Abstract: Correspondence relating to gifts of ammunition cartridges made by British political officials to members of the ruling family of Bahrain, including the ruler, Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah. Included in the papers are letters of thanks from the recipients of these gifts, often in both English translation and Arabic original.Interspersed amongst this correspondence is some related to a gift of two bags of sugar, given by the Political Officer on the Trucial Coast to Shaikh Mohamed bin Ali bin Huwaidin, chief of the Beni Qitab tribe, as a ‘favour of settlement’.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 35; 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 2-31; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Reports, submitted by the Political Agent (Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior) or the Indian Assistant at the Political Agency in the Political Agent’s absence, detailing proceedings at Bahrain and elsewhere. The reports are organised under various headings, as follows:arrivals and departures of ships at Bahrain (with details of cargoes and their origins), and of the arrivals and departures of flying boats;the movements of British Government representatives (the Political Agent, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf);news from elsewhere in the region (Nejd, including updates of Ibn Saud’s [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] movements; Qatar, including Shaikh Abdullah’s [‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī] actions and movements; and events at Qatif [Al-Qaṭīf]);news in Bahrain, including the activities of members of the Āl Khalīfah ruling family, economic news, including reports of bankruptcies, and updates on the year’s poor pearling season, including diminished pearl yields, and pearl trading activity;meteorological reports, including details of the minimum and maximum temperatures for each fortnight, and rainfall figures;miscellaneous news, including the visits of foreigners to Bahrain, activities of the American Mission’s representatives, a visit by geologists from Eastern General & Syndicate Limited.Specific events of note include:disturbances at two Sunni schools in Bahrain, in which schoolmasters went on strike. Contributing causes to the disaffection, suggested by the Political Agent, include staff salaries, the school inspector’s preference for a schooling system ‘based on Beirut’, the rumoured curtailment of religious teaching, and an expansion of English teaching to the detriment of Arabic (ff 10-12);the opening by Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah of a new electric power station in Bahrain (f 24).Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 63; 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 ff 1-19; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file comprises: Eid (referred to as Id throughout) greetings sent during Id Adh-Dhuha [Eid-al-Adha] and Id Al Fitr [Eid-al-Fitr] by the Bahrain Political Agent (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch) to the various rulers in the Persian Gulf, and letters in return giving thanks and acknowledging receipt of these greetings; arrangements for visits made by the Political Agent to members of the Bahrain ruling family and prominent Bahrain merchants during Eid; regulations concerning restrictions on activities such as eating, smoking and the playing of music during Ramadan, announced by the Government of Bahrain and Manama Municipality. The file’s correspondence covers the period 12 Sha’ban 1352 to 17 Dhu Al-Hijja 1354, according to the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.Aside from the Bahrain Political Agent, the file’s principal correspondents include: the Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, and other members of the Āl Khalīfah family, including Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah and Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah; the Ruler of Qatar, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī; the Amir of Hassa [al-Aḥsā’] Shaikh Saud bin ‘Abdullāh bin Jalawī Āl Sa‘ūd; the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ; the Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī.Included in the file is a set of instructions detailing the Bahrain Political Agent’s actions and calls for Eid (ff 258-259), and two greetings postcards sent by the Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī (ff 267-268).Correspondence in the file is chiefly in Arabic, with some accompanying English translations.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 324; 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 2-279 and ff 280-300; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence related to the Persian Government's claim to sovereignty over Bahrain. Specifically, the file contains correspondence concerning a (failed) attempt by the Persian Inspector General of Customs to land at Bahrain, discussions as to whether Persia should be allowed to open a consulate in Bahrain, the Persian Government's appeal to the League of Nations in Geneva and broader discussions concerning the history of Bahrain, Persia's claim to it and the composition (and size) of the Persian community in the country.The file contains a number of translations of articles from the Persian press that criticised the British role in Bahrain (and the Gulf more broadly). It also contains a cutting from an article published in London's 'The Evening Standard' (f.113) that attacked Persia's attitude towards the issue.On ff. 188 - 196, the file contains a summary of all the papers then contained in the records of the Government of India that related to the sovereignty of Bahrain from 1819-1870.A report on the composition of the Persian community in Bahrain (written by the Political Agent in Bahrain, Charles Geoffrey Prior) is contained on ff.74 - 78.Physical description: Previously a bound correspondence volume, the file's sheets have been unbound and are now loose.The main foliation system starts at the titlepage and ends on the spine of the volume. This sequence is written in pencil and can be found in the top right hand corner of the recto side of each folio, except for when the verso side of folios are numbered as well. In the latter cases they can be found in the top left corner.A second foliation runs between ff.31-196. This sequence is also written in pencil and found in the top right hand corner of the recto side of each folio.Foliation errors: 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D; 2, 2a and 2b; 22, 22a; 85a and 85b; 116a and 116b; 150A and 150B; 177A and 177B. Pagination: f.5, f.7 and f.9 are on the verso side of the preceding folio.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between various British officials and Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa regarding the transshipment of cargo at the port in Bahrain. Specifically, the correspondence discusses Bahrain's right to levy transit dues from Saudi Arabia on cargo transshipped at sea and cargo entering the port at Bahrain (from Saudi Arabia).The agreement that the British had pressured Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa to make with Bin Saud in 1920 (regarding transit levies) is discussed in detail as are the attitude and actions of Bin Saud.The file also includes correspondence with the British India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. and correspondence regarding a ship named the
Ahmedithat was barred from entering the port in Bahrain.Physical description: A bound correspondence volume. Foliation is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 1A, and runs through to 271, ending on the inside of the back cover.Anomalies: ff.1A-F; f.23A; f.31A; f.39A; f.44A; f.93A; f.97A; f.137A; 221A; f.230A (stored in an envelope on the reverse of f.230).
