'File 61/11 VIII (D 148) Nejd-Hejaz: Miscellaneous'

IOR/R/15/1/571

Download PDF (318 MB)

Search within this record

The record is made up of 1 volume (198 folios). It was created in 15 Apr 1936-26 Apr 1939. It was written in English and French. 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. .

About this record

Content

The volume consists of letters, telegrams, reports, and newspaper cuttings relating to Saudi Arabia. Much of the correspondence is made up of regular reports sent from the British Legation in Jeddah to the Foreign Office in London. The remaining correspondence is between the two aforementioned places and also: the Political 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 Bushire, the Political Agencies in Bahrain and Kuwait, 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 London, the Government of India, Ibn Sa'ud, and Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister.

There are a range of subjects covered in the volume, including:

  • Saudi Arabian foreign relations, specifically with Egypt, Yemen, Turkey, and Britain;
  • a new customs tariff and the reduction of imports into the Kingdom;
  • Saudi Arabian concerns about the situation in Palestine;
  • the internal financial situation;
  • the acitivities of the Saudi Arabia Mining Syndicate;
  • the prospect of Yemen signing the Treaty of Arab Brotherhood and Alliance;
  • Anglo-Italian relations, including Italian propoganda in the region;
  • religious policing in the country;
  • a visit to Ibn Sa'ud in Riyadh by Harold Dickson, 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 Kuwait, and the negative reaction to it in the Arab Press;
  • the restoration of the Hejaz Railway;
  • discontent with Saudi rule in the Hejaz due to preceived financial exploitation, including details of the Egyptian-based group 'The Friends of Hejaz';
  • the death of Ibn Sa'ud's nephew Emir Khalid ibn Mohammed in a car accident;
  • new regulations for foreigners living in Saudi Arabia;
  • the deterioration of Ibn Sa'ud's health.

Notable in the volume is a report (folios 87-95) on an interview with Ibn Sa'ud by Reader Bullard, the British Minister in Jeddah at the time, a revised report (folios 135-136) on the heads of foreign missions in Jeddah, and the letter exchange (folios 165, 171-180) between Ibn Sa'ud and Neville Chamberlain.

Extent and format
1 volume (198 folios)
Arrangement

This volume is arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The sequence starts on the first folio and continues through to the inside back cover. The numbers are written in pencil, circled and 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 only irregularities are the first four folios that run 1A through to 1D, then continuing as normal from 2.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
Type
Archival file

Archive information for this record

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/15/1/571
Former external reference(s)
A Series: 61/11 VIII Confidential Series: D 148

History of this record

Date(s)
15 Apr 1936-26 Apr 1939 (CE, Gregorian)

Use and share this record

Share this record
Cite this record in your research

'File 61/11 VIII (D 148) Nejd-Hejaz: Miscellaneous', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/571, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000220> [accessed 29 March 2024]

Link to this record
IIIF details

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_100000000193.0x000220/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images