Abstract: The file discusses the decision by Shaikh Isa [ʻIsá ibn ʻAlī Āl Khalīfah] in April 1916 to raise the customs duty on the transhipment of goods through Bahrain, as wartime conditions had resulted in a difficult financial situation for Bahrain.This decision was prompted by a drop in the number of steamers calling at Bahrain and a subsequent rise in the cost of food and other goods which many feared could lead to famine. Included in the file is a petition from a group of Arab merchants to Shaikh Isa asking him to do everything in his power to get more steamers to call at Bahrain to ease the situation.Also included in the file is correspondence with the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Chief Political Officer at Basrah [Basra] regarding a complaint from Bin Saud (‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd), Ruler of Najd over the Shaikh of Bahrain's decision to increase transhipment charges. The complaint is dismissed as the political authorities concluded that Shaikh Isa had been well within his rights to increase the customs duty.Other matters discussed in the file include correspondence with F T Maharaj, Director of Customs at Bahrain regarding proposals for the construction of a new pier at Bahrain, and export licences from Bombay for blasting powder and fuses that would be required in the construction work.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 36; 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 2-35; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains copies of miscellaneous confidential correspondence emanating from the Cairo Residency and the Arab Bureau, Cairo and circulated to Persian Gulf Agencies for information, December 1918 - May 1920, including report of the Residency, Cairo on the grant of subsidies to Arab rulers, May 1920; and three reports of the Political Agent, Bahrain sent to The Eastern Bureau, Baghdad, dated November - December 1918. A note on one of the latter states that the Deputy Political Resident Bushire had requested that no nil ('Nothing of importance') reports be sent to him.The file also bears a short title on the outer cover: 'Cairo Reports'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the front cover and terminates at 30 on the back cover. The numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio.
Abstract: This file consists of a report which is dated 20 June 1916 and is attributed to Richard Alexander Steel, Military Attaché of the Indian Army. The report concerns British interests in Persia and the recent formation of the South Persia Military Police (abbreviated to SPMP in this file and later known as the South Persia Rifles).The report begins with a brief summary of the events leading up to the present situation, before summarising both the Russian and the British position in Persia. The report describes the circumstances in which the SPMP was formed, and then goes on to provide suggestions for how the force should be organised and distributed. Steel advises that the force embrace the whole of the so-called neutral sphere, and also suggests that it would be 'sheer folly to economize in the number of British officers employed.'The report is followed by two appendices. The first appendix, dated 19 June 1916 and also written by Steel, provides available information regarding the SPMP, including its objectives, details of its personnel, and its financial details (Steel anticipates that half of its expenses will be borne by the Government of India and the other half by the Imperial Government).The second appendix, dated 12 April 1914 and also attributed to Steel, is an abstract of the budget of the Government Gendarmerie, Persia, for 1914-1915. This appendix has two appendices of its own: the first is a summary of Gendarmerie forces as proposed in the preceding budget; the second appendix provides details of the pay of Persian ranks and of the initial cost and upkeep of horses, uniform, equipment and saddlery.A third appendix to the initial report is listed in the contents; however, this appendix has been transferred to another file.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 79, and terminates at f 107, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file contains fortnightly reports from the Political Agent, Bahrain, to the Chief Political Officer Basrah [Basra] / Eastern Bureau, Basrah [Basra], dated 1 August 1916 - 1 September 1917. The file also contains a note on the Eastern Bureau and Basrah [Basra] Office dated [1916].The reports cover Turkey, trade, Hassa [Hasa], Japanese trade, Oman affairs, plague, inoculation, and Qatif [al-Qaṭīf].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the front cover and terminates at 108 on the back cover. The numbers are written in pencil and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomaly: ff. 1, 1A. The following numbers do not appear in the sequence: 32, 33. The following pagination ranges occur: 56-75; 87-93.
