Abstract: This file contains correspondence regarding negotiations between the rulers of Bahrain and Qatar, Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah and Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī respectively, concerning the disputed ownership of Zubarah on the Qatari peninsula and the strained relations between the two countries.These negotiations were mediated by Britain's Political Agent in Bahrain, Tom Hickinbotham and the majority of the correspondence is formed of letters - in English and Arabic - between him and the two leaders, as well as with Salih bin Sulaiman al-Manai, the Secretary of Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī.The file contains two copies (one in English and one in Arabic) of an agreement signed by Qatar and Bahrain in order to restore friendly relations between the two states on 24 June 1944 (ff 86-87).The file also contains a memorandum on Zubarah written by Charles Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (ff 185-190).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 4-195; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence about a number of topics regarding the relations of Bahrain and its ruler, Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, with foreign powers.The correspondence discusses the ownership of land by foreigners in Bahrain, Persian claims to sovereignty over Bahrain, the status of natives of the Al Hasa region living in Bahrain, Shaikh Isa's contact with the Turkish (Ottoman) Government regarding the port of Ojair and Bahrain's claims to sovereignty over Zubarah.The file also discusses the activities of Bin Saud's agent in Bahrain, Abdullah Al Qusaibi. The file contains two maps (folio 100 and folio113) of Bahrain and the surrounding area with key regional ports marked on them.Physical description: Previously a bound correspondence volume, the file's pages have been unbound and are now loose. Foliation starts at the index page to the file. Numbers are written in pencil, circled and positioned in the top right hand corner of the recto side of the folios. A secondary foliation system is also present starting on f.2 that runs to f.262. These numbers are also written in pencil and are positioned in the same corner as the primary system, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence regarding an attempt by Sultan bin Mohamed bin Salamah (the head of the Al bin Ali tribe in Bahrain) - with the assistance of Shaikh Jasim Al Thani of Qatar and the Ottoman Governor (Mutasarrif) of El Hasa - to establish a settlement at Zubarah on the Qatar Peninsula.The British were entirely opposed to this idea and the correspondence contains details of their reaction to it, including an account of a bombardment of a fleet of dhows at Zubarah by the H. M. S. Sphinx in September 1895.Physical description: Formerly a bound correspondence volume, the file's pages have been unbound and are now loose. Foliation starts on first page with writing (3rd folio in volume). Foliation is in pencil in top right corner of recto. The following foliation errors occur: f.61 is followed by f.61A. f.73 is replaced by f.73A and f.73B.
Abstract: A collection of letters sent outwards from the Residency in Bushire between 1778 and 1787. The majority of the letters are sent to East India Company officials at Bussora [Basra] and Bombay. Letters are also sent to numerous ship captains and a limited number are sent to local rulers. The letters cover a wide range of topics including trade, financial and administrative matters, political developments in Persia (especially following the death of Carim Cahn [Karim Khan] in 1779), hostilities with the French in India and regional conflicts involving the Chaub [the Banu Ka'b tribal confederacy] and other local powers.Physical description: A bound letter book.Pagination: The file has three sets of pagination: one at the top of the page and two on the bottom. The set on the bottom left-hand corner of each page is consistent throughout the file; this is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.A small number of items in this file are damaged and have some text missing.
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Shows western shores of the Persian Gulf with key regional ports marked and underlined in red. The map was produced to illustrate the debate over the port of Zubara, Qatar.Printed version of this map is hold at IOR/R/15/1/319, folio 113.Physical description: Materials:Pen and ink on tracing clothDimensions:185 x 150 mm
Abstract: Distinctive Features:This is a printed version of a sketch map hold at IOR/R/15/1/319, folio 100.Shows western shores of the Persian Gulf with key regional ports marked and underlined in red. The map was produced to illustrate the debate over the port of Zubara, Qatar.Below In the left-hand corner below neat line: ‘S.D.O. no. 2794, February 1920.’Physical description: Dimensions:168 x 145 mm, on sheet 342 x 200 mm
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Blueprint attached to the correspondence file no. 55 dated the 29th June 1948 to illustrate the dispute over Zubarah with area of interest indicated by red line.Physical description: Dimensions:92 x 129 mm, on sheet 100 x 140 mm
Abstract: The file concerns the dispute between the rulers of Bahrain and Qatar concerning sovereignty over Zubarah on the Qatar mainland. Zubarah was said to have 'considerable sentimental value' (folio 68) to the Al Khalifah family, as they originally came from there to take over Bahrain; however, in both 1875 and 1919 it had been decided by the British Government that the Shaikh of Bahrain's claims to Zubarah could not be substantiated (folios 136 and 128). The file contains India Office minutes on the subject, and correspondence and reports from, in particular, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, and the Political Agent, Bahrain.The papers include: tensions caused by unrest at Zubarah among the Naim [Āl Na‘īm] tribe, who acknowledged the sovereignty of Bahrain; a letter from the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle) summarising the history of Bahrain's claim (folios 125-131); reports of negotiations between the two sides concerning the claim, and British opinion on the matter; the need to avoid weakening the British case for the integrity of the Qatar peninsula against Ibn Saud [Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (folio 83); reports that the Naim had submitted to the Ruler of Qatar, July 1937; the implications of the dispute for the Qatar and Bahrain Unallotted Area oil concessions; reports of an attempted mediation in the dispute by the Shaikh of Kuwait, October-November 1937; the risk of a linkage between the dispute and Qatar's claim to the Hawar Islands (folio 41); an account of negotiations conducted by the Political Agent, Bahrain (Major Tom Hickinbotham), which led to the signing of an agreement by the rulers of Bahrain and Qatar [Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah and ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī, respectively] to restore friendly relations, June 1944 (letter and text of agreement, folios 24-28, and folio 16); and the statements that relations between the two rulers were now 'as bad as ever' (folio 6) and that the Zubarah question was 'by no means settled' (folio 4), 1945-46.The Arabic language content of the file consists of a single letter from the Political Agent, Bahrain (folio 17).The file also contains copies of correspondence dated 1875 (folios 91-94).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 (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 148; 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 also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence regarding the situation after hostilities that occurred between the Al Naim tribe (supported by Bahrain) and Qatar in Zubarah in June and July 1937.The correspondence covers the period immediately following the events and continues for several years until 1946. It contains details of British mediation efforts between the two sides and also includes the text (in English and Arabic) of a reconciliation agreement between the two sides from 1944.The file also contains a translation of an Arabic-language letter published in the Cairo publication 'Rabitat Al Arabieh' (f. 25). The letter is from a Bahraini and argues that the British had sided with Qatar in the conflict regarding Zubarah as they were afraid that if under Bahraini control, the concession for oil deposits near the town would be given to an American (as opposed to British) oil company as had been done in Bahrain.Physical description: A bound correspondence volume. There are two incomplete foliation sequences and one complete foliation sequence. The complete sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on the title page, on number 1, and runs through to 224, ending on the inside of the back cover of the volume. Anomalies: f.1A; f.126A; f.126B; f.141A; f.141B.