Abstract: The file contains correspondence connected with the births of a son for both Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah [Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah], the ruler of Bahrain, and his son and deputy ruler, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifah [Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah]. The documents include letters and telegrams of congratulations from the Political Agent, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant Trenchard Craven William Fowle, and the ruler of Qatar, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Qāsim Āl Thānī. Also within the file is correspondence between Loch and Fowle arranging the letters of congratulations and the correct forms of address to use.Folios 17-18 are internal office notes.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 19; 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 2-16; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file consists of correspondence regarding allowances paid by Shaikh Hamad bin Isa of Bahrain [Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] to members of his ruling Al Khalifah family. The correspondence is between the Shaikh, the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave), and several members of the Al Khalifah family.The papers cover allowances and land grants, with a particular focus on those of Shaikh Khalifah bin Hamad Al Khalifah.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 83; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 1-82, and ff 19-82; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence between the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, and the Political Agency in Bahrain. The correspondence concerns the transfer of the estate and property of Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifah [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah] to his son, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah [Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] upon the former's death in 1932, and from Shaikh Hamad to his son, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifah [Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah] after Hamad's death in 1942. The need for the transfer, which was certified by the Political Agent, Bahrain, arose from the existence of shares in the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company Limited in Shaikh Isa's name, and of War Stock held in Shaikh Hamad's name with The Eastern Bank Limited.Folio 11 is internal office notes.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 12; 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 2-9; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains a letter from Claud Cranbrook Lewis De Grenier, acting Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, to the Political Agent, Bahrain, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch. The letter is dated 9 August 1934 and reports the number of saluting guns fired by the State Police upon the arrival at Bahrain of Shaikh Muhammad bin Easa al-Khalifah [Shaikh Muḥammad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] and Shaikh Abdullah bin Easa al-Khalifah [Shaikh ‘Abdullah bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah].Folios 4-5 are internal office notes.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 6; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
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 between British officials in Bahrain, Bushire, India and London regarding Persian goverment's claim of sovereignty over the territory of Bahrain. The impact of the discovery of oil deposits in Bahrain is discussed as is the broader international reaction to the claim. The file contains translations of several articles published in the Persian press on the topic and a translation of an article that appeared in a Dutch newspaper.A detailed Historical Memorandum of Bahrain compiled by the India Office is contained on ff. 94-118. The memorandum contains a history of Bahrain from the pre-1783 era until 1934 and includes details of the British role in the country, the numerous treaties signed by the Al Khalifa family with the British and a discussion of Turkish (Ottoman) and Persian claims to the territory.Physical description: A bound correspondence volume. Foliation starts on the first letter page (4th folio in the volume) and finishes on the last letter page (5 folios from end of volume). Pencil number in top right corner of recto. From f 90, an inconsistent pagination system begins. Only pages with typescript are paginated. When both sides have typescript, pagination numbers are found only on even-numbered pages. There are two foliation errors: between f 14 and f 16 we have f 15A and f 15 B; between f 68 and f 70 we have f 69A and f 69B.
Abstract: This file contains a letter from Lt-Col Hugh Vincent Biscoe (the Political Resident in Bushire) to the Foreign Secretary of the Government on India in New Delhi.The letter discusses the retention of the services of Mr. C. de Grenier as the Director of Customs in Bahrain but also contains a broader discussion of the state of Bahrain including the style of rule of Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the state's sources of income, a comparison between Bahrain and Kuwait and the work of Charles Belgrave (Shaikh Hamad's adviser).Physical description: A bound correspondence file. The main foliation system starts at the titlepage and is printed in the top right hand corner of each folio. A second foliation system is also present which is printed at the top of each page in the centre, commencing on folio 3.