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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [163r] (336/995)
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.
""V
-5-
result of troubles /elsewhere. When the rising was confined ■
to the I)iwaniyah Division, the tribes were easily kept in
hand but hostilities have now been raging for nearly two
months and gradually getting nearer and nearer home and the
recent evacuation of Shatrah has given rise to increased
restlessness*
As already mentioned, the whole situation depends on
Khaiyun* Captain Thomas^ dealings with this Shaikh have so
far saved the situation. Most people, with whom I have
discussed Muntafiq SSixixia affairs, are of the opinion that
the tribes will not rise to a Jihad, but if the Gharraf
tribes concentrated against Nasiriyah, the Hasiriyah, as well
as the Suq tribes, will join in sympathy with the movement*
For the moment, the situation is quiet, but the next
day or two will clear the air and will give us definite
information as to Khaiyun T s intentions.
In the meantime, law and order can be maintained in
Suq; if a demonstration can be made by Gunboats* At present,
all available boats have been detailed to convey rations to
the Samawah Garrison, these should return to-day and the
G*O.C*, 74th Brigade, has consented to a demonstration being
made at Suq and in the Lake, as soon as the flotilla returns.
Both Captain Thomas and myself consider that the suggestion
in regard to Khaiyun contained in your telegram No. 10354 of
27th is not feasible for the moment and any suggestion to
Khaiyun at such a moment would be fatal and prooably induce
him to throw in his lot with the enemy. Your suggestions
are noted, however, s,nd can be acted upon or not as the
situation develops.
The only thing that can restore confidence is a smashing
defeat of the Euphrates Rebels by the Army. The tribes here
are not blind to the fact that Mosul, Baghdad, Hillah, Kut,
and Basrah are still held by Government, that troops are
pouring into the country but they say f, whwre are al3. the
troops we know are arriving, and why do we not hear of the
reoccupation of evacuated Districts ? M
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' [163r] (336/995), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/761, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100137804986.0x000089> [accessed 6 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