'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎13] (32/204)

*3
either in respect of tribute or otherwise. From certain official documents, the liability
• See Bombay Selection., No. XXIV. p. 291. to tribute at least would seem to be admitted *
Also Palgrave's Travels, Vol. II., p. 201. His Excellency in Council would be glad to have
this point definitively settled, for from the corre-
.86, Fr0 " y ' 3 J ' spnndence in i86lt and the Treaty the
To Bombay Government, dated 23rd July ratified, it would appear that Her Majesty'n
1861, No. 900. „ Government hold Bahrein to be independents
not only of Persia, but of Turkey, and by implication of the Wahabi Power also.
4. In respect of the Bahrein buggalow Large trading vessel. (which has since sunk, but of the recovey of
which Colonel Pelly expresses hopes), I am instructed to say tliat His Excellency the
Governor-General in Council assumes, from the expressions used in paragraph 7 of the
letter of 17th December last, that Colonel Pelly did not intend to finally confiscate the
vessel without a reference to His Excellency the Governor in Council, and through His
Excellency to this Government. It should be understood that for the future 110 such
final confiscation can be allowed to take place by order of the Resident without a reference
of this nature. Serious complications in the relations of the Government of india with
respect to the Powers bordering on the Gulf might otherwise be the'resuit."
43-B. A communication as promised in paragraph 2 was made to Mr. Alison,
and it was approved by the Secretary of State (Despatch No. 37, dated the
28th February 1867).
43-C. As regards the Wahabi claims to Bahrein, Colonel Pelly, upon refer
ence referred to the previous declarations! of the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. , Her Majesty's
G9vernment, and the Government of India, which showed that the British Gov
ernment would not admit of the occupation of Bahrein by the Turkish Govern
ment or any one acting for it. Colonel Pelly also reported that he learnt from
an envoy of the Chief of Bahrein " that the Chief of Bahrein holds himself
absolutely independent of the Wahahi ruler in so Jar as the islands at Bahrein
are concerned, hut that the Chief having occupied certain lands in Givetter on the
mainland of Arabia, receives revenue from these lands and pays to the Wahahi
Amir the sum of 4,coo dollars per annum, on condition that the latter prevent
his tribes from molesting the people residing on the Gwetter lands The Gov
ernment of India expressed the opinion that so far as these lands were concerned
it might he presumed that he onoed fealty tg the Wahahi Government, but m
regard to the Bahrein islands, the Chief was independent and owed allegiance
to no other power (Foreign Department letter No. 274, dated 22nd March iSoy,
Volume 84 of 1867.) *
43-D. As'to the buggalow Large trading vessel. itself the Government of India ultimately decided
Volume ps of 1866. to restore it to the Chief of Bahrein, if she
Political a, December 1866, No. 9. was j n a gj^te to bear the voyage (Govern
ment of India, letter No. 1206, dated 3rd December 1866). An attempt was made
to tow her to Bahrein, but it ended in only sending the boat to the bottom of the
sea.
CHAPTER VII.
(I) Disturbances in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . (2) Violation of the Maritime Truce
by the Chiefs of Bahrein and Abuthabi. (3) Ali-bin-Khalifa made
Chief of Bahrein, 1867-68.
44. In October 1867, Sheikh Mahomed Khalifa, Chief of Bahrein, in
concert with Sheikh Said bin Khalifa, Chief of Abuthabi, attacked and plunder
ed the Katar tribes on the neighbouring mainland of Arabia. The particulars
of this outrage are as follows :—
45. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mahomed bin Suliman, the representative of the Chief
of Bahrein, on the Katar Coast, seized a
From Secretary to Government, Bombaj,'No. Bedouin of that Coast, and Sent him off tO
128, dated 6th June 1868. RaVirPin TVlP O^tPnmblp rPJISOn for Slich
Proceedings, June 1868, Nos. 92-93. . Danrein. ^ i ne osiensiDie redbon lur bucn
a proceeding was, that the Bedouin had
visited his tribe. •The headmen of Wakrah, Bidaa, Dohb, and Dowha demanded
the release of the captive. Their demand not being complied with, they resolved
to expel Sheikh Ahmed from Wakrah. Hearing of their determination, Sheikh
Ahmed left with his family and goods for Khor-i-Hassan, and, on arrival,
reported the matter to the Chief of Bahrein. The Chief tnereupon released
the captive Bedouin, and sent a letter by him to the head-men of _ Katar,
assuring them of his desire for a continuance of friendship, and inviting
some of them to visit him in Bahrein. In answer to the invitation, the
Katar people sent explanations and an apology fo r having turned Sheikh
+ Vide paragraphs 22 (footnote), 24A, 29, 32, 33,
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