'File 19/191 IV (C 103) Bahrain, Persian Claim To' [‎153v] (309/681)

it seems probable that it was only very rarely of a definite character; and even in
more recent periods Persian relations with the islands were for a substantial
number of years interrupted by Portuguese occupation of or overlordship over
them. It is, however, clear that Persia or a Persian vassal was in effective control
of the islands during the 30 years prior to the expulsion of the Persians by the
Arabs of the mainland in 1783.
III.— 1783 1820. From the Expulsion of the Persians to the conclusion of the
Treaty of 1820 with His Majesty's Government
Bahrein "pays Tribute to Persia, 1799
6. Projects by the Persian Government for the re-establishment of its
authority in Bahrein between 1783 and 1800 did not materialise. In 1799 the
Imam of Muscat declared war on the Uttabis of Bahrein, who, alarmed by his
proceedings, opened a correspondence with the Persian Governor of Bushire, in
the course of which they stated that the island originally belonged to the Turkish
Government but that it was many—about 70—years since the Turks had been in
possession of it^ 1 ) He, on their offering to become tributary to Persia, proceeded
privately to Bahrein and received from them an instalment of revenue on account
of the preceding year.
Muscat occupies and loses Bahrein, 1800-01
7. In 1800 Bahrein was occupied by the Imam of Muscat, the occupation
lasting until 1801, when the Muscat forces were invested by the Tttabis and
compelled to surrender and evacuate Bahrein. In 1802 the Imam of Muscat,
having obtained some assistance from Bushire, again landed in Bahrein and
attacked the Uttabis. The latter had, however, by now secured the support of
the Wahabi rulers of Central Arabia and the Muscat project was abandoned.
Bahrein under Wahabi influence, 1803-11
8. From 1803 to 1809 the Uttabis of Bahrein appear to have been under the
influence of the Wahabis (the Bombay Government declined to take action on an
enquiry made by them in 1805 as to whether, if they withdrew from the Arabian
mainland and withheld their assistance from the Wahabis, the British Govern
ment would give them a ship or two to enable them to remain undisturbed at
Bahrein) and they were under strict control by the Wahabi Government during
1810-11.
Dispute with Muscat, 1816
Persian Envoy to Bahrein, 1816-17
9. In 1811 the islands were freed from Wahabi rule by the Imam of Muscat,
when the Uttabis were restored to power, though according to a claim
subsequently made by the Imam, in subordination to Muscat. In 1816 the Uttabis
sought the protection of the Wahabi rulers of Central Arabia, and the Imam of
Muscat undertook an armed expedition against Bahrein, explaining to the British
authorities that he was compelled so to act by the repudiation by the Uttabis of
his suzerainty, which they had admitted in 1811, by their alliance with the
Wahabis and by their piratical practices. The Muscat expedition, to which three
Bushire vessels were added by the Persian Government, effected a landing in the
summer of 1816, but was signally repulsed and withdrew. Unsuccessful
negotiations took place later in the same year between Muscat and the Persian
Government with a view to a fresh attempt on Bahrein. Subsequently, but
apparently in the same year, a Persian emissary, one Sikander Khan, arrived
in Bahrein, who accepted presents from the Sheikhs of Bahrein for the Prince
of Shiraz and conferred on them in return Persian Robes of Honour.
10. In April 1817 His Majesty's Minister in Persia reported the arrival
at Tehran of an agent from the Imam of Muscat, the object of whose mission was
credibly stated to be to inform the Shah that His Majesty's Government
contemplated the capture of Bahrein, and to ask for armed assistance for the
Imam in order that he might thwart their design by taking possession of the
( l ) This was, of course, incorrect. Turkey does not appear to have held the island since
1559 and then only for a few months.