Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, resolutions, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Lieutenant Arnold Burrows Kemball, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf. It is the fourth in a series of seven items on affairs of the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2077/95829, IOR/F/4/2077/95830, IOR/F/4/2077/95831, IOR/F/4/2077/95833, IOR/F/4/2077/95834, and IOR/F/4/2077/95835).The item concerns:The surrender of Demaum [Dammam] to Ameer Fysul [Amir Fayṣal bin Turkī bin 'Abdullāh Āl Sa'ūd]The affairs of the ex-Shaikh of Bahrain, Abdoollah bin Ahmed [Shaikh 'Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], and Ameer Fysul’s offer to mediate between him and his great-nephewsKemball’s tour of the Gulf, and reports of his conversations about peace in the Gulf and the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf with: Sheikh Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain]; Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur of Ras el Khymah [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī of Ra’s al-Khaymah]; Sheikh Abdoollah bin Rashid of Amulgavine [Shaikh 'Abdullāh bin Rāshid al-Mu'allā of Umm al-Qaywayn]; Sheikh Muktoon bin Butye of Dubaie [Shaikh Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāseh of Dubai]; Sheikh Abdul Azeez bin Rashid of Ejman [Shaikh 'Abd al-'Azīz bin Rāshid al-Nu'aymī of Ajman]The British political response to the growing power of Ameer FysulThe attack by a Persian force from Kerman on Bunder Abass, and its subsequent retreat due to unrest in KermanThe incivility of the Governor of Fars, Meerza Nubbee Khan [Amir Divan Mirza Nabī Khan Qazwīnī] towards the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain Samuel HennellActs of ‘piracy’ committed by the subjects of Sultan bin SuggurThe acquisition in perpetuity of the English burial ground at Kharrack [Jazireh-ye Khark]Repairs to the
Futhool Moobarukat Muscat, the subsequent loss of her cargo through shipwreck, and its recovery through the agency of Reuben Aslan, Native Agent at MuscatComplaints about extortion carried out by the farmer of customs at MuscatRegulating movements of the vessels of the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf.The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 78, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4624, [Season 18]45’, ‘Collection No 8 of No 68’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 228 and terminates at f 341, 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. The sequence contains one foliation anomaly: f 282a.Pagination: the volume 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, 30 September 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 thirtieth in a series of fifty-nine items on events in the Persian Gulf.The item relates to a report from the Native Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain], to Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 24 August 1847. The Native Agent reports on the outcomes of the recent negotiations at Nedjd [Najd] between Shaik Busheer bin Ramah [Shaikh Bashīr bin Raḥmah], (on behalf of Shaik Mahomed bin Khuleefa of Bahrein [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]. Hennell forwards the report on to the Government of Bombay along with his comments on the negotiations. In particular, Hennell mentions the fate of the previous Shaik of Bahrein, Shaik Abdoollah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], as well as Ameer Fysul’s weakened influence in the wake of the invasion of Bin Aoon [Muḥammad bin ‘Abd al-Mu‘īn bin ‘Awn, Sharīf of Mecca] and Ameer Khalid [Amīr Khālid bin Sa‘ūd].Hennell also provides a brief update on the relations between the shaiks of: Debaye [Dubai]; Shargah [Sharjah]; Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; and Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn].The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft No. 345/48’, ‘Collection No. 2 of No. 118, Vol: 30.’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 415, and terminates at f 420, 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, 3 December 1852, and found at IOR/F/4/2504/142185. Further enclosures to the letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2504/142191, IOR/F/4/2504/142192, and IOR/F/4/2504/142193. The item is the sixth in a series of sixteen items about the Persian Gulf.The item contains a report, dated 25 August 1852, from Hajee Yacoob [Ḥājjī Ya‘qūb], Native Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], to Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Resident in the Persian Gulf. The report conveys intelligence regarding:Requests by Sheikh Saeed ben Butye, Sheikh of Debaie [Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Buṭṭī, Shaikh of Dubai], for Syed Saeed [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, Imām of Muscat] to send reinforcements to DebaieRumours that Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd] intends to launch an expedition into OmanPlans and activities of: Sheik Sultan ben Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Leader of al-Qawāsim tribe, of Ra’s al-Khaymah and Sharjah]; his son, Abdullah ben Sultan [‘Abdullāh bin Sulṭān]; and Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd].Kemball forwards the report, along with his own comments, to the Government of Bombay, which in turn forwards copies 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. 121 of 1852', 'Vol: 6', and 'Examiner's Office'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1168, and terminates at f 1173, 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, 31 March 1852, and found at IOR/F/4/2475/138723. It is the fourth in a series of eight items about the Persian Gulf.The item relates to a report from Lieutenant James Tronson, Commanding Officer of the Company brigantine,
