1. ‘Persian Gulf Report by the Resident in the – of a charge of bribery preferred against the Government Native agent at Sargah – Vol: 6’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Major Samuel Hennell, British Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Saeed bin Tahnoon, Shaik of Aboothabee [Sa‘īd bin Ṭaḥnūn Āl Nahyān, Shaikh of Abu Dhabi]. It is the sixth in a series of twenty items on the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2180/106055, IOR/F/4/2180/106056, IOR/F/4/2180/106057, IOR/F/4/2180/106058, IOR/F/4/2180/106059, IOR/F/4/2181/106061, IOR/F/4/2181/106062, IOR/F/4/2181/106063, IOR/F/4/2181/106064, IOR/F/4/2181/106065, IOR/F/4/2181/106066, IOR/F/4/2181/106067, IOR/F/4/2181/106068, IOR/F/4/2181/106069, IOR/F/4/2181/106070, IOR/F/4/2181/106071, IOR/F/4/2181/106072, IOR/F/4/2181/106073, and IOR/F/4/2181/106074).The item concerns an accusation, later fully retracted, by Saeed bin Tahnoon that Moollah Houssein [Mullā Ḥusayn], British Agent at Shargah [Sharjah, written as Sargah in the title], has been taking bribes to conceal information from Hennell. The item also briefly mentions the deterioration in relations between Aboothabee and Debaye [Dubai].The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 282/47, P.C. [Previous Communication] 5573, Coll[ection]: 10, Collection No 6 of No 140’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 954, and terminates at f 965, 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 volume also contains an original pagination sequence.

2. ‘Persian Gulf. Arabian Coast. Occurrence of certain irregularities on the-’

Description:

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, 31 August 1852, and found at IOR/F/4/2504/142185. It is the second in a series of sixteen items about the Persian Gulf.The item relates to reports by Hajee Yacoob [Ḥājjī Ya‘qūb], Acting Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], to Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, about several incidents that recently occurred in the area around Shargah. In particular the incidents concern:Numerous disputes between the people of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] and Debaie [Dubai, also rendered in text as Debaye] relating to the seizures of vessels, cargo, and enslaved people, as well as an attack on the island of Saadeat [Jazirat as Sa‘diyat]Seizure of a Biddah [Al Bid‘] vessel by inhabitants of Aboothabee by order of Sheik Saeed ben Tahnoon [Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Ṭaḥnūn Āl Nahyān, Shaikh of Abu Dhabi], who said he was following orders of Ameer Fysul ben Saood [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd]Disputes between the people of Ejmaun [Ajman] and Heera.The item also contains Kemball's instructions for Commodore John Patterson Porter, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, to dispatch the Company ship Cliveto the Arabian Coast to complete enquiries into some of the above incidents. He also gives details on the letters written to Shaik Sultan ben Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Ra’s al-Khaymah and Sharjah], Sheik Saeed ben Butye [Sa‘īd bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāseh, Shaikh of Dubai], and Sheik Saeed ben Tahnoon to persuade them to make restitutions for some of the above incidents.Kemball forwards on copies of the above correspondence to the Government of Bombay, who in turn order them to be forwarded to the Government of India and the Court of Directors.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'Draft No. 350 of 1853', 'Collection No. 1 of No. 77', 'Vol: 2', 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 1091, and terminates at f 1102, 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.

3. ‘Persian Gulf. Shargah – Death of Native Agent of Application for pension for his Widow and appointment of his successor.-’

Description:

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, 31 March 1852, and found at IOR/F/4/2475/138723. It is the sixth in a series of eight items about the Persian Gulf.The item relates to the death of Moollah Houssein [Mullā Ḥusayn, also rendered in text as Moola Hoossain], Native Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], as reported by Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Government of Bombay. Hennell recommends Hajee Yacoob [Ḥājjī Ya‘qūb], Government Pilot, as successor to the post and suggests that a pension should be granted to Moollah Houssein's widow. The Government of Bombay's response is included, approving the appointment of Hajee Yacoob and recommending that the question of the pension should be passed on to the Government of India.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'Draft No. 733 of 1852', 'Collection No. 7', 'Vol: 6', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was given as 'No. 7 of No. 35' but 'of No. 35' has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 981, and terminates at f 985, 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.

