'File 8/85 I MUSCAT STATE AFFAIRS: BRITISH ADVISER FOR MUSCAT (ALSO FINANCIAL ADVISER)'

Content

This file concerns efforts by the British authorities to recruit a British adviser for Muscat, on behalf of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd]. The file begins with details of a request from the Sultan to appoint an officer (preferably British) as Minister for Foreign Affairs, with the possibility of the officer also being required to act as financial adviser. The correspondence documents British efforts over the course of three years to recruit a suitable officer. It includes discussion of potential candidates, as well as related matters such as the terms of employment for the position and the difficulty of finding a suitable British candidate with some knowledge of Arabic. Candidates considered for the role include a British Indian officer named Lieutenant-Colonel Mohamed Ataullah, and numerous British officials such as William Harold Ingrams, Colonel Valentine Hugh Wilfred Dowson, and the explorer Wilfred Thesiger. An appointment was eventually made in October 1948, with Lieutenant-Colonel Basil Woods Ballard accepting the position.

Notable correspondents include the following: 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. and Consul, Muscat; 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. ; the Sultan of Muscat and Oman; officials of the Government of India's External Affairs Department, 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. , the Commonwealth Relations Office, the Foreign Office, and the Colonial Office.

Extent and format

1 file (237 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. Circled serial numbers (red for received correspondence; blue/black for issued correspondence) refer to entries in the notes at 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 239; 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.

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/15/6/276

Former external reference(s)

Subject files: File 8/85 I

History of this record

Date(s)

9 Mar 1945-11 Dec 1948 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Conditions of employmentRecruitment

People & organisations

Political Resident, Persian GulfSultan of Muscat and Oman, Āl Bū Sa'īd DynastyIndian Political Service, External Affairs DepartmentForeign OfficeCommonwealth Relations OfficeColonial OfficeMinister for Foreign AffairsSir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger, KnightValentine Hugh Wilfred DowsonBasil Woods Ballard

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'File 8/85 I MUSCAT STATE AFFAIRS: BRITISH ADVISER FOR MUSCAT (ALSO FINANCIAL ADVISER)', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/276, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000881.0x000033> [accessed 12 May 2024]

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