‘Affairs of the Persian Gulf. Vol: III.’

Content

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, extracts 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] Political Consultations. It is the third in a series of three items on general affairs in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (the others are: IOR/F/4/1435/56726 and IOR/F/4/1435/56727).

The first half of the item (folios 8-76) relates to administrative matters at 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. (also called 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]), in particular:

• Allowances for the Resident and 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. household, including employees’ salaries and pensions
• Estimates for repairs 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. house
• The purchase of vessels for use by the Resident
• Details of two robberies carried out on 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 1832 and 1833, including losses sustained and efforts to trace the perpetrators
• Requests for medical supplies
• Proposals by David Anderson Blane, Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to establish a Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi].

The second half of the item (folios 77-115) relates to administrative matters at the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. (also called the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. at Bussora or Bussorah [Basra]), in particular:

• Accounts relating to the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , including an increase in salary for 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 the appointment of two Writers [clerks]
• Allowances and compensation awarded to John Ross, Assistant Surgeon at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , for property lost in a shipwreck
• Requests for medical supplies for the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. by Ross
• Requests for medical supplies by Robert Taylor, 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. , on behalf of a charitable group of English gentlemen based in Bagdad [Baghdad].

The item also includes requests by the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Muscat (also called the Government Agent at Muscat and the Broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. at Muscat) to be appointed to a different location.

The principal correspondents of the item are: Blane, Taylor, and various secretaries to 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. . Additional correspondents include: James Farish, Civil Auditor (Bombay); James McAdam, Secretary to the Medical Board (Bombay); and the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Muscat.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 1339, Draft 435, 1834’ and 'Examiner's Office'.

Extent and format

1 item (112 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the item. The item also contains a table of contents (ff 5-7), noting ‘Page’, ‘Date’, ‘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 115, 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 item 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/4/1436/56728

History of this record

Date(s)

22 Mar 1831-11 Dec 1833 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 20 Aug 1834, draft 435/1834, IOR/E/4/1058 pp 201-21

Subjects

AdministrationAccountsTheftEmploymentMedical supplies

Places

BussoraBushire

People & organisations

Political AgencyPolitical AgentPolitical ResidentGovernment of BombayPersian Gulf Political Residency

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‘Affairs of the Persian Gulf. Vol: III.’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1436/56728, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001819.0x0001d9> [accessed 28 July 2026]

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