Abstract: The volume comprises information about the Bashi-Bazouks and other irregulars including the following:remarks – discusses the notoriety and character of the Bashi-Bazouks, and their involvement in the Bulgarian atrocities during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877. A brief assessment of Turkish and Russian military is included, alongside a summary of current British interests in Asia Minor, and the involvement of William Ferguson Beatson with the Bashi-Bazouks during the Crimean War (1853-1856);Egypt – notes British interest in the country, and the announcement of intentions to send a force from India to occupy and hold Egypt in the event of an attack;the Turkish Irregulars – notes the use and advantage of using large irregular forces;Major-General W F Beatson – provides a biography of the man with remarks on his character, and details of his military career;papers relating to General Beatson's Indian Career - contains extracts, an inscription, and a quote dated 1848-1860.The front cover (f 1) contains an inscription to General Sir Garnet Wolseley (who served in the Crimea Campaign) with the author's compliments, dated July 1877.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 12; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This volume was published by the Superintendent Government Printing in Calcutta in 1912 and marked as very confidential. The first part of the volume concerns the Relations of the British Government with the tribes and shaikhs of Arabistan and included list of officials in Arabistan (folio 6) and collections of reports and correspondence on: British interests in Arabistan between 1635 and 1800, the issue of frontiers between Turkey and Persia (folios 30v-34), information on the Sheikhs of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr, Iran] from 1567 to 1910 and their relations with the Turks, and piracies in the Shatt-Al-Arab from 1891-1900 (folios 28-30). The second part of the volume concerns irrigation schemes in Arabistan (folios 39-44) and land acquisition by foreigners in Arabistan (folio 44v-50).Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume discusses the disputed Turco-Persian Frontier, particularly at Mohammerah, and the negotiations in Constantinople to attempt to settle it.The correspondence focuses on:the differences of opinion over the actual boundary at Mohammerah, including several maps demonstrating these differences;movements of Turkish and Russian troops;ownership of the Shat-el-Arab and questions of access for navigation;copies of treaties, correspondence and memoranda dating back to 1639 relating to the question of the Turco-Persian frontier.The principal correspondents in the volume are the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey); the Secretary of State for India (Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Sir Percy Zachariah Cox); the British Ambassador to Constantinople (Sir Gerard Lowther); the British Ambassador to Russia (Sir George Buchanan); the Viceroy of India (Charles Hardinge, 1st Baron Hardinge of Penshurst); the British Ambassador to Tehran (Sir George Head Barclay); representatives of the Foreign Office (particularly Alwyn Parker) and the India Office; and Arthur Talbot Wilson, on special duty in relation to the Turco-Persian Frontier.This volume is part one of two. Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 436; 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: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, from 1914 to 1918 relating to the delimitation of the Turco-Persian border. It contains two parts IOR/L/PS/10/522/1 and IOR/L/PS/10/522/2.The discussion relates to leave and leave allowances to civil officers and subordinates who served with the Commission, and medals awarded by the Persian Government in recognition of services with the Commission.IOR/L/PS/10/522/2 contains reports on the Turco-Persian Frontier.The principal correspondents in the volume include the Secretary of State for India, Sir John Broderick; the Under-Secretary of State, India Office; and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 198; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The front and back covers, along with the two leading and two ending flyleaves, have not been foliated. A previous foliation sequence, which is present between ff 170-198 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Izhar al-Haqq (Demonstration of the truth) is a work of Islamic apologetics that broke new ground in the Muslim approach to the Bible and to Christian doctrine. Written by Indian scholar Rahmatullah al-Dihlawi (circa 1817−91), it received the approbation of the Ottoman sultan, Abdülaziz (reigned 1861−76). It was printed in 1867 at the imperial press in Istanbul for distribution among Arabic-speaking Muslims. Rahmatullah based his innovative approach on analysis of European Protestant historical or higher criticism, i.e., on reinterpretations and reformulations of biblical historiography made by European theologians themselves. This was a major departure from the customary defense of Islam made by reference predominantly to Muslim scripture. The book is said to have grown out of arguments put forward by Rahmatullah in his 1854 debate with German missionary Carl Gottlieb Pfander (1803–65) in Aligarh, India. Debate continues among Muslim scholars regarding textual and interpretive portions of the work. This edition includes brief laudatory introductions in Arabic and Ottoman Turkish, and the author himself supplies an important introductory essay. The detailed colophon and the high-quality printing point to the care taken in the production of the book. Presented here are two volumes bound as one.Physical description: 2 volumes (288 pages and 285 pages) bound together ; 26 centimeters
