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'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎65r] (135/230)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (114 folios). It was created in 17 Apr 1895-7 Sep 1895. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .

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23
hardly be believed to be possible, my main reason for this opinion being that
such an attack must be held to involve nothing 1 short of the fullest responsibi
lity of the Turkish Government. It has, however, been urged by Mr.
Gaskin, Extra Assistant Resident, who went to Bahrein with H. M. S.
Sphinx last month, and has since remained there, that having regard to
attempts by Jasim to tamper with the loyalty of some of Shaikh Esa's people,
a destructive outbreak might be brought about. This could be effected, it is
urged, by a comparatively small party of Jasim's people, or of the wilder
Bedouin element inliuenced by him, which being joined by some of those on
the Inland on landing, might work considerable mischief, Jasim meantime
counting on escaping responsibility by throwing the blame on Shaikh Esa's own
people.
3. Yesterday I had the opportunity of closely questioning Agha Mohamed
Rahim, who had just arrived by the mail, having attended Air. Gaskin on the
spot for more than a month past, and who having long served us as 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.
Agent at Bahrein, is familiar with the surrounding people and local feeling,
lie regards Jasim—ostensibly holding the important office of Kaim Makam of
Katr under the Ottoman Government—as an utterly unscrupulous, reckless,
and irresponsible character with an unlimited faculty for intrigue. He holds
the tirmest conviction that Jasim is at heart thoroughly inimical to Turkish
authority, and declares the secret aim and object of that /estless adventurer
to be a rupture between Great Britain and the Porte, whh the result of a severe
blow to the prestige of the latter in these parts. Jasim would thereupon throw
off his very uncertain allegiance to the Ottoman Government, and openly
defying its authority, as he did some three years ago, when he inflicted a
serious reverse on a Turkish force, would make common cause with the Ruler
of Nejd, and trust to making his peace with us by plausible excuses and sub
mission.
An obvious difficulty as regards the above views at once suggests itself,
that the Turkish authorities would hardly lend themselves so readily and com
pletely as their recent action implies, to such designs of Jasim. To this Agha
Mohamed Rahim replies that the Porte is profoundly ignorant of the actual
facts and true situation as regards a remote part of its territory, and is most ill-
served by its local officers, who supply the most false and self-interested
information.
4. In the above premises there is, in my opinion, much truth, certainly so
with regard to the character attributed to Ja^im, and the ignorance and weak
ness of the Ottoman Government in these parts. But upon the conclusion, attri
buting a definite and somewhat complex design to Jasim, it is not possible without
further evidence to form an opinion. It does not however seem necessary to
fathom the true projects of Jasim in the very active intrigues to which he has
committed himself : it will suffice to recognise the fact that lie is perfectly
unscrupulous and reckless of responsibility, and thus some colour is given to the
constant rumours and universal fears of an attack on Bahrein which might
otherwise be lightly regarded. The balance of probability is still, in my opinion,
against such an attempt, but the very general alarm prevailing—our subjects
being reported as carrying their valuables for safety to the Agency—is in itself
mischievous, and I have accordingly thought it right to urge the desirability of
the presence of another man-of-war.
5. In my telegram of yesterday I have also ventured to recommend
the adoption of stronger measures, and in this connection I enclose a
translation of the Bahrein Chief's letter to me concerning the seizure and
detention of his boats sent to Zobarah to bring over the family and
followers of Shaikh Salim-bin-Hamad, who had made his peace with
Shaikh Esa, This incident was most unfortunate as encouraging resistance
and strengthening the influence for mischief of Jasim. 1 would suggest
therefore, as a first step, that should another man-of-war be sent up, these
boats should be forcibly recovered after despatch of an ultimatum, subject
to the opinion of the Senior Naval Officer on the practicability of the operation.
And with regard to doubts which, I understand. Commander Pelly lias as to
the warrant tor the seizure of Albin-Ali boats, now wearing the Turkish flag, it
appears to mc that the recent grant of the flag, by possibly irresponsible local

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Content

This file contains correspondence regarding an attempt by Sultan bin Mohamed bin Salamah (the head of the Al bin Ali tribe in Bahrain) - with the assistance of Shaikh Jasim Al Thani of Qatar and the Ottoman Governor (Mutasarrif) of El Hasa - to establish a settlement at Zubarah 18th-century town located 105 km from Doha. on the Qatar Peninsula.

The British were entirely opposed to this idea and the correspondence contains details of their reaction to it, including an account of a bombardment of a fleet of dhows at Zubarah 18th-century town located 105 km from Doha. by the H. M. S. Sphinx in September 1895.

Extent and format
1 volume (114 folios)
Arrangement

File is arranged in chronological order, from earliest at beginning of the file to most recent at end. However, from folio 73b onwards the pages are copies of earlier pages (these are also in chronological order).

Physical characteristics

Formerly a bound correspondence volume, the file's pages have been unbound and are now loose. Foliation starts on first page with writing (3rd folio in volume). Foliation is in pencil in top right corner of recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. . The following foliation errors occur: f.61 is followed by f.61A. f.73 is replaced by f.73A and f.73B.

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English in Latin script
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'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎65r] (135/230), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/314, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023105441.0x000088> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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