Abstract: The volume contains correspondence related to the Air Staff Intelligence, Air Headquarters, Baghdad’s request for information to be obtained from Muscat regarding the possible establishment of a subsidiary air route from Iraq to India via the Arabian side of the Gulf. The required information was concerning the straight line Mirfah-Biraimi-Khaburah. Arrangements were made for some Royal Air Force (RAF) representatives to visit the region accompanied by a doctor, and Bertram Sidney Thomas, Financial Advisor to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.The correspondence contains information on the estimates of the cost of the journey including hire of camels; cost of feeding men and camels; presents to be given to the Shaikhs; wages and foodstuffs, coffee etc.Letters were sent to various Shaikhs and Walis in Sohar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Baraimi [Buraimi] and other regions, asking them to assist the Royal Air Officers while conducting their work. The correspondence contains letters of certain Shaikhs such as Shaikh Salim bin Diyin [Dayyin] Al-Ka‘bi and Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih Al-Ḥārithī [Al Harthi] negotiating the terms for them to accept the RAF work to take place. It also contains reports about the troubles made by some of the Bedouin tribes.Bertram Sidney Thomas reported on his observation on the proposed seaplane flight along the south Arabian coast. He also sent a report (ff 82- 130) to the Sultan and the Political Resident on the proceedings of the RAF Trans-Oman Expedition which he conducted from Sohar to Sharjah between 12 May and 3 June 1927. The report is in two parts covering the following: preliminary situation; itinerary of expedition; description of country passed through; tribal situation and Ibn Saud; personalities; tribal considerations and the air route.The volume also includes correspondence with the Sultan of Socotra regarding the construction of landing ground in his territory near Qishn. It also includes correspondence about the Air Ministry’s interest in extending the reconnaissance to establish landing grounds along the southern coast of Arabia.Among other correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agent, Muscat; Muscat and Oman, Council of Ministers; and C Hilton Keith, Squadron Leader RAF, Sohar.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 229; 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.
Abstract: This file consists of a Military Report on Oman by Captain R L O'Connor, and a letter from the Deputy Director, Military intelligence in New Delhi to the Political Agent at Muscat, enclosing copies of O'Connor's reports on the routes from Muscat to Sohar and Muscat to Sur.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 55; 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 correspondence in the form of reports, letters and translated letters related to political affairs in Oman. The correspondence is mainly concerned with the news of Ibn Sa'ud’s probable attempt to take over the al-Buraimi region in north-west Oman and the arrangement of the shaikhs of Trucial Oman and Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih al-Harthi on behalf of the Imam of Oman to militarily unite against Ibn Sa'ud. To discuss the matter, members of the Bani Yas tribe from Dubai visit Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih in his home town al-Qabil (mistakenly referred to in the file as Kabul).The Political Agent at Muscat reports to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire, on internal affairs taking place in various towns that belong to the regions of al-Dhahira, al-Dakhiliyya and al-Sharqiyya of Oman. He also reports on clashes between the two main Omani factions, the Hanawi and the Ghafiri, and the role played by Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih al-Harthi to settle the cases, reportedly in order to unite various Omani tribes against Ibn Sa'ud.The file also includes news of the areas of Al-'Ainain, 'Ibri and Yanqul falling under the influence of Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih, and news of the murder of some local Omani shaikhs and the names of those who took over their positions.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 91; 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 3-90; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This volume consists of journal (log book) kept by Archibald Jennison. The journal entries are dated 25 March 1620 to 13 June 1622.The entries record the East India Company ship
Londonsailing from the Downs on 25 March 1620, and then record the ship’s arrival at the following places: Saldaniya [Saldanha] (24 June 1620), Swally [Suvali, near Surat] (9 November 1620), and Jasquis [Jask] (19 December 1620).Jennison records the
London’sarrival at Swally on 3 February 1620 [New Style date 3 February 1621], before stating that he left the
Londonand went to be Captain of the
Garde(a Portuguese prize ship) from 18 March 1620 [New Style date 18 March 1621] until 5 April 1621, after which he transferred to the East India Company ship
Hart, and then to a captured vessel which had been bound for Muscat.The journal then records the ships anchoring at Soar [probably either Sohar or Sur, Oman] on 24 June 1621, after which Jennison returned to the
Londonfor a while and then rejoined the
