Abstract: This file contains correspondence related to the administration of the Customs House in Bahrain from 1914 until 1929.The earlier correspondence relates to a disagreement between Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa and Bin Saud regarding tariff charges on goods entering and leaving Bahrain from the mainland.The bulk of the correspondence discusses Claude De Grenier, who was appointed Director of Customs in Bahrain in 1923.The details of De Grenier's appointment (including the contract agreed between him and Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa) and his performance in the job (which was heavily criticised) are both discussed at length.Physical description: Formerly a bound correspondence volume, the file's pages have been unbound and are now loose.The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the spine (which is loose); these numbers are written in pencil and may be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Foliation errors: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F and 1G; 3A, 3B and 3C; 74A and 74B; 143A and 143B; 203A and 203B; 216A and 216B; 234A, 234B and 234C.Foliation omissions: ff 199-200
Abstract: This file contains correspondence related to the pearling industry of Bahrain and the reforms of the industry that were enacted by the British during the 1920s.The correspondence discusses the status of the industry prior to the reforms, the nature of the relationship between the ship captains (Nakudas) and the pearl divers and the impact of the reforms - especially their positive impact on the condition of the divers.An example of a Nakuda's general account is included on folio 16.Physical description: There is one incomplete foliation sequence and one complete foliation sequence. The complete foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top corner of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and runs through to 42, ending on the inside of the back cover of the volume.
Abstract: This file contains detailed information regarding Bahrain's finances between 1924 and 1931.The file contains annual financial reports that include budget, revenue and expenditure details for the Government of Bahrain in this period. Education, the pearling industry and other economic issues are also discussed in the correspondence.A selection of translations of Arabic-language press articles (from 1930) related to Bahrain are contained in the file on ff. 291 - 293.The file also contains a number of photographic images:f. 195 - Image of Jaffariah School.f. 196 - Two images of Manamah-Muharrak Bridge under construction.f. 207 - Image of a new road built on the seafront in Muharrak.f. 281 - Two images of newly-built quarantine camp in Muharrak.An architectural blueprint of the quarantine camp is also included (on f.282).Physical description: Formerly a bound correspondence volume, the file's sheets have been unbound and are now loose.Foliation is circled in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 1, and runs through to 316, ending on the inside of the back cover.Anomalies: f.1A-D; f.80A; f.96A; f.106A; f.111A; f.154A; f.251A.No ff.255-256.
Abstract: This file contains detailed correspondence regarding Bahrain's finances from 1931 and 1932 including revenue and expenditure figures. The correspondence also discusses the levy of the zakat religious tax, customs/tariff matters, budget estimates, auditing details and other financial issues.On folios 83 - 165 is an annual report (completed by Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's adviser, Charles Belgrave) for the hijri calender year 1350 (1931/2 CE). The report contains a detailed assessment of Bahrain's finances, services and other related issues including the pearl diving industry, the police force and agriculture.Physical description: A bound correspondence volume. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Included in the sequence are: 1A, 1B and 1C; 2A; 2B and 2C; 82A and 82B; 165A and 165B; 186A and 186B; 239a and 239B.
Abstract: This file contains detailed correspondence regarding Bahrain's finances from between 1932 and 1934 including revenue and expenditure figures. The correspondence also discusses state control of artesian wells, customs/tariff matters, budget estimates, auditing details, counterfeit coins and other financial issues.On folios 80-155 and folios 246-320 are two annual reports (completed by Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's adviser, Charles Belgrave) for the hijri calender years 1351 (1932/3 CE) and 1352 (1933/4 CE) respectively. The reports contain a detailed assesment of Bahrain's finances, services and other related issues including the pearl diving industry, the police force and agriculture.Physical description: Formerly a bound correspondence volume, the file's sheets have been unbound and are now loose.There appear to be three incomplete foliation sequences and one complete foliation sequence. The first three sequences appear to reflect sequences assigned to files within the volume. The complete foliation sequence begins on the first folio with the number 1A. This is followed by 1B and then by two blank folios, which do not have numbers. The sequence resumes on 1C and continues through to 205, after which number the sequence jumps to number 214. This may be a foliating error, although another possibility is that folios with confidential information have been removed. The sequence continues from 214 through to 341 - the number given to the spine, which has been removed and placed in melinex. Letters are used elsewhere in the sequence: 3A and 3B; 141A and 141B; and 166A, 166B, 166C, which are housed in an envelope (166D) that is attached to folio 166D.The complete foliation sequence is written in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio.
Abstract: This file contains detailed records of Bahraini government budgets, revenues and expenditures for the years 1934 to 1937. The file also contains a number of reports compiled by Charles Belgrave (Shaikh Hamad's advisor). These reports cover the pearling trade and diving industry, the police force and public security, education, agriculture, the judiciary, the Shia Waqf department, land ownership, the island's electric supply and matters related to the municipalities of Muharraq and Manamah. The file also contains documents concerning customs and oil revenue data.The file contains three photographic images (two of the police station in the town of Hidd and one of the barrack room at the fort in Manama) on folio 73c.Physical description: A single bound volume. Foliation starts with the first folio and the numbering runs from 1 to 203. The folios are numbered in pencil in the top right hand corner. Folio 1 is split into three parts (folios 1A, 1B and 1C), folio 26 into two parts (folios 26A and 26B) and folio 73 into three parts (73A, 73B and 73C). Folio 73C is a melinex insert containing three photographic prints.
Abstract: This file contains detailed financial records and Bahrain Government budget, revenue and expenditure reports for the years 1937 until 1941 (hijri years 1356 - 1360).The file contains extensive correspondence regarding the alleged profligacy of Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (and his request for an increase in the size of his and his family's allowances) and a discussion regarding how the state's oil royalties are allocated.The establishment of a national reserve fund for Bahrain is also dicussed at length in the file.Physical description: A bound correspondence volume. Foliation starts on first page of text, top right hand circled number, and ends on the last page of text in the volume. The volume has a second, uncircled, foliation system from folio 3 - 241.
Abstract: This file contains Bahrain government budget reports and other detailed financial records for the years 1941 to 1948. The documents in the file include details of goverment revenue and expenditure and discussion related to the size of the allowances received by the Al Khalifa family.Of note are folios 41 and 42, on which financial details from 1943/44 have been printed on the reverse of two unrelated posters - presumably due to a paper shortage during war time.Physical description: Previously a bound correspondence file but the sheets have now been unbound and are loose. Foliation in small encircled numbers in pencil in top right corner of recto. Starts on front cover and continues to last letter page. Folios 41 and 42 are in an envelope. Additional inconsistent system of pagination starts with 3 on f.2. This is partly in larger uncircled numbers and partly in smaller numbers prefaced with 'p.'. Occasional pages also have large encircled numbers in red or blue crayon.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials in Bushire, Bahrain and India regarding the Persian government's claim of sovereignty over the island of Bahrain. The broader historical context of Persia's claim to the territory is outlined in detail in the documents.The likelihood of the Persian claim being taken to the League of Nations is discussed as is the alleged role of Russian support in encouraging the Persian government to push their claim.Correspondence regarding Persian 'agitation' and propaganda efforts on the island are also contained in the file, including a translation of an article published in a Persian newspaper criticising Britain and supporting the Persian goverment's claim to Bahrain.Physical description: Originally a bound correspondence volume, the file's sheets have been unbound and are now loose. Foliation starts on first page with writing (2nd folio in volume). Small encircled numbers in pencil on top right corner of recto. Correspondence in Arabic (f.185-f.187) is foliated on verso. There are two foliation errors: f.108A and f.108B; f.198A and f.198B.The 4 blank pages after f.223 are not foliated. Additional pagination starts with page 1 on f.4. In this system, only pages with writing are counted.
Abstract: A file that records details of a proposal to appoint the Political Agent in Bahrain as Consul in Qatif. The idea is not approved by the Government of India or Whitehall, primarily due to fears that such a move would provoke Bin Saud to make a counter-request for a Consul of his own to be appointed in Bahrain.The file contains letters to/from the Agency in Bahrain, the Government in Simla, India and the British Government in London.Physical description: A bound correspondence file. The volume is foliated from the first page to the inside cover, with small uncircled numbers in the top-right corner of each front-facing page. There is an index (with page numbers) of the topics contained in the file on folio 1c.
Abstract: The bulk of the documents contained in this file relate to a proposal to construct a harbour at Khor Kaliya in Bahrain. A map of the relevant area is contained on folio 3B. The pros and cons of building the harbour are discussed at length, as are matters related to financing the project and the engineering work required to complete it.Documents in the file also discuss an idea for the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain, agitation in Bahrain that occurred after a government proclamation regarding inheritance regulations and a broader discussion concerning Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the nature of his rule of the country at the time.Physical description: A bound correspondence file. Foliation starts on first page with writing (3rd page in volume) and continues to end. Foliation in pencil in circled numbers in top right corner of recto. Additional foliation sequence of uncircled numbers starts on f.2. f.3B is kept inside an envelope attached to f.3A. The following foliation errors occur: f.1 is followed by f.1A, f.1B. Instead of f.3 we have f.3a and f.3b. f.51 is followed by f.51A, f.51B. f.54 is followed by f.54A, f.54B.
Abstract: Documents in this file relate to planned (and actual) visits made by Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to other states between 1930 and 1936.The majority of the documents in the file relate to Hamad's official visit to Great Britain in June 1936. The rationale behind his visit and the practicalities required to arrange it are discussed in detail. An official pamphlet of Hamad's itinerary while on the trip is contained on f.156.The file also contains correspondence after the trip had been successfully completed and Hamad had returned to Bahrain. This includes discussion of an (untrue) rumour that Hamad had married a Scottish woman while in London that was published by a newspaper based in Beirut.Physical description: A bound correspondence file. Foliated with pencil number in top-right corner of each front-facing page, from Front Cover to Interior Back Cover. Folio 150 bound out of place (between 153 and 154).