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85. 'File 61/18 [II] (D 125) Bin Saud'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file relates to the development of formal communications between Najd and Bahrain, and the wider Gulf and Indian region. The first of two items in the file is a letter (dated 28 January 1932) from the Special Secretary to ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd) King of Hejaz and Najd, to Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Biscoe, then Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (folios 1A-5). The letter summarises a number of points arising from a meeting that took place between Biscoe and Ibn Sa‘ūd.All of the points concern the development of formal relations between Najd and Bahrain, and other British protectorates and colonies, including India. Points covered include the instigation of formal procedures for issuing passports and visas for travellers between Najd and Bahrain, Kuwait and India, the set-up of wireless communications between Najd and Bahrain, the extradition of Najdi criminals from Bahrain, exchange of mail, and papers for commercial vessels. The English translation of the letter (folios 3-5) has been annotated, with parts relating to visas for Indian subjects highlighted.In Tuson, The records of the British Residency and agencies in the PersianGulf(London: India Office Library and Records, 1979) the file is listed with the title 'Visa and passports for travel between Najd, Kuwait and Bahrain.' The date range on the cover of the file (1 April 1931-30 September 1936) is incorrect.Physical description: Foliation: The file is foliated from the front cover to the last item in the file, with small numbers in the top-right corner of each recto . There is an earlier pagination system that runs from 79 (verso of folio 1a) to 84 (folio 7). Foliation anomaly: 1a.
86. 'Westliche Seite des Berges'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār
- Description:
- Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows ‘the west side of the Mount [‘Arafah]’ as well as the Plain of Arafat or ‘Arafah. Located 21 km southeast of the Masjid al-Haram, the plain, which extends 6km from east to west and 12 km from north to south, and the 70 metre high granite hill at the centre of it are stations of the hadj. Mount Arafat is located northeast of the plain and is also known as Jabal al-Rahmah or Mount of Mercy.On the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafat, just before noon, pilgrims gather on the plain to perform wuqufor ‘standing before God’, as can be seen in this image: this is a pillar of the hadj and must be undertaken in order the pilgrimage to be valid. In this image the background and middle ground are populated by pilgrims and their tents while in the left middle ground beasts of burden, including horses, camels and donkeys can be seen.A boy standing by the tent in the foreground at left and facing the camera has a shaved head and wears the two piece garb, consisting of two white seamless sheets, associated with being in the state of ihram. At right a camel is couched; this is the same camel visible in X463/14.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality throughout where the original plate may have been over-exposed and where the photographer wished to pick up some small details, such as the face of the boy at left.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower right of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.This is the third (left hand) of three photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the plain. The first and second are X463/14 and X463/15 respectively.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XV’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam: Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:190 x 243 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XV’Process:Collotype
87. 'P.A's Private file (Major T. Hickinbotham C.I.E., O.B.E.)'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file contains Arabic language correspondence between Major Tom Hickinbotham, Political Agent in Bahrain, and numerous Bahraini figures, including members of the ruling family (such as Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah, the Ruler of Bahrain) and several prominent merchants.The correspondence primarily consists of short, formal letters accepting invitations to dinner at the Political Agency and others acknowledging various gifts and visits. The majority of the correspondence is in Arabic with English translations included for some letters.The file also contains a limited number of letters from individuals outside of Bahrain including members of the ruling families of Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.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 94; 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 2-92; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
88. “History of the Caliphs” by al-Sūyūtī and “Primary Indicators of Well-Regulated States” by al-Hasan al-ʻAbbāsī