4. ‘Persian Gulf. Shargah. Relative to the pension granted to the widow of Moolla Hossein, late Native Agent at-’

Description:

Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, an extract of a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 14 January 1854.The item contains correspondence between the Court of Directors and the governments of Bombay and India, regarding the decision to provide a pension, as a special case, to the widow of Moolla Hoossein [Mullā Ḥusayn, also rendered with different spellings in text], late Native Agent at Sharga [Sharjah, also rendered in text as Shargah]. Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Resident in the Persian Gulf, who originally suggested the pension, is requested to provide further details as to why this case was considered deserving of special attention.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', Draft Number '744 1854', 'Collection No. 1', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was written as 'Collection No. 8 of No. 2 of 1854.' but the '8' was replaced with '1' and 'of No. 2 of 1854.' has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 197, and terminates at f 204, 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.

5. ‘Persian Gulf. Regarding the grant of a pension to the widow of the late Native Agent at Shargah. Vol: 5’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The correspondents are the Government of Bombay and the Government of India. It is the fifth in a series of five items.The item concerns the grant of a pension of 25 rupees a month to the widow of Moollah Hoossein [Mullā Ḥusayn], late British Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], a position he had held for twenty-nine years.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft No 969-1852’ and ‘Collection No 5 of No 62’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 1065, and terminates at f 1068, 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.

6. ‘Persian Gulf. Grounding of Her Majesty’s Ship “Fox” off the Island of Seir Aboneide.’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, a political letter from the Government of Bombay.The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; and John Croft Hawkins, Commodore Commanding Indian Naval Squadron, Persian Gulf.The item concerns the visit to the Gulf of HM squadron under the command of Commodore Sir Henry Martin Blackwood. The following incidents are described, with additional information supplied by Moollah Houssain, Native Agent at Shargah [Mullā Ḥusayn, Native Agent at Sharjah]:The grounding of HM ship Foxoff the island of Seir Aboneide [Sir Bu Nuʽayr], and its return to Bombay for repairThe dispute between Sheik Sultan bin Suggur of Ras ul Khyma [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī of Ra’s al-Khaymah and Sharjah] and Sheik Muktoom bin Buthe of Debaye [Shaikh Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāsah of Dubai] regarding Sheik Sultan bin Suggur’s plan to erect a fort at Khan [Al Khan]The dispute between Syed Soaweynee [Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and Sheik Sultan bin Suggur regarding the fort of Cassab [Khasab]The departure of Saad bin Mutluk [Sa‘d bin Muṭlaq al-Muṭayrī] from Brymee [al-Buraymi].The item contains a table of contents (f 425), and the title page (f 424) contains the following references: ‘P C [Previous Communication] 5507, Coll. 7, Vol. 18’, ‘D/t 197/47’, ‘Collection No. 6 of No. 53’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Multiple spellings for various personal and place names are present in the volume.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 424 and terminates at f 435, 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.

7. 'Book No 281'

Description:

Abstract: This volume contains administrative reports and historical sketches concerning Persian Gulf affairs. The volume also contains a number of letters between Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to the Government, Bombay; A Hinlock Forbes, Acting Secretary to the Government, Bombay; and Captain Felix Jones, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. The correspondence relates to the reporting of this information (folios 3-5 and 77-79). The historical reports themselves were prepared by Herbert Frederick Disbrowe, Assistant Resident.The volume contains reports covering two reporting periods:1 May 1858 to 31 May 1859 (folios 2-75): Joasmee [Āl Qaswāsim] (folios 6-19); Beniyas [Banī Yās] (folios 20-25); Debaye [Dubai] and Ajmaun [Ajman] (folio 26); Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn] (folios 27-30); Wahabee [Wahhabi, Najd] (folios 31-33); Uttoobee [al-‘Utūb, Bahrain] (folios 34-50); Muscat (folios 51-63); and Persian Coast (folios 64-75);1 June 1859 to 31 May 1861 (folios 76-173): Joasmee (folios 80-86); Bokha [Bukhā] (folios 87-89); Himreeah [Ḥimrīyah] (folios 90-91); Beniyas (folios 92-93); Boo Felasa [Bū Falāsah] (folios 94-105); Ajmaun and Amulgavine (folios 106-107); Wahabee (folios 108-115); Uttoobee (folios 116-157); Muscat (folios 158-161); and Persian Coast (folios 162-173)The reports concern British relations with various Persian Gulf and Arabian rulers, including: Sa‘īd bin Taḥnūn Āl Nahyān, former ruler of Abu Dhabi; Zāyid bin Khalīfah Āl Nahyān, ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sa‘īd bin Buṭṭī Āl Maktūm and Shaikh Ḥashr bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm, rulers of Dubai; Sulṭān bin Ṣaqr Āl Qāsimī, ruler of Sharjah; ‘Alī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Mu‘allā, ruler of Umm al-Qaywayn; Ḥumayd bin Rāshid Āl Nu‘aymī, ruler of Ajman; Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Sa‘ūd, Wahhabi chief; Muḥammad bin Khaīfah Āl Khalīfah, ruler of Bahrain; Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat and Oman; and Sayyid Mājid bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd, ruler of Zanzibar. Mention is also made of the Chief of Damaum [Damām], Seikh Mohomed bin Abdullah [Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh] (folio 34); the Sheikh [Muḥamad bin Thānī] of Biddah [al-Bida‘] on the Gutter [Qatar] coast (folio 36); and chiefs of Lingah [Bandar Lengeh] and Mogoo (folio 67), as well as Charrack (folio 68).The reports cover the following subjects: visits and interviews of the Political Resident and other British officials, including Commodore Jenkins and Commander Balfour, with local rulers; the slave trade; piracy and the upholding maritime peace; pearl diving and trade; judicial matters affecting British subjects (Banyans), as well as details concerning their status; native Residency Agents at Sharjah and Bahrain; smallpox outbreak; the death of Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Buṭṭī and the succession of Shaikh of Ḥashr bin Maktūm; the Perpetual Truce of Peace and Friendship (1861) between Britain and the ruling Āl Khalīfah family of Bahrain; relations and conflicts between local rulers, notables, merchants and the British; and relations with the Amir Faysal, the Imam of Muscat, the Persian Government and the Ottoman Empire.Marginal notes refer to various correspondence. In addition, annotations in pencil appear throughout the volume (particularly folios 103-105, 141-145, 157) and the front cover is marked 'Done' in blue.Physical description: Foliation: Foliation is written 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 176.Foliation errors: folio 1 is followed by folio 1A; folio 75 is followed by folio 75A.

8. ‘Khan Sahib Said Abdul Razzak al Razzuki Residency Agent, Sharjah. native of Kowait.’

Description:

Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This black and white photograph shows Khan Sahib Said Abdul Razzak al Razzuki, Residency Agent, Sharjah in the foreground, with a building behind him in the background.Temporal Context:The creation date is derived from the postmark stamped on an envelope (folio 30) which follows the photograph in the file of which this photograph is part. The envelope was posted in London, is addressed to A C B Simon at the India Office, and is embossed with the logo of the Iraq Petroleum Company Limited, City-Gate House, Finsbury Square, London, on the back.Inscriptions:Typed on reverse of image: ‘Khan Sahib Said Abdul Razzak al Razzuki Residency Agent, Sharjah. native of Kowait.’Physical description: Dimensions: 175 x 117mm

9. 'File 61/14 V (D 49) Nejd and 'Iraq, Relations between'

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains telegrams, letters, and reports relating to affairs between Najd, Kuwait, and Iraq. Most of the correspondence is between Lionel Haworth, the Political Resident in Bushire, Henry Dobbs, the High Commissioner in Baghdad, Ibn Sa'ud, the King of the Hejaz and Najd, Leo Amery, the Secretary of State for the Colonies in London, James More, the Political Agent in Kuwait, Cyril Barrett, the Political Agent in Bahrain, Edward Ellington, the Air Officer Commanding in Iraq, George Ambrose Lloyd, High Commissioner in Cairo, Herbert Plumer, High Commissioner in Jerusalem, H. G. C. Franklin, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, Bertram Thesiger, Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station, and the Government of India.The volume covers the British response to the crisis following the Ikhwan rebellion and the threat of attack on Kuwaiti and Iraqi territory. Documents relate to:military measures taken to defend Kuwait and Iraq and counter the Ikhwanthreat, including air reconnaissance and attacks, naval deployments (HMS Emerald,HMS Lupin,HMS Crocus, the Triad,HMS Enterprise,HMS Patrick Stewart,and the Bandraare all mentioned) frontier forts, and the supply of armoured cars and guns to Kuwait;rumours and reports of tribal movements in the region, usually coming from shepherds, merchants, travellers and other local sources;the thoughts and actions of Ibn Sa'ud himself, including his relations with the Ikhwan leadership;the endeavour to arrange a meeting between Ibn Sa'ud and either Gilbert Clayton or the Agent at Sharjah (a Muslim).Other subjects that emerge from the file are:a concern about the large amount of cypher work that needs to be done and the need for a cypher clerk from India;the situation in Yemen, including a rumoured meeting between Ibn Sa'ud and Imam Yahya, and the measures taken by the British to prevent further incursions into the Aden Protectorate by the Imam's forces;the official objection to a proposed visit by the Basra Timescorrespondent to Riyadh to meet Ibn Sa'ud.Notable within the volume are the following documents:a series of intelligence reports by Gerald de Gaury, who was appointed to gather such information, including information on a Mutair informant, the topography of the Batin frontier, and the Roqah division of the 'Ataibah (‘Utaiba) tribe (folios 249-269);Report by Barrett on Ibn Sa'ud's position, frame of mind, and actions (folios 268-274).Physical description: Foliation: The sequence runs from the first folio through to the inside back cover (ff 1A-287). The numbers are written in pencil, circled, and found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. There are the following irregularities: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E. There is a second sequence that runs from 20 through to 286 (ff 19-283) but is inconsistent. The numbers are also written in pencil in the same place, but are not circled. Some early numbers are crossed out.

