'File E-8 VII. Bin Saud'

Content

This file contains correspondence between British officials at Bahrain, Baghdad, Bushire, Kuwait, Sharjah and the Government of India, as well as correspondence with ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd), Ḥamūd bin Suwayṭ, headman of the Dhafir (Āl Ẓafīr) tribe, and Hāyif bin Shuqayr, Amir of Qaraiyah.

Throughout the file there are details of Ibn Sa‘ūd's subsidy arrangements and his relations with Shaikh Sālim al-Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ, Ibn Rashīd of Ḥā’il, the Imam Yahyá Muḥammad Ḥamīd al-Dīn and Sharīf Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī of Mecca and his sons, ‘Abdullāh and Fayṣal. In addition, there are details throughout regarding Britain and France's involvement in Syria, Palestine, Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and Iraq (for example, folios 2-6).

Much of the file concerns the 1920 mission of Khan Sahib Syed Siddiq Hasan, Indian assistant of the Bahrain Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , visiting Ibn Sa‘ūd at Riyadh, accompanying Najd pilgrims on hajj and negotiating between the representatives of Ibn Sa‘ūd and Sharīf Ḥusayn. There are 'Instructions to Khan Sahib Syed Siddiq Hasan (Proceeding to Riyadh)', dated 21/23 July 1920 (folios 144-148); various memoranda and demi-official correspondence from Siddiq Hasan at Riyadh in July and August 1920 (folios 9-10, 45-67, 69-83, 324-325); reports regarding the agreement reached on 5 September 1920 (folios 123, 198-204 and 218-250); and correspondence between Ibn Sa‘ūd and Aḥmad Thāniyān and the suggestion that he should be awarded the CIE (Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire) for his role in the Najd Mission to Mecca (folios 337-339).

In addition, there are details of rising tensions between Ibn Sa‘ūd's Ikhwān forces and the subjects of Shaikh Sālim on Kuwait-Najd border and at al-Jahrā’ (folios 153, 160, 177-186); thanks conveyed by Ibn Sa‘ūd for the congratulations offered to his son, Fayṣal, on the occasion of his wedding (folios 27-29); a discussion of practicalities of buoying at al-Uqayr (folios 187, 216 and 274), a possible survey of al-Qaṭīf harbour (folio 215) and a steamer service to Hasa (al-Aḥsā’) (folio 273); the donation of an Arabian Oryx by Ibn Sa‘ūd to King George V (folios 205-210); and the protection of Ibn Sa‘ūd's subjects in Sharjah and Dubai (folios 294-300).

Extent and format

1 file (356 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 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/15/2/37

Former external reference(s)

Confidential file: E/8 VII

History of this record

Date(s)

1 Aug 1920-27 Mar 1921 (CE, Gregorian)

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'File E-8 VII. Bin Saud', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/37, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/node/300> [accessed 14 March 2025]

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