![File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [‎102r] (214/586)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00035a/IOR_L_PS_10_962_0214.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [‎102r] (214/586)")
File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [102r] (214/586)
The record is made up of 1 volume (289 folios). It was created in 15 Nov 1920-31 Oct 1921. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
INTELLIGENCE REPORT.
SUMMARY OF REPORT No. 15.
1. Recruiting for the Arab Army is beginning (para. 3).
2. Telegrams from King Husain have been received in Baghdad announcing the Amir
Faisal’s departure for the ‘Iraq. They have had a marked effect in inclining public opinion
towards Faisal.
3. Three newspapers are about to be started in Baghdad where since the suppression of
the ‘Istiqlal, the Vernacular press is represented only by the ‘Iraq, a moderate pro-Sharifian
paper edited by a Christian, Razzuq Eff. Daud (para. 10).
4. Both Shaikh Dirra‘ of the Zoba‘ and Daham ibn Hadi of the Shammar have been in
to Mosul and wish to resume friendly relations (paras. 17 & 18).
5. The dispersal of the Assyrian refugees has begun, 4,610 persons had left Mindan Camp
by June 13 (para. 20).
6. Some trouble has arisen with the Tarkhani section of the Jaf at Penjvin (para. 24).
7. Reports from Mosul show that the Turkish provinces across the border are in complete
administrative chaos. Manifestations of hostility to us continue and have recently culminated
in the appearance at Rawanduz of a Turkish reconnaissance and active propaganda
among the adjacent Kurdish tribes (paras. 26 & 27).
8. The siege of Hail seems to be hanging fire (para. 30).
REPORT No. 15.
1. A review of British troops in Baghdad was held on the occasion of the King’s Birth
day. The High Commissioner was present with an escort consisting of a troop of Arab Levies
and a number of local magnates attended. A dinner party was given at the
Residency
An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India.
in the
evening at which the G.O.C.-in-Chief, Foreign Representatives and certain of the Ministers of
State were present.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS.
2. Nothing of importance during the past fortnight. Attached is the Provisional Law for
Voluntary Service in the Army passed by the Council on May 26 {see No\ 14, para. 7).
Provisional Law for Voluntary Service in the ‘Iraq Army.
{This law shall he known as “ The Provisional Law for Voluntary Service in the ‘Iraq
Army ”.)
I. An y ‘Iraqi, of the town and settled villages of ‘Iraq between 18-40 years of age may
volunteer for Army service. The period of service will be two years in the dismounted units
and three years in the mounted branches.
Monthly rates of pay for N.C.O.s and
men will be as follows
Mounted
Units.
Dismounted
Units.
Sergeant
. Rs. 70.
Sergeant
Rs.
60.
Corporal
. „ 50.
Corporal
45.
Private
. „ 35.
Private
>>
30.
Each soldier will
be entitled to rations and clothing.
III. After having served from 3-6 months in the ranks, a private should have proved
himself proficient in drill and musketry training. He will'then receive Rs. 5 per mensem
extra. This allowance will be called “ proficiency pay ”.
IV. On completion of his period of service, a soldier may be permitted to re-enlist for a
second period. He will then receive an increase of Rs. 5 per mensem.
V. No soldier will be sent on service outside the limits of ‘Iraq.
VI. A soldier who has completed his second period of service is eligible for promotion to
the Commissioned ranks.
VII. A soldier who leaves the Army after 12 years’ service shall have preference for
employment on a suitable salary in the Civil Service, if and when a vacancy is available in the
said service.
About this item
- Content
This volume contains the Intelligence Reports of Sir Percy Cox, High Commissioner for Mesopotamia [also written as Iraq in this volume], based in Baghdad, covering the period 15 November 1920 to 15 September 1921. They largely relate to: the political situation in Mesopotamia and the surrounding region; the formation and proceedings of the provisional government; the events leading up to the creation of Mandatory Iraq [also known as the Kingdom of Iraq under British Administration] and the election and appointment of Faisal [Fayṣal bin Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] as the first King of Iraq [Fayṣal I].
The Intelligence Reports are numbered and appear to have been issued at two-week intervals. This volume contains the reports numbered 1-3, 9-19 and 21. There is no explanation in the volume regarding the reason for the absent reports. The format of the reports is a mixture of printed and copy typescript. Each report is preceded by a covering circular issued by the office of the High Commissioner indicating the British Government departments and the officers and departments in the Middle East to which the report was copied.
Report Nos. 1-3 are preceded by an assessment of the political situation described in the Intelligence Report, written by Major R Marrs.
The reports generally comprise the following sections:
- A summary of the report (from report No. 14 onwards only)
- An account of the proceedings of the Council of Ministers
- Analysis of current public opinion and allegiances, (notably an analysis of public opinion on the Amir [Emir] Faisal and his arrival in Mesopotamia, including a reference to his 'personal magnetism', f 88), in report Nos 16-19
- Notes on provincial affairs
- Notes on the situation at the frontiers
- Extracts of 'Iraq Police Abstracts of Intelligence' (reports No. 9-14 only).
Other subjects notably covered in various reports include:
- Assyrian, Armenian and Urumiyan [Urmian] refugees (report Nos. 2 and 19)
- Perceived foreign influences in Iraq (report Nos. 2 and 3)
- The withdrawal of Saiyid [Sayyid] Talib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [Sayyid Ṭālib bin Rajab al-Naqīb] from the Government and Baghdad (report No. 12)
- Kurdistan (report Nos. 12-14)
- Turkish and Kurdish Frontiers (report No. 12)
- Dair al Zor [Deir ez-Zor] (report Nos. 1 and 12)
- Notes on 'Internal Affairs' (Nos. 18 and 19)
- Analysis of the referendum result which confirmed the election of Faisal as Iraq's first monarch (report No. 19)
- The formation of King Faisal's first cabinet (report No. 21).
Appendices are included with some reports, usually comprising copies of the High Commissioner's proclamations or communications 'to the people of Iraq' or documents relevant to the particular report (notably 'Provisional scheme for the re-organisation of the law courts' and 'Report of the committee constituted for studying the irrigation problem in Mesopotamia' in report No. 9).
Each report is concluded with a Supplement or Press Bureau Report, comprising extensive summaries and extracts of newspaper articles published in the local and 'foreign' (local region mainly) press. Notable publications cited are: Al 'Iraq , Al Fallah Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. , Al Dijlah , and (Syrian publication) Lissan al 'Arab.
The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the end of the correspondence (front of the volume).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (289 folios)
- Arrangement
The reports are arranged mostly in numerical/chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. Report No. 18 is followed by Report No. 21 and then Report No. 19 which is the last report in the volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 284; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are 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. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the two leading and two ending flyleaves. The sequence contains one foliation anomaly: f 267a.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [102r] (214/586), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/962, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100111165835.0x00000f> [accessed 17 June 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100111165835.0x00000f
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100111165835.0x00000f">File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [‎102r] (214/586)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100111165835.0x00000f"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00035a/IOR_L_PS_10_962_0214.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00035a/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/962
- Title
- File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:ii-v, 1r:11r, 12v:13r, 20r:26v, 32v:34v, 35v:49v, 53v:57v, 59r:61r, 70v:74r, 75r:79r, 88r:94v, 99v:103v, 105r:112r, 113v:125v, 127v:128v, 129v:150v, 154v, 155v:171v, 178v:181v, 183v:190v, 192v:219v, 222v:246v, 249v:260r, 261r:264v, 265v, 267v, 267ar:267av, 268r:284v, iii-r:iv-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence