Abstract: The volume includes four copies of a report on Sur (ff 1-10, ff 13-23, ff 44-94 and ff 99-146) prepared by the Political Agent, Muscat, Major Gerald Patrick Murphy. The report is dated 25 October 1928 and it covers the affairs at Sur from the early 1800s up until the late 1920s. The table of contents includes: map of Sur; geographical description of Sur; historical summaries of the Bani Bu Ali and the Janabah tribes; the slave trade at Sur; recent events; a review of the situation.The report is very similar to the report on Sur affairs (ff 129-156 and ff 256-291) found in IOR/R/15/6/62.The correspondence in the volume also includes copies of letters from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Lionel Berkeley Holt Haworth.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 146; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to the investigation of individual cases of the kidnapping and sale into slavery of Arab and Persian inhabitants of Ajman, Dubai, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qiwin [Umm ul-Qaiwain]. These offences are committed mainly by Bedouins belonging to the Awamir, Manasir and other tribes, who are known to carry out attacks and raids along the coast of Trucial Oman.The main correspondents are the Residency Agent at Sharjah, the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire. In their correspondence they discuss the reporting and investigation of individual cases and the measures that should be taken by the Ruler of Sharjah and other Trucial Coast shaikhs, to suppress kidnapping in their territories. Included in the correspondence are several witness statements made by recovered kidnapped persons, their relatives or slave masters who seek to locate and recover them. There are also extracts from the Residency Agent’s fortnightly diaries relating such incidents and several letters received by him from the Rulers of Ajman, Ras al Khaimah and Umm ul-Qaiwain about their actions to apprehend and punish the offenders and to recover the victims by force, payment of a ransom or other agreement.Most of the Residency Agent’s reports and letter correspondence, including the witness statements recorded by him at Sharjah, are in Arabic and English.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 323; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Multiple additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 1-323; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume contains confidential correspondence related to specific cases of slavery. The key correspondents in the volume are the Political Resident of the Persian Gulf (a post occupied by six incumbents during the time frame covered), and Government of India and Foreign Office officials in India and London.The contents of the volume can be categorised under the following sub-headings:Armenian Slaves – British reports and responses to the appearance of Armenian slave girls in Kuwait and Qatar in 1924. The Political Agent in Bahrain (Major Clive Daly) wrote to the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Prideaux), stating that the women were likely 'sold by the Turks to the tribes as children' (folio 9), as part of the expulsion of women and children from the Armenian provinces in 1915/16. Fuller detail on this specific case can be found in the Bahrain Political Agency file IOR/R/15/2/124.Slavery in Hejaz/Nejd – Negotiations in 1926 between British officials in Jeddah and Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], who had recently been recognised as King of the Hejaz/Nejd territories, on steps to be taken to abolish slavery and the slave trade in the King's realm. The Acting British Consul in Jeddah (Lancelot Oliphant) noted in 1926 that 'Ibn Saud’s attitude towards both the slave trade and domestic slavery in the Hejaz appears to be more enlightened than that of his predecessors' (folio 117). However, a major obstacle to an agreement over the slave trade was Ibn Saud's insistence of the difficulties involved in abolishing a longstanding and traditional practice, and Britain's refusal to accede to his request that the Political Agency in Jeddah abandon its right to slave manumission.Persia – Between 1928 and 1929, discussions took place between the Persian Gulf Political Resident (Sir Frederick Johnston until November 1928, Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Barrett thereafter) and Government of India and Foreign Office officials, on a potential redraft of Britain's 1882 slave trade treaty with Persia, which the latter, under the rule of Reza Shah, now rejected. Johnston's concern was that if it 'were not for this [the 1882] Convention slavery would recommence on the coasts of the Persian Gulf [... ] In Persian Baluchistan slavery is rife and it is only the constant watch we exercise which prevents its becoming more than an individual trade' (folio 151).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 215; 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 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. The sequence contains two foliation anomalies, missing out f 40 and including f 192a.
