‘File 21/13 DETENTION OF MUSCAT SUBJECT BY AMIR OF ZAKRIT'

Content

The file contains correspondence relating to the abduction and enslavement of a young man from Muscat, who was found working at Petroleum Concessions Limited’s (PCL) oilfields in Qatar, and attempts by 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. and others, including Saleh Al Mana [Ṣāliḥ Āl Māni‘], a representative of the Sheik [Shaikh] of Qatar, to retrieve him from captivity. Principal correspondents in the file include: 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. at Bahrain (Cornelius Pelly), Basil Henry le Riolet Lermitte, Manager for PCL, and Saleh Al Mana. The file includes a copy of a statement, dated 13 December 1948, made by the freed man at the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Bahrain, which describes his abduction and captivity.

Note: The Emir of Zakrit [Zekreet, also spelled Zekrit and Zikrit in this file] is accused of detaining the enslaved man (folios 3 and 5); however, in a letter to Pelly from a representative of Petroleum Concessions Ltd, Bahrain, it is indicated that this may have been a case of mistaken identity ('mistaken Emirs') and it was perhaps the Emir of Dukhan who held the enslaved man (see f 12).

Extent and format

1 file (20 folios)

Arrangement

The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 19-21) mirror the chronological arrangement.

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 22; 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-18; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

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/15/2/614

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 21/13

History of this record

Date(s)

28 Sep 1948-27 Jan 1949 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

AbductionSlavery

Places

ZekritQatar

People & organisations

Petroleum Concessions Limited, ManagerṢāliḥ bin Sulaimān Āl Māni‘

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Cite this record in your research

‘File 21/13 DETENTION OF MUSCAT SUBJECT BY AMIR OF ZAKRIT', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/614, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000005> [accessed 1 October 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000005

IIIF details

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