'File 9/2 I Bahrain Reforms: Finances of the Bahrain Government'

Content

The volume contains correspondence and papers relating to the finances of the Bahrain Government, and British officials' efforts to impose reforms on the Bahrain state finances.

Many of the letters in the volume are discussions between 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. at Bahrain (Major Clive Daly until September 1926, thereafter Colonel Cyril Barrett) and the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Trevor until April 1924, thereafter Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Prideaux), about what needed to be done to regulate expenditure and generate income in Bahrain, with particular reference to the financial allowances given to members of the Al Khalifa family (for example folios 3-8, 27-29). The first monthly balance sheets, drawn up by Daly in December 1923, are enclosed (folios 32-38).

A large portion of the file is made up of monthly accounts sheets (including Bahrain civil lists), sent by Eastern Bank Limited to 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. (January 1924 accounts at folios 46-58, and subsequent months distributed throughout the volume). Correspondence from Claude de Grenier, Director of the Bahrain Customs House, enclosing customs house receipts and expenditure also figure prominently (for example, folios 80-81, 98-100). Notes on the annual Bahrain state budget for the Hijri years 1343 to 1346 (1924-1927), with balance sheets prepared by Daly (and later, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave) are also included in the file (folios 104-13, 187-90, 196-206, 231-46).

The file also contains correspondence from Prideaux to the Secretary of the Political Department at the 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. in Whitehall, dated 15 September 1925, indicating that Prideaux has found a man (Belgrave) qualified to work as a financial advisor to the Government of Bahrain (folios 168-69, 172B-175).

Extent and format

1 volume (259 folios)

Arrangement

The contents of the volume have been arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the beginning to the latest at the end.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The main foliation sequence begins on the front cover and finishes on the back cover, using numbers written mainly in blue crayon (with additions, clarifications and corrections in pencil). The numbers are occasionally circled and are usually located in the top-right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio, but can vary depending on the format of the folio.

The following foliation anomalies occur: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F; 157A and 157B. Foliation omissions: 61 and 179.

The following folios are fold-outs: 1, 37-38, 45, 48-53, 55-56, 58, 62-63, 66-68, 71-83, 95-100, 107, 111, 113 and 125-129.

The volume is tightly bound to the extent that the text on some items disappears into the gutter, making it difficult to read.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Archival file

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/R/15/2/128

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 9/2 I

History of this record

Date(s)

10 Jun 1923-15 Aug 1933 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Subjects

State budgetEconomic reformPolitical reformLaw reform

People & organisations

Eastern Bank LimitedCustoms House, BahrainCustoms DepartmentAdviser to the Government of BahrainKing of BahrainBahrain Political AgencyPolitical Agent, BahrainĀl Khalīfah (Family)

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'File 9/2 I Bahrain Reforms: Finances of the Bahrain Government', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/128, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x00035f> [accessed 24 April 2024]

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