Abstract: The file contains copies of correspondence addressed to the Resident at Bushire, Captain William Bruce, and to James Dow, Acting Resident at Bushire. Correspondence is sent to the Resident by a range of individuals, including various secretaries to the Government in Bombay, representatives of the civil and military auditors in Bombay, the British Envoy in Persia, Sir Henry Willock, and the Commanding Officers and Paymasters of British vessels on missions in the Gulf.The subjects covered in the file include: the forwarding and receiving of packets and letters from Tehran, Bombay; disbursements and other financial activities of the Residency; ongoing British military action against the Al Qasimi tribe at Ra's al-Khaymah.Physical description: Foliation: The volume has been foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, with small circled numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The volume also has an original pagination system, which uses ink numbers in the top-right corner of recto pages, and the top-left corner of verso pages.Condition: There is some insect damage throughout the volume, but it is not sufficient to impair the legibility or understanding of the material. Some of the pages at the back of the volume have suffered from water damage, which has made text more difficult to read, but not illegible.
Abstract: This file contains letters written by David Wilson, the British Resident in the Persian Gulf based at Bushire. The bulk of the letters are addressed to William Newnham, Chief Secretary to the Government in Bombay and John Wedderburn, Accountant General in Bombay.The letters discuss relations with Abdoolah Ben Ahmed [Abdullah bin Ahmad], the ruler of Bahrain as well as tensions between him and Said bin Sultan, the Imam of Muscat.The file also contains a detailed account of an attack on the town of Bushire written by Wilson in December 1828 (ff. 19v-23).Physical description: Condition: The folios of the file are now loose in a folder but there is evidence of previous binding.Foliation: The file's foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 29. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the volume.Pagination: The file's pagination sequence is written in ink, in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos. It begins on the first page of writing, on number 135, and ends on the last page of writing, on number 364. There are several numbers missing from this sequence.
Abstract: The document, written by Adolphus Warburton Moore, discusses the following: the actual course of events at Assab and in the neighbourhood since May 1880; correspondence which has passed in the same period between the British, Italian and Egyptian Governments, and between the Political and Secret Department and the Foreign Office; and the proposed disembarkation of Egyptian troops at Raheita.The situation in Assab was related to the Italian colonisation of the area during the period known as the 'Scramble for Africa'.Physical description: 16 folios
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 deals with political relations between the King of Hejaz and Najd [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud) and the states of Iraq and Kuwait, particularly in terms of raids by Akhwan [Ikhwān] tribes from Najd, and Bin Saud's efforts to control the Akhwan.The correspondence is mainly between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent, Bahrain (Major Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett); the Political Agent, Kuwait (Lieutenant-Colonel James Carmichale More), and the Secretariat of the High Commissioner for Iraq, Baghdad. There is also correspondence between British officials and Bin Saud. Enclosures to correspondence from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf include copies of correspondence with the Political Agent, Kuwait; the Secretariat of the High Commissioner, Iraq; the Colonial Office, London; the Government of India; the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf; and other British officials in the region; enclosures to correspondence from the Political Agent, Kuwait include correspondence with the Secretariat of the High Commissioner for Iraq, and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; enclosures to correspondence from the Secretariat of the High Commissioner, Iraq, include reports from Captain John Bagot Glubb, Administrative Inspector, Southern Desert.The papers cover: diplomatic contact between the British and Bin Saud; list prepared by Political Agent, Bahrain of estimated Nejd [Najd] population likely to obey a summons from Bin Saud, 8 April 1928 (folios 18-19); action by Bin Saud against the Akhwan; raids by Akhwan tibes, especially Mutair and Ajman; involvement of Hafiz Wahab [Shaikh Hāfiẓ Wahbah]; Iraqi frontier posts; reports of intended raids; movements of desert tribes; defensive measures; movements of British naval forces; references to Dawish [Fayṣal al-Dawīsh]; Bin Saud's negotiations with leaders of Akhwan, 6 May 1928; report by Political Agent, Bahrain on economic and political implications of blockade of Hasa [al-Aḥsā’] ports, 28 November 1928 (folios 118-123), and further, December 1928; attempts by British to preserve frontier peace (e.g. folios 