![‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’ [‎39] (51/160)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0001b8/IOR_L_PS_20_C238_0052.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’ [‎39] (51/160)")
‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’ [39] (51/160)
The record is made up of 1 volume (80 folios). It was created in 1904. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
coutse be applicable to him ? Ceitainly it would be so. The above sufficiently answers the
first and second excuses put forward in your letter.
"The arguments adduced by me in this matter would be recognized in every place, and
are in accordance with all custom and rule, and in every Court in the world.
" But as regards the third subject mooted in 5 r our letter, to the effect that the murdered
messenger was the bearer of a letter from the
Firman
A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’).
Hrma for Jassim-bin-Sani, and that
you sent the letter intact with the seal unbroken to its destination, you say also thac in opening
a second letter you found that certain persons harl written it to another person in Gwuttur,
mentioning certain matters connected with Bahrein, which you observed with regret. This
letter, although written by certain persons to an individual in Gwuttur, did not contain matters
of the nature represented by you. But if it had contained any such^ may God help us, it would
have created mischief to the State.
" This question bad no concern with the messenger, nor yet with the person to whom the
messenger was sent, but had reference only to the persons who indited the letter. Not
withstanding this were the subject-matter contained in the letter as seen by you and quoted by
you to this effect, m.—
^ That the enemy would be suppressed, and that friends would rejoice,^ it contained
nothing injurious, but only what was beneficial to all mankind,
" If any fault can be found, it is in the fact of your having opened a letter of this descrip
tion from one party to another, at a time when you were a person in authority. Your presump
tion in acting in this manner would be objected to by every Government and stigmatized by
every creed.
_" As regards your statement that the messenger who bore these letters was not known and
carried no passport, the idea of such a question as that of messengers proceeding from Lahsa to
Gwuttur being known or unknown, competent or otherwise, for the first time emanates from
Bahrein. It is well known that persons employed on the coast and passing to and fro do not
carry passports, and that the custom of carrying passports has never been in vogue in these
parts.
" What you have now put forward in argument is sometimes considered fitting to
adduce as an excuse, under such circumstances, in great cities which you have not seen, but
may have heard of.
The excuse, however, had no effect, because it is not the practice to carry passports in
these parts. It would appear you have written from hearsay without considering at all whether
the excuse would be of any service to you or have any weight whatever.
" Notwithstanding this it was known from the address of the official letter which the
messenger was carrying, and from the seal on the document whence the messenger had come,
and whither he was proceeding, and on what business he was deputed. These circumstances
naturally showed what the man^s business was. Your statements are consequently foolish, and
call for no remark.
" What causes me more surprise than all else in your statement, that you were not aware
of-the arrival of the Imperial troops at Lahsa and Katif, while arrival of these troops took
place more than six months ago and the people of Bahrein, consequent on the protection and
security caused by the presence of the troops, frequented tha coasts without interference and
carried on trade. The steamers and other vessels also passed to and fro in the vicinity of
Bahrein. I am unable to understand how these patent circumstances have escaped your ob
servation, while I have heard so much of your good sence and intelligence.
" In conclusion, the man despatched for the delivery of important letters from one Turkish
Government authority to another is well known to us of having left; also how he was made
to deviate from his course, the way in which he was taken to the island of Bahrein, and by whose
hands he was killed. Same portions of the actual facts remained incomplete, but these were
ascertained during the mission of Arif Bey, and the evidence is now complete.
" On this account it is necessary that the murderers should be called on to pay the blood-
money of the murdered in accordance with the custom of law, viz., 10,000 legal dirhems of pure
silver, which amount should be made over to the Kayem Mukam in Gwuttur, Jassim-bin-Sani
for payment to the heirs of the murdered.
" In any case it is required that the murderer should be seized and confined. If it were
possible for me (to get this done), it would have been done, in order that in future such oc
currences as these may not be repeated.
" My object is to be informed who the murderers are, and in what manner they have been
confined.
If these things which I have said are not carried into effect, and as you V have written that
the murder was committed by the people of the south, I, by the power of His Imperial Majesty,
am able really and actually to give effect to what I have said.
" I now await a decisive reply from you."
About this item
- Content
Part 1 of a Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. gazetteer of historical and political materials, a précis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs. The précis was prepared by Jerome Antony Saldanha, whose preface (under which his surname is erroneously spelt Saldana) is dated 25 November 1904, and published by the Government of India Foreign Deptartment, Simla, India.
The preface is an historical outline of the struggle for political dominance in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , including Portuguese, British, Wahabi [ Wahhābī A follower of the Islamic reform movement known as Wahhabism; also used to refer to the people and territories ruled by the Al-Saud family. ] and Turkish expansion. The chapters (titles shown in italics) deal with the subject in an roughly chronological fashion:
1. Early history of Hasa and Katif , including: references to the area in Arabic writing; the first known Arab colonists; and early references to the area in British (East India Company) records;
2. Conquest of Hasa by the Wahabis and Turkish expeditions into Nejd [Najd] and Hasa, and their results 1800-1865 , including: conquest of the area by the Wahabis; Turkish expeditions to the area, 1811-19 and 1836-40; Amir Feysal’s [Fayṣal ibn Turki Āl Sa‘ūd] nominal dependence on Turkey, 1855; troubles in Katif, 1859-62; Turkish protest against British proceedings at Damaum [Dammām], 1862; the British war against Amir Feysal, 1865-66; obsolete title of award of Arabia by an Abbasid caliph to the Ottoman Porte; Ottoman ambitions in Arabia (Holy Ottoman Empire);
3. Turkish expedition to Nejd and Hasa, 1871-72 , including: origins of the expedition; intelligence from the 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. , Colonel Lewis Pelly; British policy in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and effects of the Turkish expedition on that policy; Turkish assurances to Britain, communicated to Bahrain (spelt Bahrein throughout) by Pelly; Turkish promise of non-interference with the rulers of the Trucial coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. ; narrative of the events leading up to and including the landing of the expeditionary force in Nejd; Turkish designs on Katar [Qatar], and their hoisting of the Turkish flag at Budaa [Al-Bidda]; Turkish naval activity in the Gulf, and Britain’s naval response; murder of a suspected Turkish messenger at Bahrain; reasons for the non-interference of the British Government in operations on land; further narrative of the expedition and affairs in Nejd; evidence of Turkish designs on Bahrain; Turkish assurances; relations between Turkey and Abuthabi [Abu Dhabi]; close of the Turkish expedition;
4. Internal affairs of Hasa and Katif, 1872-1904 , including: administration and internal organisation; and a list of governors at Hasa, including events of significance occurring during their rule;
5. Survey of the Katif coast, 1873-74 , including: British intentions and permission gained from the Ottoman Porte; complaints of British survey officers landing on the Nejd coast; written permission to land to undertake surveying.
6. Increase of Turkish military and naval forces in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and Turkish policy , including: a memorandum by Captain T Doughty on the state of affairs in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ;
7. (1) Trade Relations of Hindu and other traders of Bahrain with Katif, and their disabilities , and (2) Proposal appointment of a consular officer at Katif ;
8. Piracies , including: piracies in Katif and Bahrain waters, 1878; ; revolt in Hasa and piracies in Katif and Bahrain waters, 1878-81; Turkish responsibilities and jurisdiction for the purpose of suppressing piracies in Katif waters, 1878-81; piracies in Katif and Bahrain waters in 1883; piracies in Katif and Bahrain waters in 1886; piracies in 1887-88; piracies in 1891-92; piracies in 1899-1900; piracies in 1902 and the proposal of the Chief of Bahrain to maintain an armed dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. for the pursuit of pirates, 1902-03;
9. Murder of Sheikh Selman-bin-Diaij-el-Khalifa [Shaikh Salman bin Diaj Āl Khalīfah] , a cousin of the Chief of Bahrain and his party about 40 miles south of Katif. Question of satisfaction and compensation for it ;
10. Turkish designs on Oman and the rest of the East Arabian Littoral, 1888-1899 ;
11. Summary of British declarations against Turkish encroachments in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and of the Porte’s assurances, 1871-1904 .
The cover of volume, on which the title is printed, also has a number of different pencil and pen annotations, marking former external references or numbering systems (‘P.2557/29’, ‘No.5’, ‘C238’).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (80 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is arranged into eleven chapters, preceded by a preface. Each chapter is organised by subheadings, and its paragraphs numbered. The paragraph numbers are continuous throughout the whole volume, beginning on 1 at the start of the first chapter, and ending on 553/553A at the end of the eleventh chapter. A contents page at the front of the volume (ff.4-5) lists the chapters by their headings and subheadings, with each referring to paragraph, rather than page, numbers.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right hand 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 printed pagination sequence, with page numbers located top and centre of each page.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’ [39] (51/160), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/C238, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023514031.0x000035> [accessed 13 March 2025]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/20/C238
- Title
- ‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’
- Pages
- front, front-i, i-r:ii-v, 1:4, 1:2, 1:35, 37:40, 42:80, 82:108, 110:144, iii-r:iii-v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence