‘Vol: 3 Proceedings adopted in consequence of the depredations committed by the Joasmee Pirates in the Persian Gulph’

IOR/F/4/649/17852

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The record is made up of 1 item (231 folios). It was created in 15 Sep 1817-17 May 1820. 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. .

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This item consists mostly of copies of correspondence, minutes and memoranda cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and 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. . It is the third in a series of eight items on the subject of the alleged piracy of the Joasmee [ al-Qawāsim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. , also referred to as Joassmee] (the others are: IOR/F/4/648/17850, IOR/F/4/649/17851, IOR/F/4/650/17853 and 17854, IOR/F/4/651/17855, and IOR/F/4/652/17856 and 17857). The main subjects are:

  • Reports of the appearance of Joasmee pirates off the coasts of Cutch [Kutch] and Kattivar [Kathiawar], and the organising of ships to protect the trading vessels sailing to and from the ports along these coasts
  • Accounts of the activities of British ships sent to cruise the coastlines of Guzerat [Gujarat] and Scind [Sindh] in search of Joasmee pirates. It includes depositions from the members of the crews of two suspected pirate ships that were captured, and from two residents of Mandavie [Mandvi], where the ships were detained (ff 168r to 171v)
  • Arrangements for providing convoys for trading vessels travelling along the Indian coast, and those sailing from India to Mocha
  • Suspicions that the Joasmee pirates are being assisted by communities along the coast of Makran, and that pirates from Dwarka are perhaps also active
  • Reports of attacks by and engagements with Joasmee pirates in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . It includes an extract from the log book of the Ariel from 15-17 September (ff 146v to 148r); and a list of questions put to and answers by Joasmee prisoners captured by Captain Francis Erskine Loch, Commander of the Eden and Senior Officer of His Majesty’s Navy in the Gulph [Gulf] of Persia (ff 223r to 225v)
  • The capture by the Joasmees of a number of female prisoners, suspected to be variously of Indian and European origin, and efforts to get them released from Ras ul Khima [Ra’s al-Khaymah], Bahrein [Bahrain], and Sharga [Sharjah] where they are being held. It includes a table with details of ten Joasmee prisoners to be offered as part of a prisoner swap (f 322r)
  • Reports of efforts by Joasmee pirates to intercept, in the Gulf of Aden, trading ships sailing from India to Mocha, and the actions taken to protect this trade
  • A report by Captain George Forster Sadleir, dated 18 November 1819, on his travels in the Arabian Peninsula and his meetings with Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
  • The case of a merchant ship at Muscat that was illegally flying the King’s colours
  • Discussions regarding the legal basis of claims to prize property captured in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .

The main correspondents are: Henry Meriton, Superintendent of Marine; William Bruce, Resident at Bushire; Charles William Elwood, Agent at Porebunder [Porbandar]; James Macmurdo, Resident in Cutch; Lieutenant James Arthur, Commander of the Ariel; Lieutenant Thomas Tanner, Commander of the Thetis; Captain George Robson, Commander of the Prince of Wales; Captain D D Conyers, Commander of the Mercury; Sheikh Abdallah ben Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], Sheikh of Bahrein; and Sheikh Hassan ben Ramah [Shaikh Ḥasan bin Raḥma al-Qāsimī One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. ], Chief of the Joasmees.

The title page (f 138) of the item contains the following references: ‘PC 16, Draft 383’, 1821/2’; and ‘Examiner’s Office 1821’.

Extent and format
1 item (231 folios)
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Written in
English in Latin script
Type
Archival item

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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.
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Unrestricted

Archive reference
IOR/F/4/649/17852

History of this record

Date(s)
15 Sep 1817-17 May 1820 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 7 Aug 1822, draft 383/1821-22, IOR/E/4/1042 pp 68-128. See also IOR/F/4/541/13141

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‘Vol: 3 Proceedings adopted in consequence of the depredations committed by the Joasmee Pirates in the Persian Gulph’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/649/17852, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100116429455.0x000001> [accessed 13 May 2024]

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