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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [72v] (153/995)
The record is made up of 1 volume (491 folios). It was created in 28 Jun 1920-11 Feb 1921. 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.
as a kind of reformatory school, and being savage resented it. I think
there is truth in this* But on the other hand there is no hope for
future prosperity until they are reformed. If you begin with bad
models, e.g. if you are content to stand byy and connive at savagery^
you will never be able to introduce better models. That, in my
opinion is certain* Nevertheless Major Longrigg’s report is search
ing and of great value.
Major Hay’s experiences at Arbil are astonishing, and add another to
the long story of gallant political officers hanging on to their trust
alone though faced with horrible deaths if the ’bluff’failed. Khurshid
Agha and Mull a Effendi are beyond praise for their staunchness
against great opposition and highly mischievous propaganda which in
some cases, events must have appeared to confirm. The one saved the
situation tribally, and the other prevented it from taking a religious
turn. Weeee the same efforts by outside propagandists to combine
irreconcilables on Islamic grounds as we have detected in the general
events of the Middle East under Bolshevik inspiration. Turkey, Syria
and Baghdad were the seats of mischief.
Major Hay is now home on leave. He disagrees altogether with
Major Noel’s interpretation of the Kurdish National ist feeling. It does
not exist, he says, Kurdish tribesmen are children, each playing for his
own hand. And the Aghas, as a whole, are an obstacle to decent Government
Circumstances may compel us to put all power in the hands of these Aghas,
It will be the doom of better conditions for the people when this happens.
It is clear the Aghas are not inspired Nationalists. They are rather
savage and rapacious tyrants, with a few honourable exceptions. The
Bolsheviks will use this or any class against ourselves. But Bolshevik
principles would seem to be as opposed to the Aghas as our own are.
Page 8 of Major Hay’s report throws a sidelight on the activities
of Sir Arnol d Wilson, who, one hears, worked night and day throughout
the rising arid made the most daring visits by air to his isolated
political officers.
Major Hay notes that one of the unavoidable evils of our position
is the employment of ex-Turkish officials. Every political office*
will sympathise with him in this sentiment. They are the scum of
corruption and tyranny. Maior
About this item
- Content
The volume consists of correspondence, memoranda, drafts, and departmental notes relating to rebellion against British mandatory rule in Mesopotamia [approximately corresponding to present-day Iraq], later known as the Iraqi Revolt of 1920.
The volume covers the period from the start of unrest in May 1920 to British imposition of control in October of the same year. The majority of the volume comprises reports from political officers across Mesopotamia on the situation in their respective divisions and districts.
Other matters discussed within the volume include:
- The suspected causes of the uprising, including fears of ‘Bolshevik’ and pro-Turkish influence
- Settlement of the border between Syria and Mesopotamia
- Military strategy and operations, including the need for reinforcements
- The severing of British lines of communication, particularly rail
- The efficacy and principles of the use of armoured cars and air raids as means of control following numerous cases of misidentification and disproportionate force that resulted in the deaths and injuries of innocent people
- Political and civil policy in the region
- Identification and arrest of some of the leaders of the rebellion
- The prominence of events in Mesopotamia in the British press
- The question of disarming the tribes following the suppression of the rebellion.
Principal correspondents include officials at: the 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. ; the Office of the Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia (from November 1920, the High Commissioner); the War Office; General Headquarters of the military in Mesopotamia; and the Government of India, Foreign and Political and Army departments.
The volume contains cuttings from several publications, including: The Times , The Statesman , The Observer , The Daily Herald , The Daily Mail , The Baghdad Times , and The Near East .
The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence. A second divider is included, for File 4722/1918 Part 7, entitled ‘Mesopotamia: Sir A. Wilson’s invitation to Syrian Baghdadis’. This was transferred to File 5268/20 Parts 1 and 2 (see IOR/L/PS/10/913).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (491 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is arranged in approximate chronological order, from the rear to the front.
The subject 4722 (Mesopotamia) consists of ten volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/755-764. The volumes are divided into twelve parts, with parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 comprising one volume each. Part 10 is missing. Part 7, entitled ‘Mesopotamia: Sir A. Wilson’s invitation to Syrian Baghdadis’, was transferred to File 5268/20 Parts 1 and 2 (see IOR/L/PS/10/913).
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 489; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. Multiple intermittent additional foliation sequences are also present. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. The sequence contains one foliation anomaly, f 89a.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [72v] (153/995), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/761, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100137804985.0x00009a> [accessed 8 June 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/761
- Title
- File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:i-v, 1r:89v, 89ar:89av, 90r:113r, 114v, 118v:120r, 121v, 127v:169v, 173r:192v, 194r:211v, 213r:223v, 225r:227r, 229r:261v, 262v:263v, 266r:279v, 280ar, 280r:293v, 294v, 295v:317v, 318ar, 318r:333v, 334v:341v, 342v:359v, 360v:400v, 404r:424v, 425ar, 425r:489v, ii-r:ii-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence