'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎650] (694/733)

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SLAVE TRADE.
the traffic in slaves is being carried on, although to a very limited
extent, on our shores: Negroes and Abyssinians are imported into
India,'and Indian boys and females exported in return for the latter. An
adequate estimate may be formed from the accompanying statement,
showing those only which have within the last three or four years been
discovered and restored to home and liberty at one port alone (Muskat),
through the exertions of our late very intelligent Agent, the Jew
Khojah Reuben. #
In the month of February 1841, 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. directed
that a strict investigation should be made, with a view to ascertain the
correctness of a report which had reached the Home Government, that
vessels belonging to His Highness the Imaum of Muskat were in the
habit of bringing Negro slaves from Africa for sale at Bombay, and of
taking back Hindoo females for the same purpose at Zanzibar.
The following is the result of the first inquiries, in the words of the
Resident, Captain Hennell:—
" It is with much regret that I have ascertained, from the statement
made by Khojah Reuben, that there is but too much reason to believe
that the reports made to Her Majesty's Government are not without
foundation. I must, however, still report my firm conviction that His
Highness the Imaum is not in the slightest degree aware that such a
nefarious traffic is carried on by his vessels.
* May-June 1839.—An Indian girl recovered from slavery. She had been purchased, then
five years old, at Mangalore, five years previous, by Abdoolla bin Khaleefa, an inhabitant of
Ras-ool-Khyma, from Saeed, the servant of Syud JafFer, a Dullal or broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. of that place.
On his arrival at Muskat, dreading the consequences of this proceeding, he voluntarily gave
her up to the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. there. The owner of the Buteel in which she had been brought
at the same time entered a protest of his entire ignorance of the circumstances under which the
child had been embarked in his vessel. She was returned to the place of her nativity in 1841.
An Indian girl liberated by the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. after she had been publicly sold in the slave
market at Muskat.
January-February 1842.—Through the laudable exertions of Khojah Reuben, the Native
Agent at Muskat, two Indian girls were liberated from slavery, and subsequently restored
to their homes. The one had been decoyed and kidnapped, and quietly embarked from
Calcutta ; the other, from Mangalore, had been sold or given awav by her stepmother.
I'ebruary 1843.—Another Indian girl released from slavery at Muskat. Belonging, as
she did, to the Imaum's sister, the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. was compelled to pay her value, but did so
under a protest. The money was subsequently recovered.
May 1843.—An Indian girl was recovered by the Shaikh of Bunder Abbas from some
Persian pilgrims on their way into the interior. She was sent to the charge of the Native
Agent at Muskat, who forwarded her to the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. .
June 1843. Four Indians were discovered to be in slavery at Muskat; nor was it until the
lapse of an entire year that their liberation could be effected, notwithstanding repeated
remonstrances addressed to Syud Soweynee, the Governor. The peremptory orders issued by
his father. His Highness the Imaum, at the representation of the British Government, had
at length the desired effect.
July 1843. A Malabaree woman released from slavery, and sent to Bombay.