Hart.Subsequent entries record Jennison’s ship reaching Surratt [Surat] in October 1621, before anchoring at St Hellena [St Helena] on 19 February 1622 [New Style date 19 February 1623], and in the Downes [Downs] on 7 June 1622.Entries for when the ship was at sea mostly record: measurements of latitude and longitude; the course of the ship; the position of the ship and bearings of land; and wind direction.The journal also includes tables recording the following: the date, knots (Kn:), fathoms (ffa:), leagues (Lea:), course (cour:), latitude (Lat:), longitude (Long:), wind, and variation (Va:); for 26 July to 7 November 1620.Entries for when the ship was at anchor include information about goods being unloaded from the ship, and goods being loaded onto the ship, and other ships encountered.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 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 file contains letters, both inward and outward, relating to the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf (also referred to as the Persian Gulf Squadron). Most of the correspondence is between the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron and the Resident in the Persian Gulf. At the beginning of 1852, the Resident in the Persian Gulf was Samuel Hennell, who is the recipient of the first two letters in this file. In March 1852, Hennell was succeeded by Arnold Burrowes Kemball, who appears as both correspondent and recipient. The other officers who appear as both correspondent and recipient are John Patterson Porter, Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron, and his successor, George Robinson. In addition to the letters between the aforementioned offices there are four letters, addressed to the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron, which were originally enclosed with other letters (not present in this file) from the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron to the Resident in the Persian Gulf. The correspondents of these letters are: Lieutenant George William Leeds, Commander of the Honourable Company's schooner
Constance; Lieutenant James Longden Stevens, Commander of the Honourable Company's sloop
Clive; Lieutenant James Tronson, Commander of the Honourable Company's brigantine
Tigris.Much of the correspondence in the file includes intelligence received from the Native Agent at Sharjah, Hadji Yacoob. Subjects covered include: an attack against the Banī Qitab tribe, reportedly launched by Shaikh Said bin Tahnun Al Nahayan of Abu Dhabi; reported acts of piracy off the Arabian coast; the whereabouts of the plundered cargo of the merchant ship, the
Centaur; reports of slaves being imported from Zanzibar.Physical description: Pagination: There is an incomplete pagination sequence, which is written in ink, in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos. The sequence runs from 16 to 187 and has many gaps.Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 30. This is the sequence that has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 45 of 1850, dated 31 August 1850. The enclosures are numbered 3-9 and are dated 12-22 August 1850. A note in red ink, dated 1 November 1906, states that the enclosures detailed in this abstract are missing.The correspondence discusses an infraction of an 1839 Treaty between the Imam of Muscat and the Chief of Sohar [Suhar] mediated by the Resident in the Persian Gulf.Correspondents include the Native Agent, Muscat.Physical description: 1 item (17 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consist of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 49 of 1850, dated 17 September 1850. The enclosures are numbered 3-8 and are dated 14 May-3 September 1850.The enclosures consist of correspondence discussing affairs in the vicinity of Muscat including:The seizure of Syed Humood bin Azan [Ḥamūd bin Azan Āl Bū Sa‘īd], the Chief of Sohar [Suhar], by Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd], the Governor of MuscatThe breaking of the treaty between the Chief of Sohar and the Imam of Muscat mediated by the Resident in the Persian GulfThe lifting of the siege of Sohar and the capture of Fort Gulla [Ghallah] belonging to the Imam of Muscat by Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī]The dispatch of the steamer
Aucklandand the schooner
Constanceto the Persian Gulf stationMeasures to re-establish cordial relations between the Imam of Muscat and the family of the Chief of Sohar.Correspondents include: the Native Agent, Muscat; the Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Secret Committee; and the Governor in Council, Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (38 folios)
Abstract: The volume contains letters written mainly in 1850 and a few letters written in December 1849. Most letters are from Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to Government, Political Department, Bombay. The British Political Resident’s letters provide the Governor in Council of the Bombay Presidency with an up to date account of affairs in the Persian Gulf and usually enclose copies of other, relevant official correspondence, including:English translations of numerous Arabic letters regularly received by the British Political Resident from Moollah Houssein and Hajee Jassem, the British Residency native agents at Shargah [Sharjah] and Bahrein [Bahrain] respectively, reporting events and intelligence gathered in their territories;English translations of five Arabic letters from the Chiefs of Bahrein [Bahrain] and Sohar [Ṣuḥār] in Oman, to the British Political Resident, in response to the latter’s demands or proposals (folios 23-24, 61-63, 81, 93-94);Transcripts of four letters received by the British Political Resident from Commodore Porter, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf aboard the ship Clive and Lieutenant Alexander Foulerton, commanding