![‘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.’ [‎102] (114/160)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0001b8/IOR_L_PS_20_C238_0115.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.’ [‎102] (114/160)")
‘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.’ [102] (114/160)
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.
102
bring pressure upon tliese chiefs from the land side ; and they might thus find themselves
subject to a divided or double authority, which would produce confusion, would create factions,
and would tempt them to hoist the Turkish or the maritime treaty flag as might be most
convenient at the moment. This possibility is illustrated by the proceedings of the Sheikh
of El Bidda, who now declares himself subordinate to Turkey, and by the attempt of the
Odied Sheikh to follow the example of El Bidaa/'
It may, also, be necessary to protect the islands of Bahrein by special arrangements
which should provide—
i.—For the maintenance of the territories of the Chief of Bahrein under the protection
of Great Britain.
ii.—.For the fulfilment by the Chief of his treaty obligations including abstention from
all interference with the mainland.
But in the event of attack upon his territories the Chief, acting under the sanction of
the Resident in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
, should be permitted to take such defensive measures as may
be necessary, even to the extent of following up his assailants into Turkish jurisdiction. The
justification for this last provision lies in the peculiar situation of Bahrein. The islands are so
near the mainland as to render them peculiarly liable to piratical attacks, while this same
proximity affords the aggressors every facility for rapid escape into Turkish jurisdiction.
16. Secondly in regard to Ottoman responsibility for order ? Beyond the limits of ac
knowledged Ottoman jurisdiction, no such responsibility would, as a matter of coarse, exist.
But for the reasons already stated, we consider that within these limits the British Govern
ment must continue to exercise some concurrent maritime protectorate ; at least until we can be
better assured than at present that the Turkish Government can protect our subjects and our
interests effectively. It may not be found necessary to place on record any formal agreement
as to the exercise of this joint protectorate ; but some understanding of the following nature
might be arraged
i.—-That pirates, whatever their nationality, taken at sea, as well as pirates followed
up and taken within the territorial waters of Turkey by British officers, or on
shore within reach of the guns of British vessels, shall be dealt with under the
orders of the Resident in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
.*
ii.—That the British authorities shall not undertake operations on the mainland within
the Turkish line, as the duty of destroying pirate strongholds so situated will
devolve upon the Turkish authorities.
iii.—That the necessary representations to the local Turkish authorities shall be ordi
narily made by the
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.
at Baghdad. If, however, immediate action
is necessary, they may be made in the first instance by the Resident in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
, who should inform the
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.
at Baghdad of his pro
ceedings.
iv.—That in case of piracies committad from within their jurisdiction, the Trrkish
authorities shall enforce restitution of plundered property and payment of com
pensation.
17. It may also appear to Her Majesty's Government that the present opportunity should
be taken to reviss our agreements both with Muscat and the Arab Trucial Chiefs including, of
course, Bahrein. It is due to the policy which the British Government has persued for many
years at heavy expense, and to the efficient naval police which it maintains, that piratical out
rages have ceased on all that part of the Arab coast subject to British influence. In conse
quence of this condition of permanent security, the commerce of the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
has deve
loped to an extent which a few years ago would have been dpemed impossible, and it continues
steadily to increase. The Arab Chiefs and the Sultan of Muskat have prospered under the
prolonged and settled peace which the British maritime protectorate has secured. Neverthe
less, they contribute nothing towards the maintenance of a condition of thing so profitable to
themselves, and their engagements contain no distinct acknowledgment of the British Gov
ernment as the paramount power. The Government of India has never exercised any right of
sovereignty over these Chiefs, nor, except as regards maritime proceedings, does it possess
any control over them. For the purpose of obtaining a complete and recognized title, and
of securing on a valid international basis the position which the British Government has ac
quired by a long coarse of settled polioy. and at much cost, it will be very advisable to arrange
that the Treaty Chiefs shall render a small tribute to us in exchange for our protection.
18. The question of the effect which a settlement with Turkey is likely to produce upon
Persia, scarcely falls within the province of the Government of India. Colonel Ross remarks
that the Persian Government and its authorities along the coast have become accustomed to the
presence of British ships-of-war, and appreciate the advantages of our operations. He adds
that Persia would certainly resent any attempts on the part of Turkey to assume a similar
P' si'ion ; nor does he think that the Turks would think it worth while to make the attempt.
We may however observe that a determination, somewhat on the lines indicated, of the posi-
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.’ [102] (114/160), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/C238, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023514031.0x000074> [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