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13. 'File 9/2 II Bahrain Reforms: Finances of the Bahrain Government'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume’s correspondence and other papers concern Bahrain’s state budget, and the rising costs associated with the Bahrain civil list and the Āl Khalīfah family’s allowances. Most of the correspondence takes place between the Advisor to the Bahrain Government, Charles Dalrymple-Belgrave, and the Bahrain Political Agent, Colonel Geoffrey Prior. The volume is a chronological continuation of ‘File 9/2 II Bahrain Reforms: Finances of the Bahrain Government’ (IOR/R/15/2/128).The volume includes Belgrave’s budgets for Bahrain for the Hijri years 1347 (1928, folios 5-25) and 1348 (1929, folios 38-66). In these reports Belgrave gives great detail of the state’s expenditure on modernisation. For example, detailed reference of Bahrain’s education system, including the opening of a girls’ school, is given in the 1348 budget (folios 61-63).The remainder of the volume’s correspondence is chiefly related to Belgrave’s concerns over the continual financial increases being requested by Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah to Bahrain’s civil list. Belgrave’s concern was that these allowances took up too great a proportion of the Bahrain state budget, and because the issue was primarily a political one, he deferred the issue to the Political Agent, who in turn referred the matter to the Political Resident. There are several copies of the civil list included in the file (for example, folios 81-83). Prior and Shaikh Ḥamad discuss Belgrave’s concerns about the increasing expenditure of the civil list in August 1929 (folios 84-90), with Shaikh Ḥamad raising the hope that revenues from other sources such as kerosene oil might alleviate financial problems.Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. There is an earlier foliation system which runs through the volume, using blue pencil numbers in the top-right corner of recto pages.The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e.The following folios are foldouts: 11-13, 18, 19, 36, 46-48, 54, 85-89, 97, 105, 111, 112, 133, 134.
14. 'File 9/3 Bahrain Reforms. Land Registration & Record of Rights'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and papers relating to the issue of land rights and ownership in Bahrain.The first part of the volume (folios 2-78) concern the organisation of a land survey in Bahrain. The Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfa, with the assistance of the Bahrain Political Agent (Major Clive Day), arranged with the Government of India’s Surveyor General ( E. A. Tandy) for a team of surveyors to come to Bahrain to survey the populated parts of the islands. A letter from Daly to the Surveyor General, dated 28 April 1925 (folios 28-30) provides details of the extent and character of the area to be surveyed. The survey was originally intended to take place during the winter of 1924/25, but was eventually delayed until the following year. A large portion of the correspondence relates to the costs of conducting the survey (including manpower, equipment, lodgings in Bahrain, food rations and passage from India), which were far greater than originally budgeted for by Sheikh Hamad. A revised proposal from the Surveyor General of India to Daly, dated 1 September 1925, gives details of the various costs of the survey (folios 54-56). Negotiations over the costs continued right up until the departure date of the surveying team from India to Bahrain, in October 1925. There is a copy of the deed (in Arabic) for the plot of land adjacent to the Agency at folio 80.The second part of the volume (folios 81-99) concerns the implementation of a waqfdepartment in Bahrain. The waqfis a form of religious endowment under Islamic law, usually involving the donation of buildings or land for religious or charitable purposes. The correspondence relates to Shaikh Ḥamad’s introduction of a waqfdepartment, to address the reported mismanagement and misappropriation of waqffunds.Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. There is an earlier foliation system using blue pencil numbers, that runs through a small part of the volume, from folios 2 to 4.The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 3a.The following folios are foldouts: 32, 38-40, 43, 44, 54, 57-59, 64, 70, 74, 75, 80, 88, 97-99.
15. 'File 9/4 Bahrain Reforms. Introduction of Reforms in Bahrain'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains printed copies of Government of India confidential correspondence, relating to the Bahrain reforms. The majority of the letters contained in volume are printed copies of correspondence originally sent to the Government of India either by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Trevor or Acting Resident Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Knox), or the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Clive Daly). Much of the correspondence featured in the volume can be found in the original (or as office copies) in a number of files in the two Bahrain Agency subsubseries ‘File 9 Bahrain Reforms’ (IOR/R/15/2/127-138) and ‘File 8 Miscellaneous’ (IOR/R/15/2/121-126), and the Bushire Residency subsubseries ‘File 19 Bahrain’ (IOR/R/15/1/314-77).The printed correspondence contained in the volume covers a range of subjects:Events leading up to the programme of reforms carried out in Bahrain: allegations of the oppression of Bahraini subjects by members of the Āl Khalīfah family, violence, the deteriorating economic situation;The reforms proposed and implemented by British officials: replacement of Shaikh ‘Īsá by Shaikh Ḥamad as defacto ruler, economic reforms, judicial reforms, pearl diving industry reforms, customs house reforms;Specific incidents of violence involving Sunnis and Shias, or Najdis and Persians.Some of the papers in the volume are accompanied by duplicate copies:Folios 61-64 are duplicates of folios 57-60;Folios 68-69 are duplicates of folios 66-67;Folios 81-84 are duplicates of folios 77-80.Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using uncircled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. Most of the items in the volume are printed items that have their own internal pagination systems, using printed numbers in the top-right corners of recto pages and the top-left corners of verso pages, or centred at the top of both verso and recto pages. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f.