Tigris, regarding his recent trip to collect money owed by Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Sheik of Bahrein [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain]. Sheik Mohamed owed the money as he was acting as security on behalf of the rulers of the Guttur [Qatar] coast. Tronson's report includes Sheik Mahomed's excuse for not paying the full amount, which relates to a loss of subjects as the inhabitants of Wookrah [Al Wakrah, also rendered in text as Wukrah] recently moved to Katiff [Al-Qatif], at the invitation of Ameer Fuzel ben Turkey [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd].Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, sends a copy of the report to the Government of Bombay, along with his comments. The item also includes a minute by the Governor of Bombay.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'Draft No. 733 of 1852', 'Collection No 7', 'Vol: 4', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was given as '4 of No. 35' but this has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 950, and terminates at f 957, 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, 30 September 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 twenty-third in a series of fifty-nine items on events in the Persian Gulf.The item contains a letter from Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Government of Bombay, dated 19 July 1847. Hennell reports that peace has been concluded between Ameer Fysul, the Wahabee Chief [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd, leader of the Wahhābī], and Ben Aoon, the Shureef of Mecca [Muḥammad bin ‘Abd al-Mu‘īn bin ‘Awn, Sharīf of Mecca]. He includes brief details of the terms of the peace and comments that the favourable terms for Ben Aoon suggest that earlier reports of the success of Ameer Fysul’s attack on Ben Aoon’s forces must have been exaggerated.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft No. 345/48’, ‘Collection No. 2 of No. 118, Vol: 23.’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 378, and terminates at f 380, 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, 30 September 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 twentieth in a series of fifty-nine items on events in the Persian Gulf.The item contains a letter from Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Government of Bombay, dated 8 June 1847. Hennell reports intelligence that a force under command of Bin Aoon the Shureef of Mecca [Muḥammad bin ‘Abd al-Mu‘īn bin ‘Awn, Sharīf of Mecca] and Ameer Khaled ben Saood [Amīr Khālid bin Sa‘ūd] has advanced into Nedjd [Najd] and communicated to Ameer Fysul the Wahabee Chief [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd, leader of the Wahhābī] that if he wishes to continue governing Nedjd he must pay an annual tribute to the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire]. Hennell further reports that Ameer Fysul replied he was authorised to govern the region by Mahomed Ally Pasha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pāshā] and would resist any further advances until he had heard from his superior. Hennell states that the ‘general impression’ is that Ameer Fysul would not be able to successfully resist the invading force.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft No. 345/48’, ‘Collection No. 2 of No. 118, Vol: 20.’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 366, and terminates at f 368, 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, 30 September 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 twenty-second in a series of fifty-nine items on events in the Persian Gulf.The item contains a report from the Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain, also rendered in text as Bahreen] to Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 9 July 1847. The Agent reports that Ameer Fysul, head of the Wahabees [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd, leader of the Wahhābī], led a successful attack against the forces of Ben Aoon, Sheriff of Mecca [Muḥammad bin ‘Abd al-Mu‘īn bin ‘Awn, Sharīf of Mecca] at Nedjd [Najd]. This took place after Ameer Fysul received confirmation from Abbas Pasha [ʿAbbās Pāshā] at Alexandria that Ben Aoon’s expedition had not been authorised by the Turkish [Ottoman Empire] Government. Hennell forwards this report to the Government of Bombay, conveying his doubts that Ben Aoon would have undertaken such a sizeable expedition without prior authorisation.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft No. 345/48’, ‘Collection No. 2 of No. 118, Vol: 22.’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 374, and terminates at f 377, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence to and from the Resident of the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell) during 1851. The first part of the file (ff 2-29) relates to miscellaneous issues of a largely domestic nature arising at the Residency. The second part of the file (ff 31-76) contains copies of correspondence exchanged between the Commanding Officers of the Honourable Company's [East India Company] ships in the Gulf and the Residency, concerning the disputes occuring at the time between the Wahhabi and Qatari tribes and the Sheikh of Bahrain, and correspondence relating to coastal towns of Guttur [Qatar].Physical description: Foliation: There is an incomplete pagination sequence and a complete foliation sequence. The foliation sequence is written in pencil, in the top-right corner of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and runs through to 84, ending on the inside of the back cover of the file. Foliation errors: f 27 missing.Condition: Some of the papers in the file have deteriorated significantly at the edges and show signs of significant insect damage, both of which affect the legibility of some parts of their text.
