Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2349/123808. The main correspondents are: Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf; Joseph Malcolm, a Persian [Iranian] merchant; and Prince Bahram Meerza [Bahrām Mīrzā Moʿezz-al-Dawlah], the Governor of Fars Province. It is the seventh in a series of twenty-four items on events in the Persian Gulf.This item concerns:A dispute at Bushire [Bushehr] over Joseph Malcolm’s importation of sugar, on which the Persian authorities demanded that he pay the British rate of import duty, despite his status as a Persian merchant under British protection and not a British subject (see also IOR/F/4/2349/123823)A dispute between Hajee Abdool Mahomed [Ḥājī ‘Abd al-Muḥammad] and Shaik Houssein Nasir [Shaikh Ḥusayn Nāṣir Khān Āl Mazkūr], the uncle of Sheik Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir II Āl Madhkūr] the Governor of Bushire, which led to Hajee Abdool Mahomed being forced to leave the city.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft no 334 of 1850’, ‘Coll[ection] 4’, and ‘Collection No 6 of No 95’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 187, and terminates at f 235 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 item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations, cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. It is the first in a series of three items about the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/1929/82844 and 82845). The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Hajee Furzund Ali Khan [Haji Farzand 'Ali Khan, alias Haji Anbar 'Ali Khan].The item concerns the restoration of a vessel belonging to Hajee Furzand Ali Khan which had been taken by Sheik Hoossein of Bushire [Shaikh Ḥusayn Khān Āl Mazkūr, Shaikh of Būshehr].The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection No. 13 of No. 50, Draft 31, P.C. [Previous Communication] 3302, [Season] 1842’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 359 and terminates at f 369, 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 item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and memoranda cited in, or enclosed with, extracts from a Government of Bombay Political Consultation, 14 April 1847.The item contains a petition from merchants at Bombay [Mumbai] to the Governor of Bombay, dated 9 March 1847. The merchants request that the Resident at Bushire [Bushehr] extend his protection to their agent, Cojah Moorad Nussim [Khwājah Murād Nasīm(?), also rendered in text as Cojah Moorad Nusein], at Bushire as the Governor of that place keeps taking money from him whilst charging full customs duty. As well as a memorandum by the Persian Secretary, the item also includes the Government of Bombay’s response.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft No. 152/48, Collection No. 18 of No. 150’, and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 93, and terminates at f 96, 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 item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-40 to a dispatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 28 February 1840. The enclosures are dated 29 December 1839-28 February 1840. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in the Persian Gulf, including:The possible establishment of a Political Agency or Residency at Muscat, and lessons learned by the failure of an earlier Residency thereA prohibition on any trade or communication with Karack [Kharg] by the Governor of Bushire [Bushehr], and a Persian [Iranian] blockade of Bushire after the murder of the previous GovernorRelations between the Imam of Muscat and Seid Humood bin Azan [Sayyid Syf bin Hamud Al Bu Sa’id], Chief of SoharA mission by Captain Atkins Hammerton [or Hamerton] to facilitate a reconciliation between the Shaik of the Beni Kuttub [Beni Qitab] and the Shaik of Brymee [Al Buraimi], in order to better resist the advance of Khorshid Pasha, General of Egyptian ForcesConsideration of the poor state of the Imam’s forces and that he may require British aid in order to resist Khorshid Pasha.The primary correspondents are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf, and the Government of India. Other correspondents include: Captain Hammerton; the Superintendent of the Indian Navy; the Native Agent, Lingah [Bandar Lengeh]; the Native Agent, Muscat; and the Imam of Muscat.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 464, and terminates at f 584, 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.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence to and from Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Resident in the Persian Gulf based at Bushire. The correspondents include William Taylor Thompson (Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia), Meerza Hussein Ali Khan (the Governor of Bushire), George Robinson (the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron), Henry Lacon Anderson (Secretary to the Bombay Government) and Said bin Sultan (the Imam of Muscat).Correspondence between Kemball and Britain's native agents in Shiraz, Muscat, Sharjah and Lingah [Bandar Lengeh] is also contained in the file.The file contains several translations of intelligence reports sent to Kemball at the Residency from an agent employed by the British in Shiraz. The correspondence and the intelligence reports discuss regional political developments, trade and relations between the British and the Persian court.A list of those wounded and killed in an affray between the Boo Sumait and Al Ali Tribes in September 1854 is contained on folio 204.Physical description: Condition: A bound letter book.Foliation: The file's foliation sequence commences at the title page and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two original pagination sequences run between ff 1A-209 and ff 212-226; these numbers are written in ink, but are not circled, and can be found in the top left and top right corner of the verso and recto side of each folio respectively.The file contains the following foliation errors: 1 and 1A
Abstract: This file contains correspondence discussing the concerns of British officials regarding the movement of Persian Government officials in the Gulf and their supposed attempts to challenge British power in the region.The movements of Haji Ahmed Khan (also given as Hajee Ahmed Khan and Hajee Ahmed bin Mohamad Ali), the Governor of Bushire, are discussed in detail throughout the file and copies of some of his correspondence with local rulers and the British are contained in the file.The file also contains letters in Arabic (with English translations) from British agents in Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh] and Sharjah that were sent to the Political Resident in Bushire and correspondence between the Political Resident and the following local rulers:Zayed bin Khaleefah [Khalifa], Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]Rashid bin Huamid, Chief of AjmanHumaid bin Abdullah bin Sultan, Chief of Ras El Khaymah [Ras Al Khaimah]Ahmad bin Abdullah, Chief of Ummal Kaiwain [Umm Al Quwain]Rashed [Rashid] bin Maktoum, Chief of Debay [Dubai]Physical description: Condition: a bound volume.Foliation: The file's foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The file contains the following foliation errors: 1, and 1A; 28, and 28A; 91, and 91A.Pagination: A pagination sequence is also present between ff 2-160; these numbers are written in blue/red crayon, and are located in the top outermost corner of each page.
