Coll 1/2 'Administrative policy: arrangements for achievement of Imperial purposes at Aden; transfer of administration to Government of India (from Government of Bombay)'

IOR/L/PS/12/1444

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The record is made up of 1 volume (436 folios). It was created in 11 Mar 1931-23 Nov 1932. 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. .

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Content

Papers regarding the transfer of the civil administration of Aden from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. to the Government of India, and the institution of Aden as a Chief Commissionership. The following subjects are discussed:

  • the position of Aden in regard to Britain's imperial purposes;
  • the history of the Aden protectorate, and future policy in the region;
  • proposals made regarding the preferred method of effecting the transfer, under Section 59 of the Government of India Act;
  • discussion of the population of Aden, relationships between the local communities, and local attitudes towards administration by the Governments of Bombay, India, or the Colonial Office;
  • concern amongst residents of Aden and the merchant community in Bombay that transfer to the Government of India would be a preparatory step for transfer to the Colonial Office, and that the Port of Aden would lose free port status and be subject to a customs tariff;
  • debates within the Bombay Legislative Council regarding the above;
  • discussion over the future designation of the Resident of Aden as Chief Commissioner, and the designation of other officers;
  • questions concerning broader Middle East unification in British policy.

The file comprises memoranda and draft notes from the Government of India Foreign and Political Department, and the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. Political and Secret Department, alongside extensive correspondence between the above-mentioned departments and the following: the Secretary of State for India; the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies; the Aden Resident [H M Wightwick], and later Chief Commissioner [B R Reilly]. There are several offprints and copy reports of questions asked in the House of Lords, and sessions of the Bombay Legislative Council.

Items of note include:

The volume includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. This is placed at the end of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (436 folios)
Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 436; 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. Additional foliation sequences are present in parallel between ff 35-78, 79-114, 121-26, 168-73, 261-90, 291-319, 321-40, and 357-69; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

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/12/1444
Former external reference(s)
Coll 1/2

History of this record

Date(s)
11 Mar 1931-23 Nov 1932 (CE, Gregorian)

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Coll 1/2 'Administrative policy: arrangements for achievement of Imperial purposes at Aden; transfer of administration to Government of India (from Government of Bombay)', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/1444, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000517.0x0003a6> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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