Abstract: The majority of the correspondence in the volume relates to Sir George Maxwell's report on slavery in Arabia, submitted to the League of Nations Advisory Committee of Experts on Slavery in around 1936. The file should be read in conjunction with IOR/R/15/1/227, which contains a continuation of correspondence on the subject.British officials in the Persian Gulf liaised with their colleagues at the Foreign and India Office, to produce reports for Maxwell and the League of Nations Advisory Committee of Experts on Slavery. In January 1936 Maxwell sent questionnaires for completion to British representatives in the Gulf (folio 144). The questionnaire covered information such as size and population of states, and numbers, ethnicity and religion of slaves. Completed copies of the questionnaire from the Political Agents in Kuwait (folios 151, 160) Muscat (folio 153) and Bahrain and the Trucial Coast (folios 155-58) are included. A letter from Maxwell to Mr Walton at the India Office (folios 200-218), written July 1936, describes the political dimensions of the Slavery Committee talks, and the outcome of Maxwell's discussion with Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Loch, Political Agent Bahrain, about the status of slavery in Bahrain. Included with the letter are two enclosures written by Maxwell, the first regarding Islamic law in relation to slavery, the second on domestic slavery in the Arab region.Further correspondence in the volume, related to Maxwell's requests for information, takes place between officials from the Foreign Office, and British officials in the Persian Gulf region. A telegram from a Foreign Office official in London, to the British Legation at Jiddah [Jeddah] in January 1935, discussed the political implications of the League of Nations/Maxwell's investigations regarding Saudi Arabia, while Britain's own negotiations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] were ongoing (folios 78-79). A letter sent from the Political Residency to the India Office in September 1936 (folio 20-31), pointed out inaccuracies made by Maxwell about slavery in the Gulf, in his letter of July 1936.Also of note in the file is a letter sent from the Bahrain Political Agent (Loch) to the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle) in January 1936, discussing the impact of the global economic depression upon the pearling industry in Bahrain. Loch stated that 'slaves do not ... mind much where they go, so long as they have an owner who feeds and clothes them' and that born slaves 'are anxious to remain as slaves' (folios 130-31). Loch also recalled an anecdote for Fowle, of an old man who produced his manumission certificate to a medical officer. The man got angry when told by the officer that the certificate gave him his freedom, and not as the man insisted, that it proved he was a slave and was entitled to be fed by his owner.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 235; 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 present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume contains confidential correspondence related to the slave trade and slavery, exchanged between a number of British Government representatives. It should be read in conjunction with IOR/R/15/1/226, of which this file is a continuation, there being numerous references to it in some of the correspondence in this volume (for example, on folios 18-19, and 20).A large proportion of the correspondence is high-level, relating to requests from the British Government and the League of Nations for information on the nature and extent of slavery and the slave trade in the Persian Gulf. This correspondence is composed of memoranda sent to the Persian Gulf Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle throughout the period covered by the file), from staff at the India Office in London, and from Sir George Maxwell, then a member of the League of Nations Committee on Slavery. Other correspondence is lower-level, mainly comprising letters sent between the Political Resident and the Political Agent in Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Loch, Nov 1932-Apr 1937), and the Political Resident and the other Political Agents and naval officers in the Gulf region.George Maxwell wrote a report on slavery in the Persian Gulf in 1935 (National Archives: FO371/18915). Further details on the extent of slavery, the trade in slaves and abolition efforts were requested by Maxwell in 1936. As the centre of British administration on the Arab Coast, Maxwell was particularly interested in Bahrain (folios 7-11). He asked British officials for information about treaties and legislation introduced by the British Government, manumission figures, details of the trade and the routes it used. The report