Abstract: Correspondence regarding relations between the people of Bahrein [Bahrain] and the Wahabees [Wahhabis] and the involvement of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain (James) Felix Jones, in affairs.The correspondence consists of letters and reports sent by Captain Jones to the Secretary to Government at Bombay (Henry Lacon Anderson, Alexander Kinloch Forbes) describing the situation in Bahrein in which an atmosphere of anxiety and alarm had arisen over reports that Mahomed ben Abdullah, Chief of Demaum [Dammam] was amassing men and boats for an attack on Bahrein, and detailing the response by Captain Jones to these reports, including the decision to send British vessels of war to help boost morale and assist in the defence of Bahrein; investigations made by these vessels into the forces massing to attack Bahrein; and the seizing of boats and vessels belonging to the Chief of Demaum and his supports. Also included is a copy of the Government resolution permitting Captain Jones to have Mahomed ben Abdullah and his supporters forcibly removed from Demaum.Enclosed with them are copies of correspondence and reports on affairs at Bahrein including accounts of the forces massing at ports including Demaum and Katiff [Al Qaţīf], which were sent to and from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf by Hajee Jassem [Haji Jasim], British Agent at Bahrain; Shaikh Mahomed ben Khalifah (also written bin Khuleefa) [Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah], Chief of Bahrein; Sheikh Alee bin Khuleefa [‘Alī bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah]; [Sheikh Mahomed ben Abdullah [Muḥammed bin‘Abdullāh], Chief of Demaum; Ameer Fysul ben Torkee [Faisal ibn Turki], Ruler of Nedjd [Najd]; The Senior Naval Officer Commanding the Persian Gulf Squadron (Charles Golding Constable, Charles John Cruttenden) ; Commander Philip William Fendell of HMS
Falkland; Commander Richard William Whish of HM Schooner
Mahi; and Commander William Balfour of HM Steam Frigate
Semiramis.Also included in the file is correspondence with Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson and Charles Alison, Her British Majesty's Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia, and Lewis Pelly, Charge d'Affaires at the Court of Persia, regarding Mirza Mehdi, Persian Agent for Foreign Affairs at Bushire, who is sent by the Prince Governor of Farsistan [Fārs] on a special mission to meet Ameer Fysul, Ruler of Nedjd [Najd] to discuss safe passage for Persian Pilgrims to Mecca, which the Political Resident believes is also being used as an opportunity to discuss Bahrein, which the Persians and the Wahabees have both laid claim to. Further correspondence on the matter includes intelligence reports from the British Agent at Bahrein, Hajee Jassem, including the arrival of Turkish emissaries at Bahrein and the decision by the Shaikh of Bahrein to hoist the Persian Flag at his forts.Later correspondence includes letters to and from Richard Rogers, Officiating Political Agent at Basreh [Basra], John McAdam Hyslop, Officiating Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, and Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, HBM's Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire regarding Turkish functionaries who had been sent on a mission from Basreh to Bahrein; and the raising of the Turkish flag at Bahrein. This correspondence also includes letters written in both English and Ottoman Turkish to the Governor-General of Baghdad, and copies of letters in Arabic from the Shaikh of Bahrein to the Pasha of Baghdad.The file concludes with correspondence relating to Mahomed ben Khuleefa's attempts at retaliation, including blockading the Wahabee ports of Demaum and Katiff; and the decision in May 1861 to sign a convention and bond with the British Government:Terms of a friendly convention entered into between Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa, independent ruler of Bahrein on the part of himself and successors, and Captain Felix Jones, Her Majesty's Indian Navy, Political Resident of Her Britanic Majesty in the Gulf of Persia on the part of the British Government, 1 May 1861, in Arabic and English (ff 321-326).Translation of a bond sealed by Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa of Bahrein and entered into by him with Captain Felix Jones, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, 31 May 1861, in Arabic and English (ff 327-328).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence runs across the two volumes, and is therefore split into two ranges ff. 1-182 & ff. 183-341. It commences at the first folio of writing in volume one and terminates at the last folio of writing in volume two. These numbers are written in pencil, and can be found in the top right hand corner of the recto side of each folio. Foliation errors: 1, 1A.
