Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-4 to a dispatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 23 April 1845. The enclosures are dated 8 December 1844-15 February 1845.The enclosures consist of copies of dispatches from Justin Sheil, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia, describing events in Persia [Iran] and beyond, including:An unsuccessful attempt by the Khan of Khiva to recapture Merve [Merv] from the Toorkomans [Teke Turkmen]British objections to the construction of a bastion close to the Residency at Bushire [Bushehr]A demand from the Governor of Bushire for higher duties on the export of horses by British merchants, against the terms of an Anglo-Persian agreementContinued Russian military occupation of the Island of Ashoor Ada [Ashuradeh] off the Persian coast in the Caspian SeaA Persian investigation into American missionaries proselytising and making conversions to Christianity in Azerbijan [Azerbaijan]An unsuccessful attempt by Mahomed Bankir Khan, described as either a brother or a nephew of Agha Khan [Hasan Ali Shah, Aga Khan I], to invade Persia from Beloochistan [Balochistan].The dispatches contain forwarded translations of letters from Hajee Meerza Aghasee [Haji Mirza Aqasi, Prime Minister of Persia] and other Persian officials.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 357, and terminates at f 402, 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.
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-3 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai], dated 9 March 1848. The enclosures are dated 10-20 January 1852.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Persia [Iran], including:The removal of Meerxa Tekkee Khan [Mīrzā Taqī Khān Farāhānī, also known as Amir Kabir], the Ameer Nizam [Amir-e Nezam], as Prime Minister, his arrest, and his request to the British for protectionA ruling that inheritance disputes between Muslim and non-Muslin heirs will subsequently be decided in the Royal CourtA visit by HM Chargé d’Affaires to the Russian-occupied island of Ashoorada [Ashuradeh]Construction of forts in Asterabad [Gorgon] as defence against Toorkoman [Turkoman] incursions. A map of the forts is included on folio 412Anglo-Russian mediation over Persian-Ottoman border disputes, including the construction of an Ottoman fort at Katoor [Qotur] and outposts near Khoee [Khoy], and Persian occupation of the island of Mehellat [Minu] in the Shut-ool Arab [Shatt al-Arab]An attempt to overthrow Syd Mahomed Khan [Sayyid Muḥammad Khān ‘Alī Kūzāy, Governor of Herat] by his exiled predecessor Yar Mahomed Khan [Yār Muḥammad Khān ‘Alī Kūzāy], and a Persian offer of assistance to Syd Mahomed.The primary correspondents are: the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; HM Chargé d’Affaires, Persia; the Prime Minister of Persia; the Foreign Minister of Persia; and the Russian Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia.The item contains two folios in French, ff 383 and 387, letters from the Russian Minister Plenipotentiary.Physical description: 1 item (73 folios)
Abstract: The memorandum — signed by Lieutenant-General Percy Lake, Chief of the Indian General Staff — considers whether Britain should accept Russian demands that the proposed Trans-Persian Railway should be routed via Kerman. It examines the potential strategic advantages to Russia, the consequent potential threat to British India, and how these would be negated if the railway passed via Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. An estimate is also provided of the additional force that would be required to defend India should the railway be routed as the Russians desire.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 34, and terminates at f 36, 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 file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-29 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai], dated 28 February 1845. The enclosures are dated 10 January-27 February 1845.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Aden, particularly the defence of Aden in the light of reports that Hussain ibn Ali Hyder [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī Ḥaydar], Sherriff [Sharif] of Mocha and Hodeida [Al Hudaydah], has occupied Taez [Taiz] and is intending to take possession of all of southern Yemen and attack Aden.The primary correspondents are: the Political Agent, Aden; the Executive Engineer, Aden; Lieutenant-Colonel William Croker, commanding the troops at Aden; the Senior Naval Officer, Aden; and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (58 folios)
Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-16 to a dispatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 29 April 1845. The enclosures are dated 11 March-17 April 1845.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Aden, including:An unsuccessful attack on Taez [Ta'izz] by Hussain ibn Ali Hyder, Sheriffe [Sharif] of Mocha and Hodaida [Al Hudaydah], and his subsequent return to MochaA reduction in the number of smallpox cases in AdenAn upcoming French naval visit to Aden as part of a tour of the Red Sea, and discussions over allowing a French steamer to take on coal in Aden.The primary correspondents are: the Political Agent, Aden; the Senior Naval Officer, North West Coast of India; and the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 470, and terminates at f 497, 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.
Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-14 to a dispatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 31 March 1845. The enclosures are dated 10 February-31 March 1845.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Aden, particularly the potential threat posed by Hussain ibn Ali Hyder, Sheriffe [Sharif] of Mocha and Hodaida [Al Hudaydah], who has brought an armed force as far as Taez [Ta'izz]. The correspondence also mentions: communications from M Hussain Fudthel [Sultan Muhsin bin Fadl al-'Abdali], Sultan of Lahedge [Lahej]; an outbreak of smallpox in Aden; and details relating to the fortifications of Aden and the garrison.The primary correspondents are the Political Agent, Aden, and the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 2, and terminates at f 28, 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.
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-10 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai], dated 17 February 1852. The enclosures are dated 3 January-11 February 1852.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Aden, including: reports of a grounded vessel in the vicinity and a boat sent out to assist being unable to locate it; the arrival, for use as ballast, of stones from the destroyed fortifications in Berbera of Sheik Shermarkhi Ali [Ḥājjī Sharmārkī ‘Alī Ṣāliḥ], the former Governor; and a request from Ali M Houssain [‘Alī I bin Muḥsin al-‘Abdalī], Sultan of Lahidge [Lahej], for a supply of fuses.The primary correspondents are the Political Agent, Aden, and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (15 folios)
Abstract: The file comprises copies of correspondence relating to the purchase of machine guns by the Government of Bahrain, through the Political Agency, for use in Bahrain. The file’s principal correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle; Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman); officials at Royal Air Force (RAF) Headquarters in Iraq; Government of India officials; the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave).The file includes:correspondence concerning an order for machine guns, initiated by the Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah’s request through the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain in March 1939, that he would like to purchase twelve Bren guns (f 5), including: discussion amongst British Government officials over the long delays involved in obtaining Bren guns (f 9); Government proposals for Vickers-Berthier (VB) guns as an alternative, and the relative merits and demerits of VB against Bren guns (f 14); the eventual order of VB guns, with equipment lists (ff 38-42), and their despatch to Bahrain from Karachi in September 1939 (f 70); the Government of Bahrain’s order for ammunition for the guns (ff 56-57);arrangements for a Havaldar instructor to be sent to Bahrain to assist in the training of use of the machine gun (f 45, f 74, ff 80-81), and arrangements for training sessions at Bahrain (ff 82-86);correspondence dated September and October 1939 between RAF and Air Ministry officials, concerning the need for a Defence Officer in the Persian Gulf (f 65, f 88);further correspondence dated from June 1940 onwards, relating to the supply of machine guns and ammunition for the Bahrain Defence Force, and the loan of VB guns by the Government of Bahrain to the Bahrain Defence Force (ff 103-120);acknowledgements of receipt dated September and October 1939 respectively, from the Chief Local Representative of the Bahrain Petroleum Company, Milton H Lipp, for sixteen Verey light pistols and ammunition (f 78), and one revolver with ammunition (f 92).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 130; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are present in parallel between ff 3-124 and between ff 125-129; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file comprises copies of correspondence, extracts of Government reports and other papers relating to the drawing up of defence policies for the various states in the Persian Gulf, in anticipation of the start of a global war. The file’s principal correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman); representatives of RAF Air Headquarters at Habbaniyah in Iraq (including Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal John Hugh Samuel Tyssen); various representatives of the Government of India and India Office.The file includes:a letter from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the India Office, dated 18 January 1938 enclosing a ‘Note on the Defence of the Persian Gulf in the Event of a Major War’, which contains: the Resident’s assessments of the strategic importance of the Gulf; details of communications and the air route in the Gulf; hypothetical war situations (attacks, hostile countries); British interests in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the Trucial Coast and Muscat (ff 13-36);correspondence dated December 1938 to January 1939 relating to a visit to the Persian Gulf of military officials, for the assessment of the region’s defence requirements and proposed defence schemes, including recommendations from a Major Price of the need for a volunteer defence force at Bahrain, and the posting of a permanent adjutant to Bahrain (ff 68-73);correspondence dated December 1938 to March 1939 concerning an assessment of maritime trade in the Gulf during wartime, including a copy of a questionnaire issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station (ff 81-82), with a reply and completed questionnaire from the Political Agent at Bahrain (ff 90-94);correspondence dated April to July 1939 concerning ‘Appreciations’ of defence schemes for Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Sharjah and Dibai [Dubai], including: extracts from a report issued by the Oversea Defence Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence (ff 112-115); and approval from the Government of India of the Persian Gulf defence schemes, subject to remarks made in an enclosed note from the Chief of the General Staff of India (ff 117-118).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 126; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-125; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This volume contains correspondence concerning arrangements for the defence of Muscat (with occasional references to other locations in the Gulf more broadly, including Kuwait). Much of this correspondence relates to the details of a financial 'war subsidy' paid to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr], and how exactly it should be spent. Correspondence towards the rear of the volume discusses the compilation and distribution of 'Bombing Target Catalogues' (lists of potential targets) by British Forces in India.The majority of the correspondence in the volume is between the Political Agency in Muscat, the Political Residency in Bushire and Said bin Taimur. Most of the correspondence with the Sultan is in Arabic accompanied by English translations.In addition to this correspondence, the volume also contains the following related documents:'Note on an interview with His Highness the Sultan at the "Palace" at 9-30 a.m. on the 30th November 1939' (folio 34)'Copy of an extract from a note on an interview between His Highness the Sultan of Muscat and Oman and the Treasury Officer Muscat on February the 3rd, 1940' (folio 99)'Details of Training and Equipment of the Muscat Infantry, for the year 1940' (folios 158-163).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 188; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials - primarily from the Political Agency in Muscat and the Political Residency in Bushire - regarding defence arrangements in the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman.Specifically, the correspondence discusses the following: plans for the potential deployment of troops in the Sultanate; details of how the 'war subsidy' provided by Britain was being spent by its ruler, Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr]; the possible appointment of a security officer on the 'Arab side of the Gulf'; and plans for the continuation of the 'war subsidy' being paid in spite of the end of the Second World War.The file contains a limited amount of correspondence between the Political Agency in Muscat and Said bin Taimur that is in Arabic (with English translation attached).In addition to correspondence, the file contains the following related documents:A draft intelligence report on Muscat (folios 4-29)'Notes for an Infantry Brigade and attached troops in the Muscat Area' (folios 41-42)'Muscat and Oman, including Khor Kuwai. Port Summary' (folios 64-73)'Note of a meeting at India Office on 12th February: Muscat War Subsidy' (folios 161-162).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 222; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-203; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence between ff 94-221, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This volume contains correspondence between British officials concerning plans for the defence of the Persian Gulf in the event of a major war with an emphasis on plans for the defence of Muscat. The correspondence in the volume is mainly between officials at the India Office, the Political Residency and the Political Agency in Muscat but it also includes a limited amount of correspondence from Royal Air Force and Royal Navy officers. In addition to this correspondence, the volume contains the following related documents:'Defence of the Persian Gulf in the Event of a Major War' - a memorandum by the Political Resident, Trenchard Craven Fowle (folios 34-54)'Record of an Informal Discussion held at the India Office on 14th April to consider the Political Resident's Memorandum regarding the Defence of the Persian Gulf in the event of a major war' (folios 55-66)'Appreciation of the Situation Regarding the Defence of Muscat against Tribal Attack and Sabotage' - a memorandum by Major R G Price that contains two small photographs of Muscat and Mattra [Muttrah], (folios 132-140)Draft of an Order in Council granting the Political Residency and Political Agencies emergency powers in the event of war (folios 112-122)'Note on an interview between His Highness the Sultan of Muscat and Captain T. Hickinbotham O.B.E., held at the Agency Muscat on May the 13th, 1939' (folios 147-149).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 162; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 5-159; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.