Letter no.262 of 1854 from Captain Arnold Kemball, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to Henry Anderson, Secretary to the Government of Bombay

Content

The letter and its enclosures concerns the renewal of hostilities between the inhabitants of Bahrain and Demaum [Dammām], under the Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah and Shaikh Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh respectively. Kemball writes that an attack by Shaikh Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh’s subjects at Dammām, with the assistance of the Wahabee [ Wahhābī A follower of the Islamic reform movement known as Wahhabism; also used to refer to the people and territories ruled by the Al-Saud family. ] ruler, has taken place against Bahrain. The attack, which involved 120 boats and 2,000 men, was unsuccessful and resulted in heavy loss. Kemball states that the British Agent in Bahrain [Hajjī Jāsim] was in Dammam and Katiffe [Al-Qaṭīf] shortly before the invasion took place, yet appeared to detect nothing of the attack’s preparations, and has betrayed “much want of sagacity”. Kemball discusses at length the implications of Wahhābī A follower of the Islamic reform movement known as Wahhabism; also used to refer to the people and territories ruled by the Al-Saud family. interference in the hostilities between Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah and Shaikh Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh, and the difficulties of Britain’s position in relation to these hostilities. Kemball writes that he intends to visit Bahrain immediately, specifically to ascertain the future plans of Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah, and whether he intends to go to war against the Wahhābī A follower of the Islamic reform movement known as Wahhabism; also used to refer to the people and territories ruled by the Al-Saud family. ruler Ameer Fysul [Emir Fayṣal].

The following enclosures are included with Kemball's letter:

1. The summary translation of extracts from a letter (folios 54-55v) from Hajee Jassim [Hajjī Jāsim], the British Agent at Bahrain, to Kemball, dated 6 July 1854;

2. An extract from a letter (folios 55v-56v) from Jāsim to Kemball, dated 18 July 1854;

3. An extract from a letter (folios 56v-57) from Jāsim to Kemball, dated 19 July 1854;

4. An extract from a letter (folios 57-58) from Jāsim to Kemball, dated 22 July 1854;

5. Letter no.254 of 1854 (folio 58v) from Kemball to Commodore George Robinson, Commanding Officer Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Squadron, dated 25 July 1854.

Extent and format

9 folios

It is part of

'Vol 195 1854/55 Bahrain; Arab Coast and Muscat; Slave Trade'

806 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/143

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Letter

Access & Reference

Original held at

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.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/1/143, ff 50-58

History of this record

Date(s)

28 Jul 1854 (CE, Gregorian)

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Letter no.262 of 1854 from Captain Arnold Kemball, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to Henry Anderson, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/143, ff 50-58, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024051557.0x00000b> [accessed 20 April 2024]

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