Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 18 July 1849.The item relates to the Court of Directors and the Government of Bombay’s dissatisfaction with the Imaum of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, Imām of Muscat], following the ‘unfair’ division of assets belonging to an insolvent merchant, Dhurumsee [Dharamsī], between his creditors, including British subjects. Captain Atkins Hamerton, Her Majesty’s Consul and the Company’s Agent in the Dominions of His Highness the Imaum of Muscat, writes to the Government updating them on actions taken by the Imaum to rectify the situation. Copies of relevant correspondence are forwarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft No. 743 of 1850’, ‘Collection No 11 of No 49’, and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 856, and terminates at f 863, 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: Enclosure nos. 2-4 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai], dated 31 December 1844. The enclosures are dated 11 July-2 December 1844.The enclosures consist of correspondence relating to: the stated intention of the Imam of Muscat and Oman [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd] to leave Zanzibar to his son Saud Khalid [Khālid bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and Oman to his son Saud Thuwanee [Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd], and to disinherit his eldest son Saud Hillāl [Hilāl bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd]; and reports that ships from the Imam’s dominions are regularly selling enslaved persons at a market in Quillimaine [Quelimane], Mozambique.The primary correspondent is the Native Agent, Muscat.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 104 of 1848, dated 2 December 1848. The enclosures are numbered 3-16 and are dated 1 August to 18 November 1848. They consist of correspondence, and minutes by the Governor of Bombay, concerning potential hostilities between the Imam of Muscat and the Shah of Persia [Iran], in relation to previous 'aggressions' and potential further actions by the Governor of Kerman against Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas] and the districts in its vicinity leased by the Imam of Muscat. The enclosures also discuss Persian 'intrigues' in relation to Bahrein [Bahrain], including the Persian Consul at Baghdad, Hajee [Haji] Mirza Jabbar, opening correspondence with the ex-Chief [Hakim] of Bahrein, Abdullah ibn Ahmed [Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifah; variant spellings of his name used in this item].The main correspondents are as follows: the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay (Arthur Malet); HM Consul and HC [Honourable Company's] Agent in the Dominions of the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat (Captain Atkins Hamerton); the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Major Samuel Hennell); HM Chargé d'Affaires at Tehran (Lieutenant Colonel Farrant); and the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia (Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson).Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatches, numbered 1-16, on folios 376-399. These numbers are repeated for reference on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure.
Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 21 dated 29 March 1856. The enclosures are dated 29 January-25 February 1856.The papers comprise:1) Copies of despatches of Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy to Persia [Iran], to the Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, forwarded for information to the Government of Bombay and the Government of India, with numerous enclosures. They cover subjects including the following:Reports in the
Tehran Gazetteof the capture of Candahar [Kandahar] by Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], and his purported plans to capture HeartReports of the movement of Persian military forces to Khorassan [Khorasan] and Persian plans to repel Dost Mahomed Khan at Herat and any British force in the southern provinces of PersiaPersian claims that the British Government has broken its agreement not to interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, following the production of: letters intercepted by the ruler of Herat, Prince Mohammed Yousuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf Khān, Regent of Herat], purportedly sent by the British Mission to Dost Mahomed Khan, which Murray insists were forged in order to provide a pretext to send troops to Herat; and letters delivered to Richard Stevens, HM Consul in Tehran (for Murray), said to be from ‘several chiefs of the principal Heratee Tribes and factions’ (f 339) proposing to support Britain against Persia (ff 341-342), which Murray claims are also forgeriesA copy of a lengthy anonymous paper (ff 346-356), which Murray claims is a ‘scurrilous libel’ originating from the Persian Government, intended for publication in Europe alleging the: misdemeanors of individual British officials in Tehran leading to the recent break in diplomatic relations; the duplicitousness of the British Government towards Persia; and active British support of Dost Mahomed Khan regarding Candahar and HeratCopies of six of translated letters, forwarded to Murray by Stevens, originating from the Sudr Azem [Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam, Persian Prime Minister], to various officials near the Persian borders with Afghanistan instructing them to cooperate with the approaching Meer Alum Khan [Mīr ‘Ālim Khān, also spelled Meer Allem Khan in this item] who has been ‘nominated to the post of protecting the boundary of Herat and certain other duties’ (f 358)Reports that the ruler of Herat has asked the Persian authorities at Meshed [Mashhad] to delay sending an army in the hopes of settling amicably with Dost Mahomed KhanMurray’s modification of the demands he deemed requisite for the restoration of diplomatic relations with the Persian Government, including an apology, drafted by Murray, which he requires to be signed by the ‘Mooshtehids and Moollahs’ [mujtahids and mullahs] withdrawing their ‘charges and accusations’ against him and the British Mission (f 333)Reports from the British Agent at Sheeraz [Shiraz] of an agreement concluded between the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat and Prince Governor of Fars regarding the port of Bender Abbass [Bandar Abbas], including the principal terms (f 338-339)2) A letter from Murray to the Governor-General of India stating his intention to remain at Tabreez [Tabriz] and his opinion that it may be necessary to remove troops from India for a foreign expedition against Persia in order to ‘ensure for [Britain] repose and respect for many years to come’ (f 365).3) Copies of despatches from Stevens to Murray, covering various matters including:Reports relating to Dost Mahomed Khan’s activities, intentions towards Herat and rumoured deathPersian claims that William Taylour Thomson, former British Envoy at Tehran, administered anti-Persian bribesA protest by Stevens regarding restrictions on British Indian subjects at Kirman [Kerman] and Yezd [Yazd] with regard to wool exports from those provincesA report that the Persian Government has attempted to delay Dost Mahomed Khan’s advance to Herat by creating an alliance with him against BritainPersian instructions to officials in eastern Persia inviting them to cooperate with and place troops at the disposal of Meer Alum Khan for duty on the frontiers and ‘other services’The arrival in Tehran of the first interpreter of the Persian Embassy at St Petersburgh [St Petersburg], bringing news of: the embassy’s financial needs; the request of the Persian ambassador to return to Persia; rumours, said to be false, of a Russian proposal for an alliance with Persia; economic hardship in Russia and the population’s desire for peace [Crimean War 1853-1856]; a rumour that Emperor Alexander wishes to meet the Shah in Tiflis [Tbilisi] next year; and rumours, suspected to be false, that the Russian Government promised the Persian Government monetary inducements to occupy Herat and CandaharIntelligence of the movement of Persian military forces to Shiraz intended for Bushire [Bushehr], Kermanshah, and Mohamura [Khorramshahr].4) Despatches from Commander James Felix Jones, Indian Navy, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, notably covering the following matters:Murray’s advice that Jones neither take any action following the ‘maritime outrage committed by the dependents of the Sheikh of Chaab’ (f 378) nor alienate the chiefs of any other Arab tribes in southern Persia, especially since Mohumrah [Khorramshahr] is a potential landing point for a British expeditionConcern of the Persian authorities at Shiraz at the appearance of the steam vessels
Victoriaand
Ajdahafrom Bombay, and Persia’s removal of their troops and armaments from the island of Karrack [Kharg, also known as Khark]The continuing dispute between the Imam of Muscat and Persian Government over Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas] and the alleged plans of the Imam to attack Karrack and Bushire, and to recruit mercenaries from Gulf Arab tribes and tribes in Mesopotamia [Iraq] subject to [Ottoman] TurkeyIntelligence from the British Agent at Shiraz on Persian military strength, and the strategy of the Prince Governor of Fars regarding BushireJones’s correspondence with Murray, the Governor of Bushire, and the Commodore of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Gulf, to quell the alarm caused by recent British Squadron target practice exercises in the Bushire Roads.Physical description: 1 item (63 folios)
Abstract: Enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 38 of 1846, dated 14 April 1846. The enclosures are dated and contain correspondence (in English and Arabic) relating to affairs in Muscat. Contents relate to: the suppression of the trade in enslaved people from Muscat’s dominions in [East] Africa and the Red Sea; a proposed blockade of Bushire [Bushehr] by Muscat; and a message from Queen Victoria urging the reconciliation between the Imam of Muscat and his eldest son, returning to the Island of Zanzibar via Mecca. This item commences with an abstract of contents (folios 440-446). Correspondence from the Political Agent at Muscat addressed to the Government of Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (34 folios)