the ship Mahi, reporting on their patrols and intercepts at sea in the Persian Gulf (folios 13, 15-16, 35-38).The letters written by the British Political Resident, the British Residency native agents and the Indian naval officers contain reports mainly about the following: acts of piracy and other hostilities committed by rival Bedowin [Bedouin] tribes, relations between the Trucial Coast chiefs and the success of Indian naval peace-keeping boat patrols along the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, in accordance with treaty obligations. The Indian naval boats were expected to prevent attacks by sea upon the Arabian Ports of the Persian Gulf and to suppress all acts of maritime aggression against the crews, cargoes and slaves of trading vessels. The specific events in 1850 that are reported and discussed in this volume of letter correspondence include:The siege of the town of Sohar by Syed Soweynee, the Governor of Muscat, following the resumption of power by Syed Humood ben Azan, the deposed Chief of Sohar (folios 17, 22-29, 31-33, 35-36);The piracy of Soheil ben Ateish (folios 15-16, 20-21, 44-45, 87-98);Renewal of aggressions at sea between the inhabitants of Debaye [Dubai] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] who steal each other’s slaves and boats, and the demands of the British Political Resident that rival chiefs Sheik Mukhtoom of Debaye [Āl Maktūm, Shaikh Buṭṭī bin Suhayl, Chief of Dubai] and Sheik Saeed ben Tahnoon of Aboothabee [Shaikh Said bin Tahnun Āl Nahyān, Chief of Abu Dhabi] should intervene to ensure that reparations are made (folios 15-16, 18-19);Plans of Sheik Mukhtoom, Chief of Debaye and Sheik Sultan ben Suggur, Chief of Shargah [Āl Qāsimī, Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr, Chief of Sharjah] to rebuild Adeed [Khor al-Udaid] and the steps taken by Sheik Saeed ben Tahnoon, Chief of Aboothabee to prevent it (folios 11-12);Plans of Ameer Fysul [Amir Faisal bin Turki], Chief of the Wahabee to organise a military expedition to rebuild Adeed, the reaction of Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein [Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah, Chief of Bahrain] and the opposition of Sheik Saeed ben Tahnoon, Chief of Aboothabee to the Ameer’s plans (folios 15-16, 18-19, 30, 57-60);Aggressions against the territories of the Imam of Muscat, in particular the siege and conquest of the Fortress of Shinas by the forces of Syed Humood ben Azan, Chief of Sohar and Sheik Sultan ben Suggur, Chief of Shargah (folios 39-43);The demands of the British Political Resident that Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein should strictly control the licensing of Bahrein boats in order to prevent acts of piracy and also, that he should make reparation for a Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye] boat, cargo and crew captured by a party of the Huwajir Tribe of Bedouins, using a boat they had obtained in Bahrein (folios 46-58, 61-65, 68-69, 77-82);The fears of Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein that fugitive members of the Uttobee Tribe of Arabs resident on Kenn Island [Kish Island] were planning to attack Bahrein and also the mediation of his brother, Sheik Ally [Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh ‘Alī bin Khalīfah] over the demand by the British Political Resident that the ruler of Bahrein should make a public apology for his insulting remarks about the British Government (folios 55-60, 70-76);The mediation of the British Political Resident over a proposed arrangement whereby Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein would pay an annual allowance to his cousins, the two impoverished sons of the late ex-Chief of Bahrein, Sheik Abdoollah ben Ahmed [Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad], on condition that they would dwell quietly on Kenn Island and give up all further schemes and claims against Bahrein (folios 85-86, 93-96);Negotiations by Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein with the Shereef of Mecca [Sharif of Mecca], for Turkish protection of his territories, a policy the British Political Resident fears other maritime Arab Chiefs might adopt (folios 83-84).Title page (folio 2): the following words in the title, ‘Department’, ‘Residency’ and ‘on’ are no longer complete. Damage along the right hand edge of the title page has obliterated part of these words. File cover title (folio 1): the abbreviated title ‘Book 166 Part 3 1850’ is written on the front cover of the volume.Physical description: Foliation: the letters in the volume are numbered 3-13, 14, 14A, 15-99, from front to back. The front cover of the volume is numbered 1 and the title page is numbered 2. The numbering is written in pencil in the top right hand side corner, on the recto of every folio.The 37 letters in the volume were originally numbered in ink and in most cases, on both the recto and verso of every folio, in the top right or left hand corner respectively, as follows: 3-20, 25-39, 41-55, 60, 62-85, 90, 94-115, 129-152, 156-169, 181-192, 197-200, 210-213, 222-231, 236-242, 254-258. Some of the gaps in the number sequence are due to the fact that blank folios and folios containing address details were not numbered.
Abstract: The correspondence in the file is related to the construction of the Royal Air Force landing ground at Sohar, Oman. The main correspondents in the file are: the Political Agency, Muscat; the Persian Gulf Residency, Bushire; and the Council of Ministers to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 17; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.