Abstract: This printed book was published in 1883 at the famous Jawa’ib Press founded by the Arab printer, author, and journalist Ahmad Fāris al-Shidiyāq. As is often the case with early printed books, the publication itself has received more attention than the contents of the work. Jawa’ib Press was established in the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1860 and operated for about 20 years publishing the newspaper al-Jawa’ib (begun in 1861) as well as more than 70 Arabic classics and tracts. Books were printed in runs of several thousand and distributed throughout the Empire. Like the progenitor of Ottoman printing, the ethnically Hungarian Ibrahim Müteferrika (circa 1670–1745), al-Shidiyāq came from outside the tightly structured expectations of the majority culture. Al-Jawa’ib Press belongs as much to Ottoman as to Arab cultural history. Largely neglected in academic research, al-Shidiyāq has recently received increased biographic, bibliographic, and literary attention. The three works in this volume are typical of collections of proverbs and “wisdom literature,” a genre that continues to occupy the popular and scholarly imagination. They are careful but not critical editions of manuscript originals, no doubt transcripts of works al-Shidyāq found in libraries in Istanbul or transcribed on his travels. Typical of works from this press, the volume is printed in a pleasing, readable format. There is an informative colophon giving production details. The three works contained in the volume are Amthal al-‘Arab (Arab proverbs) by Mufaḍḍal al-Dabbī, Asrar al-Hukama’ (Secrets of the wise) attributed to the famous calligrapher Yāqūt al-Mustaʻṣimī, and a collection of sayings and anecdotes from “the ancient philosophers,” notably Plato.Physical description: 165 pages ; 24 centimeters
Abstract: The file contains notes, telegrams, and letters, regarding: the invitation by General Ritter and General Giles, of the United States of America, to five Turkish Army officers, including the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Director of Military Training, and Prince Peter of Greece, to pay a short visit to India, China and Burma, travelling in General Giles’s aircraft; and the omission by the United States military authorities to seek prior consent for the visit from the Government of India and South East Asia Command.It largely consists of: copies of telegrams between the Foreign Office and the Supreme Allied Command South East Asia, and between the Foreign Office and Sir Maurice Peterson (British Ambassador to Turkey), Istanbul; and telegrams from the Secretary of State for India to the Government of India, External Affairs Department. It also includes copies of correspondence between British Chargé d’Affaires at Washington and the United States Department of State.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 39; 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 2-39; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The papers in this file relate to ‘Security Organisation in Persia [Iran]’.The papers include: The deputation of an officer from the Combined Intelligence Centre Iraq (CICI) to Tehran with cover as Assistant Military Attaché, charged with collating the records of Persians and other nationals suspected of working in Axis interests, with a view to arranging with the Persian Government for their incarceration, 14 October-7 November 1941; a proposal that the CICI include Persia in its sphere of operations, 13 October-7 November 1941; the reservations of Ambassador Reader Bullard about the deputation of a CICI officer, and proposed deputation of one from India to deal with Indian suspects in Persia, 18 October-3 November 1941; the views of the Commander-in-Chief India and Commander-in-Chief Middle East on the establishment of a security and intelligence organisation in Persia under the CICI, involving a security officer at Tehran, and assistant liaison officers at Khurramabad and Sanandaj, 7-26 November 1941; the proposals of the Commander-in-Chief India on censorship in Iraq and Persia, 16 November 1941; the proposed establishment of a commission to examine all suspects, 22-29 December 1941; the preference for a policy based on collaboration rather than repression, 29 December 1941-9 January 1942; the deportation of Axis agents to the British zone in southern Persia, 22 April-24 August 1942; the agreement of the Iraqi Government to promptly alert HM representatives or consular officers in Persia and Turkey on receiving any transit visa applications, 25 June 1942; the demand of Persian Prime Minister Ahmad Qavam for any evidence against the suspects, 9 August 1942; the proposals of the Minister of State Cairo for the arrest and interrogation of suspects, 11 August 1942; and the negotiations of Bullard with prime ministers Qavam and Ali Suhayli, 29 August 1942-30 October 1943.The file includes two dividers, which give a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. These are 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 inside back cover with 160, these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Sketch map indicating the international boundaries between Iraq, Persia [Iran], Turkey, and Azerbaijan. The boundaries are shown as red lines, with country names annotated in red ink. Major settlements are indicated in English in black ink. Important railways and rivers are also indicated in black ink.No date is indicated on the map, which is included amongst (but not specifically referred to in) correspondence and other papers dated 1927.Physical description: Materials:Ink on parchment.Dimensions:310 x 215 mm.
