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49. ‘Affairs of the Persian Gulf’
- Description:
- Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, minutes, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Lieutenant Colonel Henry Robertson, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf; Hajee Yacoob [Haji Yakub], British coal agent at Kurruck [Khark/Kharg]; Hajee Jassim [Haji Jasim] Native Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain].The item concerns:The question of Hajee Yacoob being appointed British coal agent while still holding the position of Persian Magistrate, and his right to fly the British flagRobertson delivering charge of the Residency in the Persian Gulf to his assistant Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball on 17 April 1843The war fought by Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muhammed bin Khalifah Al Khalifah], supported by Esai bin Tareef [Shaikh ‘Isa bin Hamad bin Tarif Al Bin ‘Ali Al-‘Utbi], against Abdoola bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifah] for control of Bahrein, including fighting in Guttur [Qatar]The plunder of a boat carrying the British flag anchored at Monama [Manama]The cost of raising the East India Company Schooner Emilyafter sinking her to kill verminRumours of a military force being assembled in the Nedgd [Najd or Nejd].The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 727, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4107, [Season 18]43’, ‘Collection No. 11’, and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 643 and terminates at f 717, 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 volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
50. 'His Excellency SHEIKH HAMAD BIN SHEIKH ISSA AL KHALIFAH SHEIKH of BAHREIN AND THE BAHREIN PETROLEUM COMPANY LIMITED. LEASE [COPY]'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file is a copy of a commercial lease between Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, Sheikh of Bahrein, and the Bahrein Petroleum Company, in which the Sheikh grants to the company the exclusive right for fifty-five years to drill for, extract, treat, refine, and deal with petroleum products and natural gas within the portion of Bahrain Island delineated on the accompanying map.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 10; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
51. 'Old index Book No 143 From January To Dec' Vol 143 Letters outward
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent by Captain Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to J P Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, in 1844.The letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the British Government of Bombay often contain or enclose separately, copies of other pertinent correspondence received or sent by the Resident. These are mostly regular intelligence reports from the British Government Native Agents at Bahrain, Muscat and elsewhere and occasional letters from or to local Arab rulers about military conflict, maritime treaty infractions and dispute resolution. All copies of the Resident’s Arabic correspondence with native agents, ruling sheikhs and others are in the form of English translations, there are no Arabic originals or copies in the volume.The correspondence in the volume discusses events in the Persian Gulf in 1844, predominantly in relation to slavery, piracy, conflicts between the rulers and inhabitants of the Trucial Coast Sheikdoms, especially civil war in Bahrain and the implications for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. Typical contents include:Letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to Captain Nott, Senior Indian Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant A Macdonald, Mr W H Litchfield commanding the Honourable Company schooner Emilyand other British officers in the Persian Gulf Squadron, providing them with cruising instructions for their regular patrols of both the Arabian and Persian coasts of the Gulf (folios 4, 10-11 and others);Letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to Colonel Justin Sheil, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, about the building of new fortifications at Bushire by the Persian Government, investigations into the charges of maladministration made by local Persian authorities against Hajee Yacoob, the British Government Native Agent in charge of the British coal depot on Karrack [Kharg] Island and other matters relating to British relations with Persia (folios 5, 14, 24-28 and others);Letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to J P Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay about his adherence to the British policy of non-interference in the civil war in Bahrain and enclosing English translations of his correspondence with ex-Sheikh Abdoollah bin Ahmed of Bahrain, requesting the help of the British Government to repossess Bahrain and Syed Soweynee, Governor of Muscat, requesting the approval of the British Government for his support to Sheikh Mahomed bin Khuleefa, the new defacto ruler of Bahrein (folios 5-8, 18-20 and others);Letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to J P Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay about the results of further investigations into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the wrecked British merchant brig Mary Mallaby, which ran aground at Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbass] in July 1843 and enclosing English translations of letters from Khojah Reuben, British Government Native Agent at Muscat, reporting inquiries made of a witness to the behaviour of Mr W Fisher, the master of the Mary Mallaby(folios 21-22 and others).Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 278, from the front to the back of the volume. A single loose item of correspondence has been numbered folio 157 and is folded into the spine between folios 156 and 158. The front cover of the volume is numbered folio 1. Two blank folios at the front of the volume are numbered folios 2 and 3. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto, in the top right corner and encircled. On the front cover, the folio number is written on the book label. The eight blank folios at the back of the volume are unnumbered.Pagination: numbered 1 to 525, from the front to the back of the volume. These numbers are written in ink, in the top right or left hand corner respectively. The letter A has been added to the number 306, in pencil. The number 306B has been added in pencil to the single loose item of correspondence folded into the spine between pages 306 and 307.Condition: the volume has a broken spine, damaged front cover, missing back cover and a torn label on the front cover. The two blank folios at the front of the volume are torn. There is also a tear in the margin of folio 147.