Abstract: This file contains letters written and received by Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire. Most of the letters written by Hennell are addressed to His Excellency Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil CB, Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia, Tehran. In addition, there are the following items: a small number of letters addressed by Hennell to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, in which Hennell forwards copies of his letters to Sheil; a couple of letters from Hennell to Commodore John Patterson Porter, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf; a letter from Hennell to James McAlister, Civil Surgeon at Bushire; a letter from Hennell to the Assistant Collector at the Stationery Department, Bombay; and a letter from Hennell to J Malcolm, Armenian Merchant, Bushire. The received letters consist entirely of Sheil's responses to Hennell. The letters from Hennell to Sheil report on recent events in Bushire and the surrounding area. Hennell also forwards enclosures from the British Agent at Shiraz, which describe in detail events in and around Shiraz. Subjects covered in Hennell's and Sheil's letters include: a recent incident in which slaves were imported into Bushire; several acts of piracy committed in the Persian Gulf; the removal of Sheik Nasir Khan from his position as Governor of Bushire; Sheil's suspicions regarding the conduct of the British Agent at Shiraz, Mirza Mahmood.Physical description: There is an original pagination sequence and a foliation sequence.Pagination: The pagination sequence is written in ink, in the upper left hand corner of each page. It begins on the first page after the title page. The sequence skips pages where no text is present and pages which contain only abstracts of letters and original reference numbers. The sequence repeats numbers 60-79 so these appear twice; it also skips 266.Foliation: The foliation sequence is written in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on the title page, on number 1; then 2-88; 89A and 89B; and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 225. Due to a foliation error, there is no number 157 in this sequence. This is the sequence that has been used for cataloguing this file.
Abstract: The file consists of letters sent outwards from the British Residency in the Persian Gulf; the position of Resident in the Persian Gulf is held by Samuel Hennell during this period, with the exception of a brief period at the start of the file when the position is held James Morrison. This correspondence is predominantly addressed to the following recipients: John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Secret and Political Departments of the Government of Bombay; and the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors, London. The remainder consists of correspondence sent to various officers/officials of the British Government, and the East India Company, with a tiny minority being addressed to the officials/rulers of other powers. The subject matter relates to affairs affecting the position of the British in the Persian Gulf.Material concerning British relations and trade with Persia is heavily featured in the file; it covers events leading up to, and shortly subsequent to the withdrawal of the British Residency from Bushire in March 1839. Therefore, it also concerns itself with the British occupation of the island of Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye], which was undertaken without the permission of the Persian Government, and the reaction of the authorities of Bushire in response; the British view this response as hostile to their interests, and it is used to justify their withdrawal. The Persian siege of Herat (1837-1838) is also briefly discussed due to the impact it has on diplomatic relations between Britain and Persia; much of the material in the file therefore relates to the possibility of a diplomatic rupture between the two states.The expansion of the influence of Muhammad Ali Pasha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pāshā] of Egypt into Central Arabia as a result of the conquest of Nedgd [Najd] by Khurshid Pasha [Khūrshid Pāshā] — Commander-in-Chief of Egyptian forces in Najd — is another prominent topic in the file; Khurshid Pasha successfully defeating and imprisoning Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣul], the Wahabi Chief. Much of the material therefore concerns the attempts of the Resident to thwart the expansion of this influence to Bahrain, and the Maritime Arabs of the Arabian Coast (Trucial Oman), which he fears would undermine British influence in the Gulf.Other subjects covered more briefly include:The return of property belonging to Prince Ruza Kooly Mirza, which was left on deposit in the Residency Treasury at Bushire.British fears that the Russians are using Armenian priests as spies against British India.The arrival of Nawab Hajeah, widow to the late Prince at Shiraz with some of her descendants, and their wives, and children, followed by their detention by the Governor of Bushire, and their subsequent flight — with the assistance of the Resident — to Bussorah [Basra].The position of Shaikh Nasir [Shaykh Nāṣir], former Governor of Bushire, at Karrack; the Shaikh fled Bushire following a rupture with the Government of Fars, which he feared would seek to imprison him.The Resident's efforts to affect a settlement between Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, Chief of Bahrain, and his 'revolted dependant' Esa ben Tareef [‘Isá bin Ṭarīf].The file contains an original index, which can be found at the front of the volume.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the 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 file contains the following foliation errors: 34, and 34A; 79, and 79A; 98, and 98A.Pagination: An original pagination sequence is also present in the volume between ff 3-126; these numbers are written in ink, and are located in the top outermost corner of each page.