16. 'File 9/5 Bahrain Reforms. Reforms in Pearling and Boat Registration'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and reports relating to proposed reforms of the pearling industry in Bahrain. The majority of the correspondence takes place between the Bahrain Political Agent (Clive Day, who was the principle architect of the pearling industry reforms, and served from 1921 to 1926, superseded by Cyril Barrett), the Political Resident or his secretary, and the advisor to the Bahrain Government, Charles Belgrave.The reforms proposed, and which are discussed at length throughout the volume include:Economic reforms, with particular attention given to shares of the profits paid to divers, and the allowances paid to divers, and interest on their debts, through the Salifehcourt. This aspect of the reforms was designed to reduce the state of debt slavery that many divers existed in towards their boat masters ( nakhudas);The introduction of accounts books for all pearl divers;Boat registration and pearl fishing licenses;The introduction of a hospital boat intended to patrol the pearling banks, with medical staff on board who are capable of providing medical attention to pearl divers as required;The advantages and disadvantages of permitting pearl merchants to use motor launches to reach the pearling boats, the use of which would place some merchants at an advantage over those travelling under sail power.Items of note in the file include:A report entitled 'The Pearl Industry. Bahrain', written by Charles Belgrave, undated but probably 1928 (folios 3-23);Letters from the Director of the Bahrain Customs House to the Political Agency (1924), giving figures for the numbers of boats registered and pearling licenses issued, and the income generated (folios 51, 71, 84);A original petition in Arabic, signed by numerous nakhudas, complaining of the reforms, dated 26 September 1925 (folio 123, English translation on folios 124-26);A letter written by Barrett to Horner (the Secretary to the Political Resident), dated 1 January 1927, writing of disturbances in Manama, caused by a crowd of two-hundred pearl divers who are unhappy with reductions in their allowances (folios 149-52);Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. An earlier, incomplete foliation sequence, using blue pencil circled numbers in the top right corner of rectos, runs from folios 24 to 66. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 23a, 79a, 130a, 157a.The following folios are fold-outs: 37, 42, 46-50, 52, 53, 60, 62, 70-73, 75-79, 79a, 84-86, 90, 92, 94, 96, 106, 111, 121-26, 149-54, 157, 157a, 161, 171, 177, 179, 183, 184, 187, 193.Due to the binding of the volume, the text on some items runs very close to the gutter, making text more difficult to read.
17. 'File 9/8 Bahrain Levy Corps'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume relates to the institution of a Levy Corps in Bahrain, and more specifically to the recruitment, training, equipment (military, non-military) and costs of maintaining the force. The main correspondents in the file are the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Clive Daly, or George Mallam as Acting Agent in Daly's absence), the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Trevor until April 1924, thereafter Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Prideaux), and Captains A. Campbell and T. H. Geake, Commanding Officers of the Bahrain Levy Corps for the first and second years respectively.The institution of the Bahrain Levy Corps was set up with the assistance of the Political Agent in Muscat, and the previously established Muscat Levy Corps, the intention being that the Commandant of the Muscat Levies, Captain Alban, would supervise the new Bahrain Levies, and that the first recruits for the Bahrain Levies be recruited from Muscat. However, the process of recruitment was hampered by Alban becoming ill, and a shortage of suitable men being found. Daly noted, in a letter dated 25 October 1924 that “the enlistment of men was mismanaged - many undesirables were enlisted and many unfit.” (folios 111-112). The main area of concern was the recruitment to the Levies of Persian Makranis. An express letter from Daly to Prideaux, dated 29 May 1925, noted that the Bahrain Levy Corps comprised 46 British subjects, 23 Persian subjects, 39 Muscat subjects, and 1 Yemeni subject (folio 127). This letter followed shortly after an incident, on 25 May 1925, in which one of the Persian Levies at Bahrain murdered two of his colleagues (folio 134). Continuous efforts were made afterwards to reduce the number of Persians in the Bahrain Levies (folios 187, 191).An annual report for the Bahrain Levy Corps, written by Campbell at the end of his service (July 1925), gives detail on the challenges facing the institution of the Bahrain Levy Corps, its recruitment process, disciplinary record, as well as information on the Bahrain state prison (folios 153-68).Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. There is an earlier foliation system using blue pencil circled numbers in the top-right corner of rectos, which runs from folios 7 to 26. There are no foliation anomalies.The following folios are fold-outs: 33, 52, 54, 87-89, 91, 92, 116, 117, 120, 146, 148, 149, 163-66, 208, 209, 219.
