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'File 9/4 Bahrain Reforms. Introduction of Reforms in Bahrain' [‎12v] (41/224)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (98 folios). It was created in 30 Dec 1921-27 Jul 1924. 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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24
given sufficient time to make a more careful study of the present state of taxation
and the nature 'did effect of improvements which could be effected particularly
those originally ?ug^ested by the Shaikhs. It would place us in a most invidious
position to insist on reforms if in practice they did not adequately remove cause
for grievance.
Apart from the question of taxation is the more crying need for some system
which will ensure justice as between Sunnis and Shiahs, lor this is the grievance
which is most likely to react on opinion in neighbouring Shiah countries.
We are now in the pearling season and any enquiries now made, however
circumspect, will arouse the greatest suspicion among the Sunni pearlers. I believe
that after the close of the season a full study of these matters could be made without
causing a stir. Also, as already reported I am just finishing negotiations which it
is hoped will result in a reconciliation between Shaikhs Abdulla and Hamad. It
would be advisable to test Abdulla's attitude for some little time. If he proves
that he is genuinely prepared to assist Hamad the introduction of reforms would be
to some extent simplified. Otherwise, regrettable though it will be, we shall be
compelled first to deal with him, for he would join forces with the Sunni tribes
against Hamad to oppose refgrms and discord among the ruling family would again
result and render effective control by them an impossibility.
This report has been written in great haste in order to catch the mail, and
I beg that its involved nature may be overlooked. I trust that all essential points
are however dealt with.
S erial N o. 31.
No. 542-8., dated Bushire, the 22iid July (received the 1st August) 1922.
From-The Hon'ble Lieutenant-Colonel A. P. Trevor , C.S .I., C .I.E., Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Subject.— Reforms in Bahrain.
In continuation of my letter No. 529-S., dated the 16th July, I have the honour
to report for the information of the Government of India that the 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. ,
Bahrain states that the Dowasir Shaikh paid at least two visits to Bin Sa'ud, one at
the time when discussions were taking place regarding the proposed Reforms and
the other a little later.
When the Shaikhs of Bahrain were considering the reforms- the rumour o f
a compact between the Dowasir and Bin Sa'ud had not reached them, and it was not
until later that they learnt that the Sunnis would oppose Reforms putting them on
the same footing as the Shiahs.
. A C0 P7 ° f tllis letter ^ being transmitted to His Excellency the Hieh C om-
missioner for Iraq. &
G. M. Frfff. Simla.—Ko. C 456 F.D.-~3M0-22— 7-A.C. B.

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Content

The volume contains printed copies of Government of India confidential correspondence, relating to the Bahrain reforms. The majority of the letters contained in volume are printed copies of correspondence originally sent to the Government of India either by the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Trevor or Acting Resident Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Knox), or the 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. at Bahrain (Major Clive Daly). Much of the correspondence featured in the volume can be found in the original (or as office copies) in a number of files in the two Bahrain Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. subsubseries ‘File 9 Bahrain Reforms’ (IOR/R/15/2/127-138) and ‘File 8 Miscellaneous’ (IOR/R/15/2/121-126), and the Bushire 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. subsubseries ‘File 19 Bahrain’ (IOR/R/15/1/314-77).

The printed correspondence contained in the volume covers a range of subjects:

  • Events leading up to the programme of reforms carried out in Bahrain: allegations of the oppression of Bahraini subjects by members of the Āl Khalīfah family, violence, the deteriorating economic situation;
  • The reforms proposed and implemented by British officials: replacement of Shaikh ‘Īsá by Shaikh Ḥamad as defacto ruler, economic reforms, judicial reforms, pearl diving industry reforms, customs house reforms;
  • Specific incidents of violence involving Sunnis and Shias, or Najdis and Persians.

Some of the papers in the volume are accompanied by duplicate copies:

  • Folios 61-64 are duplicates of folios 57-60;
  • Folios 68-69 are duplicates of folios 66-67;
  • Folios 81-84 are duplicates of folios 77-80.
Extent and format
1 volume (98 folios)
Arrangement

The volume's contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, starting with the earliest items at the front and finishing with the latest items at the end.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using uncircled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. . Most of the items in the volume are printed items that have their own internal pagination systems, using printed numbers in the top-right corners of recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. pages and the top-left corners of verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. pages, or centred at the top of both verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. and recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. pages. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f.

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English in Latin script
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'File 9/4 Bahrain Reforms. Introduction of Reforms in Bahrain' [‎12v] (41/224), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/131, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023403812.0x00002a> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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