Abstract: The file concerns various titles proposed for the Grand Shereef of Mecca [Grand Sharif of Mecca, Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī], following his recognition by the British and allied governments as King of the Hedjaz [Hejaz].The papers include: the declaration by certain other rulers in the region that the King was entitled to the Caliphate, January 1917; reports on the military situation; the attitude of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], and the Idrisi [Sayyid Muḥammad bin ‘Alī al-Idrīsī, Imam of ʻAsīr]; the King's wish to be recognised as the 'leader of the Arab movement', May-June 1917; and his relations with Imam Yahia [Yaḥyá Muḥammad Ḥamīd al-Dīn, Imam of Yemen], September 1917.The file also contains copies of papers dated 1915 recording the treaty between the British Government and the Idrisi (folios 49-51). There are further papers on this subject, dated 1918, in the previous volume: IOR/L/PS/10/637.The file includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 149; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file concerns the assumption by the Grand Shereef of Mecca [Grand Sharif of Mecca, Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] of the title 'King of the Arab Nation' in 1916, and subsequent discussion by British officials of the implications of the move, and suggestions of alternative titles. The British were concerned that recognising the title would compromise treaties acknowledging the independence of other Arab chiefs.The papers include: reports by the High Commissioner, Egypt, Sir Arthur Henry McMahon; reports and discussion of the issue by the India Office, the Foreign Office, British officials in the Middle East, British diplomats, and the Government of India; suggestions for alternative titles by McMahon, the French Government, the Government of India, and others; the vital importance, in the British view, of supporting the Sharif's military operations against the Ottoman Turks (e.g. folio 134); the question of whether to allow the circulation of the newspaper
Kiblain Egypt in order to inform the Egyptian public of the Sharif's move, 1916; references to the views and actions of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence [T E Lawrence] (e.g. folios 6-7); the British decision that the most suitable title for the Sharif would be 'Malik-el-Hejaz', translated as 'King of the Hedjaz [Hejaz]' (folio 36); and discussion of the reactions of Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd].The French language content of the papers consists of approximately ten folios of diplomatic correspondence.There are no papers in the volume dated 1917 (for which, see IOR/L/PS/10/638).The file includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 221; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Admiral John Blankett to Lord Duncan, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], sent from HMS
Leopardat Jedda [Jeddah] and dated 30 June 1800. The letter reports: Blankett's meeting with the Sheriffe [Sharif] of Mecca and his attempts to secure the Sheriffe's co-operation against France; the arrival of two dhows with news from French-held Egypt; the death of Isouf Bashaw [Yūsuf Pasha], the Ottoman governor of Medina; the Sheriffe's expulsion of Ottoman representatives in Jedda; and the Sheriffe's attitude towards the French campaign in Egypt. It also reports Blankett's onward plans from Jedda and requests a replacement ship.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)