132-135); reports by Captain John Bagot Glubb, Administrative Inspector, Southern Desert, November 1928, March 1929; reports of Riyadh Conference, December 1928; reference to 'jihad', 24 January 1929 (folio 181); United States (US) missionaries caught up in raids, January 1929 (folios 184-186); reported successes of Bin Saud against Akhwan, April 1929; report by Political Agent, Kuwait on attitude of Shaikh of Kuwait [Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ] to Ikhwan raids, 29 March 1929 (folios 291-300); discussion of need to assist Shaikh of Kuwait to expel refugees defeated by Bin Saud from Nejd, May 1929; Iraq to refuse asylum to Akhwan rebels, May 1929 (folio 332).The Arabic language content of the file consists of approximately twenty-five folios, with translations in English, mainly copies of correspondence between the Political Agency, Bahrain and Bin Saud.The date range indicates the covering dates of the main run of correspondence. However, the earliest document in the file is a copy of an enclosure dated 27 March 1928 on folio 9.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 349; 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 7-348; 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 deals with revolts against the King of Hejaz and Najd [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud) by Akhwan [Ikhwān] tribes in Najd (also referred to as Nejd).The file consists of a small amount of direct correspondence between the Political Agent, Bahrain (and Indian Assistant, Bahrain) and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; but the majority of the correspondence is between the Political Agent, Kuwait (Lieutenant-Colonel James Carmichale More); the Political Resident; the High Commissioner for Iraq; the Government of India; the British Agent, Jeddah; the Colonial Office; the Foreign Office; and other British officials in the region, copies of which were sent to the Political Agent, Bahrain for information. There is also some correspondence with Bin Saud.The file covers: operations of Bin Saud against rebel tribes, particularly Ajman and Mutair; activities of individual Akhwan leaders, especially Faisal al Dawish [Fayṣal al-Dawīsh]; cross-frontier movements of tribes; effect of operations on neighbouring states, particularly Kuwait; attitude of the Shaikh of Kuwait [Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ], including suggestion of 'leakage' of supplies from Kuwait to the rebels (folio 70); consideration of British military action against rebels in Najd (e.g. folio 57); the position of the Awazim tribe; and accounts of Bin Saud's successes against the rebels, September - October 1929.The Arabic language content of the file consists of ten folios of correspondence between Bin Saud and British officials.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 185; 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 incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 66-184; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: Correspondence concerning the attack on Muscat in1895 when Shaikh Abdullah bin Salih took control of the town with the Sultan of Muscat holding Fort Jalali. The correspondence discusses the Political Agent's desire to protect British subjects and property and his inability to order intervention in the matter owing to the British policy of strict neutrality in internal matters. Correspondents include the Political Resident Persian Gulf; Major Hayes Sadler, Political Agent, Muscat; Deputy Secretary to the Government of India; Sheikh Abdullah bin Salih[Abdullāh Bin-Ṣāliḥ] ; Sayyid Sa'ud bin Azzan [Saʻūd bin ʻAzzān]. There are translations of letters from the Sultan of Muscat but not the original letters in Arabic.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation system in use is the sequence of numbers appearing in a circle in the top right hand corner of each folio. The file also bears another former foliation system consisting of uncircled numbers.
Abstract: Correspondence concerning an attack on Dhofar by the Kathiri tribe. The attack was sparked off by the imprisonment of a tribesman for evading the Sultan's tax on frankincense. Letters discuss the dispatch of an armed force from Muscat to Salalah in dhows, led by Sayyid Saif bin Hamad bin Salim to retake the fort. Captain James Hayes, Political Agent at Muscat, Sadler arrived to effect a settlement between the Chiefs of Dhofar and Sultan Faisal [Fayṣal bin Turkī]. The Chiefs of the Shaikhs of the Al Kathir refused to meet the Political Agent on board the man-of-war
Briskbut offered to meet on shore or in the town.Correspondents include Major James Hayes Sadler, Political Agent Muscat, and the Political Resident Persian Gulf. Includes translations of letters from (the original Arabic letters are not included in this file) Faisal bin Turki, Sultan of Muscat; Sayyid Abdul Jalil; Sayyid Saif bin Hamad bin Salim; Mousallim bin Badawi; the Chief Shaikhs of the Al Kathir.Physical description: Foliation: the system of foliation in use is the sequence of numbers appearing in a circle in the top right hand corner of each folio. In addition some numbers bear page numbers written in blue.Condition: The edges of some pages are broken off with some words missing.
Abstract: Correspondence concerning the attack by the tribes of Oman on Muscat in 1895 in which British subjects lost property leading to the insistence by British officials that a tax be levied on dates coming from the rebel areas. Letters discuss the British guarantee to Sayyid Faisal bin Turki, Sultan of Muscat and the Sheikhs of Oman that whatever differences they had with the Sultan of Muscat no attack on Muscat or Muttrah would be permitted. Includes a printed report which includes a list of verified claims of British subjects for compensation on account of losses during the late disturbances. Correspondents include Political Agent, Muscat; Political Resident Persian Gulf; Deputy Secretary to the Government of India; Sayyid Faisal [Fayṣal bin Turkī] , Sultan of Muscat.Physical description: Foliation: This file has circled foliation numbers in the top right hand corner of each folio that begin on the front cover and end on the back cover.
Abstract: Correspondence relating to actions against the Bani Bu Ali [Banī Bū ‘Alī] in Sur in 1932 who were claiming independence from the Muscat State. Correspondence discusses how the Bani Bu Ali led by Shaikh Ali bin Abdullah al-Hammuda [Muḥammed bin Nāṣir al-Ḥamūdah] were rebelling against the Sultan of Muscat's authority and in particular the creation of a customs post in Aiqa. Shaikh Ali had deployed armed forces to Aiqa fort and prevented the establishment of the customs post. The timing for deployment of aircraft from Iraq including Wapitis and flying boats is discussed and in particular the implications of reconnaissance flights during Ramadan. One Wapiti crashed 40 miles south of Muscat but the occupants were unhurt and safely rescued. Saiyid Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr] visited Sur in a sloop along with HMS
Emerald. Correspondence details the agreement of the Foreign Office, Air Ministry and India Office in London to the use of aircraft. A letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty concurs in the action whilst expressing concern over the use of aircraft and the repercussions this could have on relations with Arab rulers, and suggests only use of naval bombardment. The Air Ministry responded noting the Political Resident's view that 'action by warship alone would be entirely ineffective; past history has shewn this.' The India Office notes that the action proposed by the Government of India were based on discussions with the Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf and Air Officer Commanding, Iraq; furthermore, 'aerial demonstration will precede punitive air action.'The Political Agent, Muscat discusses the relations between the Bani Bu Ali ,[Banī Bū ‘Alī] Bani Bu Hassan [Bani Bū ‘Hasan] and Bani Amer; also the likely response of the Bani Bu Ali to any British attack and the need to take precautions to avoid the experience of a British Indian force in 1821. In 1821 a force was dispatched to avenge the defeat there of a different expedition the previous year but three hundred of the Bani Bu Ali attacked at night resulting 16 killed. Correspondence discusses the negotiations with Shaikh Ali bin Abdullah bin Abdullah bin HammudaCorrespondence between the Air Officer Commanding, Edgar Rainey Ludlow-Hewitt and Colonel Hugh Vincent Biscoe, Political Resident, Persian Gulf discusses the reconnaissance photos and the bombing of the Jaalan [Ja’alān] fort following the dropping from aircraft of warning messages. There are also extracts from a report by Group Captain W L Welsh on reconnaisance by two Rangoons and three Wapitis of the Sur area with arrangements for the deployment of flying boats to conduct bombing missions and their protection by the Muscat Infantry.Correspondence includes letters betweeen Saiyid Said bin Taimur, Sultan of Muscat and Oman, to Shaikh Ali bin Abdullah and Hugh Vincent Biscoe, Political Resident Persian Gulf. Following aerial demonstrations by Rangoon flying boats Shaikh Ali accepted the customs post and agreed to meet the Sultan on board the Sultan's vessel. The Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf wrote to Shaikh Ali informing him that as he had accepted the customs post the bombardment would not take place.Includes aerial photos (ff 128D-128P) of Jaalan and Khor Janaba which were made in preparation for a possible punitive bombing raid. Also includes a sketch map of Khor Janaba and an enclosure with a 'Sheikhly family of Bani Bu Ali.Correspondents include H.V. Biscoe, Political Resident Persian Gulf; Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Agent Muscat; Edgar Rainey Ludlow-Hewitt, Air Headquarters, Iraq Command, Hinaidi; Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf; Eion Pelly Donaldson, India Office, London; Christopher Llewellyn Bulloch, Air Ministry, London; No. 203 (Flying Boat) Squadron; Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; Saiyid Said bin Taimur, Sultan of Muscat and Oman; Shaikh Ali bin Abdullah bin Hammudah; Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, Simla.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation system in use is the sequence of numbers in the top right hand corner of each folio including the covers.
