‘Slave Trade’

Content

This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, minutes, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters 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. [Mumbai]. The main 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. ; Lieutenant Arnold Burrows Kemball, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Reuben Aslan, Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Muscat. It is the fifth in a series of five items concerning the trade in enslaved people (the others are IOR/F/4/2033/92119, 92120, IOR/F/4/2034/92121, and 92122).

The item concerns:

• Reuben Aslan’s rescue of an Indian woman, two Indian children, and a Somalee [Somali] child at Muscat, and their statements
• The uncooperative attitude of Syed Soowenee [Sayyid Thuwaini bin Sa’id Al Bu Sa’id, Acting Governor of Muscat] towards Reuben Aslan and his attempts to emancipate enslaved people
• The rescue of an Indian boy at Judda [Jeddah]
• The rescue of a Hyderabadi girl and a discussion of ways to eliminate the trade in kidnapped children from that area to the Gulf
• The sudden imposition of an import levy on goods landed from Arab ships at Mauritius
• The wreck of the Sir James Cockburn and the hospitality shown to the crew by Syed Soowenee
• The legality of purchasing enslaved people for the purpose of emancipation.

The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 253, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4278, [Season 18]44’, ‘Vol: 5’, and ‘Examiner’s Office’.

Extent and format

1 item (99 folios)

Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 88 and terminates at f 186, 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/4/2034/92123

History of this record

Date(s)

20 May 1843-30 Nov 1843 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bom Pol 17 Apr 1844, draft 253/1844; IOR/E/4/1075 pp.193-205

Subjects

AbductionSlave trade

Places

Muscat

People & organisations

Governor of MuscatNative AgentGovernment of Bombay

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Cite this record in your research

‘Slave Trade’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/2034/92123, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001812.0x000031> [accessed 6 July 2026]

Link to this record

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