Abstract: Scholars consider al-Hilli one of the leading poets of postclassical times, that is, the period following the fall of the Abbasid Empire in 1258. His Diwan (Collection of poems) is in 12 chapters, which cover a variety of personalities and occasions and recount in verse vignettes his travels with the Egyptian Mamluk ruler Qalāwūn (died 1290) on his campaign to Mardin in eastern Anatolia. The poems are preceded by an autobiographical note in saj’ (rhymed prose). Al-Hilli was a recognized master of all forms of classical and popular poetry as well as a theoretician of prosody and literary history. The present collection showcases the poet’s facility with numerous poetic forms and themes. The work was printed in Beirut in 1892 with support from Lebanese writer and journalist Nakhlah Qalfāṭ. It is not known who edited the text or what manuscripts were used in its preparation, but it seems likely that Qalfat, who had been a bookseller, might have financed publication because of his wide-ranging literary interests and appreciation for humor and satire, as many of the poems pertain to the enjoyments of life. The work was printed at al-Adab Press, which was owned by the teacher and author Amin al-Khuri. It is well printed, considering the irregularity of the stanzas and the need for careful vowel pointing.Physical description: 528 pages ; 20 centimeters
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 113 of 1842, dated 15 October 1842.The enclosures are dated 16 August to 10 September 1842, and consist of copies of the following correspondence:Copies of despatches from HM Chargé d’affaires at Tehran (Lieutenant Colonel Justin Sheil) to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Earl of Aberdeen) concerning Persia [Iran], Afghanistan and Herat, including reports of the build-up of Turkish [Ottoman] troops on the Turkish border with Persia. The despatches include: enclosed letters from correspondents including Meerza Abul Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī, Īlchī Kabīr], Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs; a copy of a firman [order or edict] from the Khan of Khiva; and a letter in French from the French Consul General at BaghdadLetters from the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Iraq] (Lieutenant Colonel Robert Taylor) to the Secretary to the Government of India, forwarding copies of correspondence, mainly between Taylor and Sheil, relating to impending hostilities between Turkey [the Ottoman Empire] and PersiaLetters from the Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant Colonel Henry Dundas Robertson) to the Government of Bombay [Mumbai], forwarding copies of correspondence regarding: the proposed withdrawal of the Residency in the Persian Gulf from Bushire [Bushehr]; the circumstances behind the departure of Lootf Ally Khan [Luṭf ‘Alī Khān Lārī], the Commander of the Lar Garrison of Karrack (also spelled Kharg), from Karrack; and news reported from Bahrein [Bahrain] by Mohamed Ali [Muḥammad ‘Alī], Agent at Bahrein, and from Shiraz by Mirza Reeza [Mīrzā Rezā], Agent at Shiraz.Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-10, on folios 308-309. These numbers are repeated for reference on the last verso of each enclosure.
Abstract: The letter from Lieutenant-Colonel William George Grey to Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel encloses a copy of a letter No. C/8 of 1915 by Grey, as Political Agent in Kuwait, to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 9 June 1915, regarding Arab co-operation with the Turks in the Shatt al-Arab [Shaṭṭ al-‘Arab] country.The letter refers to remarks made by Lord Curzon of Kedleston both in the House of Lords and in relation to an address given by Mr P Landon on Basrah and the Shatt al-Arab at the Society of Arts in April 1915. The remarks are regarding Arab tribes supporting the Turks, and further observations made by the Secretary of State for India on the Battle of Shaiba, at which it was reported that the Turkish troops had been joined by almost 10,000 Arab combatants. The letter also raises the question of why they were now siding with the Turks given their previous relations with Britain.Grey's response to these observations includes a detailed explanation of the composition of the tribes involved as being primarily from Arab communities in Iraq, and the Muntafiq [al-Muntafiq] tribe of the Euphrates and Shatt-ul-Gharaf [Shaṭṭ al-Gharrāf, also known as Shaṭṭ al-Ḥayy] regions. His response also notes that the tribes involved are not those of the Persian Gulf region as had previously been assumed by Lord Curzon.The letter goes on to explain these tribes' relations with the Turks and the reasons for their having sided with them. The letter concludes by providing information on some of the tribes of the Persian Gulf, in particular the Zaffir [al-Zafīr] who had declined Turkish invitations to take up arms; and the Yuarin, Bani Malik [Banī Mālik] and Shammar all of whom had chosen to remain neutral.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 26 and terminates at folio 26, 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in the volume; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.