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‘Administration Report on the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Maskat Political Agency for 1903-1904’ [‎175v] (30/80)

The record is made up of 1 volume (37 folios). It was created in 1904. 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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IS ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. POLITICAL
Maskat, and during that time the friendly intercourse between the two
Governments has been demonstrated by a series of treaties or conventions of
which I can trace no fewer than nine, and which have provided for the closest
political and commercial relations as well as for the suppression of the siav
trade and of piracy, and for the extension of the electric telegraph.
This series of agreements not only sufficiently testifies to the connections
that have grown up between the two Governments and that have linked the
State of Oman to the British Government by quite exceptional ties, but thev
have also been strengthened, as Your Highness has pointed out, by the support
which has been given on critical occasions by the British Government to
successive Rulers of Oman, while a further and natural bond of union is
supplied by the facts that Maskat lies just opposite to the shores of India, that
its trade is not only for the most part with India, but is largely in Indian
bands, that a large number of British Indian subjects reside here, and that
the prosperity of the State is mainly dependent on these conditions. It is not
surprising, therefore, that the Government of India should feel a particular
interest in this place, or that a Viceroy of India should desire to visit it and to
make the acquaintance of its Ruler. His pleasure in doing so is greatlv
enhanced when he learns from Your Highness's own lips that you and your
children will ever be mindful of these strong and ancient obligations
and that to them you and they will always remain loval. These arp wnrrlc
which I shall cherish in friendly recollection, not only on my owa
behalf, but on behalf of the Government which I represent Your
Highness has now ruled your State for fifteen years. I had the pleasure of
visiting it when you had only just succeeded fourteen years ago, and I am
glad to congratulate Your Highness on the progress that has since been made.
The volume of your trade is steadily increasing, the wise step which the
Government of India so strongly urged on Your Highness a few years a^o of
taking over the customs of your State in preference to farming them' to
others, has been attended with largely increased profits, and it gave" me much
satistaction, two years ago, with Your Highness's permission, to brino- your
capital into still closer connection with the outer world bv lavino- a tele^ranhio
cable from Jask to Maskat. I also personally selected Major Co? asau
o&cer m whose discretion and ability I had perfect confidence, to represent
the Government of India at your capital, and Your Highness has already
assured rne that you have found in him a prudent councillor and friend. At
Delhi m January last, though Your Highness was unable to accept mv in
vitation to the great ceremony that we held to celebrate the Coronation of His
r r ^ est y j King-Emperor, I had the pleasure of welcoming your son,
iaimur, and of conversing with him about the condition and welfare of Oman.
ave re ened to the fact that the British Government have extended a
peculiar measure of protection in the past to the State of Oman and its
u ers. I iey have on more than one occasion intervened to save it from
rebellion or disruption. Your Highness may rest assured that this policy will
fv, • f e J )ar e rorn * So long as the Rulers of Oman continue to observe
ui lea y engagements to the Government of India, and to administer this
r? 1 ^ enmeu ^ ant i justice, they will continue to receive the support
e n is i overnment, which is interested in preserving the peace of the
^ r 16 secui 7 t ^ ^ ^ ts tra de. We cannot regard with satisfaction the
attempts of dkscontented classes or persons among Your Highness's subjects
^ ( ? Ur ^ a,:e ' because, in so doing, not only do they
■RnHd ]^ r ■® 1 ^ ness 8 authority, but they are apt to injure the interests of
k u .l e c s also. These interests we are bound to protect for our own
triurnnhnv 11 W0 ll0 P e that Your Highness will continue to
nPPWm Lk a t yers ^ies as in the past. I trust that this important
rnrlin n/ fi ^ • ^pt time a Ruler of Oman and the Representative in
ATnd^f » 6 i i 1 " 10 ^ 8 ^^isb Sovereign exchange greetings in the waters of
cormPoHmi^ f 6 a an ^ rnar ^ ^ le history of the ever widening and deepening
mav ofuiti'mi 6 r eeU our * tw< ? States, that the firm friendship between them
and Inno- hiw 0 ^f ow ' a that Your Highness may be blessed with health
able fun of inn e f ° Ver a P aci fied and loyal people. I have still one agree-
pei orm. Only yesterday I received the gracious permission

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Content

Administration Report on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. 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. and Maskat [Muscat] Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. for 1903-1904, published by the Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India (Calcutta), forming part of the Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department, and based on reports sent to Government 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. and 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 Muscat. Folios 165 and 166 are copies of notes, dated 18 April 1904 and 18 May 1904 respectively, sent by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Arnold Kemball, Officiating 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. , and Captain William George Grey, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul and 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. , Muscat, to Louis William Dane, Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department, submitting their respective annual administration reports.

