"معاملة العبيد واحتجازهم من قبل الكوتشيين في زنزبار" [ظ‎‎١‎١‎٠] (٦٣/٩)

6
Extract from Bombay Selection, No. XV., page 67,
In 1836, His Highness the Rao issued the following proclamation, prohibiting
the importation of slaves, and since then slavery may be said to have been discoun
tenanced and discontinued in Kutch ; at the same time there is a class of household
servants in the houses of the Chiefs and others in a position of modified slavery—
slaves they are not, for, if so disposed, they can seek their livelihood elsewhere,
still so long as they remain in their present employment, they are looked on as
slaves though treated with the consideration due to junior members of the family.
" Proclamation.
" Be it known to the principal merchants of Mandvee, and every other merchant
as well as trader in Kutch, whether belonging to it or only trading thereto, to all
navigators of vessels,, to the inhabitants of Kutch generally, that if any slaves
negroes or Abyssinians, shall be brought for sale to any seaport in Kutch after the
middle of July next, the vessel conveying them shall be confiscated, and its cargo
shall become the property of this Government (Durbar). No petition for its
restoration shall be listened to; and, further, the offenders shall be brought to
condign punishment, whether they belong to Kutch or another country. There
will be no departure from this resolution. A vessel which brings slaves shall be
seized, and summary punishment inflicted on those who navigate her.
" The British Government have made arrangements to suppress the trade in
slaves throughout the adjacent countries, and it has instructed the officers com
manding its ships to seize and retain all vessels bringing slaves. I therefore
strictly prohibit, after the date before-mentioned, any more slaves being brought
to this country; let all my subjects discontinue this custom, and take heed of this
proclamation, and look to their interests and welfare by attending to it."
Extract Secret Letter from Bombay to the Secretary of State for India, dated
23d May (No. 21) 1860.
1. As connected with the subject of the slave trade at Zanzibar and on the
north-east coast of Africa, we have the honour to forward copies of two reports
from Lieutenant-Colonel C. P. Rigby, Her Majesty's Consul and British Agent at
Zanzibar, relative to his proceedings in connexion with the liberation of a large
number of male and female slaves illegally held by British subjects at that place.
2. It affords this Government great gratification to bring Lieutenant-Colonel
Rigby's meritorious labours to the favourable notice of Her Majesty's Government,
characterized as they are by great judgment and resolution.
3. We have intimated to that officer an approval of his proceedings.
* * * *. * *
No. 10 of 1860.
Political Department.
Lieutenant-Colonel C. P. Rigby , Her Majesty's Consul and British Agent, Zanzibar,
to H. L. Anderson , Esq., Secretary to Government, Bombay.
Sir, Zanzibar, 11th February 1860.
I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Right Hon. the
Governor in Council,, the accompanying copy of depositions made before me by
several male and female slaves who were in possession of a Banian, by name
Kanoo Munjee, who has resided for many years at Zanzibar, and has extensive
dealings with Arabs and others, at various places on the coast of Africa.