Persian Gulf Affairs

Content

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. , Number 56 of 1847, dated 16 June 1847. The enclosures are dated 10-29 May 1847 (although some internal copy documents date back to 1 April 1847).

The primary documents are letters from Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire [Būshehr], to Arthur Malet, Secretary to the Government, Bombay, enclosing his correspondence with Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, 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. and British Consul in Baghdad, and other related documents.

Two subjects are covered:

• Hennell’s detailed defence (ff 37-44) of his suggestion that the Turkish authorities at Bussorah [Basra] and Baghdad co-operate with the British and Persian authorities in suppressing acts of ‘piracy’ by members of the tribes of the 'Arab Maritime Chiefs of the Arabian Coast' (see also IOR/L/PS/5/450, ff 2-33), including a history of British policy towards ‘piracy’ in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and, since the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf An agreement made in 1820 between Britain and ten tribal rulers of the eastern Arabian coast, often seen as marking the start of 150 years of British hegemony in the region. of 1820, Persian [Iranian] tacit approval of British policing measures; Hennell’s concerns about the ‘serious evils’ that might result to trade and commerce on withdrawing British ‘interference’ in this sphere; criticism of Hennell, by Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary A diplomatic representative who ranks below an ambassador. The term can be shortened to 'envoy'. to the Court of Persia, for exceeding his remit
• British policy of supporting the independence of the Arab Maritime Chiefs on the Arabian coast in face of the Ottoman Porte’s apparent desire to extend it influence and authority in the region, including Hennell’s report of a meeting with Sheik Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] on the 8 May 1847 to discuss the Porte’s attempt to make Bahrein acknowledge its supremacy on a similar basis as Koweit [Kuwait] by registering Bahreini ships under the Turkish flag; Arabic transcript and English translation of the ‘invitation to submit’ from the Governor of Bussorah to Shaik Mahomed bin Khuleefa, 1 April 1847 (ff 64-65); and intelligence on Turkish naval activity in Koweit and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. leading to Hennell’s suggestion that Company ships in the area sail near Bahrein to deter potential Turkish aggression.

Extent and format

1 item (36 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 88

986 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/450

Arrangement

There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-8, on folios 35-36. These numbers are repeated for reference on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. of the last folio of each enclosure.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Archival item

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/5/450, ff 34-69

Former external reference(s)

No. 56 of 1847

History of this record

Date(s)

16 Jun 1847 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

ImperialismPiracy

Places

Persian GulfBahrain

People & organisations

Political ResidentPolitical Agent

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Cite this record in your research

Persian Gulf Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/450, ff 34-69, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100118977838.0x000016> [accessed 29 August 2024]

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