'File 53/11 X (D 117) Shaikh of Kuwait's Date Gardens in Iraq'

Content

This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding date gardens in southern Iraq owned by the ruler of Kuwait. The correspondence discusses changes in legislation proposed by the Government of Iraq regarding the collection of land rent and land produce duties, and the impact of these changes to the ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ.

In particular, the correspondence concerns the Government of Iraq's decision to end the immunity from taxation (on the gardens) that had been granted to the former ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ and the Shaikh of Mohammerah, Khaz‘al bin Jābir al-Ka‘bī by the British Government in return for their military support against the Ottoman Empire in World War 1.

The correspondence discusses in detail a court case in the Iraqi courts regarding the land owned by Shaikh Aḥmad and the attempts made by British officials in Iraq and Kuwait to mediate between the two sides. This correspondence includes discussions regarding the initial registration of Shaikh Mubārak's ownership of the various properties in Iraq and direct correspondence with Shaikh Aḥmad's lawyer, Jacob Gabriel.

The file contains a translation of a letter from Shaikh Aḥmad granting general power of attorney to Gabriel (ff 60-70) and a 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, Harold Richard Patrick Dickson concerning a visit to Kuwait by Syed Hamid Beg Al Naqib [Sayyid Ḥamīd Beg al-Naqīb], the Deputy for Basra in the Iraqi Parliament (ff 144-148).

Extent and format

1 volume (220 folios)

Arrangement

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

Serial numbers refer to entries in the notes at the rear of the file: red for incoming, blue for outgoing correspondence.

Physical characteristics

Condition: A bound correspondence volume.

Foliation: The file's foliation sequence commences at the title page and terminates at the fifth folio from the back of the volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. The file contains the following foliation errors: 1, 1A and 1B..

Written in

English in Latin 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/15/1/492

Former external reference(s)

A Series: 53/11 X Confidential Series: D 117

History of this record

Date(s)

22 Nov 1934-15 Jul 1935 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Land ownership

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'File 53/11 X (D 117) Shaikh of Kuwait's Date Gardens in Iraq', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/492, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0001d1> [accessed 27 August 2024]

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