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 79 of 1841, dated 30 September 1841. The enclosures are dated 14 June-14 September 1841.The principal correspondents are: Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Commodore George Barnes Brucks, Indian Navy, Commanding the Naval Squadron in the Gulf of Persia, on the EIC [East India Company’s] ship of war
Coote; the Acting Secretary to Government, Bombay; and the Secretary and the Officiating Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay.The item covers and includes the following:A letter from the Agent at Shiraz conveying intelligence from that area, including the arrival of Hubeel Olloh Khan [Ḥabīb Allāh Khān, also spelled Habeeb Oolla Khan in this item], Commandant of Artillery at Tuft [Taft], near Yezd [Yazd], en route to Kerman with eight guns and 6000 troops (ff 145-146), ostensibly on a mission which was initially to invade and destroy Kerman and was revised to destroying and plundering only the towns that had sent adherents to Aga Khan [Ḥasan 'Alī Shāh, Āqā Khān-i Awwal] and then to return to FarsHennell’s report of the hostile conduct of Shaik Nasir, Governor of Bushire [Āl Madhkūr, Shaikh Nāṣir II, Governor of Bushehr], towards British government officials there, including: an intimation that no officers from Karrack [Kharg Island, also known as Khark Island, also spelled Karrak and Kharrack in this item] are allowed to visit Bushire; punitive measures taken against the pilot of the
Braemarwho sailed to Bussorah [Basra] ignoring Shaik Nasir’s orders for the ship’s detention in Bushire harbour; and the unsuccessful attempts by Shaik Nasir to prevent the transmission of supplies to Karrack (where Hennell is currently stationed)Hennell’s requisitions to Brucks to undertake a tour of the Persian Gulf during the current pearl fishery season (ff 147-153) including instructions for: one war ship to accompany the
Coote; the route and the stops Brucks is to take along the Arabian coast from Bahrein [Bahrain] to Muscat, with the war ship calling at Bassadore [Basaidu] and Lingah [Bandar Lengeh] on its return to Karrack; delivering presents to the principal ‘Arabian chiefs’; investigating the political and military situation in Kateef [Qatif]; and for investigating and seeking redress for two acts of ‘piracy’ allegedly committed by subjects of Shaik Abdoolah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] as described in a letter from the Native Agent at Bahrein (ff 154-155). This is followed by a series of reports by Brucks to Hennell (ff 156-173) notably describing: the state of affairs in Katiff [Qatif] and Nedged [Najd]; a ‘war’ on the coastal area between Rass-ul-Khyma [Ras Al Khaimah] and Abothabbee [Abu Dhabi]; his actions regarding the two cases of ‘piracy’; his intentions in relation to the trade in enslaved persons allegedly carried on between the Lingah ‘chiefs’ and the families of the ‘chiefs’ of Rassul Khyma [Ras Al Khaimah] and Amulgaveen [Umm Al Quwain]; and the state of the pearl fisheriesThe agreement of the Government of India with the Government of Bombay that it is inexpedient at present to withdraw the European part of the force from the Island of Karrack, in view of the purported intentions of Persia [Iran] towards Afghanistan (f 174)Correspondence regarding: arrangements for the conveyance of an important packet (letter), in duplicate, from the Government of India to Sir John McNeill, HM Envoy to Persia, via the Government of Bombay and Hennell, utilising both HMS
Endymionand the HC [Honourable Company’s] schooner
Emily; and arrangements for the receipt of McNeill’s reply, emphasising the importance of its arrival at Aden in time for the November mail. The letter instructs McNeill to ascertain the attitudes and plans of Persia towards Afghanistan and gives him authority to withhold the order to evacuate Karrack ‘until perfectly satisfactory assurances shall be obtained from the Shah in these respects’ (f 178) (ff 174-196)Hennell’s views regarding the need for an enhanced naval presence in the Gulf to increase British influence over the maritime Arabian states (ff 197-199), and the Government of Bombay’s confirmation that it cannot make any permanent addition to the Gulf Squadron but that HMS
