Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding the trading activities of the U.S.S.R. in the Persian Gulf, primarily in Iraq, Persia, Kuwait and Bahrain.These officials are from the Department of Overseas Trade; the Political Residency in Bushire; the British Consulates in Bandar Abbas, Shiraz, Baghdad and Basra; the Political Agencies in Kuwait and Bahrain; the British Legation in Tehran.The correspondence discusses exact details concerning imports from the USSR and as such includes relevant tables and statistical information but also contains broader political discussions around the political context of these activities and how they may impact on Britain's interests in the region.Alongside correspondence, the file also contains a number of relevant newspaper clippings from British and Persian publications including a number from
Le Messager de Teheranthat are in French.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 283; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains papers related to requests from Iraqi Airways and Air India Limited to operate services calling at Bahrain, Koweit [Kuwait], and Sharjah. The papers therefore address the question of the facilities that can be provided for civil aviation at these landing grounds. Particular attention is given to conditions at the Koweit aerodrome, which is maintained by the Kuwait Oil Company. Towards the front of the file is a small amount of correspondence related to a request from Syrian Airways to land at Koweit.The main correspondents are as follows: HM Ambassador to Iraq (Sir Hugh Stonehewer Bird), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (William Rupert Hay and Arnold Crawshaw Galloway), officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and officials of the India Office (the Commonwealth Relations Office from August 1947).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 (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 88; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This file consists of a bound volume containing copies of the annual 'Administration Reports of the Persian Gulf' prepared by the Political Residency in Bushire and two separate copies of the annual report for the year 1932.Physical description: Foliation: this file consists of three physical volumes. Each volume has its own foliation sequence. The foliation sequence of volume one commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 512; the foliation sequence of volume two commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 36; the foliation sequence of volume three commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 36. These numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This file consists of two annual administration reports for the year 1948, one for the Political Agency in Muscat (folios 4-15) and the other for the Political Agency in Bahrain incorporating the Trucial Coast and Qatar (folios 16-42).These two reports cover the following topics:Ruling FamilyEducationAgricultureMedicalOilTradePolitical SituationCustomsPublic WorksFinancialCommunicationsVisitorsPhysical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 43; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This file consists of copies of the annual 'Administration Reports of the Persian Gulf' prepared by the Political Residency in Bushire for the years 1939-1945.These annual reports are divided up into a number of separate reports for different geographical areas, usually as follows:Administration Report for Bushire AreaAdministration Report for Kerman & YazdAdministration Report for Bandar AbbasAdministration Report for Kuwait AgencyAdministration Report for Bahrain AgencyAdministration Report for Political Agency, MuscatAdministration Report for Trucial CoastAdministration Report for Khorramshahr ConsulateThese separate reports are themselves broken down into a number of sub-sections that vary according to each report, but include the following topics:PersonnelVisitorsForeign RepresentativesBritish InterestsLocal AdministrationTransportEducationMilitaryAviationPolitical SituationTradeMedicalMeteorologicalThe reports are all introduced by a short review of the year written by the Political Resident.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 574; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Additional foliation sequences are present in parallel between ff 1-571; these numbers are written in pencil or crayon and, where circled, are crossed through.
Abstract: The file concerns a request from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information concerning the date of the independence of Koweit [Kuwait] and Bahrain from Ottoman control, and therefore the date at which the nationality of the two states commenced.Various views are advanced in the correspondence by British officials, including those of Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office, the Foreign Office, and the British Embassy, Bagdad [Baghdad]; and the issue is said to be a complex one, particularly in the case of Kuwait.The file includes official diplomatic statements, dated 1938, of the British Government's position with regard to the date of inception of Bahraini nationality (folio 30), and Kuwaiti nationality (folio 6).The papers also cover the issue of conscription for Iraqi military service of persons claiming Bahraini and Kuwaiti nationality, including (folios 7-11 and 4) a member of the Kuwait ruling family.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 (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 97; these numbers are printed, 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.
Abstract: Correspondence (copies, drafts, and originals), memoranda, and notes concerning the drafting and issuing of The Kuwait Order in Council, 1935. The papers deal with the discussion of the need for a new order in council because of the growth of the oil industry and the likely increase of foreigners in the country, the wording of the new document, and the effort to obtain the consent of the ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Ahmed [Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ].The correspondence is mostly inter-departmental in nature, exchanged between officials at the Foreign Office, India Office, Government of India (Foreign and Political Department), Colonial Office, and Board of Trade (Companies Department), but the file also includes communications from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Political Agent in Kuwait, and Shaikh Ahmed of Kuwait.Included in the file:Extracts from The Ethiopia Order in Council, 1931, used as reference (folios 165-71)A certified copy of the new Kuwait Order in Council, 1935 (folios 35-50)Correspondence concerning the passing of the Kuwait Passport Regulation, 1947 (folios 3-11).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 264; 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 189-193; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Correspondence relating to the need for and issuing of 'The Special Police Officers regulation, 1947', under the articles of The Kuwait Order in Council, 1935. The regulation gave the Political Agent in Kuwait the power to appoint special police officers to deal with incidents involving those subject to the jurisdiction of the Order in Council. It was largely a response to an influx of American labour employed by the oil companies.The correspondence is between officials at the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, Commonwealth Relations Office, and Foreign Office. A copy of the regulation is on folio 4.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 16; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Brief notes written by Lewis Pelly, recording the lack of evidence of any practice of ceremonies based on sun or fire worship but highlighting some of the peoples in the region of Al Yamama [Al Yamāmah] who have names relating to the moon and stars.Enclosed with the notes is a report (folios 50-61) regarding the Selaib [Sebaih] tribe (of Qatif) and containing details of how the tribe got their name; how they commemorate festivals; their lack of ritual in relation to the burial of the dead; and their religious faith and beliefs.Physical description: 14 folios
Abstract: Memorandum regarding the diet of Bedouins in the interior of Nejd [Najd] and contrasting it with that of those in coastal areas.The memorandum focuses primarily on camel's milk, including the Bedouins' dependence on it during spring and its nourishing properties for both horses and goats.The memorandum goes on to discuss the tobaccos and other substances smoked by the Bedouins' where their pipes are purchases from, and the differing reactions to Bedouins smoking depending on where they are from.The memorandum itself is undated, however the information contained within it was most likely acquired by Lewis Pelly during his stay in Kuwait and subsequent visit to Riyadh January to March 1865.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Brief note about Koweit [Kuwait]'s main inland trade being with the Bedouins of Nejd [Najd] and that the trade consists of wood, weapons, coffee, rice, bamboo and piece goods as well as giving details on where these goods are brought from.Below the main note is a line about the climate in the Koweit neighbourhood.Although the note is undated, the information was most likely gathered during Pelly's visit there January to February 1865.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Note about the Mundwee [Mandvi] of Cutch [Kutch] and Occa including their names being derived from Medina and Mecca, and how this is believed to relate to the Prophet's tribe Kereish [Qureish].The memorandum goes on to discuss the family of the founder of the Wahabee [Wahhabi] sect, Abd al-Wahab, and how the spiritual power of the sect is now wholly apart from his family.Physical description: 1 folio