Abstract: This file concerns the boundaries of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. It includes four copies of a single page of notes on the boundaries of the Sultanate, dated January 1936 and prepared by the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat (ff 3-6), together with four versions of an accompanying sketch map showing the limits of the Sultanate (ff 7-10).The remainder of the file is mainly correspondence exchanged between the Political Agent and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, regarding whether or not certain locations fall within Muscat territory. One particular letter from the Political Agent to the Political Resident, dated 29 June 1944, provides details of what the Sultan of Muscat [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] considers to be the interior boundaries of Muscat (these are given as four sets of degree coordinates, which the Sultan is said to have received from a previous Political Agent, Major Ralph Ponsonby Watts).Included among the correspondence are two further sketch maps depicting the north-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.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 30; 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 1-28; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume, marked confidential, is
Where's Where in Arabia, Mesopotamia and Persia, prepared by the General Staff, India, and printed in Simla by the Government Central Branch Press, in 1915. The volume is an index of places, arranged alphabetically. Each place has reference to the Survey of India degree sheets that they can be found on as well as the grid reference.At the beginning of the volume (folio 3) is a preface with notes on the reference system, spelling, and transliteration. At the back of the volume (folios 36-40) is a Glossary of Terms, written by Major CCR Murphy of the 30th Punjabis.The volume is marked with the Serial Number 369.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 42; 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 is a set of typewritten memoirs by Sir Tom Hickinbotham, a retired officer of the British Indian Army and the Indian Political Service. Hickinbotham held various positions in India and in the Middle East, and these memoirs recount stories from his time in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Quetta, Persia [Iran], Aden, Audhali, Bahrain and North Waziristan.The memoirs were most likely completed in 1982-83; they cover the period 1927-1982, although most of the chapters relate to events from the 1930s and 1940s.Hickinbotham writes not only about his official duties but also about various trips taken during periods of leave. Below is a list of the chapters, with a short summary of each:'No Medals This Time' (ff 3-6) – details of an incident in Kuwait involving a dhow that caught fire off the foreshore at Shuwaik [Ash Shuwaykh]'The Silver Coin' (ff 7-10) – thoughts on the use of the Maria Theresa thaler in Arabia'The Golden Dagger' (ff 11-36) – an account of Hickinbotham's unofficial visit to Riyadh to meet Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] in May 1942'The Brass Pencase' (ff 37-53) – memories of a journey undertaken from Quetta to Europe via north Persia in 1927, travelling in a Fiat Tourer with Colonel T Nisbet (also referred to as the 'purple emperor'), on what Hickinbotham claims to have been the first trip taken by car from India to the Mediterranean'The Bronze Boy' (ff 54-72) – reminiscences of weekends spent in 'Little Aden' (a rocky peninsula seven miles west of Aden), in 1938, and a later visit, in December 1961'The Silver Letter Case' (ff 73-118) – details of a ten-day trip on the Audhali plateau in the summer of 1938, and a return visit, in December 1960 (the chapter ends with remarks on the situation in Yemen generally from the late sixties to the time of writing, i.e. 1982)'The Agate Ring' (ff 119-144) – memories of travelling in Oman during the summer of 1940 and how this compared with Hickinbotham's last visit to the country in 1980'The Pearl Tie Pin' (ff 145-151) – thoughts and anecdotes on the pearl trade in Bahrain'A Point of View' (ff 152-157) – a story told to Hickinbotham, possibly fictional, of a pearl trader in the Gulf who lost his fortune and livelihood, and eventually his sanity'Snakes Alive!!' (ff 158-161) – an account of a near-fatal encounter with a krite [krait] in Waziristan'The Queen's Visit' (ff 162-168) – memories of the Queen's visit to the Aden Protectorate in 1954, where Hickinbotham was serving as Governor.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 168; 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 mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-168.Condition: The original plastic comb binding ring has been replaced with a wider one to facilitate flat opening of the volume. Polyester film covers have been added to protect the first and last folios.
"par le S. N. Sanson d'Abbeville Geographe ordinaire du Roy ; J. Somer sculp."'Relief shown pictorially.'Colored in outline.Place names in Latin and French.
arabicè olim exarata à Georgio Elmacino ... et latinè reddita operâ ac studio Thomae Erpenii. Accedit & Roderici Ximenez ... Historia Arabum, longè accuratius, quam antè, è manuscripto codice expressa.Arabic text and Latin translation in parallel columns.
Abstract: Map depicting the north-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, with some indication of relief. Scale not given.Physical description: Materials: Manuscript; black ink on paper.Dimensions: 218 x 197mm, on sheet 247 x 228mm.