Abstract: This volume contains correspondence between the British Political Agent at Bahrain and the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, as well as with Arnold Talbot Wilson, Civil Commissioner at Baghdad and Sheikh ‘Īsā bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, ruler of Bahrain. In addition, there is correspondence with various members of the Arabian Mission, including Samuel Marinus Zwemer, Jim Moerdyk, C. Stanley, G. Mylrea, Dirk Dykstra, Paul Harrison and Gerrit John Pennings.This correspondence concerns the establishment of the Arabian Mission in Bahrain and the procurement of land and property for their activities, including the Mason Memorial Hospital and Bible Shop. In addition, there is correspondence concerning the American Mission's activities in al-Ḥasā’, Najd, Qatar, the Trucial Coast and Basra; their relations with local rulers, including Sheikh ‘Īsā bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, Ibn Sa‘ūd and Sheikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī, as well as with national governments, including the United States Government and the Government of India, especially in the context of the First World War.Physical description: Foliation: Circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on number 1, on the first folio after the front cover, and runs through to 207, ending on the inside of the back cover of the volume. Anomalies: f.1A-1E; no f.34.
Abstract: The memorandum is concerned with Persian Baluchistan, specifically focusing on Mekran [Makran] and Sarhad, which are regarded as being of particular geopolitical interest to Britain's Indian Empire. It includes a brief description of these regions, outlines local British activities during the First World War to counter threats to their interests, and presents the current situation in Mekran and Sarhad. It also outlines proposals put forward by the Government of India in 1917 for reorganising the administration of Persian Baluchistan, with a view to protecting Britain's Indian Frontier and telegraph lines through Persia. This includes an explanation of objections put forward by the Foreign Office to these proposals.The rest of the memorandum is dedicated to the Quetta-Nushki railway extension to Duzdap [Zāhedān]; it is considering a proposal for the destruction of this extension. To this end, it includes a short history of its construction, examines the economic and political advantages of the line, and considers the possibility of a further extension of the line into Seistan [Sīstān].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 17; 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 printed memorandum, marked 'Secret' is a statement by Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel, Political Secretary, India Office, dated 30 August 1916, concerning the British campaign against Turkey in Mesopotamia [Iraq] in the context of the First World War, in particular British intentions to advance on Baghdad. The memorandum is divided into three sections titled as follows: 'The Political Reasons for the Expedition', 'The Importance of Bagdad [Baghdad]', and 'The Advance on Baghdad'. References are made in the text to correspondence between Sir Charles Murray Marling, British Minister at Tehran, and the Foreign Office in 1915.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover, these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The
Who's Who in Aden and Western Arabiacomprises a biographical dictionary of individuals connected with the fall of the Sultanate of Lahej [Laḩij] to Ottoman forces in July 1915.Most of the individuals are key members of the Subaihi tribe; a breakdown of the sections of the tribe is given on folio 60. In addition, the dictionary includes prominent individuals and leaders of other Arab tribes; key Turkish military personnel; and individuals being held as prisoners of war including British military personnel.The volume was published in Calcutta by the Superintendent Government Printing, India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 67; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: A confidential publication compiled, by arrangement with the Government of India, under the direction of the Historical Section of The Committee of Imperial Defence, by Brigadier-General FJ Moberly. The volume is part of the
Official History of the Great Warseries produced by the British Government.The volume begins with a preface by Moberly and is then divided into 11 (I-XI) chapters, plus appendices, as follows:Chapter I: IntroductoryChapter II: August 1914 to June 1915, Enemy efforts to bring Persia into the WarChapter III: July to November 1915, Enemy action and Persian weakness necessitate Allied interventionChapter IV: December 1915 to May 1916, Successful results of Allied operationsChapter V: May to December 1916, Turkish invasion of Western Persia and British measures in South and East PersiaChapter VI: December 1916 to August 1917, Effects of British success in MesopotamiaChapter VII: September 1917 to April 1918, The failure of Persia to maintain her neutrality necessitates further British interventionChapter VIII: May to July 1918, The effect in Persia of the German successes in France; and the anti-British outbreak in FarsChapter IX: July to September 1918, The tide turns in favour of the AlliesChapter X: October to 11th November 1918, The effect of our victoriesChapter XI: ConclusionThe volume contains fourteen maps, some of which are in a pocket in the inside back cover, as follows:1. Operations at Bushire 1915 (folio 275)2. Portion of Perso-Afghan frontier (folio 276)3. Operations at Dilbar, 13th-15th August 1915 (folio 66)4. Operations of General Dyer in Sarhad, April-August 1916 (folio 277)5. Wanderings of German parties in Persia and Afghanistan (folio 278)6. Affair of Dasht-i-Arjan, 25th September 1916 (folio 128)7. Affair of Kafta, 5th July 1917 (folio 144)8. Northern Fars (folio 177)9. Action of Deh Shaikh, 25th May 1918 (folio 182)10. Shiraz (folio 194)11. Operations from Bushire, September 1918-January 1919 (folio 279)12. Plan of East Persia L. of C. (folio 231)13. Operations for relief of Firuzabad, October 1918 (folio 236)14. Persia (folio 280)The volume also includes a bibliography (folio 14).