‘37 File 483 Memorandum on Bahrain; Major E L Durand’s Notes on the Antiquities of Bahrain’

Content

The volume’s contents fall into two categories:

Reports and memoranda on Bahrain, dated 1875, including a report on the rulers of Bahrain (folios 2-7); a history and genealogy of the Uttoobee [ʿUtūb] tribe (folios 9-10); names of the ʿUtūb rulers (folios 11-13); a memorandum on Bahrain (folios 15-44) covering etymologies of the islands’ names, its inhabitants, political character, and history from the earliest known period to the present day; and a list of some of the principal families in Bahrain (folios 45-46). The first three of these reports are ascribed to an individual called Hajee Abdool Cassim, and are present in the volume in Arabic original and English translation. The author of the last two reports is unclear.

The second part of the volume contains correspondence relating to arrangements for the excavation of Bahrain’s tumuli. There are a number of letters dated 1879 (folios 49, 52, 53, 58, 59-60) exchanged between Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Ross, Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and the Principal Librarian of the British Museum (Edward Bond), the latter being eager to initiate excavations of the tumuli at Bahrain, and forwarding funds of £100 sterling for the project. Later correspondence covers arrangements for the purchase and delivery of pickaxes to Bahrain for the excavations (folios 61-74), and arrangements and letters of recommendation to Shaikh Esau bin Khuleefah [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah] for Theodor and Mabel Bent to visit Bahrain in 1889 to undertake excavations (folios 91-98).

Note that Durand’s notes on the antiquities of Bahrain, cited in the original file title, are not themselves included in the volume.

Extent and format

1 volume (104 folios)

Arrangement

The volume’s contents have been arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front to the latest at the end.

Physical characteristics

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 The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. . The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Letter book

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/1/192

Former external reference(s)

Old Records: 37 Bundle 82, File 483

History of this record

Date(s)

11 Sep 1875-20 Feb 1889 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Archaeological excavationsArchaeology

Places

Bahrain

People & organisations

King of BahrainBritish Museum, Principal Librarian'Utūb (Tribe)

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‘37 File 483 Memorandum on Bahrain; Major E L Durand’s Notes on the Antiquities of Bahrain’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/192, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0000a5> [accessed 11 March 2025]

Link to this record

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