'Precis Containing Information in regard to the First Connection of the Hon'ble East India Company with Turkish Arabia, as far as the Same Can Be Traced from the Records of the Bombay Government, together with the Names of the Several British Residents and Political Agents Who Have Been Stationed at Bagdad [Baghdad] and Bussorah [Basra] between A.D. 1646 and 1846, accompanied by Other Information' [‎80v] (162/226)

130 PRECIS OF INFORMATION REGARDING CONNECTION OF E. I. COMPY.
than the remote provinces of the Pachalic, and that in the then unsettled
state of 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. the 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. 's presence was more neces
sary at Bagdad than at any other place. The Government of India
expressed its entire concurrence in this opinion, and directed that
Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor should be instructed to confine himself to
Bagdad—
" unless the home authorities should see fit to direct otherwise, with reference to the
state of politics in that quarter."
Instructions to this effect were accordingly issued by this Government
to Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor on the 2ist December 1883.
286. Oh the 5th December 1834 a large body of " Azail Arabs,"
who, in defiance of the Turkish authority and frequent unsuccessful
endeavours which had been made to dislodge them, had held possession
of the western half of the city of Bagdad for about two years and a
half, made a sudden attack upon the Pacha's troops, who, although taken
by surprise, steadily maintained their position, and after a severe fight,
which lasted between six and seven hours, obtained a complete victory
over the Arabs, who immediately fled from Bagdad.
287. On the 20th February 1835 Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor
submitted to Government copy of a very interesting memoir which had
been recently prepared by Mr. Fraser, who had been deputed by His
Britannic Majesty's Government on amission to Persia and Mesopotamia,
containing information in regard to the then condition of the Pachalic
of Bagdad, and the means it possessed of renovation and improvement,
accompanied by statements showing the actual revenue realized by that
Pachalic in 1833-34, and the estimated amount which might be obtained
" after three years' good government." As no copy of this memoir,
which was prepared by Mr. Fraser for His Britannic Majesty's Govern
ment, to whom he forwarded the original direct, has been forwarded to
the Government of India, I have annexed a copy of its summary for the
information of that authority {vide Appendix E).
288. On the 23rd March 1835 the 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 was directed by this Govern-
"His Excellency the Right Hon'ble men f i n conformity with orders received
the Governor-General of India in „ ' , „ J . « . - ii
Council has been pleased to resolve that from the Government of India, With
the undermentioned officers holding reference to a notification which, conse-
political situations shall correspond q Uen t on the grant of the last charter,
bad been issued by that authority on
"Envoy in Persia. the 20th November loon', to the ettect
«' 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. , quoted in the margin, hereafter to
" Resident at Buslnre, &c." address his despatches to the Govern
ment of India direct, forwarding them, however, under a flying seal to
this Government in order that copies might be retained.
289. On the 20th November 1834 His late Majesty King
"Willian the IV. granted the following Commission, under His Royal
Sign Manual, to Captain F. R. Chesney, of the Royal Artillery, consti
tuting and appointing him with the rank of Colonel, Commander of the
Expedition, therein described, which His Majesty's Government had
resolved on with the view of establishing an overland communication