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 55 of 1847, dated 16 June 1847. The enclosures are dated 26 April-8 June 1847 (although some internal copy documents date back to 1 February 1847).

The primary documents are letters from 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, to Henry Wellesley, HM Minister Plenipotentiary at Constantinople [Istanbul, Ottoman Empire], including his correspondence with Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary A diplomatic representative who ranks below an ambassador. The term can be shortened to 'envoy'. at the Court of Tehran and 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].

The subjects covered notably include:

• Duties payable by Persian [Iranian] merchants to Turkish (Ottoman) authorities in relation to imports and their onward export
• Tribal ‘unrest’ on the Turco-Persian frontier and delays in the arrival of a (Persian) Kermanshah Commissioner to adjudicate on disputes
• Rawlinson’s concerns about a potential increase in Turkish-Persian tensions resulting from an Ottoman Special Commission sent to Bussorah [Basra] to assess and allegedly increase the values and revenues of the ports of Bussorah and Mohamerah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] and strengthen Turkish maritime power at the mouth of the Shat el-Arab [Shatt al-Arab] and in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
• The possible return to Turkey of Kurdish refugees, notably the Meer of Rowanduz [Mir of Rawandiz]
• Tension between Turkey and Persia over how to deal with ‘piracy’ in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , including prevention of Turkish interference with the commerce of Mohamerah; Hennell’s agreement with the Governor of Fars for dealing with ‘piracy’ and proposal that Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [Mehmed Necib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. also known as Muhammad Najib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ], Governor of Baghdad, could seize Persian or Arabian ‘pirate’ boats in Turkish waters and the Euphrates River and involve British vessels of war; Rawlinson’s annoyance with Hennell for offering the assistance of British vessels of war; Nejib Pasha’s refusal to agree to a suggestion he considered an infringement of international laws and which would need referral to the Porte (Government of the Ottoman Empire)
• Turkish passport regulations for the subjects of the European powers entering or travelling in the Ottoman dominions, including the implications for Indian pilgrims travelling to Mecca, Kerbela [Karbala] and Nejef [Najaf] (English translation, ff 27-32).

Extent and format

1 item (33 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 1-4, on folio 2. 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 in Latin 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 1a-33

Former external reference(s)

No. 55 of 1847

History of this record

Date(s)

16 Jun 1847 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

PiracyTariffsFrontiersPolitical intelligenceVisasRefugees

Places

Turkish ArabiaPersian GulfOttoman Empire

People & organisations

Political AgentHM Ambassador to the Ottoman EmpireHM Ambassador to IranPolitical Resident

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Persian Gulf Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/450, ff 1a-33, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100118977838.0x000017> [accessed 4 October 2024]

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