Abstract: This item contains copies of two letters:1. A letter from Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from Bonyakdere [Büyükdere] and dated 21 October 1802. Elgin reports discussions with Ottoman Ministers concerning: the nomination of Ally Pacha [‘Alī Pāshā al-Kahyah] as Governor of Bagdad; relations with Persia [Iran]; proposed accommodation with or actions against the Wa-ha-by [Wahhābī movement]; suspicions regarding the relations of the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat with the Wa-ha-by; and Russian activity in the Caucasus and Caspian Sea.2. A letter from Harford Jones to Lord Elgin, sent from Bagdad and dated 29 November 1802. The letter covers subjects including: a planned Ottoman diplomatic mission to Persia; the need for action against the Wa-ha-bies; a truce between the Imaum of Muscat and the Wa-ha-bies; French activity in Muscat; and Russian activity in the Caucasus.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: Two volumes in one slipcase containing a collection of letters and enclosures dispatched from Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbas] Factory to ‘the Court of Directors for affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies’. Almost every letter includes the date it was received overland via Aleppo and Marseilles. At some point these letters were assigned numbers from 2386 to 2486, in red (turned to purplish) ink. Any missing numbers in between indicate that the letter is missing. The letters cover a variety of issues and topics including:Accounts received from the East India Company (EIC)’s Factories at Spahaun [Esfahan, also written as Spahaune] and Carmenia [Kerman also written as Carmania], and checked at GombroonRecords of
rogoms[raqams or ruqums: royal grants confirming specific trading privileges], and
talligaws[ta‘liqas: official orders] granted or to be granted to the EIC’s establishments in Persia [Iran]. Examples of authentic translated copies of
rogomscan be found in folios 25, 28, 89, 182 and 188Records of the EIC’s servants in Persia covering their names, stations, positions, date of commencing in the service, salaries, death, misbehaviours, complaints, and investigationsProposal to settle a Factory at Mushat [Mashhad]The activities of local Arab, Armenian, Ballooches [Baluch] and Persian merchants in the regionRecords of Dutch, French, Portuguese and Russian [written as muscovite] activities in the regionThe status of the wool trade at CarmeniaLists of woollen goods proper for Persian marketLists of commodities traded with including: broadcloth, sugar candy, spices, copper, iron, cotton, nuts, dates, coffee, silk, and riceThe rebellion of the Arabs and the agwaans [Afghans?] led by ‘the noted pyrate’ Shaik Ahmud Medannah [Shaikh Aḥmad Madanī, also written as Medanna]The Ophgoon [Afghan]-Persian warsThe Persian-Ottoman [Turks] warsBritish-Persian relationsBritish-Ottoman relationsDispute between the Arabs and the Bashaw of Bussorah [Pāshā of Basra]Reports of the Arabs plundering British shipsRecords of the accession of, three months old, Abbas III after the imprisonment of his father by Tahmasp Qoli Khan [Ṭahmāsb Qulī Khān, i.e. Nādir Shāh, Shāh of Persia 1732-1747]Dutch seizing the vessels of Shaik Russhett [Shaikh Rāshid al-Qāsimī, also written as Rachid] at Bassidore [Basidu, also written as Bassidoore]Persian navy assisting the Hoveyza Arabs [Huwayza Arabs of Khuzistan, also written as Havizah] in their siege of BussorahNews of the Hoola [Hawala/ Huwala] Arabs revolting against the PersianThe Imaum of Muscat [Imam of Muscat, also written as Muscatt] asking for Persian help against his rebellious subjectsNādir Shāh claiming himself the master of Muscat and Julfar [also written as Julphar]Nādir Shāh's invasion of the Mogull Empire [Mughal]Detailed accounts of the state of affairs and inland military operations in a number of provinces in Persia and the names of local governors and generals involved.The volumes contain records of letters from the Resident at Bussorah covering: the relations with Ottoman officials, letters from the British Consul at Aleppo, the state of affairs in the region, and the status of the EIC’s trade at Bussorah.The volumes include detailed reports of the state of the Company’s trade in Persia covering the following: shipping; goods from Europe or India; investments; the Factory’s accounts and charges; customs and revenues; the trade in Persia in general and any transactions with the Persian Government; buildings and fortifications; and the EIC’s covenant servants, soldiers, and their accounts.The volumes also include lists recording the arrival and departure of ships, their names, staff, tons, guns, from where, when sailed, and where bound. Among the recorded ships are the
Victoria, the
Success, the
Tellicherry, the
Fame, the
Prince George, the
Queen Carolina, the
Britannia[also written as
Brittania], the
Drake, the
Robert, the
Prince of Wales, the
Richmond, the
Jenny, and the
