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File 160/1903 'Persian Gulf: El Katr; appointment of Turkish Mudirs; question of Protectorate Treaty with El Katr' [‎116v] (237/860)

The record is made up of 1 volume (425 folios). It was created in 26 Apr 1902-16 Dec 1910. 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. .

Transcription

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J.
You are no doubt aware that the place is within the limits of my territory
and belongs to me, but I fear some one at this juncture may come forward and
question my right to the place.
Whatever you may deem expedient in the matter will be carried out, so I
am awaiting your reply.
No. 6, dated 9th January 1904.
From—J. Calcoti Gaskin, Esq, 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. , Bahrein,
To— Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, C.I.E., 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. .
I have the honour to forward in original with a translation for your in
formation a letter, dated the 1st January 1901, I have received from Sheikh
Zaid bin Khalifah, Chief of Abu Dhabi, on the subject of his rebuilding Odeid
which matter was discussed by you with him on the occasion of your tour to
the Arab Coast in October last.
The rebuilding of Odeid will have a detrimental effect on A1 Bidda and
Wakra, from which places it will draw some of their residents. Odeid possesses
one of the most secure harbours for native craft on this side of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
It will become a centre for the pearl trade in that region much to the disadv
antage of A1 Bidda which now has a large share of the trade on account of its
proximity to the central pearl banks. A new market will be opened for our
enterprising British Indians w r ho wdll probably share in the Katr pearl trade
which is now exclusively in the hands of Sheikh Ahmed bin Thani and his
nephews. The port is situated about thirty miles nearer to Bahrein than to
Abu Dhabi for sailing vessels, so that possibly it will draw some of its supplies
from Bahrein. And finally it will put an effectual stop to Turkish pretensions
to it.
The extra responsibility devolving upon His Majesty’s Government by the
venture may be described as nominal only. After the severe check received by
the Turks in their attempt on Bahrein in 1895 they will hardly lay themselves
open again to any similar demoralizing rebuff by instigating the Katr Arabs to
attack Odeid by sea and should they be so ill-advised as to do so, the Arabs of
that region are not likely to listen to them after what they experienced on the
occasion referred to. The only other danger is that it may be open to attack
from the land side by raiding Bedouins. The nearest water-supply accessible
to an hostile party is in the vicinity of Wajba about fifty miles away, so that
an attempt would be attended with serious risks, the contingency is therefore
remote in the extreme.
6
I am sending a reply to Sheikh Zaid by the messenger who brought his
letter, to the effect that the letter has been sent on to you and that you will
probably communicate with him on the subject.
Translation of a letter, dated the 1st January 1904, from Sheikh Zaid bin
Kkalifah, Chief of Abu Dhabi, to J. Calcott Gaskin, Esquire, 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. , Bahrein.
Let it not be hidden from you that, with reference to the matter regarding
the building of the town of Odeid mentioned by you at our parting when 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. was present, I am obedient to carry out the same and now
have resolved to rebuild the place.
It is begged and hoped of God and the British Government to increase
their splendour and extend their benevolence towards me. I wished to inform
you of my resolve so that you may know of it as I am confident in God and then
you for your gracious assistance. Please God.
My sons Khalifah and Tahnoon and their brother send greeting.

About this item

Content

This volume contains memoranda, copies of correspondence and telegrams, and minutes of letters between British officials regarding:

  • Turkish claims over El Katr (Qatar), and the creation of Turkish administrative posts on the Qatari coast, with 'mudirs' (sub-governors) being assigned during 1903 to Odeid (Al Udeid), Wakra (Al Wakrah), Zobara (Al Zubarah 18th-century town located 105 km from Doha. ), and Musalamia Island (Suwad ash Shamaliyah);
  • 'the desire of Sheikh Ahmed bin-Thani, Ruler of Qatar, to be taken under British Protection', in 1902, and a Proposed Protectorate Treaty with the Ruler of Qatar, in 1904;
  • the Ruler of Abu Dhabi's intention to occupy Odeid in 1906.

The main correspondents are: the Viceroy, the Foreign Office (Thomas Henry Sanderson), the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of Lansdowne), and the 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. .

The volume includes a divider which gives the year that the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in it arranged by year. This divider is placed at the front of the volume.

The volume also contains the translation of a Turkish press article.

Extent and format
1 volume (425 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 428; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Condition: the spine is detached from the volume and preserved in a polyester sheet, on folio 427.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 160/1903 'Persian Gulf: El Katr; appointment of Turkish Mudirs; question of Protectorate Treaty with El Katr' [‎116v] (237/860), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/4, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026021680.0x000026> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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