Turkish Arabia Affairs

Content

This item comprises a copy of an enclosure 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. 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 94 of 1846, dated 26 August 1846. The enclosure is dated 26 June 1846.

The primary document is a despatch 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. [Ottoman Iraq], forwarding, for the information of 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. and the Governor-General of India, copies of his communications to Sir Stratford Canning, HM Ambassador at Constantinople [Istanbul], reporting on affairs in the Pashalic [Pashalik] of Baghdad [also spelled Bagdad in this item]. It specifically concerns events which have occurred in Koordistan [Kurdistan, also spelled Kurdishtan in this item].

The papers notably cover the following:

• An attack on Sulimanieh [Sulaymaniyah] by a combined force under Ahmed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [Aḥmad Pāshā] and his relative ‘the notorious Brigand Abdullah Beg [‘Abdullāh Beg]’, and ‘his tribe of Sharaf Bainis [Sharaf Baynī]’ (f 38, f 36)
• Ahmed Pasha’s flight to Zohab [Sarpol-e Zahab] following his defeat by a force led by his brother Abdullah Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [‘Abdullāh Pāshā] of Sulimanieh, and the defection of many of the former’s followers to Abdullah Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
• The force sent by Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] to re-take the province (on the erroneous assumption of Ahmed Pasha’s success), and Rawlinson’s assertion that Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. viewed the attack as ‘the invasion of Sulimanieh by a Persian tribe, rather than as a domestic feud among Turkish Kurds’ (f 38)
• Rawlinson’s concerns that Mohib Ali Khan [Muḥibb ʿAlī Khān], Governor of Kermanshah, has no real authority over Abdullah Beg and would be unable to coerce him or Ahmed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , and that ‘while they continue to hover on the frontier, the country will be kept in a perpetual state of disorder and alarm’ (f 38)
• Nejib Pasha’s plan for the permanent stationing of Turkish [Ottoman] troops on the plain of Shahrizar [Shahrizor Plain] and Rawlinson’s concern that he will take advantage of the situation to supersede the Baban administration of Sulimanieh altogether with Turkish officials since Baghdad has ‘long been dissatisfied with Abdullah Pasha’s imbecile and unproductive rule’ (f 40) and desirous of securing the territory of southern Kurdistan and Turkish power generally throughout the mountains of the Baghdad Pashalic
• Rumours that Ahmed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. is said to have colluded with [Rasūl Pāshā] of Rewandooz [Rawandiz, Iraqi Kurdistan], and Rawlinson’s belief that Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. will now make a serious effort to disempower him and prevent further opportunities for rebellion.

Also included is a copy of Rawlinson’s letter to HM Minister in Tehran reporting and analysing the events, and a copy of a translated letter from Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to Rawlinson covering the background to the situation in Sulimanieh, his previous ‘most marked consideration’ (f 41) towards the ‘transgressor’ Ahmed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. including an invitation to Baghdad, and his hope that Persia will refuse him asylum.

Extent and format

1 item (12 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 83

1062 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/445

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/5/445, ff 33-44

Former external reference(s)

No. 94 of 1846

History of this record

Date(s)

26 Aug 1846 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

InsurgencyFrontiersTribal relations

Places

SulimaniehKoordistan

People & organisations

Political AgentHM Ambassador to the Ottoman EmpireGovernor of BaghdadPrince-Governor of Kermanshah

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Turkish Arabia Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/445, ff 33-44, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100154581908.0x000001> [accessed 6 October 2024]

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