Coll 6/80 'South and South-Western boundaries of Saudi-Arabia'

Content

This file relates to the disputed south and south-western boundaries of Saudi Arabia. It primarily concerns an expedition to southern Saudi Arabia that was undertaken by Harry St John Bridger Philby in 1936, during which Philby was reported to have entered Yemeni and British territory. Much of the correspondence discusses Philby's visit to Shabwa [Shabwa, Yemen] (reportedly with an armed Saudi party), a visit considered by the British to be an incursion into the Aden Protectorate.

The file's principal correspondents are the following: His Majesty's Minister at Jedda (Sir Reader William Bullard); the Acting 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. , Aden (Morice Challoner Lake); Harry St John Bridger Philby; the Minister for Saudi Foreign Affairs [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd]; the Sultan of Shihr and Mukalla; the Imam of Yemen [Yaḥyā Muḥammad Ḥamīd al-Dīn].

In addition to correspondence the file includes Philby's own account of his visit to Shabwa, in an article published in The Times in January 1937.

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format

1 file (68 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 70; 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.

Written in

English in Latin 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/L/PS/12/2153

Former external reference(s)

Coll 6/80

History of this record

Date(s)

8 Oct 1936-1 Mar 1937 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

FrontiersGeographical explorationTerritorial disputes

Places

ShabwaHadhramaut

People & organisations

Al Qu'ayṭī Sultan of Shihr and MukallaHM Ambassador to Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia, Minister for Foreign AffairsChief Commissioner, AdenImam of YemenHarry St John Bridger Philby

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Cite this record in your research

Coll 6/80 'South and South-Western boundaries of Saudi-Arabia', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2153, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/node/9431> [accessed 19 January 2025]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0002b3

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