Skip to item: of 160
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’ [‎14] (26/160)

The record is made up of 1 volume (80 folios). It was created in 1904. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .

Transcription

This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.

Apply page layout

14
Expedition temporarily postponed; Enquiries made from Porte re
garding it.
52. On the 31st March 1871, Colonel Herbert was requested to ascertain
from the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. whether arjy communica-
JSi'J. (Nos. 587 and 589.) - uji , in* * j .
v tion had been made to our Minister at
Constantinople on the subject of the expedition. He replied that the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. did
not know. The expedition had, he said, been temporarily postponed. All the
information regarding the expedition was telegraphed home to the Secretary of
State on the 31st March, and he was told:—
*'Warlike operations in any part of Gnlf to be deprecated as breach of maritime peace,
Th j (\ Kssn destructive to our trade, and likely to give rise to
L ' complications. Her Majesty^s Government should
move Minister at Constantinople to communicate with Porte, state our objections, and
endeavour to stop op^ratious by sea/'
Earlier instructions given to Colonel Felly.
53. The Bombay Government, on the 11th April, telegraphed that Colonel
ihid (No 59i) Pelly had reported that the belief in the
expedition was general in Bushire :—
"I am," said Colonel Pelly, <f indirectly asked whether Arabs would be forbidden aiding
Wahabis ag-ainst Turks. I re pecthilly request instructions, and, unless specially ordered,
should not interfere, as maritime truce does m t relate to Turks. If Government wish me to
watch proceedings, an efficient steamer would be necessary. There is at present no Govern
ment vessel in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . I suggest that Government of India request 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. ,
Baghdad, to keep me informed of expedition movement."
54. The Bombay Government was told :—
In event of expedition sailing, Pelly should not interfere with proceedings of Turkish
Ibid (No 59') authorities w T itbout specific orders from Govern
ment of India, to whom he should immediately
report. If Arabs take part in quarrel, he should limit his action strictly to maintaining
maritime truce. No vessel need be sent specially to Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . 'Porte' understood to
have sailed yesterday."
55. Colonel Pelly enquired on the 22nd April:—
"Am I correct in understanding that Government of India desire me to use all influence
Jfiuf. (No. 599.) towards preventing trucial Chiefs aiding Wahabis
• , m • i /-■ . a p a i ns t Turks, or in any way moving by sea?
vV hat reply am I to give to Trucial Chiefs if, continuing to observe maritime peace, they ask
whether we will protect them attempting ( ?) from sea by Turks ? Would it not be advisable
• For reply to Colonel Felly's enquiries-c.de to intimate to Turkish authority our engagement
paragraph fjy. witn liucial Chiers, as it is suspected Turks may
have an eye on Bahrein/'*
Preparations for Expedition resumed.
58. Colonel Herbert telegraphed, on the 17th April, that preparations for
Ibid. (No. 595.) the expedition were being resumed and
that it would leave Baghdad in a few days.
Three steam vessels had been ordered to convey six regiments and 12 guns.
One thousand Anb horses to go by land. The first portion of the force left
Baghdad on the 23rd April, and another detachment two days after.
Complications in Gulf.
57. The Bombay Government, on the ,8rd May, forwarded the following
im. (No, 611.) from Colouel Pell y
*' Imam Sand and Bahrein Chief write that Turkish Arab Chief of Koweit is preparing
to aid expedition. Imam requests Koweit may be restrained, or Imam be permitted to act by
pea. Bahrein Chief relies on trucial engagement and advice and protection. My respectful
opinion is, that Turkish expedition is on every account inexpedient, and should, if possible, be
averted. If persisted in, Indian Government are not committed to interfere under trucial
engagement as between Wahahis, Koweits, and Turks. 1 think we could not assent to a
naval attack by Turks or Koweit on trucial Chiefs loyal to their engagements with us. I
+ PaTaorant 55 respectfully solicit early instructions on this tele
gram and that of 22nd April."t

About this item

Content

Part 1 of a Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. gazetteer of historical and political materials, a précis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs. The précis was prepared by Jerome Antony Saldanha, whose preface (under which his surname is erroneously spelt Saldana) is dated 25 November 1904, and published by the Government of India Foreign Deptartment, Simla, India.