- Description:
- Abstract: This volume contains two works, Tarikh al-Khulafa’ (History of the caliphs) by al-Sūyūtī (1445−1505) and Athar al-Uwal fi Tartib al-Duwal (Primary indicators of well-regulated states) by al-Hasan ibn ‘Abd Allāh al-‘Abbāsī (died circa 1310). Al-Sūyūtī is renowned for his writings in the Islamic sciences, although not necessarily for this historical work. History of the Caliphs remains in print as a standard summation of the Sunni view of the rule of succession after the Prophet Muhammad’s death. The work reveals a gift for selection and synthesis rather than original interpretation, a characteristic of much of al-Sūyūtī’s writing. The author of the associated work, al-Hasan al-ʻAbbāsī, is said to have been related to the Abbasid caliph Hārūn al-Rashīd, but this may be apocryphal. The work should be considered a “mirror for princes” rather than an historical work. It provides advice on behavior for rulers, including admonitions on the treatment of subjects (e.g., tradesmen and farmers) and choice of counsellors, as well as such details as dress, menus, and etiquette at meals. Principles of behavior are rooted in the Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet, with frequent examples drawn from the lives of the prophets and rulers of old such as Moses and King David. History of the Caliphs is the main work in the volume. Primary Indicators is printed on its margins. Including a second work on the margin of a main text was common practice in the manuscript era, and often carried over into early printed books. Although it is no longer common, books are still produced with works on the margins to this day.Physical description: 2216 pages ; 28 centimeters
89. 'Der Berg ‘Arafah während der jährlichen Pilgerversammlung (von Süden aus gesehen)'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār
- Description:
- Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows the 'Mount‘Arafah, during the annual gathering of pilgrims [hadj] (as seen from the south)’ as well as the Plain of Arafat or ‘Arafah. Located 21km southeast of the Masjid al-Haram, the plain, which extends 6km from east to west and 12km from north to south, and the 70 metre high granite hill at the centre of it – visible here on the horizon at centre – are stations of the hadj. Mount Arafat is located northeast of the plain and is also known as Jabal al-Rahmah or Mount of Mercy.On the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafat, just before noon, pilgrims gather on the plain to perform wuqufor ‘standing before God’, as can be seen in this image: this is a pillar of the hadj and must be undertaken in order the pilgrimage to be valid. In this image the background and middle ground are populated by pilgrims’ tents.Most of the pilgrims visible here – male and female – are wearing the two piece garb, consisting of two white seamless sheets, associated with being in the state of ihram. The men have clearly shaved their heads as a part of the ritual cleansing ceremony undertaken at the beginning of the hadj in order to enter into the state of ihram.In the foreground, two camels are couched at left, an awning or tent billows in the wind and a crouching man turns to face the camera, though most other figures face away from it.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality throughout , where the original plate may have been over-exposed.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower centre of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.This is the first (central) of three photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the plain. The second and third are X463/15 and X463/16 respectively.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XIII’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:193 x 245 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XIII’Process:Collotype
90. The Greater “Life of Animals”
- Description:
- Abstract: Kamal ud-Din al-Damiri (circa 1341–1405) was a tailor-turned-scholar. He was born in Cairo and spent most of his life in Egypt. Hayat al-Hayawan (Life of animals) is his best-known work. It is found in two versions, referred to as the greater and the lesser. Shown here is the greater version. It includes more than 1050 entries on animals, arranged according to the Arabic alphabet. Some of the entries are long, others are shorter or duplicates. The longest entry, for example, is for the lion, and runs to 11 pages. Other entries are only a few words. Many include a digest of information about animals mentioned in the hadith and other Arabic literature and conclude with Islamic law provisions relating to the particular animal’s use in medicine or as a source of food. Duplication occurs when animals have synonymous names, or when the female or the young of a particular species are named differently. Mammals and birds figure most prominently in the work. The book was one of the works that the Ottoman sultan, Selim I, ordered printed when he occupied Egypt in 1517.Physical description: 446 pages ; 30 x 20 centimeters