The Administration Report is organised as follows:

1. General Summary submitted by Kemball (folios 167-69), including reports on: the year’s rainfall and harvest; the governorship of Bushire and Gulf ports; public health, with details of outbreaks of cholera and plague; settlement of claims; the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon’s visit to the Gulf, including details of the itinerary; the British Minister at the Court of the Shah of Persia’s visit to the Gulf; and the postal service. The General Summary also includes summaries for towns and regions, as follows: Oman and Muscat; Oman and the Pirate Coast, with an assessment of the pearling season, incidents of piracy and tribal relations; Bahrain [referred to as Bahrain], with an assessment of the pearling season; El Hassa [Al-Hasa] and El Katif [Al-Qaṭīf]; Koweit [Kuwait] and Nejd, with an update of the struggle between Abdul Rahman bin Feysul el Saood [Ibn Sa‘ūd] and the Emir of Nejd, Ibn Rashīd; Persian Arabistan; Fars and the Persian Coast, with separate routes from Shiraz, Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh], and Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]; Persian Baluchistan; the slave trade, including numbers of slaves manumitted; incidents of piracy; movements of British naval vessels; reports on changes in British officials; and visits made by foreign representatives. An appendix to part 1 (folios 168-70) comprises statistical tables with meteorological data for the region.

2. Administration Report of the Muscat Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , 1903-04 , submitted by Grey (folios 170-77), including an account of the tribal politics of Oman; a detailed account of Lord Curzon’s visit to Muscat, including copies of the addresses presented to Lord Curzon by the community of British subjects and other British protected persons in Muscat, and Sultan Seyyd Faisal [Sa‘id Fayṣal], and Curzon’s replies to each. The report also includes details of the Resident’s visit to Muscat; political tours made by the Muscat Agent; administration of customs; Gwadur [Gwadar] customs; arms trafficking; health; law; building work in Muscat; improvements to the coal depot at Makullah cove; marine incidents, principally the wrecking of the French steamship Amiral Gueydon ; naval movements at Muscat; the slave trade, including numbers of slaves manumitted at Muscat; and changes to official personnel at Muscat.

3. Report on the Trade and Commerce of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. for the Year 1903 , submitted by Kemball (folios 178-87), including general remarks on trade, and more detailed remarks on customs tariffs; imports and exports; tea; indigo; exchange; freight and shipping. Two appendices to part 3 contain tabular data on the value and quantities of imports and exports into Bushire and other Gulf ports, as well as data on the numbers, tonnage and nationality of visiting vessels.

4. Trade Report for Muscat, 1903-1904 , submitted by Grey (folios 187-91), containing details on imports and exports at Muscat, and followed by an appendix with trade statistics.

5. Report on the Trade of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] for the Year 1903 , submitted by William McDouall, His Britannic Majesty’s Vice-Consul, Mohammerah (folios 190-92) with summaries on: exchange; shipping; caravan routes; and agriculture. An appendix follows the report, containing trade data in tabular format.

6. Trade Report of Bundar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] for the Year 1903 , submitted by Arthur Prescott Trevor, His Britannic Majesty’s Vice-Consul, Bandar-e ʻAbbās (folios 193-96), with summaries on: openings for British trade; mistakes made by British traders and their foreign competitors; the progress of rival trade; obstacles to trade; changes to trade tariffs; communications; exchange; and shipping. An appendix follows the report, containing trade data in tabular format.

7. Report on the Trade of the Bahrein Islands for the Year 1903 , submitted by John Calcott Gaskin, Assistant 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. , dated 9 January 1904 (folios 196-99), with details on: cotton, rice and coffee imports; lantern manufacture in Bahrain; assessment of the pearling season; the oyster shell export trade; boatbuilding activity; exchange; and shipping. An appendix follows the report, containing tabular data on the principal imports and export at Bahrain.

Extent and format
1 volume (37 folios)
Arrangement

The report is arranged into a number of parts and subheadings, with statistic data in tabular format directly following written sections. There is a contents page at the front of the report (. 164) which lists the report’s contents, referring to the report’s own pagination sequence. Some statistical tables (ff. 197-99) are arranged on the page in landscape format.

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English in Latin script
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‘Administration Report on the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Maskat Political Agency for 1903-1904’ [‎175v] (30/80), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/V/23/82, No 412, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023551242.0x000020> [accessed 23 April 2024]

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