Abstract: The item consists of correspondence regarding the situation in Muscat after the death in 1804 of the Imam Syed Sultan [Sultan bin Ahmad Al Bu Sa’id] and efforts to counter the naval activities of the Joasmee [Al-Qasimi] in the Gulf. The correspondence is particularly concerned with the capture by the Joasmee of two British ships, the
Shannonand the
Trimmer, and the eventual return of the
Trimmeras part of a truce.Other topics covered include:· An attempted coup by Syed Gheiss [Qais bin Ahmad Al Bu Sa’id], the brother of the late Imam· An Omani expedition to recover Gombroon [Bandar Abbas] from Mullah Hussain [Molla Husayn], ruler of Kishem [Qeshm]· The establishment of a permanent Residency at Muscat.The correspondence consists mainly of letters between the Government of Bombay and the Resident at Muscat. The other correspondents are: Mullah Hussain; Syed Gheiss; the Resident at Bussora [Basra]; the Resident at Bushire; Sultan ben Suggur [Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi], Emir of Sharjah; and Syed Beder [Badr bin Saif Al Bu Sa’id], Regent of Oman.The bulk of the item dates from the years 1805 and 1806, the earlier date range includes copies of the Anglo-Omani Agreement of 1798 and an amendment to it from 1800 (ff 17-19).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 2, and terminates at f 90, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file contains documents and correspondence relating to the takeover of Iraq by British forces following the coup d'état in Iraq during 1941. The papers discuss the possibility of an Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and the domestic political situation in Iraq during and immediately after both the coup and the start of the British invasion. This includes ascertaining the political attitudes of notables, influential tribes, and military forces present in Iraq at the time. A variety of documents in the latter half of the file pertain to the British effort at stabilising the Iraqi Government following the British takeover, including discussions of its international alliances and treaty obligations.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 208; 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 2-207, and ff 15-207; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 22 of 1844, dated 29 February 1844. The enclosures are dated 18-19 January 1844.The enclosures comprise despatches from Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay, with related enclosures including Hennell’s letters to Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran.The papers cover British policy with regard to the de facto ruler of Bahrein [Bahrain], notably: the Governor of Muscat’s wish to support Shaik Mahomed bin Kuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah] in obtaining possession of the island and retaining it (including translated extract of letter, f 262) and Hennell’s preference that the Governor of Muscat not get involved; ‘intrigues’ between former chief Shaikh Abdoollah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah] and the Persian authorities regarding the former’s intention of re-conquering the island; confirmation that Abdoollah bin Ahmed has landed in Bushire [Bushehr] and that the Ameer of Sheeraz [Amir of Shiraz] has asked permission from the Persian Government to assist him in re-conquering Bahrein; and Hennell’s view that the Ameer’s expedition will not take place and advice to Sheil that he persuade the Persian Government not to provide monetary aid.Physical description: The enclosure numbers 3-4 are written on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure, which also contain an abstract of the contents of the enclosure.
Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 53 of 1856, dated 28 July 1856. The enclosure is dated 19 May 1856.The enclosure comprises copies of despatches sent by Richard W Stevens, HM Consul in Tehran, to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copies of which are forwarded for the information of the Government of Bombay and the Government of India. The despatches notably cover and include:The bastinado (punishment by caning the soles of the feet) of the post-master of Semnaan [Semnan], convicted of bringing false news of the capture of HeratIntelligence from a European (Italian) officer attached to the Persian [Iranian] Army at Herat that the Ruler of Herat, Mahommed Youssuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf], has been sent a prisoner to the Persian camp by his Vezier [vizier, minister] Essau Khan [ʻĪsá Khān], that the Vezier has ‘sold himself to the Persians’ (f 428) and with other Heratee leaders has agreed to all Persian surrender terms apart from the admission of troops into Herat (ff 430-432. (The copy of the original intelligence is in Italian, with an English translation. This is a duplicate of a document in item IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 381-396, on ff 