10. British Agents

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains correspondence relating to the employment and activities of British Agents responsible to the Persian Gulf Residency at Bushire. The correspondents include: Felix Jones, British Resident at Bushire; the Government of Bombay; Captain Christopher Palmer Rigby, British Consul and Agent at Zanzibar; Syed Thuweynee [Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat; the British Agency at Muscat; Commanders of the Persian Gulf Naval Squadron; the British Agency at Sharjah; the British Agency at Shiraz; Prince Tahmasp, Governor of Fars; Charles Murray (later Charles Alison), British Minister at Tehran; and Lieutenant R W Whish, Commander of the Mahi.The volume is organised into sections, each relating to a different topic, as follows:Subject 1: Relates to the British Agent at Muscat, covering the following matters:the dismissal of Heskael bin Yusuf as Agent due to lack of communication and inefficiency;the appointment by Jones of Henry Chester as Agent, and his subsequent removal because of the need for officers of his rank in the navy;the argument, put forward by Jones, for the need for a British-born agent at Muscat because of the sensitive political situation (the political split between Zanzibar and Muscat), a new telegraph station at Muscat that requires the expertise to operate, the slave traffic in Oman, and the growing influence of foreign powers (France) in the country;the appointment of William Pengelley as Political Agent at Muscat.The section contains (folios 24-32) detailed instructions for new agents at Muscat and a discussion of the protection to be given to banyans (Indian traders) in the region and the extent of British jurisdiction.Subject 2: relates to friction and disagreement between Jones and Hormuzd Rassam, appointed temporarily as British Agent at Muscat, caused by the former communicating directly with the Sultan of Muscat and the latter considering himself under the authority of the Residency at Aden, not Bushire.Subject 3: relates to Hajee Yacoob [Ḥājī Ya‘qūb], British Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], including praise and reward for his good service, and compensation paid to the family of Hajee el-Mir [Ḥājī al-Mīr], a munshi who drowned off Sharjah and was employed at the Agency.Subject 4: also relates to Ḥājī Ya‘qūb, specifically the transferral of a boat in store at Bassadore [Bāsaʻīdū] to Sharjah for the use of the Agent.Subject 5: relates to the position of British Agent at Shiraz after the Anglo-Persian War. Matters covered include:the re-appointment of Meerza Mahomed Hussun Khan [Mīrza Moḥamad Ḥasan Khān] as agent by Jones and his subsequent dismissal in favour of Hajee Mahomed Khuleel [Ḥājī Moḥamad Khalīl], who had been appointed by Charles Augustus Murray, British Minister at Tehran;the disagreement between Jones and Murray following these events;the routes of communication with India to be used and whether, if Shiraz is bypassed, to retain an agent there.Subject 6: relates to the resignation of Ḥājī Moḥamad Khalīl as agent at Shiraz and a cholera epidemic affecting the city.Subject 7: relates to the appointment of E N Castelli as British Agent at Shiraz, his retirement shortly afterwards, and the re-appointment of Moḥamad Ḥasan Khān. Also briefly covers Charles Murray's return to Europe on sick leave.Subject 8: consists of correspondence between the Resident at Bushire and Castelli, Agent at Shiraz, on miscellaneous topics, including the case of a Persian merchant in Bombay, naturalised as a British subject, seeking legal protection in Persia, and the death of Mirza Mahomed Ali Khan [Mīrza Moḥamad ‘Ali Khān] Nawabi Hindi.Subject 9: relates to the work of several munshis employed by the British Government, including:interpreter Meerza Mahomed Jawad [Mīrza Moḥamad Jawād] joins a mission to Muskat [Muscat];praise for the work of Abdool Kurrem [‘Abdul Karīm];Abdool Cassim [‘Abdul Qāsim] transferred from the Cliveto the Aucklandto be appointed the Commodore's munshi.Subject 10: relates to a claim by Khulfan Rattonsee on the estate of the deceased brother of Moolla Ahmed [Mullā Aḥmad], British Agent at Lingah and complaints made about former Muscat Agent, Hezkiel.Subject 11: relates to leave granted to Khodadad bin Mahomed [Khudādād bin Moḥamad], Slave Agent at Bāsaʻīdū, in order to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca.Physical description: Foliation is written in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio of writing, on number 2, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 303. There are the following irregularities: f 55 is followed by f 55A; f 90 is followed by f 90A; f 106 is followed by ff 106A-B; f 158 is followed by f 158A; f 162 is followed by f 162A; f 195 is followed f 195A; f 207 is followed by f 207A; f 218 is followed by f 218A; f 237 is followed by f 237A; f 238 is followed by f 238A; f 255 is followed by f 255A; f 267 is followed by f 267A; f 278 is followed by f 278A; f 280 is followed by f 280A; f 286 is followed by f 286A.

