'File 53/7 VI (D 9) Koweit [Kuwait] affairs - Arab Tribes, 1907-1911'

Content

This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding political affairs in Kuwait and its vicinity. The correspondence discusses developments in the conflict between Abdul Aziz ibn Abdulrahman ibn Faisal Al Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)] and the ruler of the Emirate of Jabal Shammar, Mut-ab Ibn Abdul Aziz [Mit‘ab bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz]. The murder of Mut-ab by his uncle Sultan is reported in the file on folio 54 and a detailed account of the killing is contained on folio 103. The subsequent murder of Sultan is also reported in the file on folios 230-232.

Throughout the file, the correspondence discusses the rise in power of Ibn Saud (and the relative decline of the Rashidi tribal dynasty) and Ibn Saud's desire - often expressed through Shaikh Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ, the ruler of Kuwait - to form a closer relationship with the British Government.

On folios 145-191, the file contains a detailed report written by the British Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Kuwait, Stuart George Knox concerning a trip he made to the village of Anta'a in February 1908.

The file contains an English translation of a pamphlet produced by Suleiman Bassam, a prominent merchant in Mecca said to be a strong supporter of the Rashidis and an opponent of Ibn Saud. The pamphlet contains a history of the Rashidi tribal dynasty and information about the Emirate of Jabal Shammar.

The file also contains copies of correspondence sent between the Ottoman Governor (Vali) of Basrah and Shaikh Mubārak as well as a report written by William Henry Irvine Shakespear, Knox's successor as Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Kuwait, after he had met Ibn Saud in Kuwait in February 1910.

Extent and format

1 file (335 folios)

Arrangement

The file is arranged in chronological order, from earliest at beginning of the file to most recent at end.

An index of the topics discussed in the file is contained on folio 2. The numbers listed in this index relate to the foliation sequence that uses a mechanical stamp (and starts on folio 3).

Physical characteristics

Condition: Previously a bound correspondence volume, the file's sheets have been unbound and are now loose.

Foliation: The volume has been foliated from the first page of text in the volume until to the inside back cover using circled pencil numbers in the top right-corner of each recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. . There is an earlier, possibly original, foliation sequence that runs through the volume, which uses a mechanical stamp. There is also an original pagination system which runs through the volume, using blue or red pencil numbers in the top-right corner of recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. pages, and the top-left corner of verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. pages.

Written in

English, French and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Archival file

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/15/1/479

Former external reference(s)

A Series: 53/7 VI Confidential Series: D 9

History of this record

Date(s)

3 Jan 1907-16 Mar 1911 (CE, Gregorian)

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'File 53/7 VI (D 9) Koweit [Kuwait] affairs - Arab Tribes, 1907-1911', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/479, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0001c4> [accessed 3 April 2025]

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