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'File 19/169 IV Bahrain reforms' [‎9r] (17/124)

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The record is made up of 1 file (60 folios). It was created in 3 Feb 1942-15 Feb 1947. 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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if/ibo
Conl iaentiai >
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. rtesldency,
Bushl ret
olst January 1946.
M-
When I get to Bahrain in February I am anxious
to examine the question of Bahrain development and to
formulate, with your assistance, some definite plan for
future action. The matter really stands at present with
the Government of India letter Mo.D*9600-M£/45 dated 22nd
August 1945, which was to have been implemented by you on
your visit to Bahrain, but which, owing to the absence of
Belgrave, could not be effectively handled at the time.
2. The problem seems to me to fall under the
following heads and the approach to it to be necessary in
the following order viz,
(ij Reforms in the existing administration (ii)
formulation of a financial policy, (iii) Increased or
more efficient staff to strengthen the existing adminis
tration, and to enable it to carry out (iv) new schemes.
5. *ith regard to (i) the pre-occupationsof the
war years seems largely to have prevented Political Agents
from being able to do more than notice the defects with
out being able to offer practical suggestions for their
remedy. Several have commented on the Adviser's lack of
administrative ability, his inability to decentralise any
powers and the concentration of all control in his own
hands. As early as 1939 confirmation of this came from
an unofficial source; Davenport Jones in his letter of
resignation (copy forwarded to Bahrain with 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.
Printed Letter No.C/667 dated 6th November 1939) complain
ed of lack of co-operation from Belgrave "who by allotting
to himself control of public works, funds, staff and other
State affairs is able to interfere %t will in ail matters
affecting the medical and other State departments.* You
are, of course, aware of these general complaints but I
shall like to have more details and proposals for remedies.
In fact, what (if any) powers regarding (a) finance (b)
staff has the Adviser delegated to the Director of Customs,
the State Engineer, the Educational Adviser (when present),
and the Medical Officer ? Does he fulfil any other direct
administrative functions as well as that of Commandant of
Police ? Does he sit in Court ? It occurs to me that
the thorny question of flelgrave's direct control of the
police might once again be broached by suggesting the
training of the British policeman in charge for a specified
period, it being understood that he took over as Superin
tendent at the end of that period — Shaikh Khalifa remain
ing nominal head. Again, I have been wondering what
arrangements are for the actual prosecution in Court of
criminal cases especially against British subjects and
Americans.
4. Under Education and Public Health the State should
adopt a much less half-hearted policy. On these subjects
the Annual Report of the Bahrain Government makes sorry
/reading.
Lt.Col. A.C. Galloway, O.B.^.,
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. ,
B A IIR AIK .

About this item

Content

The majority of the documents contained in this file date from 1946 and 1947. The information contained in them relates to the state of Bahrain's economy and infrastructure post-World War Two. The documents contain discussions between the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Bahrain and Charles Belgrave (the adviser to the Bahrain Government) concerning reforms in state finances, public health, engineering, education, customs, the judiciary and the police force. The file also contains financial records related to the Government of Bahrain's revenue and expenditure.

Folios 2-8 contain an unrelated report (written by Charles Belgrave) that discusses disturbances in Bahrain that took place during Muharram festivities in January 1942.

Extent and format
1 file (60 folios)
Arrangement

File is arranged in chronological order, from earliest at beginning of the file to most recent at end.

Physical characteristics

Formerly a bound correspondence file, its sheets have been unbound and are now loose. Foliation starts on the file cover and continues to last page. Foliation in pencil numbers in top right corner of recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. . Additional inconsistent foliation, also in pencil, starts with 9 on f.2. There is also occasional inconsistent pagination in blue crayon.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'File 19/169 IV Bahrain reforms' [‎9r] (17/124), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/345, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023282090.0x000012> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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