52. 'Correspondence re the Establishment of a Wireless Telegraph Station in Bahrain'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file relates to the establishment and operation of the wireless telegraph station (later also radio station) in Bahrain [frequently referred to in the papers as Bahrein]. The papers include correspondence from the Political Agent, Bahrain; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Government of India; the Ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifah [‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, Hakim of Bahrain] (in Arabic with translations in English); and other British officials.The papers include:proposal from the Political Agent, Bahrain for the establishment of telegraphic communication with India, showing that the initiative had come from British Indian traders in Bahrain, and the response from the Government of India, September 1902 - March 1903;renewal of the proposal by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, advancing many reasons for the increased desirability of a telegraph service, March 1908;papers concerning a site for the wireless station, including sketch map (ff. 16-17), May - August 1912;papers relating to cost of building, testing of the ground, and preparation of estimates, August - September 1912;proposed removal of stone from Phoenician tombs for use in building the station, and use of stone from old Portuguese fort, July - December 1914;construction, May 1915;completion of station, appointment and payment of naturs (watchmen) to supervise the site, installation of more powerful apparatus, and letters and telegrams of congratulation on the opening of the station, March - July 1916;request from Sheikh Isa for a special concessionary wireless rate for himself and his sons, August 1916;proposals for the construction of a wall or fence around the site, August - November 1916; and,correspondence with the Commodore, Persian Gulf, concerning the need for officials of the wireless station to notify movement of Royal Navy ships more accurately, November 1916.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1, on the third folio after the front cover, and terminates at 155, on the last folio before 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. 75, 75A, 75B; ff. 89, 89A. The following folio numbers do not appear: 12, 22, 42, 44, 46, 55, 74, 106.
53. 'Question of British Interference in the Administration of Bahrain'
- Description:
- Abstract: Despatch from the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, 28 August 1929. Printed in October 1929.Covering:a brief history of the development of British concern in the internal affairs of Bahrain;fear of interference displayed by the Government of India;behaviour and attitude of the Shaikhs of Bahrain;the Customs Department - contention between Shaikh Isa [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah] and the Government of India, the collection of revenues, and the post of Director of Customs;the question of whether Bahrain has been westernised too hurriedly - lists the reforms instituted and their outcomes, including municipalities, reorganisation of the Customs Department, institution of a proper police force, appointment of an Advisor to the Shaikh, reformed courts, reforms in connection with the pearl fishery, survey, public works, education, and reform of the Waqfs;the necessity to educate natives of Bahrain to take the place of British officials, and educate rulers;recommendations.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 105, and terminates at f 108, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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.
