: (1) Blockade of Wahabi ports by Chief of Bahrein, 1861. (2) Blockade raised on British interference;XX: Turkish protest against British proceedings;XXI: Differences between Sultan of Maskat and Amir of Nejd, 1864-65;XXII: Visit of Colonel [Lewis] Pelly to Riadh [Riyadh], 1865;XXIII: Difference between Sultan of Maskat and Amir of Nejd (continued), 1864-1865;XXIV: (1) Rebellion of two Oman tribes under leadership of Wahabi Officer. (2) Outrage of British subjects;XXV: British operations against the Wahabis, 1865-66;XXVI: The Amir of Nejd comes to terms, 1866;XXVII: Deputation of a Wahabi envoy to Baghdad, 1866;XXVIII: Wahabi advances to Beraymi [al-Buraymī];XXIX: Civil War between Abdullah and Saud [Sa‘ūd], his brother. (2) Turkish expedition into Nejd to assist Abdullah, 1870-71;XXX: Saud bin Feysal's appeal to the Resident for arbitration of the British Government, 1871-1873;XXXI: Saud's negotiations with the Turks, 1872;XXXII: First Mission of Haji Ahmed [Ḥājjī Aḥmad] to Baghdad, 1872;XXXIII: Second Mission of Haji Ahmed to Baghdad, 1872;XXXIV: Visit of Abdullah messenger to Baghdad, 1872-1873;XXXV: Release of Abdur Rahman [‘Abd al-Raḥmān];XXXVI: Death of Saud bin Faysal [Sa‘ūd bin Fayṣal] and election of Abdul Rahman as Amir, 1875;XXXVII: Abdullah bin Feysal [‘Abdullāh bin Fayṣal] defeats Abdur Rahman, 1875-80;XXXVIII: Threatened Revolt of the Montefik Arabs [al-Muntafiq], 1880;XXXIX: Sheikh Abdullah bin Thanneyan, 1879-1880;XL: State of affairs in 1881;XLI: Rise of the Shammar principality, 1835-1882;XLII: Genealogy of Shammar Chiefs;XLIII: Hostilities between Abdullah bin Feysal and Ibn Rashid [Ibn Rashīd];XLIV: Imprisonment of Abdullah bin Feysal and absorption of the Wahabi Kingdom in the Shammar principality, 1887-1896;XLV: Complications with Koweit, 1897-1904.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. The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file contains copies of letters sent under the heading ‘Secret Department’ from the Residency in the Persian Gulf (either from the Resident, Captain Samuel Hennell, or the Assistant Resident, T Mackenzie), to the Chief Secretary to the Government Bombay, throughout 1840 and 1841.The principal subjects covered by the correspondence are:The British position at Karrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk], including discussions of increasing the British garrison on the island, the state of health of the garrison’s European soldiers, procurement of supplies (provender), and proposals to avoid loss of life amongst the European troops during the summer months;Discussions on the viability of a British occupation at Bahrain (spelt Bahrein throughout) should the British need to evacuate their position at Jazīreh-ye Khārk;The Egyptian occupation of Nedgd [Najd], including at Lahsah [Al-Hasa], and the movements and actions of the Egyptian army, led by Korshid Pasha;Ratification of the Treaty of Commerce between Britain and the Imam of Muscat, Sa‘id bin Sulṭān, at Zanzibar;French ships at Muscat, French intentions to establish a consular agent at Zanzibar, and French occupation of an island of the African coast;Affairs in Persia, including the Shah of Persia’s intentions to march against Bagdad [Baghdad];Relations between Muscat and Persia, including a proposed matrimonial alliance between the two states;Reports to Government, comprising précis of the situation in the various parts of Persia, Arabia and the Gulf, including one report with information on Bremee [Al Buraymī], taken from a reconnaissance undertaken by Captain Atkins Hamerton (folios 38-46);Anglo-Egyptian relations, and the risk of interruptions to the overland mail route linking Britain to India via Egypt and Syria, and Hennell’s recommendations for an alternative route across Asia Minor;Wahabee [Wahhābī] influence on the Arab coast;A report (folios 80-82) of Austen Henry Layard’s travels through Persia, and his meeting with Mahomed Takee Khan of the Bukhtiaree [Bakhtiari tribe].As a result of the volume having been significantly weeded in the past, there are multiple instances of truncated letters throughout the volume, some of which are identifiable by their having been crossed out in blue pencil.Physical description: Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. This sequence, which should be used for referencing, begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 93. Foliation anomalies: f 27 is followed by f 27A.Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which appears in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.Condition: Insect damage in the form of small holes around the edges of pages, throughout the file.
Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent in 1849 by Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department, Bombay Castle and to Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran.In May and June 1849, Major Hennell undertook his annual tour of the Trucial Coast Sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf, aboard the Honourable Company (HC) sloop of war
Elphinstone(folios 90-91, 93, 25, 201). During Hennell’s absence from the British Political Residency at Bushire, his official correspondence was carried out by Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Assistant Resident.The correspondence is predominantly political, discussing events in the Persian Gulf in terms of their significance for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. The main topics of discussion are: British suppression of piracy and slave trafficking in the Persian Gulf, relations between the Arab Maritime Chiefs of the Trucial Coast, the Imam of Muscat and the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd], relations between British and Persian authorities in Shiraz and Bushire.Many of the Resident’s letters to the Bombay Government refer to enclosures, the majority of which are present in the volume, including several documents dated 1848 and one document dated 1846 (folios 4-5). Among the enclosures are copies of the Resident’s Arabic and Persian correspondence with agents, officials and rulers. These are in the form of English translations only.MUSCAT: Khojeh Hiskael the British Government Native Agent at Muscat, Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwayni bin Sa‘id Al Bu Sa‘id] the Governor of Muscat and the Imam of Muscat [Sa`id bin Sultan Al Sa‘id] correspond with the Resident about the importation of African slaves by sea from Zanzibar to Muscat; the contemplation of an attack on Bahrain by the Imam of Muscat at the request of Bahrain seceders; alleged aggressions against the territories of the Imam of Muscat by Sheikh Syf ben Humood [Sayyid Syf bin Ḥamūd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and Sheikh Sultan ben Sugger [Sultan bin Saqr] of Rysulkhyma [Ras Al-Khaimah] (folios 131-135, 231-231).BAHRAIN: Hajee Jassem the British Government Native Agent at Bahrein and Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah] the Chief of Bahrein correspond with the Resident about piracy in Bahrein; the death in Muscat of ex-Chief of Bahrein Abdoollah ben Ahmed [‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah] on 6 March 1849; the restoration of peace in Bahrain following the settlement of Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa’s quarrel with Bahrain seceders and his reconciliation with rival tribal leaders; the plans of Ameer Fysul [Al Sa‘ud, Amir Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah] the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd] to recover possession of Brymee [Buraimi] and rebuild Adeed [Khor al-Udaid] (folios 6-9, 37-38, 48, 55-56, 60-61, 140-142, 170-171, 198-199, 260, 283-284).SHARJAH: Moollah Houssein the British Government Native Agent at Shargah forwards to the Resident a reply he has received from Sheikh Sultan ben Suggur of Rysulkhyma about the importation of African slaves into Shargah; he also sends several reports to the Resident about various matters, including the siege of Brymee and its eventual surrender by Sheikh Saeed ben Tahnoon [Said bin Tahnun Al Nahayan] the Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] to the forces of Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd (folios 10-14, 19-21, 42-44, 52-53, 58, 154-157, 161-164, 166-168, 207-208).OMAN: Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd and the Shereef (Sharif) of Mecca correspond with the Resident about Sheikh Saeed Tahnoon's seizure and eventual surrender of Brymee (folios 27-28, 58-59, 164-165).SHIRAZ: Meerza (Mirza) Mahmood the British Government Native Agent at Shiraz sends several reports to the Resident about the gradual restoration of public order in Shiraz, following the arrival of Prince Bahram Meerza the new Governor of Fars, on 3 February 1848 (folios 14-17, 40-41, 89-90, 92).BUSHIRE: the Resident corresponds with Prince Bahram Meerza the Governor of Fars about excessive amounts of Persian import duty demanded from Bushire merchant Joseph Malcolm, for imported sugar landed at Bushire in a British merchant ship (folios 64-67, 78, 95-96, 227-228). The Resident also corresponds with Sheikh Nasir Khan the Governor of Bushire about a runaway slave belonging to a Persian subject, seeking refuge aboard a British merchant ship in the port of Bushire (folios 63-64, 193). There are also copies in English of petitions, hearing transcripts and witness statements, relating to two separate and formal investigations conducted by the Resident at Bushire into: the plundering of a shipwrecked Persian vessel in May 1848, including correspondence with Sheikh Syf ben Nubhan, Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] (folios 274-277); stolen goods passed to a Bushire merchant (folios 237-247).Physical description: The original volume cover and cover title no longer exist. The contents have been rebound in two volumes. An identical volume title, together with part number 1 or 2, is printed on the spine of both volumes.Foliation: the contents in the volume labelled Part 1, are numbered 1-67, 68, 68A, 69-148. The contents in the volume labelled Part 2, are numbered 149-300. Folio number 286 is blank. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto, in the top right corner and encircled. The cover and the two blank folios at the front and back of each volume are unnumbered. This is the main numbering system and should be used for referencing these two volumes.Pagination: the contents in the volume labelled Part 1 are also numbered 1-141, 142, 142a, 143-297. The contents in the volume labelled Part 2 are also numbered 298-570. The numbering is written in ink in the top right or left corner on the recto and verso respectively.
