‘Relating to the Slave Trade Vol: 1’

Content

This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, memoranda, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political and secret letters from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. ; Stafford Bettesworth Haines, 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 Aden; Reuben Aslan, the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Muscat; Captain Atkins Hamerton, Agent at Muscat on a mission to Zanzibar; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Robertson, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . It is the first in a series of two items on the trade in enslaved people (the other is IOR/F/4/1990/88113).

The item concerns primarily concerns information about the mechanisms of the trade in enslaved people across the whole of the Gulf, including Persia, detailing:

• The routes travelled
• Numbers of enslaved people transported
• The nationalities of traders
• The value of the trade
• The nationalities, prices, gender ratio, ages, and treatment of the enslaved people.

The item also discusses:

• The specific role of boats from Scinde [Sindh] exporting enslaved people from Muscat to Scinde
• The possibility of persuading the Ameer of Scinde [Mir Nasir Khan Talpur] to issue a proclamation prohibiting the trade in enslaved people
• The possibility of the Imam of Muscat [Sayyid Sa’id bin Sultan Al Bu Sa’id] forbidding Joasmee [al- Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. ] boats from visiting his African possessions to try to curb the trade in enslaved people
• The case of the Kallah Kassaim [Qal’ah Qasim], which imported enslaved people into Muscat and changed her flag from the British flag to the Imam of Muscat’s depending on her circumstances
• Proposed measures to prevent export of kidnapped children from the territory of the Nizam of Hyderabad [Mir Farqunda Ali Khan]
• The rescue of enslaved Somali men and women from Rasul Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah]
• The rescue of enslaved Indian women from Muscat
• Reports of a delegation sent by the Imam of Muscat to London to object to the East India Company’s insistence on ending the trade in enslaved people
• Extent of the trade in kidnapped children at Hyderabad, and the enforcement of the laws concerning the trade
• Depositions of those connected with the cases of alleged slavery, including the case of Hajee Mahomed [Haji Muhammed], who was found to have multiple Abyssinian children in his house.

The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 227, P.C. [Previous Communication] 3822A, [Season 18]43’, ‘Collection No 11’.

Extent and format

1 item (248 folios)

Arrangement

The documents are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front of the item to the rear.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 4 and terminates at f 251, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

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/F/4/1990/88112

History of this record

Date(s)

3 Apr 1839-30 Nov 1842 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Political 11 Apr 1843, draft 227/1843; IOR/E/4/1072 pp.971-978

Subjects

Slave tradeAbduction

Places

AdenBushireScinde

People & organisations

Political ResidentGovernment of BombayAmir of Lower SindhImam of OmanNative AgentPolitical Agent

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

‘Relating to the Slave Trade Vol: 1’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1990/88112, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/node/9550> [accessed 10 December 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000344.0x00010e

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000344.0x00010e/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content