'File 9/50 (B 16) The Debai Incident'

Content

This file contains reports and correspondence relating to an attack on British soldiers by Arab inhabitants of Dubai. The reports and correspondence are mainly between Lieutenant-Colonel P.Z. Cox ( 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and His British Majesty's Consul General), The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department at Calcutta and Sheikh Butti-bin-Soheil (Chief of Dubai) and discuss the reparation terms demanded by the British.

The file includes a naval report of the landing at Dubai by armed British soldiers and seamen led by Major Heriot of the Royal Marines Light Infantry, dated 25 December 1910, together with two pencil sketch maps of Dubai drawn from memory, showing buildings, the shore line, military positions and direction of fire during the attack, dated 26 December 1910 (folios 18-25).

The file also includes several letters in Arabic, mainly from Sheikh Butti of Dubai to Colonel Cox, together with English translations. Among them is a witness statement containing an account of the incident, together with the signatures and seals of 83 principal residents of Dubai attesting to its veracity, dated 5 January 1911 (folio 60).

Extent and format

1 volume (238 folios)

Arrangement

The papers in the file are arranged chronologically. There is a rough handwritten subject index on the inside of the front cover.

Physical characteristics

There are two different foliation sequences in the file.

Original foliation sequence: every folio in the file, except two folios at the start and end of the file, have been numbered sequentially in the top right hand corner, starting at the front of the file. Folios 1 to 115 are numbered in pencil, folios 116 to 197 in red crayon and folios 198 to 241 in blue crayon.

Second foliation sequence: every folio in the file has been numbered sequentially in pencil, in the top right hand corner, starting at the front of the file.

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/15/1/235

Former external reference(s)

A Series: 9/50 Confidential Series: B 16

History of this record

Date(s)

25 Dec 1910-7 Aug 1912 (CE, Gregorian)

Context of creation

On 24 December 1910 a landing party of 64 British soldiers and seamen from HMS Hyacinth entered the town of Dubai early in the morning and searched two houses suspected of concealing firearms. Some of the Arab inhabitants fired on the landing party and a fatal gun battle ensued lasting about four hours. One British soldier and 37 Arabs were killed, with several wounded on both sides.

Related material

Places

DibaiBūshehr

People & organisations

Shaikh Buṭṭī bin Suhayl Āl MaktūmJames OrtonFrancis WardenHugh Weightman

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Cite this record in your research

'File 9/50 (B 16) The Debai Incident', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/235, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0000d0> [accessed 23 April 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0000d0

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