Abstract: The item consists of correspondence relating to the embassy of Sir Gore Ouseley to the Court of Persia [Iran]. The letters are principally from Ouseley to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors. Matters covered by the papers include:The progress of Ouseley’s mission, including his journey to and arrival in Persia, his expense, his engagements with the Persian ministry, and his negotiations with the Persian monarch, Futeh Ali Shah [Fatḥ ʻAlī Shāh Qājār] over the Definitive Treaty of PeacePersia’s relations with Afghanistan and Ottoman Bagdad [Baghdad]The conduct of Ouseley’s predecessor, Sir Harford JonesRussian influence and activities in Persia, including military operations along the northern frontier and the signing of the Treaty of Gulistan on 24 October 1813Instructions for William Ouseley to travel to the Caspian Sea region in order to investigate the possibilities of building a naval docks.Other correspondents, included as enclosures, include: Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Baron Minto], Governor-General of the Presidency at Fort William; Abul Hassan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān], Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III; Sir Harford Jones, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia; Marquis Wellesley [Richard Colley Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley], Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Jafer Ali Khan [Ja‘far ‘Alī Khān], Native Agent in Shiraz; William Bruce, Resident at Bushire [Bushehr]; Charles Pasley, former Envoy to the Court of Persia; Brigadier-General John Malcolm; Futeh Ali Shah; and Meerza Mahomed Shefi [Mirzā Muḥammad Shafi’ Māzandarāni], Grand Vizier of Persia.At the end of the item, probably misfiled, is an original letter from the explorer and orientalist Georg August Wallin. The letter is dated Damascus, 19 May 1849, and is addressed to an unnamed ‘Captain’. The letter is written in both English and Arabic and is an account of his overland journey from Bagdad to Damascus.Physical description: 1 item (181 folios)
Abstract: The volume contains letters to the Secret Committee of the East India Company from: Lieutenant-Colonel Davies, in charge of the Residency in the Persian Gulf; the Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Dundas Robertson; HM’s Consuls and East India Company’s Agents in Syria, Richard Wood and H Moore; and the East India Company’s Agent with the Imaum [Imām] of Muscat (also spelled Muskat in this volume), Captain Atkins Hamerton. The letters to the Secret Committee are dated 10 January 1842 to 13 April 1844.Letters from the Residency in the Persian Gulf discuss affairs at Karrak [Kharg Island], in particular: the evacuation of Karrak by British troops; the apparent apprehension of the island’s inhabitants at the prospect of the island being delivered up to the Governor of Bushire [Bushehr], Sheikh Nasser [Shaikh Nāṣir, also spelled Nassir in this volume]; the proceedings of a man who had arrived on Karrack as a deweish [dervish], claiming to be Jehan Loz Mirza [Jahānsūz Mīrzā], a son of the late Futtih Allee Shah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] of Persia [Iran], and stating that he had opposed the accession of the present King [Shāh] of Persia.The letters from the Residency also discuss affairs in Persia including: the Residency moving back to Bushire; the visit of the Prince of Sheeraz [Shiraz] to Bushire; and the King of Persia having expressed ‘a real or pretended jealousy’ at Robertson choosing staying at Karrack after he had received a firman from the King permitting him to reside at Khoormooj [Khormoj] during the summer.Other matters discussed in the letters from the Residency include:Affairs in Nedjd [Najd, also spelled Nedgd in this volume], including Abdoolla bin Sooneyaun [Amīr ‘Abdullāh bin Thunayān Āl Sa‘ūd, also spelled Abdoolah bin Sooneyan] declaring himself Ruler of NedjdA French corvette,