Abstract: Imprint:Malby & Sons Lith.Distinctive Features:Issued by Foreign Office as an annex to ‘Memorandum respecting the Boundaries in Arabia: Anglo-Turkish Arrangements' (E 723/723/91). Map shows frontiers laid down in the Anglo-Turkish Conventions of 1913 and 1914; a neutral zone limits determined in Nejd-Koweit agreement of 1922; and a Nejd-Qatar boundary marked by Sir Percy Cox in his discussions with Ibn Saud in 1922.Physical description: Dimensions:291 x 164 mm, on sheet 326 x 180 mm
Abstract: The file contains mainly correspondence and notes by India Office officials in London, relating to their enquiries and arrangements for the subscription, payment and supply of British press cuttings containing news coverage of Persia and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, in 1934-1935 and again in 1940-1941. The press cuttings service was requested by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. In addition to the correspondence between the India Office, London and the Political Resident at Bushire, there are a few letters from the Accountant General at the India Office in London to the Accountant General, Government of India, Central Revenues, New Delhi regarding method of payment for the press cuttings service. There are also exchanges of letters between the Information Officer at the India Office in London and the manager of Durrant’s Press Cuttings, Holborn, London, who provided the service to the Persian Gulf Residency on both occasions.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 43; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The volume consists of letters, telegrams, memoranda and printed reports relating to the Arab revolt against Ottoman rule in the Hejaz region of the Arabian Peninsula during the First World War (1914-1918). The papers tell of the British response to the situation, covering the following matters:evacuation of Kunfuda by the Imam of ʻAsīr (Sayyid Muḥammad bin ‘Alī al-Idrīsī) (ff 216-222)the position of the military forces of the Sherif of Mecca (Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī ) between Medina and Rabegh and the logistic of supplying him (ff 206-215)the submission of the Sheikh of Rabegh to the Sherif of Mecca (200-205)reports by Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Edward Wilson on the situation in Hejazthe Turkish advance towards Rabeghdiscussion of British policy towards operations in Hejaz and the decision not to send troops to Hejazarrangements concerning political controlthe Grand Sherif's request for troops and the promise of French troopsIncluded (ff 190-192) in the volume is a copy of 'Report of a visit to the Idrisi Saiyid Muhammad bin Ali bin Muhammad bin Ahmed at Jezzan', dated 17 January 1916, by the First Assistant Resident, Aden (Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Fenton Jacob).Principal correspondents include the Political Resident, Aden; the Secretary of State for India; and the High Commissioner for Egypt.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 by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 222; 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 leading flyleaf and ending flyleaf, have not been foliated.
Abstract: The volume consists of letters, telegrams, and memoranda relating to the rebellion by the Arab tribes in the Hejaz region of the Arabian Peninsula.The papers tell of the British response to the situation, covering the following matters:Turkish and German plans for a campaign in the Hejazthe question of publishing a communiqué based on documents capturedthe dispatch of an Indian Officer to the Hejaza proclamation by the Grand Sherif to the people of Iraqreports from Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Edward Wilson and Mr Ronald Henry Amherst Storrsthe first Ministry of the Government of the Grand Sherif Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī , including a list of cabinet members (folio 109)Principal correspondents include: the Secretary of State for India; the Viceroy of India; the High Commissioner for Egypt; and the Political Resident, Aden.The file includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references 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 192; 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: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to the Arab revolt against Ottoman rule. The papers cover the British response to the situation, covering the following matters:defective information regarding Turkish military movementsthe report by Ronald Henry Amherst Storr's on the situation in the Hejazthe conclusions of the War Committee concerning measures for the defence of RabeghFrench offers of military supportthe instructions of His Majesty's Government and the pessimistic perspective of British officersThe file includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 301; 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 present between ff 188-300 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.
Abstract: A diary written by Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear recording his journey across Arabia in 1914.The volume consists of:folios 2-14: 'Accounts of Journey into Central Arabia. February, March, April, May 1914': statements of expenses incurred on the journey;folio 19: a note of the altitude of three locations, with source (Leachman, Carruthers);folios 20-277: 'Journal of Trip via Central Arabia to Egypt': diary of the journey (entries dated 3 February - 25 May 1914);folios 286-297: 'Tribal wasms': list of wasms [distinguishing brand marks applied to camels], giving a drawing of the wasm, and details of the place of applying, tribe and sub-tribe;folios 300-307: 'List of photos' (numbered 1-61, giving date and subject) [note that this is a list only; there are no photographs present in the volume];folio 316: note, giving statistical information concerning the route.The volume includes diary entries for most days. The entries include a description of each day's journey, regular observations (thermometer, aneroid, boiling point, and watches), remarks on the weather, topographical details, information on Shakespear's personal health, and references to photographs taken by him along the route.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 330; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Three additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 23-277, ff 287-297, and ff 300-303; these numbers are written in ink, and are not circled.