91. 'Das Grab der Mèjmūnah und die nächste Umgebung'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār
- Description:
- Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows the ‘the grave of our lady Maymūna [the last of nine wives married to the prophet Mohammed] and surrounding area’ at a place near Mecca called Sarif (Saref or ‘èn-Nawwārijjeh’, according to Snouck Hurgronje). Snouck Hurgonje, in the second volume of his publication Mekkadescribes the place, as well as the festival of ‘Sittanā Mèjmūnah’ in detail.The white-washed low-lying wall – broken only by an arched entryway in the middle – forms an enclosure with two white-washed buildings facing one another. This small cluster of structures is the building visible from afar in X463/7. Both buildings are flat-roofed with rounded crenellations. The building on the right features a low, white-washed onion-dome. Tradition relates that Maymūna requested to be buried at this location, where she married Mohammed.In the left of the foreground rows of awnings cover a long stall beside which people are seated, in the shade. Tents, animals, people and bundles occupy the rest of the foreground as well as the background. Five rocky outcrops are visible in the background along the horizon.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘IXb’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:103 x 145 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘IXb’Process:Collotype
92. 'Das Grab der Sittanā Mèjmūnah und Lager dorthin gepilgerter Mekkaner (vergl. für die Beschreibung des Festes der Sittanā Mèjmūnah Mekka, Bd. II, S. 52ff.)'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār
- Description:
- Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows an expansive camping ground near Mecca at a place called Sarif (Saref or ‘èn-Nawwārijjeh’, according to Snouck Hurgronje), described as ‘the grave of our lady Maymūna [the last of nine wives married to the prophet Mohammed] and camp of the Meccan pilgrims who travelled there’. Snouck Hurgonje, in the second volume of his publication Mekkadescribes the place, as well as the festival of ‘Sittanā Mèjmūnah’ in detail.Much of the foreground, middle ground and background is littered with tents of varying shapes and sizes. In the foreground bushes can be seen and in the middle ground and background pilgrims are grouped together. Hills rise to the right and left of the horizon.In the centre background a white-washed low-lying structure with a central onion-dome can be seen. This is likely the grave of Maymūna. Tradition relates that she requested to be buried at this location, where she married Mohammed.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality in places, particularly in the background and middle ground, where the original plate may have been over-exposed.This is the first of two photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the camp. The second is X463/8.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘VII’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:185 x 240 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘VII’Process:Collotype
93. 'Zwei verschiedene Aufnahmen der Rīkah, des Thronsessels, auf welchen man in Mekka die jungfräuliche Braut in der Duchlah-nacht zu erheben pflegt (vergl. Mekka, Bd. II, S. 167ff.). Auf B sitzt der Bräutigam dort, wo die Braut sitzen soll.' [1/2] Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār
- Description:
- Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:The image shows a richly ornamented interior scene in the bridal chamber. The virgin bride is placed onto the throne (seat) on the first night of marriage, laylat al-duk̲h̲la.The interior consists of a roughly square space, with nine equally sized recesses on three walls. The bridal throne ( arīkah) is located in the middle of the three recesses that are visible in the lower centre of the image. A close-up view of the throne and the left-hand recess alongside it can be seen in the second of two images – X463/20 – presented together.An arched portico, around which detailed cloth or tile decoration can be seen, separates the camera from the bridal chamber. Although in each of the nine recesses glass lanterns hang, natural light illuminates the decoration visible around the arch, while a further lower ceiling – just visible in the upper part of the image – is shrouded in darkness.A glass chandelier hangs low on a long cord in the space lit by natural light in the middle-ground.This is the first of two related images.Inscriptions:Above the top image, on the right, in ink: ‘XVIIIa’Physical description: Dimensions:101 x 130 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XVIIIa’Process:Collotype
94. 'Zwei verschiedene Aufnahmen der Rīkah, des Thronsessels, auf welchen man in Mekka die jungfräuliche Braut in der Duchlah-nacht zu erheben pflegt (vergl. Mekka, Bd. II, S. 167ff.). Auf B sitzt der Bräutigam dort, wo die Braut sitzen soll.' [2/2] Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār
- Description:
- Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:The image shows a richly ornamented interior scene in the bridal chamber. The virgin bride is placed onto the throne (seat) on the first night of marriage, laylat al-duk̲h̲la; in this image the bridegroom is seated in her place.The bridal throne ( arīkah) is located in the central of three recesses, two of which are visible in this image. A wider view of the bridal chamber can be seen in the first of two images – X463/19 – presented together.The arch-surrounds are decorated with richly embroidered cloth. The arch in which the bridegroom sits is edged with a shiny, spherical balls. A large, tassel-edged, embroidered circular hanging is visible in the right-hand recess.The bridegroom faces the camera with his hands on his knees. He wears a white turban, mid-coloured robe and a striped shawl tossed over his right shoulder.A glass chandelier that is visible in the previous image (X463/19) is here out of focus in the upper part of the image. A further hanging light feature, directly above the bridegroom, is also out of focus, while two further chandelier-like features are affixed to the walls either side of the bridegroom. Further light is provided by the glass lanterns hanging directly in the centre of the two recesses visible.This is the second of two related images.Inscriptions:Above the top image, on the right, in ink: ‘XVIIIa’Physical description: Dimensions:156 x 110 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XVIIIb’Process:Collotype
95. 'Pilgerlager in der Ebene östlich vom ‘Arafah-berge'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār
- Description:
- Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows ‘[a] pilgrims’ camp in the Plain east of Mount ‘Arafah’. Located 21 km southeast of the Masjid al-Haram, the plain, which extends 6 km from east to west and 12 km from north to south, and the 70 metre high granite hill at the centre of it are stations of the hadj. Mount Arafat is located northeast of the plain and is also known as Jabal al-Rahmah or Mount of Mercy.In this image the plain is populated by a wide variety of tents while in the foreground three camels are couched around one low-lying tent. A figure crouches alongside the camel at centre.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality where the original plate may have been over-exposed, particularly in the right and along the horizon.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower right of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XVI’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:186 x 240 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XVI’Process:Collotype
96. 'Ansicht der Moschee, während darin ein gemeinschaftliches Çalāt abgehalten wird (vergl. hierzu Mekka, Bd. II, S. 88)'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār
- Description:
- Abstract: Genre/Subject MatterThis image shows a roughly due south facing view inside the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca during the Çalāt(prayers) and should be compared to Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje’s description of the Çalātin volume II (1889) of his publication Mekka, p. 88:‘[…] according to custom, the Imam chooses an extract from the Qur’an to be read during the Çalāt, which is accompanied by prostration; the solemnity is increased due to the fact that the ‘standing’ position of the congregation, which accompanies recitation during the Çalāt, is interrupted in a moment by an extraordinary prostration.’The image should also be compared with the print from a photograph of a similar view (1781.b.6/2) published in Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje’s 1888 publication Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka.Also in view are: the Caaba; Gate of the Banī Shaybah; Building housing the Zamzam well; Stairs to the Caaba; Maqām Ibrahīm, which is also the Maqām el-Schāfi’ī’; Minbar; Maqām al-Mālikī; outside of the Masjid al-Haram, the front-side of the Hamidiyah (likely a building constructed during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II) is visible; and a fortified structure known as ‘Jiyad Castle’, on the low hill in the background on the left.There are also several Ottoman-era buildings featuring intricate tile or brickwork visible outside the mosque.A large number of pilgrims, the majority of which are men, are shown standing and facing the Caaba.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower centre of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.InscriptionsAbove image, on right, in ink: ‘I’Lower centre and upper centre: illegible, partially erased Arabic scriptTemporal Context:Since the shadows beneath the feet of the pilgrims are not very deep and are angled fractionally to the east, it is likely the photograph was taken soon after midday.According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 42-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:184 x 236 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions, though no surface losses in the lower right of centre.Foliation:‘I’Process:Collotype