Political Situation in the Persian Gulf

Content

The item consists of copies of correspondence regarding the political situation in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , particularly relating to the conduct of British officials in their interactions with Gulf rulers and the settling of disagreements between themselves.

A large portion of the correspondence (ff 35-103) deals with the conduct of Captain Betham of the Clive , including his refusal to accept the authority of deputies appointed by 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. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and a confrontation between him and the Shaikh of Bushire.

The correspondence also covers the maintenance of good relations between the British and Persian [Iranian] governments (ff 114-129), and the possibility of war between the emirates of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi (ff 134-40).

As well as Captain Betham and 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. , the primary correspondents are 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. and the Senior Marine Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .

The bulk of the item dates from August-December 1827, but copies of letters dated 19 July 1824 and 8 April 1827 are included for reference.

Extent and format

1 item (150 folios)

Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at f 3 and terminates at f 152 as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

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/F/4/1164/30469

History of this record

Date(s)

18 Aug 1827-22 Dec 1827 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Bilateral relations

Places

Persian Gulf

People & organisations

Government of BombayPolitical Resident, Persian GulfClive, sloop shipSenior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf

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Cite this record in your research

Political Situation in the Persian Gulf, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1164/30469, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001779.0x000318> [accessed 1 July 2026]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000001779.0x000318

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