'File E-8 VI. Bin Saud'

Content

This file contains correspondence between British officials at Bahrain and Basrah, Baghdad Bushire and Kuwait, as well as with ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd). Throughout the file, there are items of numerous correspondence with Ibn Sa'ud detailing his subsidy, ongoing conflict with Ibn Rashīd of Ḥā’il and Sharīf Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī of Mecca at al-Khurmah and Turabah, as well as his views on British and French involvement in Syria, Iraq and Palestine.

Contained within the file are papers related to Harold Richard Patrick Dickson's 1920 visit to Ibn Sa‘ūd at al-Ḥasa to discuss his subsidy, the Najd Mission to Bombay, the situation in Syria and Iraq, the 1919 Paris Peace Conference and his relations with Sharīf Ḥusayn. Included is Dickson's correspondence (folios 11-14, 33-42, 51-58, 99-103 and 159-199); a list of cash presents made by him (folios 59-60); and 'Diary of 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. , Bahrain, during his recent journey to Hassa and back January 29th to February 20th 1920' (folios 61-77, including a rough sketch of the town of Hofuf on folio 66). As a result of his visit to al-Ḥasa, Dickson also compiled 'Notes on the "Akhwan" Movement' which details the history, theology and customs of the Ikhwān movement, the system of Ibn Sa‘ūd's government, and its connection with the movement, and a list of settlements ( hijar ) established by the movement (folios 105-120). There is also an extract from the Bahrain 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. 's diary dated 31 December 1919 on the influence of the Ikhwān movement in Bahrain (folios 23-25).

In the context of Ibn Sa‘ūd's ongoing conflict with Sharīf Ḥusayn, there are reports of attacks on villages in the vicinity of Taif (folios 212-217); letters written by Sharīf Ḥusayn, Khālid bin Manṣūr, Amir of al-Khurma, and Muḥammad bin Sa‘d bin Ghannām, Amir of Turabah (folios 230-239); and details of a mission from Sharif Faysal to Riyadh requesting Ibn Sa'ud's friendship (folios 242-267). In addition there is correspondence concerning a deputation from Kuwait to Riyadh following rising tensions between Ibn Sa‘ūd and Shaikh Sālim al-Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ as a result attacks by the Ikhwān movement under the leadership of Fayṣal al-Dawīsh (folios 346, 352-363).

Also covered in great length within the file are preparations for a proposed meeting between Ibn Sa‘ūd and Sharīf Ḥusayn (folios 204-211, 221-226) in Aden with the possibility of Farḥān al-Rahmah or Dhari Beg accompanying Dickson on the mission (folios 315-318). In various correspondence with Ibn Sa‘ūd it is proposed that such a meeting should take place after the hajj pilgrimage; Ibn Sa‘ūd performing the Hajj; Najd pilgrims should be accompanied by a qualified Indian Muslim officer and a meeting take place in Mecca between Ibn Sa‘ūd and Sharīf Ḥusayn (folios 319-328, 338-343). Khan Sayid Siddiq Hasan, Indian assistant at the Bahrain Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , is proposed to accompany Najd pilgrims (folios 350-351). Sharīf Ḥusayn agreees to these terms (folios 374, 379). However, due to the requirement to limit the number of Najd pilgrims, Ibn Sa‘ūd is advised to refrain from making pilgrimage himself (folios 435-439 and 444).

Also included within the file is correspondence concerning:

• Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd's visit to London (folios 45 and 92) and the announcement in The Times of his marriage to his first cousin, the daughter of Muhammad ibn Saud [Muḥammad bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Āl Sa‘ūd] dated 5 June 1920 (folios 407-409);
• obtaining rice and cereal for Najd from India (folios 94 and 148-149);
• arranging for an Indian Muslim doctor to visit Riyadh (folio 146, 153, 260-261, 289, 311-312);
• reports in July 1920 that a number of Ibn Sa‘ūd's family members are sick and a request that Dr Paul Wilberforce Harrison of the Arabian Mission to visit Riyadh (folios 334-336);
• discussion of possibility of an aerodrome in Bahrain (folio 288) and aeroplanelandings in Eastern Arabia (folios 300-303);
• a proposed port at al-‘Uqayr and building a harbour at al-Jubayl (folios 138-143);
• Ibn Sa‘ūd's congratulations to Arnold Talbot Wilson upon being awarded the KCIE (Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire) (folios 394-396).

Extent and format

1 volume (455 folios)

Arrangement

This file is arranged approximately in chronological order.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: This file has an uncircled foliation number in the top right hand corner of recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio.

Written in

English 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/15/2/36

Former external reference(s)

Confidential file: E/8 VI

History of this record

Date(s)

15 Jan 1920-30 Jul 1920 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages

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'File E-8 VI. Bin Saud', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/36, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000303> [accessed 27 August 2024]

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