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'File 19/165 IV (C 57) Bahrain Reforms' [‎99r] (226/476)

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The record is made up of 1 file (219 folios). It was created in 12 Feb 1927-30 Apr 1930. 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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'
Prom
[usl
M) .^.164-^/29.
' lot.
To
Ihe Deputy Secretary to the (iovernment of india
in the foreign and Political Department,
The Hon'ble 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. .
Dated Sinaa.the j^ay 1929.
British administration in
the .Bahrain btate.
JSHIR^ f
Sir,
£1]
tUnHlicMj, RcliGRDS.
"ith reference to iiir Frederick Johnston t s letter L ! o*5-!i>
*t»
dated the 19th January 1929, i am directed to say that the
introduction of reforms in .Bahrain was originally intended only
to remove the worst features of Arab misrule. As matters stand
noz/j however, it would seem that the process has overrun its
original limited objective. There are in -Bahrain to-day a British
Financial Adviser, a British Police Officer, and a British
Customs Officer; that is, actually more .British administration
than in an ordinary Indian atate, even than (for instance J in
Kalat, though Kalat is a frontier atate, in which imperial
considerations dictate a comparatively marked degree of direct
interference•
2. There is an evident danger that with this example before
their eyes the minds of the smaller Arab rulers may be turned
increasingly in the direction of ibn baud, as the greatest
Arabian figure# Their fear of Wahabi absorption may be less than
their fear of losing their local and Arab individuality in
exchange for an uncongenial western regime, however efficient
/
and profitable that regime may be*
3* i am to request you to examine in this light the whole
question of British interference in the Bahrain administration,
with a view to deciding how far it is possible and expedient now
to retrace the steps which have been taken; and to submit your
concrete proposals for the initiation of a revised policy*
l have the honour to be,
yir ?
Your most obedient servant.
Deputy secretary to the
spare copy.^
(iovernment of mdia
A w

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Content

The file contains material regarding a number of topics including the status of Bahrain following the social and economic reforms that were implemented by the British during the preceding years, the geo-strategic rationale behind Britain's interest in maintaining its dominant position in the country, a detailed discussion of the historical development of Britain's relationship with Bahrain (and the history of Al Khalifa rule) and discussion concerning fears that a too dominant British role would provoke Arab fears and push them towards a closer relationship with Bin Saud.

A number of other topics are discussed in less detail including ideas for reforming the police force in Bahrain and an idea for the establishment of a civil court in the country.

Extent and format
1 file (219 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 file. The file is foliated with uncircled numbers in the top right-hand corner of each front-facing page.

Original numeration 1/123 then continued. Precedent foliations have been crossed out. Original numeration by folio started on first page of text top right hand number until folio 123, then by page 124/140. A third numeration by page starts towards the end of the volume.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 19/165 IV (C 57) Bahrain Reforms' [‎99r] (226/476), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/340, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023555763.0x00001b> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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