Abstract: The volume is
Who's Who in Mesopotamia, General Staff, India. The volume is marked confidential and was printed in Delhi by Superintendent Government Printing, India, in 1916.The volume consists of an alphabetical list of individuals issued by the Intelligence Branch of the Indian Expeditionary Force 'D'. Each entry includes biographical information relevant to the individual which has been taken from the Branch's files.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 138; 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: The volume contains brief biographical statements on individuals active in Iraq, often including comments on their character, reputation, political affiliations, command of armed forces, and attitudes towards European and regional powers.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 157; 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 file also contains an original printed pagination sequence (138 pp).
Abstract: A note by Major Robert Marrs, in which the author provides a comparison of the judicial systems in Mesopotamia and Palestine, followed by a number of points regarding jurisdiction over foreigners in those places.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at folio 94 and terminates at folio 95; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This volume contains descriptions of the 'more important of the known routes in Arabia proper' produced by the General Staff in Simla, India. It is divided up as follows:Part I- Routes in North-Eastern, Eastern, and Southern Arabia.Part II- Routes in South-Western, Western, and North-Western Arabia.Part III- Miscellaneous Routes in Mesopotamia.Appendix A- Information about Routes etc in the Rowanduz District by Abdullah Pasha, Hereditary Chief of Rowanduz and ex-official of the Turkish Government.Appendix B- Information relating to Navigation etc of the Tigris between Mosul and Baghdad supplied by our Raftsmen.The volume contains a Glossary of Arabic Terms used in the route descriptions and a map of Arabia with the routes marked on it.Physical description: Condition: A bound, printed volume.Foliation: The file's 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. Please note that f 424 is housed inside f 425.Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This large map shows routes across Persia, and includes different types of tracks including cart, camel and mule tracks as well as footpaths and railways. The map is black and white and the routes are marked in red ink. There is no topographical detail. The map is not a perfect rectangle; it is instead framed in a way which highlights the Persian Gulf area.Physical description: Materials: 1 paper folio with coloured ink
Abstract: Enclosure no. 2 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 24 February 1848. The item only contains an abstract of contents, detailing enclosures nos. 3-6 on the subject of coal for the use of the East India Company ship
Nitocrison the rivers of Mesopotamia [Iraq].Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: The file contains memoranda, correspondence and papers, regarding provision of Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force) aircraft and personnel for military operations in Mesopotamia [Iraq].Notably covers: repeated requests in 1917 from General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, for aircraft and personnel (pilots, observers and other ranks) to constitute an additional, third, squadron; discussion of makes and models of aircraft and engines; discussion of optimum aircraft type and parts for the climate, intended uses and enemy capability; reporting problems with machines and defective parts received; general expansion of the Royal Flying Corps establishment in Mesopotamia; and increase in number of flights to deal with local disturbances in 1919.File also includes printed weekly returns for the weeks ending 14 March 1918, 28 March 1918 and 11 April 1918, issued by General Officer Commanding, Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, Egypt, for the Air Ministry, listing squadron personnel (pilots and observers) available and unavailable and machines serviceable, unserviceable and un-erected.The papers indicate that aircraft were distributed to the Mesopotamia field of operations from Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps base in Cairo, Egypt. Personnel came via various routes, such as direct from England or from the aviation base in Baghdad.Aircraft in Mesopotamia were used for long-distance reconnaissance, close reconnaissance, low flying, long-distance independent bombing, close bombing in co-operation with troops, artillery observation and communications.The primary correspondents are: the War Office; General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; General Officer Commanding, Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, Cairo. Correspondents also include Aviation Baghdad; General Officer Commanding, Constantinople; Commander-in-Chief, India; and Director of Air Organisation, War 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 80; 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 written in coloured crayon.
