File 3852/1921 'PERSIA: AHWAZ CONSULATE BUILDINGS'

Title:

File 3852/1921 'PERSIA: AHWAZ CONSULATE BUILDINGS'

Date:

1918/1932

Description:

Abstract: This volume relates to the establishment of British consular offices and accommodation at Ahwaz [Ahvaz, also known as Naseri, Khuzestan] during the period 1918-32, proceedings which were particularly driven by: the end of hostilities with the Central Powers (Treaties of Sevres, 1920, and Lausanne, 1923); the increasing activities of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in the wider region; the poor state of existing consular offices rented from the Sheikh [Shaikh] of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], Sheikh Khazel Khan or Khazal Jaber [Shaikh Khaz‘al bin Jābir al-Kaʾbī, Mu‘izz al-Salṭanah]; and the political necessity of maintaining British prestige in the consular district of Ahwaz.The papers notably cover and include:Deliberations over whether to construct a new building or purchase another outright for the Consulate at Ahwaz, including consideration of a site on the banks of the river Karum [Karun] and the site of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s hospital owned by ‘Iraqi’ named Razoogh Bashuri [Rusūkh Bāshūrī?]The recommendation in a report of another building suitable for the location of the British Consulate, valued at ‘Tomans [tūmān] 122’, as well as the following: subsequent reports of its unsatisfactory condition; proposals for expansion and improvement; the potential increase in rental costs; sanction of its lease, including a contribution by the Government of India; and clarification of ownership and running costsCopy of the lease for the British consular buildings (f 45) (modelled on the lease for the house of the Consul)The site of the British consular building (formerly occupied by the Vice-Consul) leased from the Sheikh of Mohammerah, including: a report on plans for construction works (ff 246-250); a copy of the indenture signed by the Secretary of State for India and the Sheikh, dated 16 July 1924 (ff 275-278); and correspondence concerning the disposal of deteriorating unused construction materials, including the ‘breach of contract’ ascribed to the Sheikh for non-disposal (due to his imprisonment by the Persian Government over various disputes), detailed schedules of materials (ff 114-116, ff 126-129; ff 270-274, ff 371-374), and proposals to sell the stone to the Anglo-Persian Oil CompanyThe ‘breach of contract’ ascribed to the Sheikh of Mohammerah in relation to unused construction materials at the site of the British consular building, which is explained as a ‘force majeure connected with the Sheikh’s arrest and imprisonment by the Persian [Pahlavī] Government and the embargo subsequently placed on his properties’ (f 33)Further explanations of the Sheikh’s agreements and disputes with the Persian Government (ff 57-59), including descriptions of the political, personal, and physical circumstances of the Sheikh of Mohammerah (ff 301-302)Sanction for a moiety charged to [British] Imperial revenues covering the rent of a house for HM Vice-Consul at Ahwaz (including water and electricity supplies) at the rate of six hundred krans per month, for the limited period of two years (f 124)Assurances from the Indian Political Department at Ahwaz that the Vice-Consul will always be a ‘bachelor’ [unmarried], and recommendations for the abolition of the post in November 1931Assessment of the possible damage that may be caused to the building of the Consulate at Ahwaz by the construction of a dam across the river Karun; the building of the Karun dam is considered less likely in favour of works in the region of Shush [Shushtar]Correspondence on accounts of expenditure regarding the diplomatic and consular establishments in Persia for the years 1928-29 (ff 109-112).The principal correspondents are: India Office; Foreign Office; HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London; Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London; Under-Secretary of State for India, London; Secretary of State for India, London; HM Minister, Tehran; HM Chargé d’Affaires, Tehran; HM Consul for Arabistan, Ahwaz; Acting Consul, Basra; Ministry of Finance, Government of Persia; Sheikh of Mohammerah; Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Ahwaz; and Foreign Secretary to the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 404; 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 multiple original foliation sequences.

Language:

English

Type:

Archival file

Type (Narrower):

Other Texts

Type (Broader):

Text

Subject:

Expenditure
Building construction
Consular buildings
Diplomatic service

Geographic region:

Karun River
Ahwaz

Rights:

غير معروف

Identifier:

81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00038a_ar
81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00038a_en
IOR/L/PS/10/1010
IOR/L/PS/10/1010

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