‘File XXVIII/10 REPORT ON PRESENT CONDITIONS IN MUSCAT AND DEALINGS OF THE STATE WITH THE TRIBES NOMINALLY UNDER IT.’

Content

The file contains correspondence in the form of reports and diaries circulated between British Officials. The reports are concerned mainly with internal affairs in Muscat and Oman. The British 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. and Consul at Muscat reports 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire, on the present conditions in Muscat and the situation of failure between the state and the tribes nominally under it. 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. also provides half-yearly statements of the revenue of the Muscat State finance along with comments on Bertram Sidney Thomas’ financial reports.

Among other issues included in the reports are:

• the news of collecting zakat (alms) money from various regions in Oman and Muscat and people’s reaction to that
• Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih’s diplomacy in bringing conflicting tribes together
• the clashes between the two main Omani factions, the Hanawi and the Ghafiri
• the Wahhabis’ occupation of al-Buraimi in the1800s, and how they influenced some of the tribes of al-Dhahira region who still identify themselves as Wahhabis
• the relation between the Sultan of Muscat and Shaikh 'Isa bin Salih al-Harthi and his father Shaikh Salih bin Ali before him
• the issue of succession of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal
• the need of the British to protect al-Buraimi from the Wahhabis
• a summary of the history of Oman, its Ibadhi sect, the establishment of the Imama (religious leadership) and the ruling family founded in 1744
• the rebellions of 1895 and 1913

The last report in the file is of the visit of the Senior Naval Officer to the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. in May 1931, and his notes on the internal affairs in Ras al-Khaimah and Dubai.

Extent and format

1 file (57 folios)

It is grouped into

Map Showing the Region under the Imam’s Government

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/6/40, f 30

Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 59; these numbers are written in pencil 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

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/15/6/40

Former external reference(s)

Subject Files: File XXVIII/10

History of this record

Date(s)

18 Mar 1924-5 Jun 1931 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

WahabismZakatReportsRebellionsInternal politics

Places

al-BuraimiMaṭraḥDubaiRas al-Khaimah

People & organisations

Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Āl Bū Sa'īd DynastyĀl Bū Sa'īd dynasty, Imam of Muscat and OmanKing of Hejaz and NajdShaikh 'Īsá bin Ṣāliḥ al-ḤārithīBertram Sidney ThomasĀl Hināwī (Tribe)Āl Ghāfirī (Tribe)

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‘File XXVIII/10 REPORT ON PRESENT CONDITIONS IN MUSCAT AND DEALINGS OF THE STATE WITH THE TRIBES NOMINALLY UNDER IT.’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/40, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000831.0x000260> [accessed 25 April 2024]

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