Abstract: The file opens with a memorandum by Edwin Samuel Montagu (Secretary of State for India) dated 4 November 1920 regarding the current situation of Assyrian and Armenian refugees in Mesopotamia, paying particular attention to the difficulties that they have faced in seeking repatriation. This memorandum seeks to provide an update to a previous memorandum of the same title which was issued by Montagu on 5 July 1920 (IOR/L/PS/18/B345). The memorandum is followed by an appendix in the form of a letter from the India Office to the Foreign Office on 2 November 1920 and its enclosure, 'note on the Christian communities in and around Mesopotamia'. The letter details the French and British spheres of influence in Mesopotamia and explains how the refugee crisis should be handled. The note details the different types of Christian groups in the area, and explains the initial reasons for the emigration of these communities from Urmia. The final folio is a copy of Montagu's initial memorandum dated 5 July 1920.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 151, and terminates at f 153, 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 present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file consists of a memorandum written by Edwin Samuel Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, describing the situation of Assyrian and Armenian refugees in Mesopotamia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 117, and terminates at f 117, 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 present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This printed report, compiled by John Evelyn Shuckburgh of the Political Department, India Office, for the Eastern Committee, concerns the civil administration of Mesopotamia between 15 November 1917 and 15 January 1918. It consists of summaries of the first five periodical administrative reports (periods ending 15 November 1917, 1 December 1917, 15 December 1917, 31 December 1917, and 15 January 1918) submitted by Sir Percy Zachariah Cox, Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia. It consists of a 'Note by the Political Department, India Office'. The five summary administrative reports contain details regarding tribal affairs, irrigation and agriculture, land revenues, supplies, education, and waqfs (religious foundations), affairs on the Euphrates, customs, sanitation, cotton, affairs of the Persian frontier, and affairs of Nejef (al-Najaf). The administrative report summaries are supplemented by brief references to other reports that have reached the India Office, including details of the attitude of notables in Basra district, the labour questions, and administration of justice in the Baghdad vilayet, and restriction of alienation of land. There is also a section concerning personnel serving under Cox on 1 February 1918.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; 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 booklet also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This note was written by Major-General Percy Zachariah Cox in April 1918 in his capacity as Civil Commissioner, Baghdad. It consists of two main parts. The first part deals with the premises for British policy, namely, the proclamation issued on British arrival in Baghdad, that they had come to emancipate the country from the 'oppressive rule' of Turkey; the announcement of policy in the telegram, 29 March 1917, from the Secretary of State for India to the Viceroy which advocated annexation of the Basrah [Basra] Vilayet and the creation of a 'veiled protectorate' in Baghdad Vilayet.It discusses the 'difficulties' this would create with President Woodrow Wilson's principles of self-determination (paragraph 4) and the issues surrounding the creation of an 'Arab facade'.Part II deals with observations on more detailed issues and considers: the nature of Arab authority, dynastic or representative and Arab attitudes to King Hussein, Sherif of the Holy Places in the Hejaz [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī, Shereef of Mecca]; personnel available for establishing a local administration; relevance of Indian models of administration and British supervision; requirements for Indian troops after the end of hostilities; ways of popularising British administration through irrigation, education and civilian health; elements the British should foster; measures to consolidate commercial influence in Mesopotamia.Physical description: 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 first folio, on number 1, and ends on the last folio, on number 3. There are three copies of this item, of which only one (the foliated one) has been digitised.
Abstract: This printed memorandum is a copy of an article reprinted for private circulation from the
The Quarterly Reviewof October 1917 concerning the Baghdad Railway negotiations. The purpose of the article is to trace the development of railway interests in Turkey and seek to focus the situation in which the later negotiations concerning the Baghdad Railway took place, and ultimately resulted in a draft agreement. The article is divided into the following chronological periods which are dealt with in corresponding sections of the article: 'The First Period' (ending 1888), 'The Second Period' (ending 1903) and 'The Final Period' (ending June 1914). These sections are followed by a 'Conclusion'. Each section is referenced with footnotes.There is one map accompanying the article on folio 71 entitled 'Map of Railways in Asiatic Turkey representing their condition in July 1914' with the following railway systems represented: 'Turkish Railways (European and Hejaz)', 'Anatolian Railway', 'Baghdad Railway System, Working', 'Baghdad Railways System, Projected', 'Baghdad Railway System, Branches', 'Other German Projected Lines', 'Smyrna-'Aidin Railway (British)', 'Smyrna-'Aidin Railway Projected', 'French Railways', 'French Railways Projected', 'Egyptian State Railway', 'Russian Railways', and 'Navigation Concessions under British Management'.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 56. and terminates at folio 71, 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 folio 11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.