395-396).Stevens’s belief that Essau Khan has not surrendered but has: pretended to espouse the Persian cause; got the Persian Army to withdraw to Bernabad [Baranabad] 25 miles from Herat; ‘set the Persians at defiance’ (f 429) after disposing of the Ruler of Herat to the Persian camp; and infuriated the Shah [Shāh] and Persian CommanderReports of great Persian losses during attempts to storm Herat, and the assembling of more Persian troops in Khorassan [Khorasan] and Teheran [Tehran]Authorisation given by the Persian Sadr Azem [Ṣadr A‘ẓam, minister] to the Commander of the Persian Army at Herat to confirm Essau Khan in power provided he allows the town to be garrisoned by Persian troopsThe Sadr Azem’s claim that Persian troops have occupied the forts of Laush, Jeven [Lash-e Juwayn?] and Kohak, former dependencies of KandaharDetails of the present distribution of the Persian Army (f 434)Intelligence that prior to peace negotiations in Paris (to end the Crimean War) Russia amassed war stores at Lankeran [Lankaran] and Bakoo [Baku] for troops collected at Astracan [Astrakan], which would have been sent to Herat to assist PersiaIntelligence regarding friendly relations between the Governor of Asterabad [Gorgan] and Russian agents stationed there.Physical description: 1 item (11 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 54 of 1856, dated 28 July 1856. The enclosures are dated 19 June-7 July 1856.The enclosures chiefly comprise letters from Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh] to the Secretary to the Government of India, copied to the Government of Bombay. Jacob forwards intelligence he has received regarding the state of affairs in Herat, Candahar [Kandahar, also spelled this way in this item] and Kelat [Kalat, also spelled Khelat in this item], notably:Intelligence obtained by the Acting Political Superintendent North West Frontier, written by Moolla Ahmed [Mullā Aḥmad], the Wukkeel [vakil, representative] of the Khan of Kelat and the Wukkeel’s son, stating that an approaching Persian [Iranian] force threatens the territories of the Khan of Kelat. Included are copies of the letters in Persian with English translations (ff 442-443 and ff 445-446)Four original translations of letters (ff 452-460) forwarded to Jacob with the original Persian letters (not present in this item) by Captain William Lockyer Merewether, Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind, which allege that: the Persian Army has captured Herat; a detachment of the Persian Army, in support of the ex-Sirdars [sirdārs, leaders] of Candahar, is approaching Candahar with the aim of ousting Ameer Dost Mahomed [Amīr Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] and replacing him with Rehimdil Khan [Raḥam Dil Khān]; and the ‘uncivil people of the red face [English]’ who did not help the Candahar sirdars will ‘suffer a similar fate’ in ‘Hindoostan’ [India] at the hands of Persia (f 455). Also included is Merewether’s admission that information relating to the taking of Ghorian [Ghurian or Ghoryan] and investment of Herat was obtained orally from his conversations with Moolla Ahmed but was accidentally added to the translation of the first letterAn extract of a letter from the Khan of Kelat to Moolla Ahmed, residing in Jacobabad, forwarded to Jacob by Merewether, in which the Khan of Kelat reports that the Wuzzeer [vizier, minister] of Herat has thrown into confinement the Ruler of Herat and his household, plundered all his property, caused coinage to be minted in the name of the Persian King [Shāh], and hopes to be Governor of the city. The Khan also reports that ex-Sirdars of Candahar, Khooshdil Khan [Luynab, ʿAbd al-Hamid, Khushdil Khan] and Mahomed Omer Khan [Muḥammad Omar Khān Muḥammadzāy] and others have been captured by Dost Mahomed Khan’s soldiers, but that Rehimdil Khan is still at large in Ghilzee [Ghilji] country.Also included in this item is a letter from Jacob apologising for the tone of his previous letter and insisting that no disrespect was intended.Physical description: 1 item (25 folios)
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and memoranda regarding relations between HM Government (HMG) and Iraq following independence, and private arrangements for the supply of information to HM Ambassador in Baghdad from British advisers to the Iraqi Government. The records also document the reaction of the India Office and Foreign Office to political developments within Iraq, and their concerns over the possible impact on British and Indian commercial interests in Iraq.The following events are documented in the file:1932. Opening of the Iraqi parliament, formation (and change) of cabinets, arrangements for conservancy of the Shatt al-Arab.1933. The death of King Faisal [Fayṣal bin 'Alī al-Hāshimī], the accession and policy of King Ghazi [Ghāzī bin Fayṣal al-Hāshimī], cabinet crises, and protests against the continued relationship between HMG and the Government of Iraq.1934. Political appointments and commercial development.1935. Opposition group activities in Iraq, tribal revolts in the Middle Euphrates area, cabinet crises, Yezidi disturbances in Mosul, and discussion of the Assyrian question.1936. The controversy surrounding the marriage of Princess Asa [Azza] to a Christian porter in Athens, and the proposals of the Iraqi cabinet that she be murdered, or the marriage annulled; suppression of tribal activity in the Rumaitha district; the coup d'état, and instigation of a new cabinet under Hikmat Suleiman.The bulk of the volume consists of correspondence between the Foreign Secretary and HM Minister in Baghdad. A number of communications and official statements from the Government and King of Iraq are also present. The volume also contains the following items of particular interest:Record of a conversation between Sir Francis Humphrys and Yasin Pasha Al Hashimi, ff 426-427.English translation of a letter of condolence from Amir Abdullah I bin al-Hussein, King of Jordan, to King Ghazi, ff 403-406.Notes on the economic benefits accruing to Britain in Iraq, ff 357-359, 367-369.Memorandum regarding the commercial interests of the British India in Iraq, with a list of commercial enterprises, ff 346-351.Letter from Humphrys to King Ghazi regarding the continuation of private arrangements to ensure the transfer of information between the Government of Iraq and HMG, f 312; with corresponding letter from King Ghazi to Humphrys, f 298.Communication sent by Archibald Clark Kerr to the Foreign Secretary (Viscount Eden), on the coup and its aftermath, ff 26-30.The volume includes dividers which give lists of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. These are placed at the end of the correspondence (folios 4-5).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 489; 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 4-486; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file is a continuation of IOR/L/PS/12/2860. It contains correspondence and memoranda regarding relations between HM Government (HMG) and Iraq, and documents the reaction of the India Office and Foreign Office to political developments within Iraq. The papers primarily consist of despatches sent by HM Ambassador to Iraq to the Foreign Secretary, regarding a series of political crises and changes of Government and cabinet, including elections, resignations, assassinations, a coup d'état, and other political actions taken by the army. The file also contains information regarding the following: the release of political prisoners; tensions between the Arab, Kurdish and Jewish populations in Iraq; the movements and activities of Fawzi al-Qawuqji; arrangements between HMG and the Iraqi Government for co-operation during the Czechoslovak crisis of 1938; the death of King Ghazi [Ghāzī bin Fayṣal al-Hāshimī], and appointment of Amir Abdul Illah as regent to the Crown Prince; the growth of militarism in Iraqi schools, and the extension of the school cadet movement.The file contains the following items of interest:Review of the political situation in Iraq, submitted by HM Ambassador (Archibald Clark Kerr), ff 414-415.Details of an interview conducted between HM Chargé d'Affaires (Oswald Scott) and the Iraqi Prime Minister (Jamil al Madfai), on 23 August 1937, ff 378-380.Memorandum titled 'The Political Situation and the Army - June 1938', written by Cecil John Edmonds, a British Adviser to the Government of Iraq, ff 287-297.Excerpt text of a radio broadcast by the Iraqi Prime Minister (Nuri al-Said Pasha) titled 'This Country's Problems. Needs of Modern Democracy. Political Parties and an Effective Opposition', broadcast on 4 January 1939, ff 271-273.Documents regarding requests from the Iraqi Government for credit totalling £3,250,000 for military needs and £2,000,000 for civil requirements, including descriptions of the Government's budgetary position, balance of payments status, and statements showing the military requirements, ff 108-167.A dispatch reporting on a conversation held between the Iraqi Chargé d'Affaires at Cairo (Saiyid Abdul Kader Gaylani) and the Oriental Secretary, regarding the future of the Iraqi Government, 16 June 1939, ff 151-161.The volume includes dividers which give lists of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. These are placed at the end of the correspondence (folios 1-3).