11. Coll 5/19 ‘Air Route to India: Sharjah Rest House – Payment and accounting arrangements’

Description:

Abstract: The file is concerned with the financing and construction of a rest house at Sharjah for the use of the passengers of Imperial Airways. It contains correspondence authorising expenditure, outlining the procedure to be followed for making payments, and reporting on the progress of construction. It also contains statements of expenditure submitted periodically by the Persian Gulf Political Resident to the Secretary of State for India, for subsequent submission to the Air Ministry. These statements generally outline the following: allowances made against the construction of the rest house, the personal subsidy paid to the Shaikh of Sharjah, rent paid to the Shaikh of Sharjah for the aerodrome, pay for guards at the aerodrome, and an allowance paid for additional accounting work undertaken at the Persian Gulf Residency.The file also contains two reports, dated between 1932-33, related to early difficulties encountered by Captain Kenneth Mackay, Supervising Engineer, in the construction of the rest house: see folios 97-112 and 131-143. Particular attention is given to the attitude of the Residency Agent for the Trucial Coast, Khan Bahadur Isa, and the attitude of local rulers.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 168; 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.

12. Coll 5/20 ‘Air Route to India – Arab Coast Secn: Negotiations with Trucial Sheikhs’

Description:

Abstract: The file is largely made up of correspondence, with occasional internal India Office notes, and records of inter-departmental meetings. The subject matter is the establishment of an aerodrome on the Trucial Coast to facilitate the transfer of Imperial Airways' Europe-India route from Southern Persia to the Arabian Coast. There is some material related to the selection of a suitable site. However, much of the file is concerned with negotiations with Shaikh Sultan bin Saqar, Ruler of Sharjah; Sharjah was selected by British officials as the most promising site for a landing ground. The file therefore contains a number of reports on the political situation at Sharjah, the progress of negotiations, and discussion over terms and conditions. A copy of the final agreement can be found on folios 225-228.The agreement with the Shaikh of Sharjah provided for the construction of a rest house to be owned by the Shaikh but rented by Imperial Airways. The file therefore includes discussion relating to arrangements for the financing and construction of the rest house. There is also a detailed consideration of the measures needed to ensure its security, and measures to be taken by British forces in the event of an attack on the facility: see folios 18-27 for a copy of the Sharjah Defence Scheme.The file also contains discussion between British officials over their response to the following two proposals submitted by the Government of the Netherlands: a proposal for Anglo-Dutch-French co-operative partnership in approaching civil aviation matters linking Europe and the Far East, with a particular view to negotiations with Persia; and a request for access to the Arab Coast air route.In addition to the immediate response to the Netherlands Government, the file includes discussion related to how British policy over the Trucial Coast should develop in response to developments in civil aviation.Also contained within the file are a number of papers circulated by the Committee of Imperial Defence's Standing Official Sub-committee for Questions Concerning the Middle East. These papers relate to a proposal from Imperial Airways to use landplanes along the Arabian Coast route instead of flying boats; the file contains extensive technical comparisons between the ‘Hannibal’ four engine landplane (the Handley Page H.P.42) and three engine ‘Calcutta’ flying boat (the Short S.8).There is a limited amount of discussion, towards to front of the correspondence, over the state of British negotiations with Persia. However, this is not the focus of the file.A couple of letters from the Government of the Netherlands are in French (see folios 296-301) and the final agreement with the Shaikh of Sharjah (folios 225-228) is in both English and Arabic. The vast majority of the file is in English.The main correspondents are as follows: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Hugh Vincent Biscoe, and later Trenchard Craven William Fowle), the Political Agent at Kuwait (Harold Richard Patrick Dickson), and the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf. It also includes correspondence with officials of the following governmental departments: the Admiralty, the Air Ministry, the Foreign Office, the India Office, and the Foreign and Political Department of the Government of India.Most of the material in the file covers the period 1932 to 1935. Only a single letter, dated 31 March 1940, falls outside this range.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 637; 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, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the two leading and ending flyleaves.