‘Report for the Army Council on Mesopotamia. By Sir John P Hewett, GCSI, KBE’

Content

The volume contains an illustrated report, with maps, correspondence and statistical data included as appendices, for the Army Council on Mesopotamia [Iraq], prepared by Sir John Prescott Hewett for the War Office, dated 10 March 1919. The report focuses on: a) the administration and expenditure of agricultural and irrigation schemes put in place in Mesopotamia for 1918 and 1919, and administered by the Imperial Government; b) the extent to which expenditure on agriculture and irrigation schemes, charged against Imperial Army Funds, is necessary for the prosecution of war; c) infrastructure development in Mesopotamia (facilities at Basrah [Basra] port; railways; telegraphs, telephones and post; water supply; electrical and mechanical installations), and questions of their financial support through military and civil funds.

The appendices include: maps illustrating the scope and geographical detail of the agricultural and irrigation schemes; correspondence providing context into the circumstances surrounding the need for and implementation of the schemes; statistical data, including: irrigation scheme expenditure; capacity at Basrah port; valuation of the dockyard; admission rates for Indian troops and followers with scurvy for the years 1916, 1917 and 1918; valuation of telegraph apparatus, telephone lines.

Extent and format

1 volume (53 folios, 5 maps)

It is grouped into

‘Hindayah Barrage’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 5 1

‘Remains of Turkish Weir below Hindiyah Barrage’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 5 2

‘Turkish Bridge over Khalis Canal at Deli Abbas’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 5v 1

‘Head Regulator to Hillah Branch of Euphrates, built by Turks at the same time as the Hindiyah Barrage’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 5v 2

‘Turkish Head Regulator to Marut Canal from the Diyalah’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 5v 3

‘Najaf’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 7 1

‘Bridge of Boats, Kut’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 7 2

‘Turkish Head Regulator to Balad Druz Canal’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 7 3

‘Wharf of Local Resources, Amarah’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 11

‘Wharf of Local Resources, Hillah’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 13

‘Wharf of Local Resources, Hillah’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 15 1

‘Sirriah Dam’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 15 2

‘Old Mahmudiyah Canal’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 15v 1

‘New Mahmudiyah Canal, Head Regulator’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 15v 2

‘New Mahmudiyah Canal, 18 Kilometres from Head’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 15v 3

‘Group of Arabs’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 17 1

‘Euphrates Wheels’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 17 2

‘Floods on the Euphrates’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 19

‘Floods on the Euphrates’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 21 1

‘Head of the Raz Canal’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 21 2

‘New Khalis Canal’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 21 3

‘Port of Basrah’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 24

‘Port of Basrah’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 27

‘Amarah Bridge’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 30 1

‘Baghdad Bridge’

1 image

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 30 2

‘Map of Basra and Magil’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 52

‘Sheet No. 1 Canal and Communication Map of Mesopotamia’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 53

‘Sheet No. 2 Canal and Communication Map of Mesopotamia’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 54

‘Lower Mesopotamia between Baghdad and the Persian Gulf’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 55

‘Margil’

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/20/35, f 56

Arrangement

The report is divided into paragraphs numbered 1 through to 82, with paragraph subjects and page numbers provided in an index preceding the report (f 3v). A list of the appendices, numbered I through to XXVIII follows the report (f 35). Appendices I-IV are maps (ff 52-56), enclosed in the sleeve at the back of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 57; 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.

Pagination: the file contains an original printed pagination sequence.

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/20/35

Former external reference(s)

PZ 448/19

History of this record

Date(s)

1919 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

ImperialismAgricultureIrrigationFirst World War (1914-1918)

Places

BasrahMagilBagdadMesopotamia

People & organisations

War OfficeArmy Council

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

‘Report for the Army Council on Mesopotamia. By Sir John P Hewett, GCSI, KBE’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/35, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0003a5> [accessed 29 March 2025]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0003a5

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_100000000884.0x0003a5/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content