![File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎271r] (552/995)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00028f/IOR_L_PS_10_761_0560.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎271r] (552/995)")
File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [271r] (552/995)
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.
s
/
(P 0035)
, 2 (SJH® 5 * 1
q<f>.
From Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, fith A ugust 1920.
(Received 9th, 8 a.m.)
rjvate letter from
rrtf), received :
X.R. My telegram of 5th August, OdhO^l^acyrom
Pulley, Political Officer at Hillah, dated (-f-f^Ft-h-
lajor
“ I have been trying to find out by questioning wounded prisoners and others
what spirit is animating them. The rank and tile are not filled with a spmt of
fanaticism. /unrr- . . . , ...
« They tell me that they are cultivators to whom hie or
death is a matter of indifference. They also say they have to do as they are told by their
Sarkals and have no choice in the ^matter) at all. I believe it is true that J^ellah is
absolutely in the hands of his Sarkals, that to refuse to obey his Sarkal would mean
certain death whereas to obev or attack means a possible chance of loot, and a chance
at any rate, of life. The Sarkals vxijqJa w |gj ik e/l>« Fcjulal Barons Many of
them were small men (? of) no account^? made Jiowerful) and rich (-^md^/hey now
have a great deal of power in their hands and think they can rule (V country). _ They
are also, I believe, worthed on by the propaganda fiom Najaf and b\ pieachmgs of
men like Said Nur. I do not think that they themselves mind at all how many (? of
their) Serfs are killed, but heavy losses the Arabs are suffering are bound to tell in
end, and there are signs already that some tribes have had about enough.
’ “ The unity of purpose and lack of dissensions between the big Sheikhs and Sarkals
is curious and points to some strong controlling personality behind movement. Nearly
all our Sheikhs have been drawn in. Our levies, however, are doing excellent patrol
work under (? Boyle) and are full of enthusiasm.”
a
From Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, 18th August 1920.
(Repeated to Foreign.)
P. 6276
9947. _ My telegram dated 16th August, 9889. Deeply regret to report Capt.
W. T. Wrigley, Assistant Political Officer, Shahraban, Capt. J. T. Bradfield, Com
mandant of ^Levies, 200033 Sergt.-Major IV. G. Newton, l/4th Dorsets, and Sergt.-
Instructor N. L. Nisbett, District Police, killed in action at Shahraban, after three
days’ most gallant defence of Levy Barracks, against rebels. Mr. E. L. Buchanan,
Assistant Irrigation Officer, Shahraban, also killed. His wife, who was with him'
captured, but reported in safety and well treated, but no news as to her child
believed to be with her. Levies are reported to have remained loyal to last, and to
have surrendered only when ammunition ran out. Have informed relatives in
England of all, except Nisbett and Buchanan Newton (sic), whose next-of-kin in
England not known here.
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
Use and share this item
- Share this item
File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [271r] (552/995), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/761, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100137804987.0x000099> [accessed 13 June 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100137804987.0x000099
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100137804987.0x000099">File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎271r] (552/995)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100137804987.0x000099"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00028f/IOR_L_PS_10_761_0560.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00028f/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
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