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 281; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume contains an illustrated report, with maps, correspondence and statistical data included as appendices, for the Army Council on Mesopotamia [Iraq], prepared by Sir John Prescott Hewett for the War Office, dated 10 March 1919. The report focuses on: a) the administration and expenditure of agricultural and irrigation schemes put in place in Mesopotamia for 1918 and 1919, and administered by the Imperial Government; b) the extent to which expenditure on agriculture and irrigation schemes, charged against Imperial Army Funds, is necessary for the prosecution of war; c) infrastructure development in Mesopotamia (facilities at Basrah [Basra] port; railways; telegraphs, telephones and post; water supply; electrical and mechanical installations), and questions of their financial support through military and civil funds.The appendices include: maps illustrating the scope and geographical detail of the agricultural and irrigation schemes; correspondence providing context into the circumstances surrounding the need for and implementation of the schemes; statistical data, including: irrigation scheme expenditure; capacity at Basrah port; valuation of the dockyard; admission rates for Indian troops and followers with scurvy for the years 1916, 1917 and 1918; valuation of telegraph apparatus, telephone lines.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 57; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This confidential memorandum, compiled by the General Staff, India, and printed at the Government Central Branch Press at Simla, 1915, concerns the action on 9 September 1915, in which a strong body of Tangistani raiders was ousted from Bushire. The memorandum contains a covering letter (folio 2) from General Sir John Eccles Nixon, commanding the Indian Expeditionary Force 'D', to the Chief of the General Staff, Army Head Quarters, India, dated 12 September 1915, and encloses two reports by Brigadier-General H T Brooking (folios 3v-5), dated 10 September 1915. The first contains details of those killed, died of wounds, and wounded; the second report contains details of those deserving special notice. A second covering letter (folio 2v), also dated 12 September 1915, encloses a 'Roll of Indian officers and men recommended for the awards therein for gallantry and devotion to duty'. The report also includes a map on folio 6 entitled 'Rough Sketch of Action, 9th September'.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file consists of miscellaneous official and demi-official correspondence relating to the outbreak of World War One and its impact on Bahrain (which is generally referred to in the papers as Bahrein). Most of the correspondence dates from 1914.The papers largely consist of correspondence from the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, but also includes correspondence in Arabic and English between Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa [Sheikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah], Ruler of Bahrain and the Political Agent. The papers include regular reports by the Political Agent on general conditions in Bahrain. Specific topics include: proposed increase in Agency guard, June 1914; proposed regulations covering foodstuffs, pearls and security [1914]; Turkey, and the possibility of Turkish support for Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd)], July 1914; the pearl trade, August 1914; prohibition of export of foodstuffs, August 1914; food prices, August, October 1914; effect on customs receipts, September 1914; problems caused by unemployed Kurds and Basris in Bahrain, September - October 1914; distress among pearl divers, September 1914; currency issues, October 1914; rumours of German ships in the Persian Gulf, October 1914; the services rendered by Sheikh Abdullah [Sheikh ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] to the British, the statement that he had been the moving spirit behind the donation of 9600 rupees by Sheikh Isa's family to British charitable war funds, and the recommendation that he receive an honour, November 1914; and hardship caused by the infrequent arrival of mails, March 1917.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1A on the front cover and terminates at 81 on the back cover. The numbers are written in pencil and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff. 1A, 1B; ff. 16A, 16B; ff. 78A, 78B, 78C, 78D, 78E. In some places the foliation system has numbered versos as well as rectos, with the result that folios 35, 41, 49 and 63 are missing from the recto pages. The following folio needs to be folded out to be read: 78E.