Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding the acquisition of a bungalow in Gwadur [Gwadar] by Imperial Airways. Prior to its purchase the bungalow was used primarily by British political officers passing through Gwadur. The correspondence also discusses the furnishing and subsequent uses of the bungalow, as well as the construction of a wireless station nearby. Plans of the proposed wireless station are included on folios 16 and 33.The principal correspondents in the file are officials at the Political Agency in Muscat, the British Agency in Gwadur, the Government of India and the Indian Posts and Telegraph Department. Also contained is a limited amount of correspondence between officials at the Political Agency in Muscat and members of the Government of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. This correspondence is in Arabic accompanied by English translations.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 137; 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 5-128; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between officials of the British Agency in Gwadur [Gwadar], the Political Agency in Muscat and the Indo-European Telegraph Department regarding the allocation of funds for the maintenance of the Christian Cemetery in Gwadur.Physical description: The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence regarding the construction, furnishing and subsequent maintenance and repairs of a 'political bungalow' for the use of British officials to stay in while visiting Gwadur [Gwadar]. A plan of the bungalow produced prior to construction is contained on folio 41.In addition to internal correspondence between British officials in Muscat, Gwadur and India, the file also contains correspondence exchanged between the Political Agency in Muscat and a number of different contractors and furniture companies based in Karachi. Inside an envelope (on folio 85), the file contains a cloth sample sent to the agency by one of these companies.The file also contains a limited amount of correspondence between the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Said bin Taymur, and the Political Agency in Muscat regarding his permission for the bungalow to be constructed. This correspondence is in Arabic with English translation.The Farsi language material in the file appears on the letterhead of a message sent from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company to the Political Agency in Muscat giving thanks for allowing members of its staff to stay in the bungalow while in Gwadur.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 313; 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 8-289; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence related to the concerns raised by the Sultan of Muscat and Oman regarding the landing of French and Dutch aeroplanes at Gwadur, which is part of his territory. The Sultan desires for these airlines to first obtain his authorization before flying over or landing anywhere in his territory. The volume includes correspondence between the British Government and the French and the Dutch governments asking to liaise with their respective airlines to write directly to the Sultan to obtain permission before using the airspace over his territories.Air France and the Royal Dutch Airlines [KML] applied directly to the Government of Muscat and Oman to obtain the named permission, and they also wrote asking for a renewal of their applications every time an authorization expired. The volume includes copies of authorisations that are issued by the Sultan of Muscat and Oman for aircraft to land in and fly over Muscat and Oman.The main correspondents in the volume are: the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department; the Secretary of State for India; the Political Agency, Muscat; the Persian Gulf Residency, Bahrain; and the Government of Muscat and Oman.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 251; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 4-251; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file comprises four items of correspondence in the period 1939 to 1950 relating to a concession for prospecting for oil in Gwadur (at that time a dependency of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman).Issues discussed include the withdrawal in 1939 of the Burma Oil Company from negotiations with the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and renewed interest in 1950 following a seepage of oil.Issues discussed include the issue of the claim of the Government of Pakistan on Gwadur and the definition of its boundaries.The correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Rupert Hay); the Political Agent, Muscat (Frederick Charles Leslie Chauncy); the Foreign Office; the India Office; and the Managing Director, Burmah Oil Company (William Ernest Victor Abraham).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 6; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file concerns the operation of mail services to and from Muscat and Oman.The papers include: correspondence concerning the Muscat Political Agency launch; proposals for an air mail service between Muscat and India via Bahrain; the operation of a commercial contract for carrying mail by launch from Muscat to Ras-al-Hadd [Ra’s al Ḩadd]; a proposal to operate an air mail service via Ras-al-Hadd terminated by the disbandment of the Royal Air Force (RAF) unit there; a memorandum from the Political Agent, Muscat, dated 15 April 1946, concerning defects in the postal arrangements in Muscat territory (including Gwadur [Gwadar]); a letter from the Office of the Director of Posts and Telegraphs, Sind and Baluchistan Circle, dated 5 February 1947, detailing proposed improvements to post and telegraph arrangements in Gwadar and Muscat; correspondence from the agents of the British India Steam Navigation Company Limited (BISN), concerning the Company's mail services for Muscat; and correspondence from the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) concerning local services in the Persian Gulf.The file also includes correspondence from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department, and Gray, Mackenzie & Company Limited.The Arabic language content of the papers consists of three items of correspondence, and a notice issued by the Political Agent, Muscat (all with English translations).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 183; 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; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence concerning a visit to Gwadur made by A H Meftah, the Persian Vice-Consul in Quetta without permission from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Sa'id bin Taymur Al Bu Sa'id. The correspondence in the file is mainly between officials at the British Agency in Gwadur, the Political Agency in Muscat, the Political Residency in Bushire and the Government of India. The file also contains a limited amount of correspondence between the Political Agent in Muscat and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Sa'id bin Taymur Al Bu Sa'id, some of which is in Arabic (with English translations).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 29; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence between ff 9-28, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file consists of two letters exchanged between the Political Agency in Muscat and the Political Residency in Bushire regarding allegations that the British Agent at Gwadur had granted Indian visas to Persian subjects with passports not endorsed by the Persian authorities and issued Certificates of Identity to Baluchi-Persian subjects who had claimed British nationality without sufficient evidence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 6; 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 concerns the question of whether the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] would be willing to sell or lease the territory of Gwadur [Gwadar] to the Government of Pakistan, with the British Government acting as an intermediary. The correspondence, which is conducted between the Political Agent and Consul at Muscat and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain, discusses how His Majesty's Government should advise both the Sultan and the Government of Pakistan on the matter.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) 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.