Abstract: The statement gives the following information for each tribe listed:Name of the tribeName of its ChiefIts place of headquartersNumber of subdivisionsPopulationAmount of tribute paid to Amir Faisul ibn Turki al-Sa'udNumber of horses procurable by each tribeRemarksThe remarks relate to the expectation that the Chief of each tribe would each year give horses to Amir Faisul. The amount of horses is determined by the number of Jama (subdivisions) the tribe had; in return the chief would receive clothes, weapons and dates from the Amir. A further remark notes that those tribes who pay no tribute are expected to protect the Nejd [Najd] frontiers and to go on any expeditions that the Amir wishes them to.Physical description: The folio has to be folded out in order to be read.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The enclosures to these letters are contained in the subsequent items. It is the first in a series of seven items on affairs of the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2077/95830, 95831, 95832, 95833, 95834, and 95835).The item concerns:Disturbances at Shiraz caused by an attempt to oust the current Governor of Fars, Ameer Mirza Nubbee Khan [Amīr Dīvān Mīrzā Nabī Khān Qazwīnī]A complaint by the Imam of Muscat [Sayyid Sa'īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa'īd] that his vessels were paying higher duty at Mauritius than previouslyReports of vessels from Bombay and Cutch [Kachchh] trading under British colours without the appropriate passesThe military success of Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd] and possible British reactions to thisThe aborted Persian attack against Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbas]Disputes over customs duties at Bunder AbbasA complaint by Josiah Row Chowdry [Josiah Rao Chaudhari] against the British merchant brig
Mary Alicethat he was owed wages by the ship’s masterA violent dispute between the Joasmees [Qāsimīs, i.e. al-Qawāsim] and subjects of Debaye [Dubai]The murder of Beebee Aseeloo [Bibi ‘Asilu], widow of the late Native Agent at MuscatThe English burial ground at Karrack [Jazireh-ye Khark]The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection 8, Draft 78, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4624, [Season 18]45’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 125 and terminates at f 156, 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
Abstract: The statements were originally intended to form Appendix 12 of Colonel Pelly's Riyadh report No.57 dated 15 May 1866 and were produced following a request from the British Government for Pelly to go through William Gifford Palgrave's book and verify the truth, or otherwise, of accusations, assertions and claims made by Palgrave about the places he visited and people he met.The principal statements that Pelly addressed were as follows:That the native agent at Shargah [Sharjah], an Armenian named Hajee Yacoob, was encouraging the slave trade whilst operating as a representative of the British Government. This claim was refuted by Pelly firstly as Hajee Yacoob was a musselman, secondly as he had recovered more slaves than 'any other man in the Gulf' and thirdly as succesive residents considered him to be a most energetic and reliable man who was not as Palgrave supposed responsible for the suppression of slavery in Shargeh but was in fact the arbitrator of the maritime truce there.That Palgrave and his companion had travelled openly as Christians and been welcomed as such. Whereas Pelly had witness testimonies, including from his agent at Muscat, that Palgrave had disguised himself as a mussulman and used assumed names in order to travel and had even been seen worshipping in mosques.Claims as to the extent of the territories of Oman, that Bahrein and Qatar (amongst other places) paid tribute to Oman, that Said Saeed [Thuwaini bin Said] divided his territories up between his three sons in his will, alleged tensions between these sons and claims relating to Said Soulem [Salim II bin Thuwaini], son of Said Saeed, being a young boy. Several of these claims such as the extent of Oman's territories and the way in which they were divided up following Said Saeed's death were refuted through treaties and agreements that already existed such as Lord Canning's of 1861 which separated Muscat and Zanzibar, and a loan agreement of 1856 in which Persia agreed to lease some places to Oman. The remaining claims were refuted by Pelly's personal and detailed knowledge of Muscat and through Said Torki [Turki bin Said],son of Said Saeed who was a guest of Pelly's in Bushire at the time of his writing the responses to the statements, including that Said Soulem was actually a grown man, not a young boy, and had recently been accused of murdering his father,Also included in the file are a draft version of the statements and a copy of the witness statement of Mr Rozario, agent at Muscat, regarding Mr Palgrave passing himself off there as a mussulman called Aboo Mahmood and that he had observed him attending mosques and outwardly observing the fast.Physical description: Foliation: The file has been foliated in the front top right corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.