‘Affairs of the Persian Gulf. Vol: 2.’

Content

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, extracts of 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. Political Consultations. It is the second in a series of 4 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/4/1398/55440, IOR/F/4/1399/55442 and IOR/F/4/1399/55442A).

The item is chiefly concerned with general updates of events in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. over the period 1827-1832. In particular, the item relates to:

• The 1830 rebellion against Syed Sued [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd], the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat, led by his relative Hamood bin Azan [Ḥamūd bin Azan Āl Bū Sa‘īd] at Sohar [Ṣuḥār] and the necessity of the British Government’s intervention in this affair
• The general weakness of the Imaum’s current position due to the above rebellion, his failed attempt to seize Bahrein [Bahrain] and the resurgence of the Wahabees [Wahabi tribe]
• The Government of Bombay’s concerns that the Imaum is considering interfering in Persian affairs whilst his own territories are in disarray
• Conflict between the Imaum of Muscat and the Chief of Bahrein
• Conflict between the Chief of Sharga [Sharjah] and the Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]
• Discussions about Chieftains abiding by the General [Maritime] Treaty by giving notice of their intention to commence hostilities; the impact this has on whether blockades can be considered official; and the effect this has on the freedom of merchant ships to carry cargo between ports that belong to warring tribes
• An incident in 1829 at Sharga [Sharjah] in which Sooltan bin Suggur [Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. , Ruler of Ra’s al Khaymah and Sharjah] blocked the Sunbury , a merchant vessel bearing an East India Company pass and colours, from transporting cargo to Aboothabee.

The item also includes minor and general discussions of issues in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , such as: reported acts of ‘piracy’ and punishment of ‘pirates’; wars between numerous Chieftains; the British Government’s policy of non-interference in these disputes; and the relationships between numerous tribes.

The principal correspondents of the item 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. ; Major David Wilson, Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Samuel Hennell, Assistant [and Acting] Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Sooltan bin Suggur; and Syed Sued. Other correspondents include: William Clerk and Robert Cotton Money, successive holders of the position of Acting Persian Secretary; William Collinson and Thomas Elivon, successive holders of the position of Senior Marine Officer in the Persian Gulph [Gulf]; Lieutenant W Hodges, Commanding the Company ship Amherst ; George Garnett Huske Munnings, Commander of the merchant ship Sunbury ; Shaik Tahnoon ben Shaikboot [Shaikh Ṭaḥnūn bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān, Ruler of Abu Dhabi]; and numerous Native Agents 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] 1230, Draft 183, 1834' and 'Examiner's Office'.

Extent and format

1 item (218 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the item. The item also includes a contents page (ff 325-326) noting ‘Page’, ‘Date’, ‘From’, ‘To’ and ‘Date of Consultation’.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 324, and terminates at f 541, 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/4/1398/55441

History of this record

Date(s)

12 Feb 1827-21 Jan 1832 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 16 Apr 1834, draft 183/1834, IOR/E/4/1057 pp 781-91

Subjects

PiracyDiplomacyNegotiationRebellionsTrade (practice)Tribal relationsGeneral Maritime Treaty (1820)

Places

MuscatPersian GulfSharga

People & organisations

Government of BombayPolitical ResidentImam of OmanSunburyRuler of Ra's al-Khaymah and SharjahEmir of Abu DhabiAssistant to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf

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Cite this record in your research

‘Affairs of the Persian Gulf. Vol: 2.’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1398/55441, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001819.0x0002d6> [accessed 13 August 2026]

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