54. 'File 1/A/41 Imposition of economic sanctions against Italy'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file concerns the decision of Shaikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah [Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah], Ruler of Bahrain, on his own initiative to prohibit the import of goods from Italy, and the response to that decision of British officials. The Shaikh's action was an expression of sympathy with moves by the League of Nations to end Italy's war in Abyssinia.The principal correspondents are the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); officials of the Government of Bahrain; the Government of India; and the Foreign Office.The papers cover: discussion of the Shaikh's decision by the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Political Resident, the practical effects of which were thought to be 'small' (folios 2-6); the decision to defer an approach to other Gulf rulers to see if they wished to show sympathy (folios 7-10); instructions in the matter from the Government of India, which were that rulers of Gulf states should be advised to apply sanctions simultaneously with member states of the League of Nations (folios 11-26); the Political Resident's advice that it would be best not to approach other Gulf rulers, and to annul the Shaikh's proclamation, as the moves would be seen in Italy as an attempt by the British to inspire hostility in countries outside the British Empire, and copies of relevant notices ( alans) issued by the Government of Bahrain (folios 27-43); and correspondence concerning the lapse of the prohibition following the end of hostilities between Italy and Abyssinia (folios 44-47).The Arabic language content of the file consists of four folios, mainly copies of bilingual Arabic and English notices issued by the Government of Bahrain.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 53; 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 2-52; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
55. 'File 9/2 II Bahrain Reforms: Finances of the Bahrain Government'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume’s correspondence and other papers concern Bahrain’s state budget, and the rising costs associated with the Bahrain civil list and the Āl Khalīfah family’s allowances. Most of the correspondence takes place between the Advisor to the Bahrain Government, Charles Dalrymple-Belgrave, and the Bahrain Political Agent, Colonel Geoffrey Prior. The volume is a chronological continuation of ‘File 9/2 II Bahrain Reforms: Finances of the Bahrain Government’ (IOR/R/15/2/128).The volume includes Belgrave’s budgets for Bahrain for the Hijri years 1347 (1928, folios 5-25) and 1348 (1929, folios 38-66). In these reports Belgrave gives great detail of the state’s expenditure on modernisation. For example, detailed reference of Bahrain’s education system, including the opening of a girls’ school, is given in the 1348 budget (folios 61-63).The remainder of the volume’s correspondence is chiefly related to Belgrave’s concerns over the continual financial increases being requested by Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah to Bahrain’s civil list. Belgrave’s concern was that these allowances took up too great a proportion of the Bahrain state budget, and because the issue was primarily a political one, he deferred the issue to the Political Agent, who in turn referred the matter to the Political Resident. There are several copies of the civil list included in the file (for example, folios 81-83). Prior and Shaikh Ḥamad discuss Belgrave’s concerns about the increasing expenditure of the civil list in August 1929 (folios 84-90), with Shaikh Ḥamad raising the hope that revenues from other sources such as kerosene oil might alleviate financial problems.Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. There is an earlier foliation system which runs through the volume, using blue pencil numbers in the top-right corner of recto pages.The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e.The following folios are foldouts: 11-13, 18, 19, 36, 46-48, 54, 85-89, 97, 105, 111, 112, 133, 134.
56. 'File 9/4 Bahrain Reforms. Introduction of Reforms in Bahrain'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains printed copies of Government of India confidential correspondence, relating to the Bahrain reforms. The majority of the letters contained in volume are printed copies of correspondence originally sent to the Government of India either by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Trevor or Acting Resident Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Knox), or the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Clive Daly). Much of the correspondence featured in the volume can be found in the original (or as office copies) in a number of files in the two Bahrain Agency subsubseries ‘File 9 Bahrain Reforms’ (IOR/R/15/2/127-138) and ‘File 8 Miscellaneous’ (IOR/R/15/2/121-126), and the Bushire Residency subsubseries ‘File 19 Bahrain’ (IOR/R/15/1/314-77).The printed correspondence contained in the volume covers a range of subjects:Events leading up to the programme of reforms carried out in Bahrain: allegations of the oppression of Bahraini subjects by members of the Āl Khalīfah family, violence, the deteriorating economic situation;The reforms proposed and implemented by British officials: replacement of Shaikh ‘Īsá by Shaikh Ḥamad as defacto ruler, economic reforms, judicial reforms, pearl diving industry reforms, customs house reforms;Specific incidents of violence involving Sunnis and Shias, or Najdis and Persians.Some of the papers in the volume are accompanied by duplicate copies:Folios 61-64 are duplicates of folios 57-60;Folios 68-69 are duplicates of folios 66-67;Folios 81-84 are duplicates of folios 77-80.Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using uncircled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. Most of the items in the volume are printed items that have their own internal pagination systems, using printed numbers in the top-right corners of recto pages and the top-left corners of verso pages, or centred at the top of both verso and recto pages. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f.