La Favourite, visiting the Persian Gulf on a roving cruiseRobertson’s attempts to suppress the traffic in ‘slaves’ [trade in enslaved people] between Africa and the GulfThe dispute between the ‘Chief’ of Aboothabee [Ruler of Abu Dhabi], Khuleefa ben Shackboot [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān], and Sultan ben Suggur of Sharga [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaymah and Sharjah]The renewal of the annual maritime truceRobertson reporting the apparently wide-spread belief amongst inhabitants of the Persian Gulf that Britain intends to acquire territory in the GulfAffairs in Bahrein [Bahrain], including murders committed by parties contending against each other.There is also an enclosed memorandum from Robertson to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay on British influence in the Persian Gulf (ff 23-26).Letters from HM’s Consuls and East India Company’s Agents in Syria relate to matters including:The cessation of the hostilities which had broken out between the different sects which inhabit the district of Mount Lebanon (following the intervention of the Seraskier Mustafa Pasha [Muṣṭafá Pāshā] at the head of a commission from Constantinople [Istanbul])Transmission of mail, including the local government at Damascus having established a post from Damascus to Beyrout [Beirut], and their apparent intention of establishing one from Damascus to Bagdad [Baghdad], in competition with the East India Company’s line of communication between the Persian Gulf and Beyrout through SyriaNegib (or Nejib) Pasha [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā] being removed from the Pashalic [Pashalik, or Eyalet] of Damascus to the Government of Bagdad and Ally (or Aly) Pasha [‘Alī Riḍā Pāshā] of Baghdad being appointed to the Pashalic of DamascusInsurrection in the ‘districts’ of Orfa [Urfa or Rakka] and Mesopotamia [Iraq].Letters from the East India Company’s Agent with the Imaum of Muscat discuss matters including:The intention of the Imaum of Muscat, Saeid bin Sultan [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd], to send his ship Sultaneh to London with letters of petition to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, the Earl of Aberdeen (British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), and Lord Palmerston (enclosed), in an effort to modify in his favour the position of the British Government on the suppression of the ‘slave trade’Hamerton reporting attempts by the American Consul and ‘the American party’ at Zanzibar to negatively influence the Imaum’s views against Hamerton and the East India CompanyThe Imaum requiring the principal ‘native’ merchants at Zanzibar, who are Indian British subjects, to sign a declaration making themselves citizens of Zanzibar, foregoing their British subject status and British protectionThe fears of the Imaum of Muscat about French encroachments on his African possessions, following the inhabitants of the island of Nos Beh [Nosy Be] being induced to end their allegiance to the Imaum and place themselves under French protection.Letters from Robertson include some enclosed letters: translated copies of letters from Abdoolah bin Sooneyan and Sayd bin Mootluck [Sa‘d bin Muṭlaq] to Sultan bin Suggur; and letters from Robertson to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay and HM Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil.Enclosures in letters from Richard Wood include a letter from Wood to HM Consul and East India Company Agent at Bagdad Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Taylor.Enclosures in letters from Hamerton include: letters from Hamerton to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay; translated copies of letters from Queen Smeko [Tsiomeko] of the Sackalavee [Sakalava] tribe on the island of Nos Beh to the Imaum of Muscat; a memorandum by Hamerton on the extent to which the ‘slave trade’ is carried on by subjects of the Imaum of Muscat at Zanzibar and the coast of Africa under the dominion of the Imaum of Muscat (ff 127-132); and a report on French proceedings in the territories of the Imaum of Muscat (ff 133-140).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 229; 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 pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 8-157; these numbers are written in ink and are not circled.
Abstract: A printed memorandum written by John William Kaye, Political Secretary to the India Office, 1 July 1868.The memorandum discusses the complexities of relations between Muscat and Zanzibar, in the first instance, and Muscat and Persia, in the second instance, especially in light of the subsidy Zanzibar is obligated to pay annually to Muscat and the yearly payment Muscat pays Persia for the lease of the port of Bandar Abbas. The author suggests what Britain's course of action should be in both cases. He ends with a criticism of the way the region is administered, calling for the frequent overlap of responsibility between the Foreign Office and the Government of India to be dealt with.Physical description: Foliation: ff 18-20.Pagination: the document has an original, printed pagination system from 1 to 6.
