Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British diplomatic and naval officials regarding an incident in which a Kuwaiti dhow was held up and robbed on the Shatt al-Arab by a patrol boat of the Persian Police. An account of the incident as reported by the Political Agent in Kuwait, Harold Dickson, in correspondence with the Political Residency is contained on folios 24-26.In addition to correspondence, the file contains the following:'Note on Conversation with Major Frank Holmes' (folios 2-3)'Complaints against Persia in respect of "Dhow Incidents" in Persian Gulf' (folios 4-5)'Cases of interference with vessels or violation of territory belonging to the Arab protégés of His Majesty's Government in the Persian Gulf by Persian Warships or Customs Authorities' (folios 7-9)An account of the incident by the Dhow's captain, Seyed Abdul Latif al Gharabally (folios 28-30).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 33; 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 contains correspondence between British officials regarding negotiations with the Governments of Iraq and Persia to establish a board to improve and maintain the conservancy of the Shatt el-Arab [Shatt al-Arab] waterway.The primary correspondents in the file are officials from the Admiralty, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, the High Commission in Iraq, the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office and the Air Ministry.In addition to correspondence, the file also contains several iterations of a draft of a tri-partite agreement between Britain, Iraq and Persia to set up a 'board to improve and maintain the conservancy of the Shatt el-Arab' and minutes from a series of meetings concerning the content and wording of this agreement that were held at the Colonial Office in London. These meetings were attended by representatives of the Colonial Office, Treasury, Foreign Office, Admiralty, Air Ministry, India Office and the Board of Trade.The file also contains accounts of negotiations that took place between British officials and Persia's First Minister, Abdolhossein Teymourtash (written as Teymourtache in the file). A telegram in French that was sent by Teymourtash to Francis Humphrys, Britain's High Commissioner in Iraq in April 1932 can be found on folio 106.Also enclosed in the file is a draft of a 'Treaty of Residence and Neighbourly Relations' between Iraq and Persia (folios 400-402). This copy is in English, translated from the original Arabic.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 for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 694; 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
Abstract: Memorandum, written by Lewis Pelly, about Mohammed ibn Saood [Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] who was the first ruler to conquer all of the Nejd [Najd] territory, as well as the provinces of Al Ahsa [Al Hasa], Khatif [Al Qatif] and part of the Omman [Oman] Coast.The memorandum also discusses his successors including his son Abdal al Azeex [Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] and grandson Saood [Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] and the battles fought over the territory.The memorandum is undated, however it contains information most likely compiled by Lewis Pelly during his visit to Riyadh in March 1865.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: The file contains memorandums, draft reports, notes and sketches made by Lewis Pelly during his visit to Kuwait and journey to Riyadh January to March 1865.These papers include a history of the Shatt al-Arab watercourse; the history of the Sebaih tribe of Qatif; notes relating to questions of sun and fire worship; a description of the coastline from al-Qatif to Kuwait and onward journey to Riyadh; notes on Muhammad ibn Sa'ud and Faisal ibn Turki al-Sa'ud; and notes on trade between Kuwait and inland Nejd [Najd]. Some of the contents of these papers were used in the reports Lewis Pelly submitted to the Government of Bombay on his journey.Two cover notes (folios 1 and 1A) are also included in the file and relate to reports written by Lewis Pelly, copies of which can be found in the Political Department Library - only one report is named, Pelly's Riadh [Ryiadh] report. The two notes are dated 14 July 1927.Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated using a pencil number, enclosed in a circle, located in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. A small number of the folios have been renumbered, with the numbers formerly in use crossed through.Foliation anomaly: 1, 1AThe following folio needs to be folded out to be read: 77
Abstract: The recto of folio 75 and the verso of folio 76 contain rough geographical pencil sketches. The first shows a particular area of Nejd [Najd] in relation to key villages and towns; the second appears to show a valley, or other similar geographic feature, with place names and travelling directions also given.The recto of folio 76 contains a brief list of five placenames in Nejd, given in both English and Arabic.The sketches are undated, however the information contained within them would have been compiled by Lewis Pelly during his trip to Riyadh in February to March 1865Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Draft notes, written in faint pencil, giving sections and headings for Lewis Pelly's report on his journey to Riadh [Riyadh].The notes contain details of comments and observations required for a sketch map of the route taken and make reference to the need to take notes on the country travelled through and the peoples and tribes encountered and told about en-route.The notes themselves conclude on folio 45, and the remaining folios are blank.Physical description: 6 folios
Abstract: This is part one (of two) of a larger volume IOR/L/PS/10/366; it concerns increasing German competition experienced by British firms trading in the Persian Gulf region, and contains discussion between British officials as to possible action to strengthen the latter.Specific issues predominantly discussed in this part include:suggestions for the introduction of a lighterage (i.e. lightering) service on the Shatt el Arab, and counter claims that such a service is not required;a trial to import Indian wood from Mysore for use in boxes for the Persian Gulf date trade to compete with wood imported from Europe in German ships;the view that better co-ordination is needed between British shipping companies and the British Government in order to compete with the Germans.The file also contains two memoranda of interviews held at the Board of Trade: an interview with H J Tweedy representing the Basra Trading Company on 27 March 1913 (see ff 289-290) and an interview with C J Longcroft representing David Sassoon and Company on 3 April 1913 (see ff 270-271). It also contains a printed note by Haji Sultan Shushtari calling for a Persian shipping company to provide competition to the British India Steam Navigation Company (see folio 240).Henry George Chick's (Commercial Adviser and Vice-Consul at Bushire) reports on German Trade and Shipping in the Persian Gulf have been included in this part for 1910-11 (see ff 315-329) and 1911-12 (see ff 219-230 and ff 201-215, two copies), along with a copy of a Diplomatic and Consular Report on the Trade of Basra for 1911 (see ff 272-282).Physical description: This item is part of a larger physical volume and is located towards the back; it occupies folios 199-334.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to lighting and buoying installed by the Turkish Government in the Persian Gulf.Correspondence discusses concerns over the erection of a Turkish lighthouse in Fao and the basis upon which a protest could be lodged. Also discussed is the deployment of a Turkish lightship in the Shatt al-Arab, through the replacement of the old Turkish vessel (
Kilidi Bahr) by a new lightship (
Jaffari) and the ramifications of the correspondence with the Turkish Government about this matter. Dredging of various marine navigation channels by the Turkish Government is discussed. Part of these discussions and negotiations involved the creation of a Shatt al-Arab Navigation Commission.The principal correspondents include the Viceroy (Charles Hardinge), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; HM Ambassador to Constantinople (Sir Gerard Lowther); and HM Consul at Basrah (Francis Edward Crow).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 119; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.