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'Memorandum on Bahrein' [‎5v] (10/62)

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The record is made up of 1 file (31 folios). It was created in 13 Jan 1947. It was written in English and French. 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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10
1839-40. Views of Her Majesty's Government on future Policy towards
Bahrein
35. As a consequence of the activities of the Egyptians discussion appears
about this time to have taken place as to the desirability of declaring a regular
Precis, 393. protectorate over Bahrein. On 1st July, 1839, the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. of the East
India Company informed the Government of India that if necessary they would
' * not disapprove of your entering into an engagement with the Chief of
Bahrein to protect him against encroachments from Mehemet Ali, but we concur
in the doubt expressed by Captain Hennell [ then 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. ] as to whether
it would be expedient for that island to be taken under the protection of the
British Government." On 24th February, 1840, the Foreign Office wrote to the
India Board (with reference to an enquiry from the Bombay Government) that
Hertsiet ^ was important that the Egyptian troops should not be allowed to take posses-
i® 4' p - 5 sion 0 f Bahrein and that if the Company's troops could occupy it, even provi
sionally, such a measure could not fail to be attended with advantage. On the
retirement of the Egyptians from Hasa in 1840 their relations with the Sheikh
came to an end.
Summary, 1830-40
36. From 1831-33 Bahrein was subject and tributary to the Wahabi
Amirs. She revolted from them in the latter year, but in 1836 again entered
into an understanding, which appears to have lasted until 1838, under which
Bahrein paid a tribute and received guarantees of assistance against external
attack. In 1838 the Wahabi Amir was himself conquered by the Egyptians.
The Persians reasserted their claim in 1836, the Bahreini answer being a
renewal of their understanding with the Wahabi Amirs.
In 1839, when faced by a demand for tribute from Egypt, Bahrein appealed
to Persia, claimed to be a Persian subject, and received a Persian envoy. But
immediately after she formally acknowledged Egyptian supremacy and paid
tribute to Egypt. The visit of the Persian envoy had thus no effective sequel.
No. 591,
27.3.1840.
Precis, 394.
India Board
letter,
22.10.1840.
Lor. I, 866.
Lor. I, 873.
YL—1840-50
37. In 1840 the Government of India, provoked by the attitude which
the Sheikh had adopted, decided not to restrain the Imam of Muscat in the
event of his wishing to conquer Bahrein. On 27th March, 1840, the Secret
Committee remarked to the Government of India "We consider ourselves ....
relieved from all regard to the interests of the Sheikh of Bahrein, and we should
be glad to hear that his island was in possession of a friendly chieftain."
38. Towards the end of 1840 the Imam of Muscat informed the Resident
that while his views in regard to Bahrein remained unaltered, he had been
restrained from giving effect to them by his impression that Her Majesty's
Government were averse to the prosecution of his claim and that without their
assistance or that of the Egyptians he would have no chance of success.
Expulsion of Sheikh Abdullah. Succession of Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa
(1843-68)
39. Internal dissensions in the Sheikhdom between the ruler. Sheikh
Abdullah, and his grand-nephew and co-ruler. Sheikh Mohamed, became
increasingly bitter, and Sheikh Mohamed was finally expelled from the island.
In November 1842 he was given permission by Her Majesty's Government to
attack Sheikh Abdullah. After a civil war which lasted from January to
April 1843, Abdullah was expelled by Mohamed, who thereafter held the Sheikh
dom, no reply being sent to an appeal to restrain the attackers which was made
by Abdullah to the British authorities in February 1843.
Intrigues of ex-Sheikh , 1843-49
40. Between 1843 and 1849 the ex-Sheikh appealed at various times for the
assistance of the Wahabis, the Trucial Sheikhs, the Sheikh of Koweit, and the
British and Persian authorities to enable him to recover his position. In 1843
Her Majesty's Government dissuaded Muscat from trying to conquer Bahrein
—considerations which weighed with them being inter alia the risk of provoking
the Wahabis and the danger of giving Persia an excuse to espouse the cause
of the ex-Sheikh. In the same year the ex-Sheikh twice visited Bushire, where
he failed to find any consolation from the Resident, who, on his stating that

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Content

This printed memorandum, produced by the Foreign Office, dated 13 Jan 1947, deals with the history of Bahrein [Bahrain] from the point of view of the political status of the islands at various periods and dates since 1783, and contains copies of related correspondence and discussions. The principal authorities quoted in the memorandum are listed on folio 1v and appear as references in the right or left hand margin. The memorandum includes an index on folio 1r and a list of appendices on folio 1v. The index contains the the following sections:

  • Geographical situation;
  • Bahrein priot to 1783;
  • 1783-1820;
  • 1820-30;
  • 1830-40;
  • 1840-50;
  • 1850-61;
  • 1861-67;
  • Discussion and Incidents, 1868-70;
  • 1870-80;
  • 1880-92. From the conclusion of the First to the conclusion of the Second Exclusive Agreement with Her Majesty's Government;
  • 1892-1913. From the Second Exclusive Agreement to the Anglo-Turkish Convention of 1913;
  • 1913-34;
  • Summary (A. Claims to or assertions of soverignty over Bahrein, 1783 to 1934. B. Basis of the Persian claim. C. Attitude of His Majesty's Government, 1820-1934);
  • Reference to Law Officers of the Crown;
  • Independent Status of Bahrein;
  • 1934-46 (Establishment of Naval Base at Bahrein; Persian Government's refusal to recognise visas and endoresments of Bahrein; Agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Saudi Arabian Government regarding Transit Dues at Bahrein; The Liabilities of His Majesty's Government in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Treatment of Bahreinis in Persia; Bahrein Nationality and Property Laws; Treatment of Persians in Bahrein; Postal Services between Persian and Bahrein; Persian Government decree regarding import of Petroleum Products from Bahrein; Remarks of the Persian Prime Minister to the United States Ambassador; Recent references to Bahrein in the Persian Press).

The memorandum is marked 'Confidential' and 'The Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government'.

Extent and format
1 file (31 folios)
Arrangement

The file contains an index and list of appendices (folio 1) which make reference to paragraph and page numbers.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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'Memorandum on Bahrein' [‎5v] (10/62), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B485, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023506165.0x00000b> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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