Abstract: This is a printed memorandum containing a record of a meeting held at the Foreign Office on 5 October 1933 to discuss relations between Great Britain and the Sheikh of Koweit [Kuwait], Aḥmad bin Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, particularly in regards to Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Aziz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Āl Sa‘ūd]. The following were present at the meeting: Mr George William Rendel (Chair), Eastern Department of the Foreign Office; Mr K R Johnston, Foreign Office; Sir Andrew Ryan, His Majesty's Minister at Jeddah; Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Mr John Gilbert Laithwaite, India Office.The memorandum also includes two appendices: 'Appendix A. Note by Sir Andrew Ryan. Ibn Saud's attitude towards Kowait', dated 16 August 1933 (folios 14-17); and 'Appendix B. Provisional Note. Obligations of His Majesty's Government towards the Sheikh of Koweit', 11 October 1933, by Sir John Gilbert Laithwaite (folios 18-25), which includes sections entitled 'A. Nature of the undertakings given', 'B. Constitution of the undertakings given to the Sheikh', and 'Conclusion', with references to various correspondence in the right hand margin.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio, and terminates at the last folio; 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: This file consists of a copy of the 'Syria and Mesopotamia: Anglo-French declaration of 8 November 1918'. It is written in French and expresses the wishes of Britain and France to liberate those they feel have been 'too long oppressed by the Turks' by helping them to install functional governments and 'indigenous administrations', and by contributing to their economic development.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 104, and terminates at f 104, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This volume is a printed report, published by the Government of India Press (Calcutta: 1926), constituting a collection of assurances, undertakings and agreements made by chiefs and Khans of Southern Persia with the British Government and trading companies between 1898 and 1922. The volume is marked 'Confidential' on the front cover and contains a table of contents (folios 4-5). The agreements, some appearing in both Persian and English, are ordered by serial number and they include:No. 1: Undertaking Given by Certain Notables of Luristan in regard to the Construction of Cart Road through Part of their Territory (8 June 1911);No. 2: Correspondence regarding Right of Option Granted to Persian Railway Syndicate by Persian Government for Construction of Certain Railway Lines (9 February 1913, 4 March 1913, and 10 January 1920);No. 3: Memorandum Regarding Concessions for Roads and Railways in South-West Persia up to 1917 (1917);No. 4: Persian Transport Company's Concession for the Construction of a Commercial Road Between Ahwaz and Tehran and the Establishment of a Transport Service thereon (5 August 1890);No. 5: Compensation for Loss of Pilotage Fees, Amounting to Ts. 2000 per annum to be paid to Haidar Khan, Hayat Daudi [Ḥaydar Khān Ḥayāt Dāwūdī], C I E (12 February 1920 and 26 February 1920);No. 6: Agreement Concluded between Messrs. Lynch Bros. and certain Bakhtiari Chiefs for the Construction and Maintenace of a Road from Ahwaz to Isfahan and Shushter [Shushtār] to Isfahan (3 March 1898);No. 7: D'Arcy Oil Concession (28 May 1901);No. 7(a): Translation of the D'Arcy Oil Concession (28 May 1901);No. 8: Agreement Between D'Arcy Syndicate and the Bakhtiari (15 November 1905);No. 8(a): Refusal of Persian Government to Recognize Agreement between the D'Arcy Syndicate and the Bakhriaris (12 January 1906);No. 8(b): Notes on the Bakhtiari Agreement of November 15 1905 (20 October 1906);No. 9: Agreement between Mr W[illiam] K[nox] D'Arcy and the Kili Sayyeds (1 October 1906);No. 10: Agreement between the Oil Company and H. E. Shahab-Es-Sultaneh, Ilbegi [Shihāb al-Sulṭānah Īlbagī] of the Bakhtiar (25 March 1907);No. 11: Land Agreement between the Oil Company and the Bakhtiari Khans (15 May 1911);No. 11(a): Power-of-Attorney Appointing Sardar Muhtesham [Sardār Muḥtasham] and Sardar Bahadur [Sardār Bahādur] as Agents of the Bakhtiari Khans (1910);No. 11(b): The Bakhtiari Khans' Orders to their Tribesmen Regarding the Oil Company's Employees (May 1911);No. 11(c): Undertaking made by the Bakhtiari Khans regarding the Kili Sayyeds (May 1911);No. 12: Agreement for Protection of Pipe-Line (28 April 1911);No. 13: Supplementary Agreement between Mr W K D'Arcy and the Kili Sayyeds (10 February 1911);No. 14: Agreement between the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and Parwiz Khan, Gunduzlu [Parvīz Khān Gunduzlū] (20 February 1911);No. 15: Agreement between the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and the Wali of Pusht-i-Kuh (19 September 1919);No. 16: Land Aquisition Agreement between Anglo-Persian Oil Company and the Bakhiairi Khans (20 April 1921);No. 17: Agreement between the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and Haidar Khan, C I E, of Hayat Daud (6 October 1921, 22 October 1921, and 13 November 1921);No. 18: Agreement between the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and the Kashkuli [Kashkūlī] Khans (14 October 1921);No. 19: Agreement between Anglo-Persian Oil Company and the Ilkhani of the Qashgais (20 May 1922).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. The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.