‘Affairs of the Persian Gulph’

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. [Mumbai], the Government of Fort William [Government of India], 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 touches on multiple subjects relating to the Gulf, namely:

• The advancement of the Wahabees [Wahabi] into the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat's territory and the question of whether the British should intervene
• The murder of the Wahabee Chief, Torkee bin Saood [Turki bin Abdullāh bin Muḥammad Āl Sa‘ūd], by his nephew and subsequent actions undertaken by his son, Fysul [Amir Fayṣal bin Turki bin Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd], at Riaz [Riyadh], Lassa (or Lahsah) [Al Hufuf] and Kateef [Al-Qatif]
• Troubles in Oman during the Imaum's absence, including a rebellion by Hamood bin Azam [Ḥamūd bin Azan Āl Bū Sa‘īd], and the question of whether the British should intervene
• Reports of hostilities between Joasmee [ al-Qawāsim 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. ] and Buniyas [Bani Yas] tribes, including a blockade at Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], and instances of 'piracy' against ships not connected to the feuding parties
• Updates on a dispute regarding goods currently held at Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] which had been taken from the merchant ship Prinsep which ran aground near Lark [Larak] island
• The appointment of Prince Timoor Mirza [Timūr Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Qājār] as Governor of Bushire
• The purchase of a fly schooner by Jummal Khan (also written as Jumal Khan Bushiree) from the Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. during Jummal Khan's occupation of Bushire [Būshehr] and the question of whether the money should be returned to Jummal Khan or given to the Prince of Fars.

Correspondents include: 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 Fort William; the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. ; David Anderson Blane, Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Samuel Hennell, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Mohamed Abdool Azeez [Muḥammad ‘Abd al-‘Azīz] the Wahabee Agent in Brymee [Al Buraymī]; the British [Native] Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain]; Moolah Houssein [Mūllah Ḥusayn], [Native] Agent at Shargah [Sharjah]; Hajee Saleh [Hajii Ṣāliḥ], [Native] Agent at Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh]; Shaik Sultan bin Suggur [Shaikh 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]; Shaik Khuleefa [Shaikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut Āl Nahyān] and Shaik Sultan bin Shaikboot [Shaikh Sulṭān bin Shakhbut Āl Nahyān], Rulers of Aboothabee; and William Cobb Hurry, merchant.

Multiple personal and place names have different spellings throughout the item.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'P.C. [Previous Communication] 1593, Draft 648, 1835’, ‘India Political Department’ and 'Examiner's Office'.

Extent and format

1 item (114 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 (f 274), noting ‘Page’, ‘Date’, ‘From’, ‘To’ and ‘Date of Consultation’.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 273 and terminates at f 386, 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/4/1516/59859

History of this record

Date(s)

9 Nov 1833-24 Dec 1834 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

India Pol 25 Nov 1835, draft 648/1835, IOR/E/4/746 pp 413-20. See also IOR/F/4/1435/56726 and IOR/F/4/1435/56727, and IOR/F/4/1436/56728

Subjects

PiracyDiplomacyTribal relationsReportsTrade disputesPolitical intelligence

Places

Persian GulfAboothabeeBushire

People & organisations

Government of BombayGovernment of IndiaPolitical ResidentImam of OmanTurki bin Abdullāh bin Muḥammad Āl Sa‘ūdWahabi (Tribe)al-Qawāsim (Tribe)Bani Yas (Tribe)

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

‘Affairs of the Persian Gulph’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1516/59859, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001840.0x000285> [accessed 6 July 2026]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000001840.0x000285

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000001840.0x000285/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content