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'File 19/169 III (C 80) Bahrain Reforms' [‎48r] (108/378)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (187 folios). It was created in 28 Dec 1938-24 Sep 1941. It was written in English and Arabic. 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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an A^viaoiy Council rather than to be forced later to give a
major concession in the shape of an Sxecutive one. That a wise
Ruler knew when to give way as well as when to stand firm, and
Rulers who were not so wise, and who refused to give any conces
sions at all» had eventually to give far more concessions than
they otherwise would have had to.
It may be argued that the Shaikh and his Family would
have the foresight to institute such a Council at tile appropriate
time - should tnis become necessary - without any move on our
part* This would naturally be the best solution, but I see
little prospect of the Al 'Oialifah exercising this foresight
without our intervention. Of course they might not take our
advice, but I think that it would have considerable influence
with them, even if unpalatable.
Belgrave and Weightraan point out that even our advice,
i.e. not "pressure", to institute a Council would considerably
disgruntle the shaikh and his Family. I agree, and there is
no doubt that the present autocratic rule by the Shaikh and his
Family, who are extremely friendly towards us, suits us very
well. There is no question therefore of giving our advice
before it is needed, the more so as the Bahrain Administration
is a reasonably good one. But there may come a time, and in
th« not very distant future, when if agitation increases and
widens we shall have to give this advice in our interests as
well as those of Bahrain. We are not the Paramount Power in
relation to Bahrain, and have therefore no legal responsibility
for its internal affairs as between the Ruler and his people,
but at the same time since we preclude any other influence in
thai state other than our own we have a certain general res
ponsibility which, it is diff icult to evade, and which in the
/ past

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Content

This file contains correspondence regarding a number of topics including the role of the youth in anti-British agitation in Bahrain, anti-British sentiment in the Arabic-language press, attempts to hire an appropriate official to draw up criminal and penal codes for Bahrain, the suspected anti-British activities of Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa's oldest brother, Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, discussions regarding the rising level of local resentment towards Shaikh Hamad's adviser, Charles Belgrave and the movements of an individual named Ali Bin Khalifa Al Fadl (who had been previously been deported from Bahrain for sedition and was seeking to return to the country).

The file also contains a list of ideas on how to expand the Bahraini economy (composed by 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. in Bahrain, Hugh Weightman). The ideas proposed included the establishment of a concrete manufacturing plant, a rationalisation of the fishing industry, the development of a mother-of-pearl button industry and improvements in agriculture.

The file also contains occasional references to the existence of Pan-Arab sentiment in Bahrain, notably concerning the situation in Palestine.

Extent and format
1 volume (187 folios)
Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

A bound correspondence volume. The main foliation system starts on the 1st page and continues through to the 3rd folio from the back of the volume. This sequence is written in pencil and can be found 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.

A second foliation system (73-221) commences on f.71 and finishes on f.179. It paginates pages where text is present on both sides of the folio. This sequence is also written in pencil but is not circled; it can be located in the same position as the main foliation system. Foliation errors: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C.

An index of the topics contained in the file is contained on f.1b.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 19/169 III (C 80) Bahrain Reforms' [‎48r] (108/378), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/344, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023514269.0x00006d> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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