‘File 13/26 Refusal of Trading Facilities to inhabitants of Socotra & Mahris: Establishment of Landing Ground at Qishn’

Content

The file contains correspondence relating to trading restrictions being placed upon the inhabitants of Al-Mahra [incorrectly written in some parts of the file as Manris; Al-Mahra is in present-day Yemen] and Socotra, in response to the authorities of Qishn refusing the British Government permission to construct an aircraft landing ground in their territory. A telegram (f 3) followed by a letter (ff 5-7) from the (Officiating) Chief Commissioner at Aden, Lieutenant-Colonel Morice Challoner Lake, both dated 4 February 1933, announce the imposition of the trading restrictions. The letter gives further details of the efforts of Royal Air Force representatives to establish a landing ground at Qishn, the resistance met from authorities, and the threats made against trading facilities for the inhabitants of Mahra and Socotra.

A further telegram (f 9) from Lake to 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. announces that the Qishn authorities have withdrawn opposition to the landing ground, resulting in the lifting of trade restrictions. There is a truncated note at the end of the file (f 11) which notes that 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. discussed the matter of trade between Al-Mahra/Socrata and Bahrain with the Adviser [to the Government of Bahrain, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave], who notes that a number of Bahrain merchants trade at Socotra and that poor men from the Mahri coast and Socotra come to Bahrain for the pearling season.

Extent and format

1 file (10 folios)

Arrangement

The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover on folio 1 and terminates at the back cover on folio 12; 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-11; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

Written in

English in Latin 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/15/2/531

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 13/26

History of this record

Date(s)

3 Feb 1933-8 Mar 1933 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

AirfieldsEconomic sanctionsTrade (practice)

Places

QishnAl Mahrah

People & organisations

Chief Commissioner, Aden

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‘File 13/26 Refusal of Trading Facilities to inhabitants of Socotra & Mahris: Establishment of Landing Ground at Qishn’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/531, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000342> [accessed 24 April 2024]

Link to this record

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