18. 'File 9/9 Bahrain Reforms. Bahrain Water Supply'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence, copies of contracts and other items related to the sinking of water wells in Bahrain, and the institution of a municipal water supply to the districts of Manama and Muharraq. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Clive Daly until September 1926, Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Barrett thereafter), Major Frank Holmes, representative of the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, F. Madgwick, geologist, and Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, deputy ruler of Bahrain.After the forced abdication of Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah in 1923, public works projects in Bahrain, such as the sinking of artesian wells for the municipal water supply, were able to go ahead under the instigation of Shaikh Ḥamad (folios 28-30). The Eastern and General Syndicate Limited (London), represented by Major Frank Holmes, was awarded the contract to sink two wells in Manama and Muharraq to depths of 600 feet, in search of fresh water. The total expected cost of this first phase was 100,000 rupees (folio 5). A total of 300,000 rupees had been set aside by the Bahrain Government for the implementation of a water supply in Bahrain (folio 76). The Manama well struck good-quality water at 200 feet, and although Shaikh Ḥamad was keen to continue drilling to 600 feet, Holmes convinced the Shaikh against further drilling (folios 63-68). In the wake of the first two wells, water tanks capable of holding thirty tonnes of water were installed, and new contracts between Holmes and the Bahrain Government drawn up for the sinking of a further twelve wells, with the installation of the necessary pipework and tanks (folios 79-80, 82-83).A minor diplomatic incident was avoided when, in December 1924, the Baghdad Timesreported that Holmes was travelling to Bahrain with drilling equipment. The Secretary of State for the Colonies wrote to the Resident, reminding him to in turn remind Shaikh Ḥamad that the British Government recognised the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's exclusive right to negotiate concessions for the exploratory drilling of oil in Bahrain (folio 39). The Resident replied to the High Commissioner in Baghdad that Holmes was interested only in sinking wells for water (folio 42). A later disagreement in 1927 arose between Holmes and the Bahrain merchant Khalil Kanoo, over the sinking of water wells in Bahrain. Holmes, who had by this point signed a concession to drill for oil in the state, objected to Kanoo's proposals to sink his own water wells in Manama (folios 108-14).Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled pencil notes in the top-right corner (but in some cases the top-centre) of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1A-1F, 81A, 81B, 84A, 84B, 111A, 111B.The following folios are fold-outs: folios 2, 4, 5, 14, 15, 23, 28-30, 32-34, 36, 37, 49-54, 70, 76, 90, 94, 104, 116.
19. 'File 9/11 Grant of Passports and Permits by the Bahrain Government and Treaty with Persia relative to withdrawal of claim to'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence and other papers related to Persia's withdrawal of claims to sovereignty over Bahrain. The majority of the file's correspondence takes place between the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Barrett until November 1929), and the Political Agent at Bahrain (Geoffrey Prior).The withdrawal of Persian claims over Bahrain raised a number of implications for British representatives in the Gulf, and these comprise the contents of the file. The main implications were: the treatment of Persian subjects in Bahrain; British representation of Persian subjects in Bahrain; the question of whether there should be an official or non-official Persian representative in Bahrain (which both the Resident and Political Agent were strongly objected to); and passports and certificates of identity for Bahrainis travelling within and beyond the Gulf.In response to a request from Barrett, Prior compiled detailed notes on the Persian communities in Bahrain. His official typewritten response (with handwritten notes) are included in the file (folios 43-47, 48-56). These notes include comments on Persian Sunnis and Shias in Bahrain, their relations with the Āl Khalīfah family, animosity between Nejdis [Saudis] and Persians, Persian schools and property in Bahrain, and the Political Agency's ability to represent Persians in Bahrain. Further notes on the Persian communities, sent to Prior by the Advisor to the Bahrain Government, Charles Dalrymple-Belgrave, are also included (folios 60-61A). A letter in English and Arabic, from Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah to Prior, dated 23 April 1930, is an undertaking not to attack Persian sovereignty or to violate Persian independence (folios 67-68).Physical description: Foliation: The file is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 61a. There is no folio 1.There is minor insect damage throughout the file, which is not sufficient enough to impair the legibility of the file contents.
20. 'File 19/109 IX (C 82) Bahrain - Relations with other Powers'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file contains correspondence related to a number of different topics. The correspondence discusses legislation regarding the ownership of property by Bahrainis in the Hejaz, the ownership of property by foreigners in Bahrain (and Iraq), the status and property ownership rights of Persians in Bahrain and other related issues.The correspondence also contains references to a proposal to raise customs tariffs on Japanese goods imported into Bahrain.Physical description: Previously a bound correspondence volume, the file's pages have been unbound and are now loose.The main 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. A second foliation sequences commences at folio 3 and terminates at f 156; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled and can be found in the same position as the main sequence. A third foliation sequence (probably the result of a previous foliation error) commences at f 151 and terminates at f 206; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.Foliation errors: 1A, 1B and 1C.
21. 'File 19/116 IX (C 65) Bahrain Miscellaneous'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file contains items related to a number of topics spanning the period between 1933 and 1935. The file includes - in the following order - an account of the election of the Shia Waqf Committee in Bahrain, a discussion regarding the arrival of Everard Gastell as the new political agent in Bahrain and the appropriate protocol for his arrival, letters concerning the work of Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Bahrain's court and a proposal to put him in charge of the court while Charles Belgrave (advisor to Shaikh Hamad) is away in England, a letter that mentions a deterioation in Sunni-Shia relations in Bahrain in 1934 and a letter in 1935 concerning the the provision of funds for the construction of the Indian Assistant's Court in Bahrain.Physical description: Unbound, loose pages in a folder. The file's first foliation sequence begins at the first item of correspondence, on number 10 and ends on number 130, the last folio of writing. However, many numbers in between 1 and 130 have been missed out. This sequence is written in pencil, in the top right corner. The second foliation sequence, which is complete and should be used for referencing, begins on the front cover of the file, on number 1, and runs through to number 22, ending on the last folio of writing. This sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner.
22. 'File 19/118 (C 7) Bahrain'
- Description:
- Abstract: This volume contains correspondence regarding the appointment of the first Political Agent to Bahrain (1900). The documents include an assessment of Shaikh Isa bin Ali's rule and discuss the rationale behind the appointment of an Agent to the island as well as the logistics and price involved in doing so. The correspondence is primarily between the Political Resident in Bushire and the Government of India.Later documents, from 1904, discuss the need for the Agent to assume more responsibility and the Political Resident's desire to appoint an officer of the graded-list to the post. The volume also contains documents from 1907/8 related to the practicalities of using the Political Agent's boat against pirates in the area.Physical description: Formerly a bound correspondence file, its sheets have been unbound and are now all loose.The main foliation sequence starts at the titlepage and continues through to the 2nd folio from the back. This sequence is written in pencil in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Original non-sequential numbering is written in blue crayon in the same position.Foliation errors: 1a, 1b,1c, 1d; 21A and 21B, 43a and 43b; 45a and 45b; 54 and 54a; 58 and 58a; 63a, 63b and 63c; 69a, 69b and 69c; 85a and 85b.Foliation omissions: f.28 and f.31
23. 'File 19/126 II (C 29) Bahrain Customs'
- Description:
- 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
24. 'File 19/163 II (C 77) Nejd-Bahrain Relations'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file contains correspondence regarding relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.The topics discussed in the file include the signing of a Treaty of Extradition between the Government of Bahrain and the Government of Hejaz-Nejd, a visit made by Amir Saud to Bahrain, visits made by Ibn Saud to Kuwait and Bahrain and territorial issues between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia related to a number of islands between their coasts. The activities of the Bahrain Petroleum Company and the Californian Arabian Standard Oil Company are also discussed.Two maps of Bahrain and its vicinity are contained on folio 156b and folio 157b. The maps contain information related to oil deposits and facilities.A bi-lingual (Arabic and English) copy of the Treaty of Extradition between the Government of Bahrain and the Government of Hejaz-Nejd is contained on folios 6-9.Physical description: A bound correspondence volume. The main foliation sequence commences at the titlepage and terminates at the 5th sheet from the back of the volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A second foliation sequence runs between f 3 and f 193; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled and are located in the same position as the main sequence.A set of index numbers corresponding with the index at the back run through the volume; these numbers are written in red crayon and are circled. Foliation errors: 2A and 2B; 156A and 156B; 157A and 157B; 164A and 164B.