'File 1/A/38 III Negotiations with Bin Saud re: Eastern Boundary of Saudi Arabia.'

Content

The volume concerns negotiations between the British and Saudi Arabian governments over the definition of the eastern boundary of Saudi Arabia, particularly the border with Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The King of Saudi Arabia is commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd]. The need to establish a definite border was increased by the discovery of oil in the area.

The principal correspondents are 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); the 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 (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch); HM Chargé d'Affaires, Jeddah (Andrew Spencer Calvert); HM Minister, Jedda [Jeddah] (Sir Andrew Ryan); the Secretary of State for India; the Government of India, and the Foreign Office.

The volume includes: papers (folios 18-28, 32-33) concerning an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula, undertaken by the Royal Air Force and accompanied by 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Loch, acting), including a chart showing tracks and positions (folio 21) and seven aerial photographs (folios 22-28), October 1935; notes by Haji Abdullah Fadhil Williamson on Abu Dhabi territory and boundaries 'given by the Al Bu Fallah Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. Shaikhs and also the Manasir', November 1935 (folios 120-122); Sir Andrew Ryan's account of his journey across Arabia, December 1935 (folios 159-167), and record of his conversations at Riyadh with the Saudi Arabian Government, December 1935 (folios 168-193); and discussions concerning Bin Saud's claim to Jabal Naksh in Qatar, January 1936 (folios 202-224).

The Arabic language content of the file is restricted to about ten folios of correspondence, mainly between Gulf rulers and the 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.

The date range gives the covering dates of the main items of correspondence; the earliest document is an enclosure to the first item of correspondence, dated 17 October 1935, and the last dated addition to the file is an entry in the notes dated 15 February [1936].

Extent and format

1 volume (246 folios)

It is grouped into

'QATAR PENINSULAR RECONNAISSANCE. 11.10.35.'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 21

'70. X. 14. F.P. QASR AS SALWA. CONICAL HILL. LOOKING S'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 22

'70. X. 14. FP. QASR AS SALWA. LOOKING W.S.W.'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 23

'70. X. 14. FP. QASR AS SALWA. LOOKING S W'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 24

'70. X. 14. FP. SAKAK FORT. LOOKING N.W.'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 25

'70. X. 14. FP. SAKAK GARDENS. LOOKING W.S.W.'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 26

'70. X. 14. F.P. AMBAK. LOOKING S.S.W'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 27

'70. X. 14. F.P. AMBAK RUINS. LOOKING S.S.W'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 28

'ARABIA. Route Traverse Across the RUB' AL KHALI from DHUFAR TO DOHA by BERTRAM THOMAS 1930-31'

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/2/159, f 246

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the back of the file, except where enclosures of an earlier date are filed after their relevant covering letter, and terminate in a set of notes (folios 228-242), followed by a map in a pocket on folio 246v. Circled serial numbers in red crayon refer to entries in the notes.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 248; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

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/15/2/159

Former external reference(s)

Confidential files, 1932-50: 1/A/38 III

History of this record

Date(s)

19 Oct 1935-6 Feb 1936 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Aerial reconnaissanceBoundariesAerial photography

Places

QatarSaudi ArabiaAbu Dhabi

People & organisations

Secretary of State for India and Burma, United KingdomHM Ambassador to Saudi ArabiaKing of Saudi ArabiaHM Chargé d'Affaires to Jeddah

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'File 1/A/38 III Negotiations with Bin Saud re: Eastern Boundary of Saudi Arabia.', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/159, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x00037e> [accessed 22 January 2025]

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