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 470; 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 1-469; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file is a continuation of IOR/L/PS/12/2861. It contains correspondence and memoranda regarding relations between HMG and the Government of Iraq, and documents the reaction of the India Office and Foreign Office to political developments within Iraq. The papers primarily consist of communications between HM Ambassador to Iraq and HM Foreign Secretary, regarding the cabinet of Rashid Ali al-Gaylani, his resignation in January 1941 and the formation of a new cabinet under Taha al-Hashimi, and the resumption of power by Rashid Ali backed by the military in April 1941. The file concludes with papers detailing the escape of the Regent 'Abd al-Ilah, and initial negotiations with Rashid Ali's Government of National Defence.The papers include detailed discussion of the relations between Iraq and the Axis Powers, and attempts by the British to persuade the Government of Iraq to sever diplomatic ties with Italy. They also discuss British concerns over the growing anti-British sentiment in Iraq, as a result of British interference in Iraqi internal affairs and British policy towards Palestine and Syria. Amongst the papers are intelligence reports on the 'Golden Square' Generals (folios 58-59), and a copy of British plans to undermine the Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Amin al-Husseini (folios 194-195). The file also contains a small number of communications from the Government of Iraq, and from HM Ambassadors to Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the USSR.Folios 4-8 concern the affairs of the family of the late Khan Sahib Badruddin Khan, and appear to have come from a different file.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 256; 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 2-256, and ff 206-225; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file is a continuation of IOR/L/PS/12/2862. It contains correspondence and memoranda regarding relations between HM Government (HMG) and the Government of Iraq, and documents the reaction of the India Office and Foreign Office to political developments within Iraq. The file opens with descriptions of the situation following the coup d'état of Rashid Ali al-Gaylani, and documents the build-up to the Anglo-Iraqi War (2-31 May 1941), including the arrival of British and Indian troops in Basra (under rights granted in the Anglo-Iraq Treaty of 1930), arrangements to evacuate the Regent 'Abd al-Illah, British attempts to shore up support from the Turkish and Egyptian authorities, and Axis propaganda in Iraq. The papers then contain communications regarding the progress of the war, including reports on troop movements, the dispatch of war materials, the actions of Germany, Italy, France and Turkey, and Indian public opinion regarding the conflict. These papers consist of dispatches sent by the British Ambassador to Iraq (Sir Kinahan Cornwallis) to the Foreign Office, as well as numerous copy communications between the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, the Commander in Chief of the East Indies Section, the Political Agent Kuwait, the Viceroy of India, and HM Ambassador to the United States.From the end of the war the file consists primarily of dispatches from Cornwallis to the Foreign Office, reporting on the return of the Regent, the pogrom against the Jewish community, the breaking of diplomatic relations with Vichy France and Japan, the trial of the coup supporters, the Iraqi declaration of war against Germany, Italy and Japan, the possibility of Iraqi membership of the United Nations, and the release of political prisoners from the Ammara [̔Amāra] concentration camp. The regular dispatches also contain details of various cabinet crises, and details of the domestic economic and military situation. The file contains a small amount of material for the years 1944-1946, including annual reports submitted by Cornwallis and his successor, Sir Hugh Stonehewer-Bird.The file includes dividers which give lists of correspondence references found in the file by year. These are placed at the end of the correspondence (folios 2-4).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 515; 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 2-514; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The item consists of Part 2 of the subject file 'Meshed Consular & Intelligence Diaries (1921-1922)'. It contains numbered weekly reports relating to Persia [Iran], each entitled 'Meshed Diary'. They cover the period from the week ending 1 January 1921 to the week ending 30 December 1922. They are issued by HM Consul-General and Agent of the Government of India in Khorasan.The diaries relate to domestic political, economic, social and financial matters, law and order, and public health, and are variously arranged under (chiefly) the following headings: 'Arrivals'; 'Departures'; 'British Affairs'; 'Persian Officials'; 'Persian Affairs – Local'; 'Bolshevik Agents'; 'Russian Affairs'; 'Afghan Affairs' or 'Afghanistan News'; 'Revolutionary Activities in Khorasan'; and 'Miscellaneous.' Other matters sporadically referred to are: 'Krans-Rouble Rate'; 'Darajez Affairs'; 'Epidemic Disease'; 'The Arms Traffic'; 'The Coup D'etat at Meshed'; and 'Trade with Soviet Russia'.The summaries often include appendices which are usually translated documents, extracts of local newspapers, and copies of telegraphic correspondence.Physical description: 1 item (176 folios)