Endymionhas recently proceeded to the GulfInstructions by Hennell and Brucks for surveillance of Asseeloo boats [Bandar-e Asaluyeh, also spelled Assaloo in this item] which are suspected of intercepting supplies to the Island of Karrack and interrupting ‘the free navigation of the Gulf’ (f 203).Physical description: 1 item (69 folios)
Abstract: Copies of correspondence and papers relating to the relocation of the British Residency at Bushire [Būshehr] to the island of Karrack [Khark, also known as Kharg] at the end of March 1839, and the events leading up to it, including:Deterioration of the Political Resident’s relations with Mirza Assad, Governor of Bushire, over: the latter’s alleged attempts to cut off communication between the Residency and the anchored British vessels of war; the ‘unfriendly and insulting’ behaviour towards Rear Admiral Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland, commanding HMS flagship
Wellesley; and Mirza Assad’s construction of a tower in the landing place adjacent to the Residency hitherto used by British shipsAccounts, by the Resident, Admiral Maitland, and Commodore George Barnes Brucks, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, of the occurrences that took place between 22-29 March 1839, including the fracas on 25 March when shots were fired and a hostile crowd attacked the Admiral with stones (ff 148-158, 174-184, 209-215)Roles of Bakir Khan, Chief of Tungestan [Baqir Khan Tangistani, Chief of Tangistan], the merchants and moollahs [mullahs] of Bushire, and Sheikh Hussain the Cazee [Shaikh Husayn, Qazi of Bushehr], in relation to the Political ResidentRole of the Indian Navy in escorting the Resident and guarding the Residency buildings following the decampment to Karrack, notably reports of Captain John Croft Hawkins, Commander of the EIC Company Sloop of War the
Clive, on his negotiations with the Governor of Bushire and the Chief of TungestanCommunications with the Firman Firma, Prince Governor of Fars, Prince at Shiraz [Fereydūn Mīrzā, Farmanfarma, Prince Governor of Fars]Approbation of the Government of India for the Resident’s actions.Also included are copies of correspondence and papers relating to British policy towards HE Khorshid Pasha [Khūrshīd Pāshā], Commander of Egyptian Forces in Nedgd [Najd, also known as Nejd] with regard to the latter’s purported aggressive intentions against the island of Bahreen [Bahrain, also spelled Bahrein in this volume] and in the Persian Gulf. The papers chiefly concern the appointment of Captain Henry Smith, commanding HMS
Volage, as both a messenger to Admiral Maitland and potential commander of British vessels of war in the Persian Gulf that could be sent to deter Khorshid Pasha (ff 187-207).The principal correspondents are: Captain Samuel Hennell, Political Resident, Persian Gulf; Captain Hawkins; Commodore Brucks; John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai]; Rear Admiral Maitland; and Captain Smith.Physical description: The papers are not in chronological order.
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 154 of 1846, dated 31 December 1846. The enclosures are dated 14 September-21 November 1846.The enclosures concern events following the recent murder of Shaik Saadoon [Shaikh Sa‘dūn, also spelled Sadoon in this item], Governor of the Districts of Roodhilla [Dehrud-e Olya], also spelled Rodhilla in this item], by two of his relatives with assistance from members of the Beni Hajir [Banū Hājir] tribe, including: the consequent fierce conflict between the Beni Hajirs and the forces of Bakir Khan, Chief of Tungistoon [Bāqir Khān Tangistani] who was connected with Shaik Saadoon; the fear of Sheik Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir II Āl Madhkūr], Governor of Bushire [Bushehr], and the inhabitants of that town, of being attacked and plundered by the neighbouring tribes of Tungistan [Tangestan]; and the general ‘disturbed state of the district in the vicinity of Bushire’.The principal correspondent is Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: 1 file (10 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of enclosures to a General Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secretary of State for India, dated 24 April 1874, regarding the claim put forward by the Governor of Bushire [Būshehr] for one-third of the cargo of the British Steamer
Mesopotamiaas salvage.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 3 and terminates at f 4, 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.