"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎١‎٣‎٨‎٦] (١٧٨٢/١٥٤١)

1386
Governor of Muhammareh. The despatch by the Government of India
of the British steam frigates "Auckland" and "Akbarin succession
to Basrah at the beginning of 1854, as part of a general demonstration in
t e Persian Gulf, had a tranquillising effect, however; and Persia
ultimately decided to remain neutral. The " Akbar," in the course of her
visit to Turkish waters, proceeded with the Turkish Governor of Basrah
n board as fax up the river as Ciumah, where she was apparently met by
the " Cometfrom above, carrying Sir H. Rawlinson, the British
Political Agent at Baghdad. This manoeuvre seems to have convinced
certain rebellious Arab tribes in Turkish territory of the folly of calculating
any longer on the embarrassments to which they had expected that hostilities
with Persia would expose the local Turkish authorities.
The Ottoman Government of Turkish'Iraq took a close interest in
the Anglo-Persian war of 1856-57, especially in the operations at
Muhammareh, and their attitude is described in the chapter on the
history of 'Arabistan. At Basrah, where " fortifications existed only
in detached pieces, and were ridiculous as Military works/' the fall of
Muhammareh to the British expedition made a ^profound impression.
The transport purchased for the British Field Force, both camels and mules,
was obtained largely in Turkish 'Iraq.
General British interests in Turkish 'Iraq, 1839-61.
The period under consideration is characterised by a great expansion
of British interests in Turkish 'Iraq together with an increased difficulty
m protecting them. This difficulty arose, it may be conjectured, partly
from the inevitable multiplication of points of contact and friction; partly
from the bureaucratic influence of Constantinople in Baghdad affairs; and
partly from the overweening and chauvinistically Turkish spirit of the
Pashas now posted to Baghdad by the central authorities.
*" The recent events at Muhammerah procured for the British visitors in the
** هذه التواريخ تقريبية fi> COn8 ^ eia '^ e ies P ec t as well as attention ; the conquerors of works before which
" ^ f Wn . arin . S attempt failed (Muhanimerah having always been a
H . D£ | 0 conien ^ on i n their quarrels with the Shah), could not be treated with Moslem
^ ence , and consequently salaams and obeisances were as plentifully bestowed
« hT a , e P^ e ^ s kafir, ' intidel,* 'unclean dog,' ' son of a burnt father,' would have
n, ut a shoit time previously, in the same place and by the very same people.'
(Hunt s Outran and Haveloclc't Persian Campaign, page 296.)