compiled by the Political Resident stated that, to all intents and purposes, Bahrain was a slavery-free state. The report detailed no significant new legislation, low manumission numbers, and, with no discernible organised trade, no information on known slave traders and trading routes (folio 88). Maxwell was disappointed at the 'meagre' amount of information forthcoming (folio 86), leading to a more detailed report being compiled by the Political Resident (folios 115-119). Maxwell wanted a new proclamation be made in Bahrain, effectively announcing that the state had abolished slavery outright (folio 118). A proclamation to this effect was made by the Shaikh of Bahrain in August 1937 (folio 113).Other correspondence in the volume (folios 160-225) relates to a flashpoint in Dubai in March 1938, in which civil unrest amongst the people of Dubai was provoked by Sheikh Sa'id bin Maktum's decision (under British direction) to deport two men dealing in arms. According to the Residency Agent at Sharjah ('Abd al-Razzaq Razuqi) the root cause of the unrest was the growing concern created by increasing numbers of slaves (and in particular domestic slaves) being manumitted by the Residency Agency (folio 159). This was seen by Dubai inhabitants as a threat to the pearling season (folio 169) and the wider economic stability of the town (folios 203-04). The civil unrest in Dubai caused consternation among British officials, who were anxious to remain on friendly terms with the region's shaikhs and their subjects. With the likelihood of global war looking increasingly likely, the British Government desired that the Trucial Coast region, which was a staging post on the air supply route from Britain to India, remain politically and socially stable (folios 198-200).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 241; 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 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: The volume contains confidential correspondence relating to slavery and the slave trade. The first portion of the volume consists of correspondence exchanged between the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle), the Political Agent Bahrain (Hugh Weightman), the Senior Naval Officer for the Persian Gulf (Captain Faulkner), other naval representatives, and staff at the India Office in London. The correspondence focusses on an assessment of the best way of punishing the Shaikhdom of Abu Dhabi for its alleged continued involvement in the slave trade. Initial proposals involved scuppering the town's pearling fleet, and the implications of such an action are explored in great detail. Faulkner accepted that the success of this action depended on 'too many uncertain factors' (folios 65-69). Military bombardment of the Shaikh's fort was also given serious consideration, and was, according to Fowle, 'the only measure which can [logistically] be put into effect this year [1938].' (ff.70-73)From folio 125 the emphasis of the correspondence shifts to the subject of an alleged slave market located at Buraimi [Al Buraymī], 100 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi, in the interior of the Trucial Coast region. Reports on the slave trade were made by Captain Howes, who was reporting after an exploratory visit to the area on behalf of Petroleum Concessions Limited [PCL]. Weightman and Fowle discussed the nature and extent of the slave trade from Buraimi, and its links to Abu Dhabi (folios 136-39), Buraimi being understood to be under the jurisdiction of the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi. By early 1939 the Shaikh's negotiations with PCL over oil concessions had warmed to the point that the Shaikh had signed a concession for oil exploration. In response, Fowle wrote to the India Office in London, suggesting that there was now 'much to be said for keeping him [the Shaikh] on good terms with us.' (folio 155) The British Government shifted its position in relation to the slave trade in Abu Dhabi, considering the practice to have eased off, so that 'good office' could now be resumed with the Shaikh (draft letter folios 157-58, final copy folios 234-35).From folio 168 the emphasis of the correspondence shifts to the suspected trade of slaves, and in particular young girls, from British Baluchistan and Iranian Makran, via the Batinah Coast, to Saudi Arabia. The concern was raised in correspondence between Viscount Halifax and the British Legation at Jeddah in March 1939. The interior area of the Trucial Coast around Buraimi was once again mentioned as a suspected trading point. The Political Agent Muscat (Captain Tom Hickinbotham) wrote to Fowle in June 1939 over the issue, asserting that slaves were being traded by Baluchis from the Iranian Makran coast and not the British Baluchistan coast, to the Batinah Coast at Muscat (folios 207-12). The Sultan of Muscat responded to questions from the Political Resident, saying that he would like to deport those Iranian Baluchis who have resided in recent years from Makran (folios 213-223), but the British response, wary of the political ramifications arising with Iran, were not keen on this proposal (folios 248-49).