'Precis Containing Information in regard to the First Connection of the Hon'ble East India Company with Turkish Arabia, as far as the Same Can Be Traced from the Records of the Bombay Government, together with the Names of the Several British Residents and Political Agents Who Have Been Stationed at Bagdad [Baghdad] and Bussorah [Basra] between A.D. 1646 and 1846, accompanied by Other Information' [‎69r] (139/226)

WITH TURKISH ARABIA A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. —1646 TO 1846.
107
that the Pacha (of Bagdad) had on the 18th of the same month obtained
a most signal and unexpected victory over Abdurrahman Pacha, the
effect of which would, he entertained no doubt, lead to the entire sub
jection of " the Courdistan" to the Pacha of Bagdad, by which that
Pachalic would acquire a strength and respectability it had not possessed
for the last ten years, and would in reality become the most powerful
territory under the Porte.
234. On the 5th June 1812 Mr. Rich reported that he had lately
obtained from the Pacha two decrees in favor of the British Govern
ment, namely, one for preventing the desertion at Bussorah of sailors
from the Hon'ble Company^ cruizers and other vessels, and the other
for preventing the sale at Bussorah of any natives of India as slaves : both
of these decrees were addressed to the Mussaleem During the eighteenth century this was the third most powerful official in Ottoman Iraq (after the Pasha and the Kiya). The title was given specifically to the Governor of Basra. of Bussorah, and the
first of them was to the following effect:—
" It is declared that the sailors and those who work on hoard the cruizers and
merchant ships of the British Government some times by drunkenness or other offences
incur the displeasure of their Captains and become liable to just and necessary punish
ment and correction, and moreover, be it known that should the sailors or workmen
aforesaid, in order to escape such chastisement, take refuge with, and expect protection
from, either yourself or the head Captain of Shat-el-Arab (vulgarly), called the Captain
Pacha, you shall by no means afford them protection, but deliver them up to the Agent
at Bussorah of the esteemed Resident of the British Government at Bagdad" in
which intention this order has been written, decreed, and transmitted. When this
shall reach you, by the power of the Most High you will immediately regulate your
conduct and act by the decree contained in it."
235. The second decree was as follows :—
" It is declared that in consideration of the amicable relations subsisting between the
Sublime Government, of perpetual strength and internal stability {i.e., the Porte), and
the British Government, whose friendship it behoves us to cultivate, should the Captain
or crew of ships trading on the seas, whether belonging toBussorah or Muscat, steal and
bring subjects of the aforesaid Government in India, either males or females, natives of
India, for sale at Bussorah in the manner of negro, male and female, slaves, and the
Agent of the esteemed Resident at Bagdad for the British Government established at
Bussorah prove that the aforesaid male and female slaves are not negroes but natives
of India, who have been kidnapped, they shall be taken from the hands of the thieves
and despoilers and delivered up into his hands. And for carefully establishing this
clear law in the Government this order is written, decreed, and transmitted with the
power of the Most High. When this shall reach you, you will immediately regulate
your actions and conduct by the articles contained in it."
236. In a despatch to this Government, dated the 23rd September
1812, the Ilon'ble the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. authorized, in conformitv
with a recommendation made by the Government of India, the official
designation of the " Resident at Bussorah" being changed to that of
" 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. in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. /' with the liberty to reside either at
Bussorah or Bagdad as occasion might require, and with authority to
depute his Assistant to either of those places.
237. In January 1813 Abdoolla, the Pacha of Bagdad, proceeded
towards Bussorah with a force against the Montifick Chief, who was
encamped with an army of nine or ten thousand men at a short distance
from that town. On the two ai'mies, however, arriving within sight of
each other (during the first week in February) Abdoolla Pacha's troops
threw down their arms and went over to the side of the Montifick
Chief. Abdoolla Pacha under assurances of personal protection surren
dered himself to the Montificks, but was a few days afterwards put to