57. 'File 9/5 Bahrain Reforms. Reforms in Pearling and Boat Registration'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and reports relating to proposed reforms of the pearling industry in Bahrain. The majority of the correspondence takes place between the Bahrain Political Agent (Clive Day, who was the principle architect of the pearling industry reforms, and served from 1921 to 1926, superseded by Cyril Barrett), the Political Resident or his secretary, and the advisor to the Bahrain Government, Charles Belgrave.The reforms proposed, and which are discussed at length throughout the volume include:Economic reforms, with particular attention given to shares of the profits paid to divers, and the allowances paid to divers, and interest on their debts, through the Salifehcourt. This aspect of the reforms was designed to reduce the state of debt slavery that many divers existed in towards their boat masters ( nakhudas);The introduction of accounts books for all pearl divers;Boat registration and pearl fishing licenses;The introduction of a hospital boat intended to patrol the pearling banks, with medical staff on board who are capable of providing medical attention to pearl divers as required;The advantages and disadvantages of permitting pearl merchants to use motor launches to reach the pearling boats, the use of which would place some merchants at an advantage over those travelling under sail power.Items of note in the file include:A report entitled 'The Pearl Industry. Bahrain', written by Charles Belgrave, undated but probably 1928 (folios 3-23);Letters from the Director of the Bahrain Customs House to the Political Agency (1924), giving figures for the numbers of boats registered and pearling licenses issued, and the income generated (folios 51, 71, 84);A original petition in Arabic, signed by numerous nakhudas, complaining of the reforms, dated 26 September 1925 (folio 123, English translation on folios 124-26);A letter written by Barrett to Horner (the Secretary to the Political Resident), dated 1 January 1927, writing of disturbances in Manama, caused by a crowd of two-hundred pearl divers who are unhappy with reductions in their allowances (folios 149-52);Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. An earlier, incomplete foliation sequence, using blue pencil circled numbers in the top right corner of rectos, runs from folios 24 to 66. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 23a, 79a, 130a, 157a.The following folios are fold-outs: 37, 42, 46-50, 52, 53, 60, 62, 70-73, 75-79, 79a, 84-86, 90, 92, 94, 96, 106, 111, 121-26, 149-54, 157, 157a, 161, 171, 177, 179, 183, 184, 187, 193.Due to the binding of the volume, the text on some items runs very close to the gutter, making text more difficult to read.
58. 'File 9/9 Bahrain Reforms. Bahrain Water Supply'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence, copies of contracts and other items related to the sinking of water wells in Bahrain, and the institution of a municipal water supply to the districts of Manama and Muharraq. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Clive Daly until September 1926, Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Barrett thereafter), Major Frank Holmes, representative of the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, F. Madgwick, geologist, and Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, deputy ruler of Bahrain.After the forced abdication of Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah in 1923, public works projects in Bahrain, such as the sinking of artesian wells for the municipal water supply, were able to go ahead under the instigation of Shaikh Ḥamad (folios 28-30). The Eastern and General Syndicate Limited (London), represented by Major Frank Holmes, was awarded the contract to sink two wells in Manama and Muharraq to depths of 600 feet, in search of fresh water. The total expected cost of this first phase was 100,000 rupees (folio 5). A total of 300,000 rupees had been set aside by the Bahrain Government for the implementation of a water supply in Bahrain (folio 76). The Manama well struck good-quality water at 200 feet, and although Shaikh Ḥamad was keen to continue drilling to 600 feet, Holmes convinced the Shaikh against further drilling (folios 63-68). In the wake of the first two wells, water tanks capable of holding thirty tonnes of water were installed, and new contracts between Holmes and the Bahrain Government drawn up for the sinking of a further twelve wells, with the installation of the necessary pipework and tanks (folios 79-80, 82-83).A minor diplomatic incident was avoided when, in December 1924, the Baghdad Timesreported that Holmes was travelling to Bahrain with drilling equipment. The Secretary