Abstract: This file concerns British policy regarding the Muscat territory of Gwadur [Gwadar, Pakistan; it is written as Gwadar in some of the correspondence]. The correspondence includes the following:Discussion in 1913-1914 as to whether the Government of India should consider the cession (the correspondence uses the term 'rendition' in the old sense of the word) of Gwadur by Muscat (spelled here as Maskat) to Kalat, including details of trade and customs in Gwadur, and the territory's annual value to Muscat (ff 3-21)Further discussion in 1920-1921 regarding the case for the lease or cession of Gwadur to Kalat (ff 22-29)Notes on the status of Gwadur and the history of Kalat's claim to it, included with correspondence dated 1926-1927 (ff 30-41)Copies of Government of Bombay and Government of India correspondence from 1871-1872 regarding the status and sovereignty of Charbar [Chabar, Pakistan] and Gwadur (ff 42-58)Details of a proposal in 1939 from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] to lease or cede Gwadur to His Majesty's Government, in return for financial assistance (ff 59-73)Discussion in 1939 regarding the Kalat-Gwadur boundary (ff 74-86)Discussion in 1948 regarding possible interest in Gwadur from the Pakistan Government, following the recent accession of Kalat to Pakistan (ff 89-93).The file features the following principal correspondents: the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Agent to the Governor General in Baluchistan; officials of the Government of India's Foreign and Political Department (later the External Affairs Department).There is no material covering the following periods: 1915-1919, 1922-1925, 1928-1937, and 1941-1947.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 96; 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 volume is mainly comprised of correspondence relating to the boundary between Muscat-controlled Gwadur [Gwadar] and the state of Kalat. Much of the correspondence discusses longstanding British concerns that the boundary should be officially defined and demarcated before any valuable minerals are discovered in the area. A settlement of the boundary is initially suggested in May 1913 by the Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan (Lieutenant-Colonel J Ramsay); the issue is raised again in May 1938, with the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Sir Trenchard Craven William Fowle) making the case for the establishment of a small boundary commission for the purpose of settling the frontier dispute.The volume includes discussion of the following: the Sultan of Muscat's concerns regarding a reported Trans-Persian railway survey near Gwadur in 1912; territorial disputes between the Gwadur and Mekran authorities; trade disputes between Kalat and Muscat (also spelled as Maskat and Masqat in the earlier correspondence); whether the Burmah Oil Company and Indian Oil Concessions Limited should be permitted to negotiate with the Sultan of Muscat, in spite of the fact that the Sultan cannot grant an oil concession without the Government of India's approval; the likelihood of the Khan of Kelat being in favour of demarcation; travel arrangements and expenses for the proposed boundary commission; the alleged crossing of the Gwadur boundary by Kalat state officials; rumours of the Khan of Kalat's intentions to invade Gwadur; reported incidents between Muscat and Kalat subjects.The volume features the following principal correspondents: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat; the Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan; the British Agent, Gwadur; the Sultan of Muscat; the Director of the Persian Gulf Section of the Indo-European Telegraph Department; the Assistant Political Agent, Mekran; officials of the Government of India's External Affairs Department.Also included in the volume is a sketch map of Gwadur and the surrounding region. The Arabic language material mainly consists of correspondence between British representatives and the Sultan of Muscat. The file also includes a small amount of correspondence in Farsi.Whilst the volume includes material dating from 1912 to 1942, it should be noted that there is no material covering the period of 1920-1936.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 215; 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 62-202; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file mainly concerns the status of Muscat-controlled Gwadur [Gwadar]. The main subject of discussion is the possibility of Kalat State seeking to purchase Gwadur from the Sultan of Muscat, or even using force to take control of the territory. Related matters of discussion include the following: British policy in the event of the Sultan being approached by the Khan of Kalat regarding the sale of Gwadur; relations between Kalat State and Pakistan, and the likelihood of Kalat State acceding to Pakistan. The principal correspondents are the following: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Political Agent and Consul at Muscat, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Pakistan, and officials of the Commonwealth Relations Office and the Foreign Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 30; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.