Abstract: The map shows the state of the roads in and around Basra City. Different categories of roads are highlighted in different colours as follows: concrete roads (solid red line), metalled roads (red dashes), proposed metalled roads (small red dashes), kutcha roads (solid green line), proposed kutcha roads (green dashes), civil roads (yellow), and proposed civil roads (yellow dashes). A reference key for the map can be found in the top right corner.The scale of the map is 3 inches to 1 mile.The map includes two printing statements ‘Reproduced by Basrah Survey Party I.E.F.D No. 81 Dated 12.6.17’ and ‘Reproduced by Survey Party M.E.F. No. 339 Dated 30-1-19’.Physical description: Materials: Printed on paperDimensions: 645 x 640mm
Abstract: Chart F3293.Hydrographic chart of the Shatt al Arab in southern Mesopotamia from the vicinity of Al Basra [Al Basrah, Iraq] approximately 100 miles south-eastwards to its mouth at the head of the Persian Gulf. Also includes the approaches to Kuweit [Kuwait] Harbour. Portrays hydrology, including depths by soundings and contours, sands, rocks and mud, relief by spot heights and shading, vegetation, cultivation, canals, settlements including significant buildings, forts and tombs, and place names, and includes topographical notes and navigational aids, including buoys, lights and prominent buildings.Compiled 'from various authorities'. Engraved by Davies & Company. Published by the Admiralty and 'issued for Fleet purposes' 1902, with new editions 1904, 1907, 1909 and 1912, and small corrections.The sheet bears the stamps:'For Fleet Purposes Only. Care is to be taken that this chart is not allowed to get into the hands of unauthorised persons' in red on the map face.The number '170.12' in black in the upper right margin.Physical description: Materials: Printed on paperDimensions: 597 x 456mm, on sheet 660 x 507mm
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:View of the Ashar Creek at Basra. Four canoes carrying people and several moored sailing boats dominate the scene at centre and right. Three men use poles to propel the canoe in the middle-ground. Palms and other vegetation make up the scene on the left and background.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'The Ashar Creek Basra.'Pencil, above image, at right: ‘28’Physical description: Dimensions:138 x 190 mmCondition:The print is in good condition throughout with minor toning/fading at all edgesFoliation:‘28’
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:View of the Ashar Creek at Basra. At least seven canoes and one larger sailing boat are moored at centre and right. In the background two-storey buildings and palms recede into the distance.Inscriptions:Ink, alongside image at right: 'The Ashar Creek Basra.'Physical description: Dimensions:130 x 193 mm; 129 x 195 mmCondition:The prints are in good condition with minor transfer from opposite printe page and surface dirt throughout. Some light foxing and creasing at edges.Foliation:‘23’
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:View of the Ashar Creek at Basra. At least two canoes and one larger sailing boat are moored at centre and left. From right to left two-storey buildings and palms recede into the distance.Inscriptions:Ink, alongside image, at right: 'The Ashar Creek Basra.'Pencil, above and to the right of image: ‘29’Physical description: Dimensions:176 x 128 mmCondition:The print is in good condition throughout with minor toning/fading at all edgesFoliation:‘29’
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Properties labelled for reference with some measurements reported. Site of Bagdad Railway Material Depot indicated as ‘German property’ and shown by red pecked line with land hired from the Turkish Government separated by black line. Turkish Marine Ground and Turkish Dock also shown.In the bottom left-hand corner printed: ‘S.D.O. No. 604. Dec. 1912’.Physical description: Dimensions:345 x 210 mm
Abstract: Correspondence relating to details of shipping and congestion of storeships at Basrah for the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force, published by the Quarter Master General, Simlah, in 1916. The information is divided into two sections: shipping and congestion of storeships at Basrah and is annotated with relevant 'serial numbers'.An appendix includes twenty five telegrams relating to the logistics of moving troops and supplies (such as hay, bhoosa, wood, rice, fuel) from India to Basrah under different weather conditions. The correspondents in these telegrams include: the Inspector General of Communications, Basrah; Quartermaster-General in India, Simla; Chief of the General Staff, Simla.Physical description: Foliation: 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. Pagination: The volume also contains an original typed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:View of the Shatt-el-Arab at Basra. In the foreground and middle-ground at let two canoe-like boats hold two men each. In the background the arsenal, the entrance to Ashar Creek and the customs house are marked in ink on the photograph.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'The Shatt-el-Arab at Basra'Pencil, above image to the right: ‘26’Ink, inscribed on image: ‘Arsenal’; ‘entrance to Ashar Creek’; ‘Customs House’Physical description: Dimensions:150 x 193 mmCondition:The print is in good condition throughout.Foliation:‘26’
Abstract: The volume contains copies of incoming and outgoing correspondence for the Persian Gulf Residency. At the start of 1852 Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell is Resident, before being superseded in March by Captain Arnold Kemball.The volume includes:Correspondence with the British Envoy at the Court of Persia, Colonel Justin Sheil, reporting on affairs in Persia, on the construction of an upper story for the house of John Malcolm at Bushire, and requesting for information on the history of Bahrain before 1716;Correspondence with the Secretaries to the Government at Bombay regarding affairs in Persia, the Persian Gulf slave trade, commerce, the 1853 occupation of the Island of Carrack [Kharg, Iran] and the conversion of an Armenian to Islam in Basra;Correspondence with the British Envoy at the Court of Persia and the Political Agents at Muscat and Shiraz, in regard to the dispute between the Imam of Muscat and Feerooz Meerza, the Prince Governor of Fars Province, over Bandar-e ʻAbbāsThe volume contains letters in Arabic, one from the Imam of Muscat (folios 57 and 133).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation is written in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering begins on the first folio with 2, and runs through to the final folio with 146.Pagination: there is also an original pagination sequence, which is not complete; only the pages with writing have been paginated.