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 269; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are 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. The sequence includes three foliation anomalies: ff 1a, 154a and 180a.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence relating to arms trafficking and slavery in the Persian Gulf. Correspondence regarding arms trafficking takes up a small proportion of the file. It includes a printed copy of the British Government's Convention for the Control of the Trade in Arms and Ammunition, dated 10 September 1919 (ff 6-23), and correspondence exchanged in March 1923 between the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Trevor) and the Bahrain Political Agent (Captain Clive Daly), discussing an apparent increase in the numbers of arms being traded into Arabia (ff 24-28).The majority of the file is dedicated to specific instances of slave trading in the region. A significant portion of the file is comprised of correspondence related to the import of five Armenian women from Kuwait to Qatar via Bahrain in 1924 (from f 31 onwards). Copies and return correspondence on this subject can be found in the Bushire Residency file '5/193 I (B23) Slavery in the Gulf' (IOR/R/15/1/225), but the items in this volume provide greater detail of the role played in the matter by the Bahrain Political Agent (Daly) and the American Mission in Bahrain in the recovery and questioning of the Armenian women, as well as details of how and where each of the women were traded (ff 101-104).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 177; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.The sequence includes four foliation anomalies, ff 1a, 63a, 63b and 99a.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to a large number of miscellaneous topics:The discussion in the volume relates to the following topics:Expulsion of Hafidh Wahba from Bahrain, 1922.Proposals to reduce Gulf establishment, 1922.Rumours of intrigue by Shaikh Khaz'al, 1922.Faisal Al Duwish's raids, 1922.Diving systems in Kuwait and Bahrain, 1923.Difference between `amir' and `wakil', 1923.Channel of correspondence between Home Government and Gulf posts, 1923.Expulsion of Dawasir from Bahrain, 1923.Proposals to charge for lighting and buoying services, 1923.The volume includes an index (folio 4). The principal correspondents in the volume include: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Arthur Prescott Trevor; HBM Consul, Khorramshahr; HBM Consul, Mohammerah [Khorramshahr]; HBM Consul and Political Agent, Muscat; Secretariat of HE the High Commissioner for Iraq; Air Headquarters, Baghdad; Civil Embarkation Officer, Karachi; Commanding Officer, Mosul District; General Headquarters (Levies) Baghdad; Director, Royal Indian Marine.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 310; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers; nor does it include the two leading and ending flyleaves.Additional foliation sequences are present in parallel between ff 5-308; these numbers are also written in pencil, but, where circled, are crossed through.
Abstract: Hennell writes to Malet that he has requested the inspection by Commodore J. P. Porter of a bugla (boat) flying British colours, which has been detained by Khojah Hiskal, the native agent at Muscat. Commodore Porter's reply was included with the original letter. Hennell writes that the crew of the ship has dispersed and the captain (nakhuda) sent to him via Bahrain for 'adequate punishment.' Four Abyssinian slave girls have been forwarded to Bombay.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 115 of 1842, dated 15 October 1842. The enclosures are dated 4 July to 14 October 1842, and relate to the mission to Shoa [Shewa].The enclosures consist of: dispatches from Captain William Cornwallis Harris, on a special mission at the Court of Shoa, to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay; and a letter from Willoughby to Thomas Herbert Maddock, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General.The enclosures contain the following: reports by Harris on the proceedings of the mission under his charge; a report by Harris on the state of slavery and the 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people] within and beyond Abyssinia [the Ethiopian Empire], which includes a sketch map entitled ‘Sketch delineative of the ROUTES OF SLAVE-CARAVANS through Abyssinia to the shores of ARABIA.’ (folio 517); distribution lists of presents; and correspondence regarding the expedience of the continuance of the mission for a longer period.Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-8, on folios 389-391. These numbers are repeated for reference on the last verso of each enclosure.