of State for the Colonies wrote to the Resident, reminding him to in turn remind Shaikh Ḥamad that the British Government recognised the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's exclusive right to negotiate concessions for the exploratory drilling of oil in Bahrain (folio 39). The Resident replied to the High Commissioner in Baghdad that Holmes was interested only in sinking wells for water (folio 42). A later disagreement in 1927 arose between Holmes and the Bahrain merchant Khalil Kanoo, over the sinking of water wells in Bahrain. Holmes, who had by this point signed a concession to drill for oil in the state, objected to Kanoo's proposals to sink his own water wells in Manama (folios 108-14).Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using circled pencil notes in the top-right corner (but in some cases the top-centre) of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1A-1F, 81A, 81B, 84A, 84B, 111A, 111B.The following folios are fold-outs: folios 2, 4, 5, 14, 15, 23, 28-30, 32-34, 36, 37, 49-54, 70, 76, 90, 94, 104, 116.
59. 'File 9/11 Grant of Passports and Permits by the Bahrain Government and Treaty with Persia relative to withdrawal of claim to'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence and other papers related to Persia's withdrawal of claims to sovereignty over Bahrain. The majority of the file's correspondence takes place between the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Barrett until November 1929), and the Political Agent at Bahrain (Geoffrey Prior).The withdrawal of Persian claims over Bahrain raised a number of implications for British representatives in the Gulf, and these comprise the contents of the file. The main implications were: the treatment of Persian subjects in Bahrain; British representation of Persian subjects in Bahrain; the question of whether there should be an official or non-official Persian representative in Bahrain (which both the Resident and Political Agent were strongly objected to); and passports and certificates of identity for Bahrainis travelling within and beyond the Gulf.In response to a request from Barrett, Prior compiled detailed notes on the Persian communities in Bahrain. His official typewritten response (with handwritten notes) are included in the file (folios 43-47, 48-56). These notes include comments on Persian Sunnis and Shias in Bahrain, their relations with the Āl Khalīfah family, animosity between Nejdis [Saudis] and Persians, Persian schools and property in Bahrain, and the Political Agency's ability to represent Persians in Bahrain. Further notes on the Persian communities, sent to Prior by the Advisor to the Bahrain Government, Charles Dalrymple-Belgrave, are also included (folios 60-61A). A letter in English and Arabic, from Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah to Prior, dated 23 April 1930, is an undertaking not to attack Persian sovereignty or to violate Persian independence (folios 67-68).Physical description: Foliation: The file is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 61a. There is no folio 1.There is minor insect damage throughout the file, which is not sufficient enough to impair the legibility of the file contents.
60. ‘File 13/14 Customs exemption for Imperial Airways aircraft’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file’s contents relate to a request from Imperial Airways Limited for a change in the level of customs duty payable on goods brought into Bahrain by their aircraft, which, they argue, is unreasonably high. The principal correspondents in the file are unnamed representatives of Imperial Airways Limited, the Bahrain Political Agent, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, and the Political Resident, Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard William Craven Fowle.The first part of the file is chiefly comprised of correspondence from Imperial Airways Limited (ff 3-10), who raise an objection to the high rates of duty paid on air freight at Bahrain, and recommending an adjusted duty based on the declared value of the goods plus a third of the air freightage. The second part of the file comprises discussion between the Bahrain Political Agent and Political Resident, in concert with officials from the India Office and Air Ministry, on the Imperial Airways request. Reference is made to the ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah’s assent to the change (f 31). The file includes a copy of an official notice from the Customs House in Bahrain, dated 14 July 1934, announcing the agreed changes to the air freight customs duty at Bahrain (f 29).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present between ff 3-32; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.