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'File 9/2 Pearling' [‎33r] (65/312)

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The record is made up of 1 file (154 folios). It was created in 15 Feb 1934-10 Oct 1949. 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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3/—
2
3. Today the Bahrain divers number about 6,000 -
7,000 men and with their families and dependents
some 24,000 persons are to a great extent dependent
upon the diving industry. If diving with modern
equipment was permitted the work could be carried out
by a very few men who could scour the bed of the sea
for its pearl shells. Today, and in the past, divers
without apparatus are unable to gather more than a
small proportion of the shells and therefore they only
collect the large mature shells which are most likely
to contain pearls. They leave all tte small shells
and a large proportion of the others as well and this
enables the oysters to breed. If divers could stay
below for a long period they could, and would, clean
up the banks with the probable result that the shells
on the banks would become exhausted as has happened in
Ceylon which was for centuries a flourishing diving
area but has now ceased to produce shells.
4. After discussing the matter with me Eis Highness
summoned a number of the leading Nakhudas to appear in
my office this morning and, with Shaikh Daij, I ascer
tained their views on the subject. The very suggestion
of permission being given for the use of mechanical
apparatus raised a most violent storm of protest. I
enquired from the Nakhudas how they would view the intro
duction of modern diving methods in other gulf states
if not in Bahrain, their reply was that from time
immemorial certain pearling banks were recognised as
belonging to Bahrain, for the purpose of diving, these,
fortunately, are the richest banks in the Gulf and if
anyone attempted to use diving equipment on the Bahrain
banks every diver and Nakhuda would oppose the innovation

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Content

The file contains correspondence exchanged between 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 Bahrain, 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. , the British Legation at Jedda, 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 Sharjah, the Adviser to the Bahrain Government, the Ruler of Dubai and the Ruler of Qatar, on the subject of introducing mechanical methods for diving for pearls, and culturing pearls in Bahrain.

There is correspondence with the Adviser to the Bahrain Government and the Ruler of Bahrain, against the introduction of mechanical methods of diving suggested by the British, because it would spoil the market and the environment.

Other subjects in the file are:

  • the export of oysters from Bahrain for research work and production of cultured pearls in Bahrain;
  • the concession for the pearl diving activities on the coasts of Saudi Arabia, including the Red Sea;
  • the Government of India's ban on the import of pearl and precious stones into India from July 1947,(which was later lifted for three months) and its impact on the Gulf pearling trade.

Some documents within the file are in Arabic, with English translation.

Extent and format
1 file (154 folios)
Arrangement

The papers in the file are arranged chronologically. There are file notes at the end, on folios 144-155. The notes are arranged chronologically and refer to documents within the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 156; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located 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. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-143; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. They are located in the same position as the main sequence, except for some instances which are located on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. .

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 9/2 Pearling' [‎33r] (65/312), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/343, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025648640.0x000042> [accessed 24 April 2024]

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