The preface is an historical outline of the struggle for political dominance in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , including Portuguese, British, Wahabi [ Wahhābī A follower of the Islamic reform movement known as Wahhabism; also used to refer to the people and territories ruled by the Al-Saud family. ] and Turkish expansion. The chapters (titles shown in italics) deal with the subject in an roughly chronological fashion:

1. Early history of Hasa and Katif , including: references to the area in Arabic writing; the first known Arab colonists; and early references to the area in British (East India Company) records;

2. Conquest of Hasa by the Wahabis and Turkish expeditions into Nejd [Najd] and Hasa, and their results 1800-1865 , including: conquest of the area by the Wahabis; Turkish expeditions to the area, 1811-19 and 1836-40; Amir Feysal’s [Fayṣal ibn Turki Āl Sa‘ūd] nominal dependence on Turkey, 1855; troubles in Katif, 1859-62; Turkish protest against British proceedings at Damaum [Dammām], 1862; the British war against Amir Feysal, 1865-66; obsolete title of award of Arabia by an Abbasid caliph to the Ottoman Porte; Ottoman ambitions in Arabia (Holy Ottoman Empire);

3. Turkish expedition to Nejd and Hasa, 1871-72 , including: origins of the expedition; intelligence from the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Colonel Lewis Pelly; British policy in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and effects of the Turkish expedition on that policy; Turkish assurances to Britain, communicated to Bahrain (spelt Bahrein throughout) by Pelly; Turkish promise of non-interference with the rulers of the Trucial coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. ; narrative of the events leading up to and including the landing of the expeditionary force in Nejd; Turkish designs on Katar [Qatar], and their hoisting of the Turkish flag at Budaa [Al-Bidda]; Turkish naval activity in the Gulf, and Britain’s naval response; murder of a suspected Turkish messenger at Bahrain; reasons for the non-interference of the British Government in operations on land; further narrative of the expedition and affairs in Nejd; evidence of Turkish designs on Bahrain; Turkish assurances; relations between Turkey and Abuthabi [Abu Dhabi]; close of the Turkish expedition;

4. Internal affairs of Hasa and Katif, 1872-1904 , including: administration and internal organisation; and a list of governors at Hasa, including events of significance occurring during their rule;

5. Survey of the Katif coast, 1873-74 , including: British intentions and permission gained from the Ottoman Porte; complaints of British survey officers landing on the Nejd coast; written permission to land to undertake surveying.

6. Increase of Turkish military and naval forces in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and Turkish policy , including: a memorandum by Captain T Doughty on the state of affairs in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ;

7. (1) Trade Relations of Hindu and other traders of Bahrain with Katif, and their disabilities , and (2) Proposal appointment of a consular officer at Katif ;

8. Piracies , including: piracies in Katif and Bahrain waters, 1878; ; revolt in Hasa and piracies in Katif and Bahrain waters, 1878-81; Turkish responsibilities and jurisdiction for the purpose of suppressing piracies in Katif waters, 1878-81; piracies in Katif and Bahrain waters in 1883; piracies in Katif and Bahrain waters in 1886; piracies in 1887-88; piracies in 1891-92; piracies in 1899-1900; piracies in 1902 and the proposal of the Chief of Bahrain to maintain an armed dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. for the pursuit of pirates, 1902-03;

9. Murder of Sheikh Selman-bin-Diaij-el-Khalifa [Shaikh Salman bin Diaj Āl Khalīfah] , a cousin of the Chief of Bahrain and his party about 40 miles south of Katif. Question of satisfaction and compensation for it ;

10. Turkish designs on Oman and the rest of the East Arabian Littoral, 1888-1899 ;

11. Summary of British declarations against Turkish encroachments in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and of the Porte’s assurances, 1871-1904 .

The cover of volume, on which the title is printed, also has a number of different pencil and pen annotations, marking former external references or numbering systems (‘P.2557/29’, ‘No.5’, ‘C238’).

Extent and format
1 volume (80 folios)
Arrangement

The volume is arranged into eleven chapters, preceded by a preface. Each chapter is organised by subheadings, and its paragraphs numbered. The paragraph numbers are continuous throughout the whole volume, beginning on 1 at the start of the first chapter, and ending on 553/553A at the end of the eleventh chapter. A contents page at the front of the volume (ff.4-5) lists the chapters by their headings and subheadings, with each referring to paragraph, rather than page, numbers.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right hand corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence, with page numbers located top and centre of each page.

Written in
English in Latin script
View the complete information for this record

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’ [‎14] (26/160), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/C238, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023514031.0x00001c> [accessed 9 February 2025]

Link to this item
Embed this item

Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.

<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023514031.0x00001c">‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’ [&lrm;14] (26/160)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023514031.0x00001c">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0001b8/IOR_L_PS_20_C238_0027.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0001b8/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image