Abstract: Table giving abstracts of proposals made by the War Cabinet, with comments on those proposals by Sir Percy Zachariah Cox and the Government of India.The proposals include:Occupied territories being administered by His Majesty's Government, instead of the Government of IndiaBasra to remain under British administrationBagdad [Baghdad] to be an Arab state with a local ruler of Government, but under British protection, using local laws and institutions where possible.British Civil Service (in Mesopotamia) to be amalgamated with that of Soudan [Sudan] and the Levant.Shiah holy places to be a separate enclave not under direct British controlIrrigation, Navigation and Rivers to be under British administrationKoweit [Kuwait] and Arabian littoral of Persian Gulf, including Oman, to be controlled by BasraSouth Persia to be within Government of India's sphere of influencePhysical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 130 and terminates at folio 131, 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 between folios 6-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The report details the investigation undertaken by the sub-committee in looking at the division of work between the Indian and Mesopotamian services, and sources of recruitment for the latter. The recommendations based on the report comprise:The limits of the Bagdad Vilayet and the question of holy places: focusing particularly on the need for British Control of the canal system and land irrigated by it.Arab administration in Bagdad Vilayet: discussing the unsuitability of the 'Irak Code' in administering Bagdad and the need to maintain the local judicial system as far as possible.Headquarters of Government: stating that their belief that the title and place of residence of the Head of the Mesopotamian Administration would depend on the future of the Basra Vilayet and that the title needed to ensure the continuing the Arab 'facade'.Civil Service: Regarding the potential need for a special Civil Service for Mesopotamia, the possibility of amalgamating it with the Sudan, and the likely need for Officers from the Indian Services.West and South Coast of Persian Gulf: proposing that the Arabian littoral of the Persian Gulf be placed under the control of Mesopotamian authorities instead of the Government of India.Aden and South Coast of Arabia: recommending that the opportunity be taken to relieve the Government of India of Aden and its dependencies.The report concludes by recommending that administrative arrangements for Mesopotamia should be consistent with the future policy of His Majesty's Government and discussing possible alternatives for the current international position of the Bagdad Vilayet.The Sub-Committee was composed of Thomas William Holderness; Mark Sykes; Arthur Henry McMahon; (Frederic) Arthur Hirtzel; Ronald Graham; and George R Clerk. The secretary to the Committee, who produced the report dated 27 March 1917 was John Evelyn Shuckburgh.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 123 and terminates at folio 124, 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 parallel between folios 6-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: Copies of Telegrams between the Viceroy (Frederic Thesiger, The Lord Chelmsford), Secretary of State (Austen Chamberlain) and Sir Percy Zachariah Cox on the future administration of Mesopotamia, March to April 1917:Telegram P 1234 from Viceroy, Foreign Department, 26 March 1917: regarding the need for steps to be taken to overhaul and replace the defunct Turksh administration and for the work of the civil departments to continue in Bagdad.Telegram P 1315 from Secretary of State to Viceroy, Foreign Department, 29 March 1917: regarding the Committee of the War Cabinet's conclusions for the future administration and political control of Mesopotamia and Arabia, including that occupied territories were to be administered by His Majesty's Government; that Basra was to remain permanently under British administration; Bagdad to be an Arab state under British protection and to be administered as an Arab province and without the use of the 'Irak Code'; Koweit [Kuwait] and Arabian littoral, including Oman, to be controlled by Basra;Telegram P 1434 from Sir Percy Cox, to the Government of India, 7 April 1917: giving Cox's own opinions that there is no suitable candidate to be ruler and that perhaps an administrative council would be more appropriate; the need for a uniform code of law for both Bagdad and Basra; proposals for Nejef [Najaf] and Kerbela [Karbala] to be independent townships; and expressing his willingness to undertake the carrying out of this policy if required.Telegram P 1433 from Sir Percy Cox, to the Foreign Department, Government of India, 8 April 1917: requesting information on the individuals proposed for the positions of Judicial Adviser and Subordinate Revenue Officers and suggesting Colonel Knox for the position of Judicial Adviser.Draft of a proposed telegram to the Viceroy, undated but after 7 April 1917: advising that no work on introducing an Arab administration should be undertaken whilst Mesopotamia is under military occupation, and that only such administration as is required to preserve order and meet the needs of the occupying force.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 127 and terminated at folio 129, 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 parallel between folios 6-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.