File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’

IOR/L/PS/10/462

Download PDF (109 MB)

Search within this record

The record is made up of 1 volume (332 folios). It was created in 20 Jun 1914-25 Oct 1914. 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. .

About this record

Content

Papers concerning diplomatic tensions between the British and Ottoman Governments at the outset of the First World War, including social unrest and military/naval movements in Baghdad, Basra, and the Shatt al-Arab. The volume’s papers were produced prior to the Ottoman Ruler Sultan Mehmed V’s declaration of war on Britain, France and Russia on 11 November 1914. The papers cover:

  • The activities of Seyyid Talib [Saiyid Talib ibn Saiyid Rajab], former Governor (Wali) of Basra, in June 1914, including his attack on Basra and occupation of Zobeir [Zubayr].
  • Reports of growing anti-British sentiment at Basra and Baghdad, and proposals to evacuate British women and children from the area in the event of war with Ottoman Turkey.
  • Diplomatic exchanges between the British and Ottoman Governments, over the presence of British vessels (in particular HMS Odin ) in the Shatt al-Arab, and in international waters off the coast of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr].
  • Interruptions to British steamship services at Basra and Baghdad, particularly those of the Euphrates & Tigris Steam Navigation Company, as a result of Ottoman actions that include the requisitioning of coal at Basra.
  • British officials’ concerns over the status of Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s operations at Abadan, including the reluctance of vessels to travel up to the head of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to Abadan, and the British Government’s assurances that vessels travelling to Abadan and Mohammerah would be covered by War Insurance.
  • British officials’ concerns over rumours that the Ottoman Navy plans to mine the Shatt al-Arab.

The file’s principal correspondents include: 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. (John Evelyn Shuckburgh; Edmund George Barrow; Arthur Hirtzel); the Foreign Office (Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe; Louis du Pan Mallet); the Viceroy of India (Charles Hardinge); 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Major Stuart George Knox).

Extent and format
1 volume (332 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The subject 3136 (German War) consists of 6 volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/462-467. The volumes are divided into 6 parts, with each part comprising one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 330; 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 front and back covers, along with the leading flyleaf and ending flyleaf, have not been foliated.

Written in
English 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/L/PS/10/462
Former external reference(s)
P 3136/1914 Pt 1

History of this record

Date(s)
20 Jun 1914-25 Oct 1914 (CE, Gregorian)

Use and share this record

Share this record
Cite this record in your research

File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/462, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x000165> [accessed 28 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_100000000419.0x000165/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images