'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎1d] (12/204)

I'D
PREFACE.
Bahrein is perhaps the most important and interesting place in the Persian
Gulf. The largest island in the Gulf, it is so favoured by nature and so advan
tageously situated for commercial purposes, that it has frequently been the bone
of contention between the neighbouring powers. It was once the centre of the
commerce that the Phoenicians carried on in the East—if not their original home.
The Portuguese held it for many years, but were expelled in 1622 A.D. by
the British fleet, aiding Shah Abbass. It was then owned by the Persians 101
over a century, to be wrested from them by the Uttubi Arabs in 1781. The
Persians have in vain tried to re-occupy it. The Imam of Maskat ^ undertook •
many an expedition to conquer it. The Wahabi Arabs held it in as tributary for
some years. The Turks as the Suzerain of the Wahabi Amir, and on other
grounds have been persistent in claiming sovereignty over it. While the
British Government, enjoying as they have been doing the maritime supremacy n
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. for over a century, have—in the natural order of things—acquired
a political supremacy over the island, which can only cease with their disappear
ance as the supreme maritime power in the Gulf.
This Pr&is traces the growth of this supremacy from the year 1854, with a
brief summary of the events previous to it, leaving the reader for a detailed
narrative of events before 1854 to the chapter on Uttubis in Bombay belec-
tions XXIV, 1857.
The pefiod of history from 1854 is divided into three parts. The First from
18^4-1870 a period of constant disturbances, closing with the events that led up
to the proclamation in 1869 of Esau-bin Ali-Khalifa as chief (who still rules),
which was followed by protests against our proceedings from the Porte and the
Shah. With the accession of Esau-bin-Ali Khalifa, who wisely acquiesced in a posi
tion of a Chief under British protection, commences a new epoch. The history ot-
events i n Bahrein from 1870 divides itself under two headmgs—(l) t'rotectton
of Bahrein from external aggression and determination of the Chiefs interna
tional status under the aegis of the British Government, and (2) Internal
affairs and the British policy in controlling them so as to secure Bahrein inter
nal peace and prosperity and maintain the Chief's dignity, as well as their own
prestige. These two parts form Parts Second and Third of the Precis.
The questions will occur frequently when reading this Precis : What is the
exact status of Bahrein? What is its international position? What is its
relation to the British Indian Government ? What is its position compared with
the Native States in India ?
" India " is defined by the General Clauses Act (X of 1897) as including
<£ British India together with any territories of any Native Prince or Chief un er
the suzerainty of Her Majesty exercised through the Governor-General of India
or through any Governor or other Officer subordinate to the Governor-General
of India. The territory of the Native States is not British territory ; nor are
their subjects British subjects. But the Sovereignty over them, as Sir Courtenay
Ilbert in his Government oj India, aptly observes ' is divided between the
British Government and their rulers in proportions which differ greatly accord-
ins to the history and importance of the several States and which are regulated
partly by treaties oTless formal engagements, partly by sanads or charters an
partly by usa^e." The British Government has undertaken to protect these
States from external aggression, but " as the paramount power," observes Sir
Courtenay Ilbert :—
(a) " exercises exclusive control over the foreign relations of the State ^
(£) assumes a general but a limited responsibility for the internal peace
of the State ;
(c) assumes a special responsibility for the safety and welfare of British
subjects resident in the State ; and
C 943 FD