‘Proceedings relating to the Bushire Residency & Bussorah Agency. Question as to removing the former from Bushire to the island of Kharrack.’

Content

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, 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. , the Government of Bengal From c. 1758-1858, the East India Company's administration in Bengal. From 1773-1833, the most senior of the three subdivisions of India, also known as the Supreme Government of India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. , and the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. of the East India Company.

The item relates to the suggestion – first in 1828 by Captain David Wilson, the Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and again in 1832 by David Anderson Blane, Wilson’s successor – to remove the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Bushire [Būshehr] to the nearby island of Kharrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk]. In particular the item concerns:

• The temporary removal in March 1832, due of the outbreak of plague, of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Bushire to the island of Corgo beside Kharrack, and Blane’s arguments in favour of making this move permanent
• The Government of Bombay’s subsequent revisiting of the points raised during Wilson’s earlier suggestion in 1828
• Wilson’s research in 1828 into potential sites to which the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Bushire could be relocated, with Kharrack found to be the most favourable option
• Discussions in 1828 of the allowances for numerous Residents and Agents throughout the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and options for reducing expenses
• Research commissioned by the Supreme Government [ Government of Bengal From c. 1758-1858, the East India Company's administration in Bengal. From 1773-1833, the most senior of the three subdivisions of India, also known as the Supreme Government of India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. ] in 1828 to ascertain comparative costs of establishing a footing on Kharrack and maintaining the Residencies at Bushire and Bussorah [Basra]
• Suggestion by the Calcutta Financial Committee in 1830 to abolish the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. at Bussorah and consolidate the affairs of the Gulf under one authority which would be titled ‘Political Agent in the Gulf of Persia’
• Discussions of the viability of acquiring Kharrack from Persia
• The survey of Kharrack by Lieutenant Samuel Hennell, Assistant in Charge of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , in 1831 to ascertain costs of establishing military fortifications on the island.

The principal correspondents in the item are: Wilson; Blane; the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. ; and numerous secretaries heading various departments within the governments of Bombay and Bengal. Other correspondents include: Hennell; John Wedderburn, Civil Auditor and Accountant General, Bombay; Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of Bagdad [Dāwūd Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Governor of Baghdad]; Lieutenant-Colonel David Barr, Military Auditor General, Bombay; Sir Charles Malcolm, Superintendent of the Indian Navy.

The item also contains a lengthy Minute by John Malcolm, the Governor of Bombay, which mentions numerous policies applicable to the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Bushire (f 49 recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. – f 55 recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. ).

The ‘Resident/ Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in the Persian Gulf’ is also referred to as the ‘Resident/ Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Bushire’ throughout the item.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department No. 2’, ‘P.C. 1216, Draft 111, 1834' and 'Examiner's Office'.

Extent and format

1 item (141 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume. The item contains a contents page (ff 5-6) noting ‘Page’, ‘Date of Document’, ‘From’, ‘To’, and ‘Date of Consultation’.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 4, and terminates at f 144, 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/4/1380/55099

History of this record

Date(s)

6 Nov 1827-17 Oct 1832 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 26 Feb 1834, draft 111/1834, IOR/E/4/1057 pp 591-628. See also IOR/F/4/1162/30463; IOR/F/4/1163/30468; IOR/F/4/1164/30469, 30470; IOR/F/4/1165/30471, 30472; and IOR/F/4/1166/30473

Subjects

AdministrationCostsSurveysRelocationExpenses

Places

BushireBussorahKharrackPersian Gulf

People & organisations

Government of BombayGovernment of BengalCourt of DirectorsPolitical ResidentSuperintendent of the Indian NavyAssistant to the Political Resident in the Persian GulfPersian Gulf Political Residency

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‘Proceedings relating to the Bushire Residency & Bussorah Agency. Question as to removing the former from Bushire to the island of Kharrack.’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1380/55099, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001819.0x000182> [accessed 9 July 2026]

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