Abstract: The file deals with political relations between the Sultan of Nejd [Najd] (from 1926 King of Hejaz and Nejd) [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud) and the state of Iraq, specifically in terms of raids by Najdi tribesmen into Iraq (and Kuwait), and the British response to those raids.The correspondence is mainly between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent, Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein). There is also correspondence from Bin Saud; Abdulaziz Algosaibi & Company, Bahrain; and other British officials in the region. Enclosures to correspondence from the Political Resident to the Political Agent, Bahrain include copies of correspondence with the Political Agent, Kuwait; the office of the High Commissioner, Iraq; the Colonial Office, London; the Government of India; Bin Saud; and other British officials in the region.The papers cover the following:reports on raids by Akhwan [Ikhwān] tribesmen, especially the Mutair, and their effect on Mesopotamian desert tribes;role in the raids of Akhwan leader Faisal al Dawish [Fayṣal al-Dawīsh];attack by Mutair on Busaiyah [al-Başīyah] in Iraq, November 1927;the response of the British to the attacks, e.g. permission from the Secretary of State for the Colonies for British aircraft to pursue Akhwan raiders across Nejd, November 1927;diplomatic contact between Bin Saud and the British via Abdul Aziz Gusaibi [‘Abd al-‘Azīz al-Quṣaybī], Abdulaziz Algosaibi & Company, Bahrain;implications for Bin Saud and the Akhwan of the construction by Iraq Government of a fortified post at Busaiyah (e.g. folio 171);notes of conversations between the High Commissioner for Iraq and his Counsellor and Shaikh Hafidh Wahba [Hāfiẓ Wahbah] (folios 308-315), February 1928;raid on Kuwait, January 1928, including involvement of Royal Air Force (RAF), use by Kuwaiti forces of motor cars against tribesmen, and requests by the Shaikh of Kuwait for purchase of machine guns and Lewis guns (folio 367) and advice on how to convert motor cars into armoured cars (folio 368), February 1928.The date range indicates the covering dates of the main run of correspondence within the file. However, the earliest document is dated 27 November 1925 (enclosure to letter dated 12 December 1925).The Arabic content of the file consists of approximately fifty folios of correspondence (with translations into English) from Abdulaziz Algosaibi & Company, Bahrain; the Political Agency, Bahrain; and Bin Saud.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 383; 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 7-37; 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 deals with political relations between the King of Hejaz and Najd [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud) and the states of Iraq and Kuwait, particularly in terms of raids by Akhwan [Ikhwān] tribes from Najd.The correspondence is mainly between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel Berkeley Holt Haworth) and the Political Agent, Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein, Major Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett). There is also correspondence between British officials and Bin Saud. Enclosures to correspondence from the Political Resident include copies of correspondence with the Political Agent, Kuwait; the office of the High Commissioner, Iraq; the Colonial Office, London; the Government of India; the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf; and other British officials in the region.The papers cover the following:disputes over border posts in Iraq;diplomatic contact between the British and Bin Saud;report on Bin Saud and the Iraqi press (folios 27-28);activities of Faisal ad Dawish [Fayṣal al-Dawīsh] and other Akhwan leaders;raids by Akhwan tribes, especially Mutair and Ajman;activities of the Royal Navy and Royal Indian Marine to protect Kuwait;activities of the Royal Air Force (RAF) to protect Kuwait;use of air reconnaissance against tribes;the British response to the raids, including the need to protect British subjects and British property in Kuwait (e.g. folio 79);note on Bin Saud by Barrett, 3 March 1928 (folios 134-140);use of cars, aeroplanes and armoured cars to defend against attacks by Akhwan;threat to British oil supplies (folios 192-194);descriptions of plunder taken by Akhwan from desert tribes (donkeys, sheep, goats etc.);Akhwan 'jehad' [jihad] against non-Akhwan tribes (e.g. folios 209-210);provision by British of machine guns and Lewis guns for defence of Kuwait (e.g. folio 234);threat of extension of conflict to Trans-Jordan (folio 310).The Arabic content of the file consists of approximately ten folios of correspondence, mainly copies of letters from the Political Agent, Bahrain.The date range gives the covering dates of the main run of correspondence. The earliest document in the file is an enclosure to the first item of correspondence and is dated 28 January 1928.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 454; 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 7-453; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.