Wilmington. Ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay [Mumbai], Surat [also written as Suratt], Bengall [Bengal], Bassidore, Bussorah, Boucheir [Bushehr], Mocha, Mallabar Coast [Malabar], Madrass [Madras, i.e. Chennai], Muscat, and China.The volumes include some duplications, and some faded letters/enclosures.Physical description: Foliation: This file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at f 1 of volume one (ff 1-153) and terminates at f 284 of volume two (ff 154-284); 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; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Captain John Malcolm, Envoy of the Governor-General of Bengal to Persia [Iran], sent from Bagdad and dated 10 June 1800.The letter forwards reports from Egypt and Syria as well as a letter from the Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] describing the latter’s dispute with the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sulṭān bin Aḥmad Āl Bū Sa’īd] (see IOR/L/PS/9/76/114). The letter also describes difficulties in communication between Constantinople [Istanbul] and Europe and a plague outbreak in Mousul [Mosul].Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: An extract of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to the Government of Bombay.The letter concerns the complaints of the Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] against the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sulṭān bin Aḥmad Āl Bū Sa’īd], forwarding an official note from the Pashaw (see IOR/L/PS/9/76/114) and asking for the Government of Bombay’s mediation. It also mentions the precautions taken by the Pashaw against the plague prevalent in the region.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee: Bombay Secret Letter 9 November 1822. The enclosures are dated 6 July-1 November 1822.The enclosure comprises correspondence between Captain William Bruce, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire [Bushehr]; Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay; James Farish, Acting Secretary to the Government, Bombay; and Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay. Also included are Bruce's enclosures to his letters and a Minute of the Governor with an associated enclosure.The main subjects covered are: the negotiation by Bruce of an unauthorized treaty with the Prince at Shiraz, relating to the British occupation of the island of Kishm [Qeshm], the destruction (by the British Navy) of local inhabitants’ ships at Lingua [Bandar-e Lengeh] and Charrack [Bandar-e Chārak], and the British naval presence in the Gulf; the admonishment of Bruce by the authorities at Bombay for exceeding his remit; and the replacement of Bruce as Resident in the Persian Gulf. Notably included are:Bruce’s account of events at Shiraz and a translation of an agreement with the Government of Bombay proposed by the Hossein Ali Meerza, Prince at Shiraz [Husayn 'Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs], who was acting on behalf of the Shah of Persia [Iran] (ff 119-122)A letter from Warden to Farish angrily berating the ‘entirely unauthorized’ negotiation and treaty which is ‘in every article opposed to the views and intentions of Government’ (f 124) and recalling Bruce to India, enclosing drafts of letters of retraction and explanation to be sent to the Prince of Shiraz, Imaum [Imam] of Muscat, and Shaikh of Bahrein [Bahrain] (ff 128-132)Draft instructions to Lieutenant John MacLeod (ff 138-145), appointed successor to Bruce, detailing how he is to: oversee the withdrawal of British troops at Kishm and recompense the owners of destroyed property at Lingua and Charrack without appearing to capitulate to the demands of Persia or accept liability for the destruction of boats; and to conciliate all the Arab chiefs of the coast and to protect the East India Company’s trade and commerce in the region of the Persian Gulf.Physical description: The despatch comprises enclosures numbered 1-5. The enclosure number is written for reference on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure.
Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 16 dated 2 February 1856. The enclosures are dated 24 December 1855-12 February 1856.The principal document is a copy of a despatch from Commander James Felix Jones, Indian Navy, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire [Bushehr], to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, reporting that a letter from Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy in Persia [Iran], indicates that the dispute between the Imam of Muscat and the Persian Government regarding Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas] has been settled, and enclosing a translated copy of the terms the Imam has subscribed to.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 41 of 1856, dated 10 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 10-19 April 1856.The enclosures relate to the differences between the Imaum [Imām] of Muscat and the Persian [Iranian] Government over the Imaum’s claims to the port of Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas] on the Persian coast, his threats to descend on Lingah [Bandar Lengeh] and Bushire [Bushehr], and Persian aims to place a garrison on Kishm [Qeshm] and the Island of Ormuz [Hormuz].The papers notably include:A report from the Native Agent at Lingah, to Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf, on a meeting at Kishm between the Imaum’s representatives and a Persian envoy, and Persian attempts to solicit the support of the sheikhs [shaikhs] of Lingah and Rasulkymah [Ra’s al-Khaymah, also spelled Rusul Kheymah in this item] in the event of the Imaum refusing to allow the garrisoning of Kishm and OrmuzA letter from Jones to Sheikh Sultan ben Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī] of Rasulkymah, urging him not to give assistance to Persian vessels and to ignore the expensive gifts from the Shah [Shāh] of Persia.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)