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File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎104r] (212/531)

The record is made up of 1 volume (260 folios). It was created in Nov 1904-Aug 1914. It was written in English and French. 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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Confidential.]
No, 288, dated Bushire, the 18th (received 27th) June 1905.
From-MAJOR P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Offg. 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 Persi Gulf,
To—S. M. Fraser, Esq , C.I.E., Secretary to the Government of India in the
roreiga Department, Simla.
In continuation of previous correspondence ending with my letter No. 2so
dated iith June, I have the honour to submit, for the information of the Govern-’
* No. 194, dated Bahrein,
June.
9th (received 13th)
ment of India, a copy of a further communi
cation * which I have received from 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 Bahrein.
It merely amplifies the information given in Captain Prideaux’s last letter
and does not seem to require any special comment from me.
No. 194, dated Bahrein, the 9th June 1905.
From— Captain F. B. Prideaux, oPlitical Agent, Bahrein,
To—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. , Bushire.
1 have the honour to refer to my letter No. 191, dated the 2nd June iqo<
with which I forwarded, by last mail, a translation of a letter from the Chief of
Bahrein on the subject of his imaginary grievances.
2. Apart from the matter of the inaccuracy about the “felling of the flag
staff, ” I have tried on two occasions—first on the morning of the 2nd June and
once again subsequently—to convince the Chief that the manner in which he
described his habit of rejecting such counsels of the Government of India as he
found unpleasing would be likely to cause grave displeasure to Government.
h ast mad steame stayed an unusually short time in this harbour and left
soon after mid day. I was unable therefore to write more on this subject before
the post closed.
3. I now beg to report that with a view to getting the indiscreet letter recon
sidered and if possible withdrawn, I worded my remonstrances in much stronger
terms than 1 have used before—stronger even than those which you adopted
under orders from Government—though I do not think that I in any way exceeded
the truth. J
4. I reminded the Sheikh that in 1867 his uncle Mahomed bin Khalifa broke
the terms of his agreement with Government, and in consequence the latter sent
an expedition to punish him. They conquered the Islands and drove Sheikh
Mahomed out. Subsequently, although they knew Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa
(Sheikh Esa’s father) to have also been in fault, they forgave him and made him
Chief of Bahrein. Two years later a rebellion broke out against Sheikh Ali
which resulted in the latter’s death, the flight of Sheikh Esa and the assumotinn
of the Chiefship by Mahomed bin Abdallah. ^
The Government of India again sent an expedition here, defeated the suc
cessful rebels, brought Sheikh Esa back from Katar and installed him in the
Chiefship. In 1873 Sheikh Esa offended the Government by his arbitrary con
duct, but subsequently made amends by apologizing and promising to consult
and follow the advice of the British representatives in difficult questions in future.
Since then the Government have efficiently protected Sheikh Esa from the
attacks of Nasir bin Mubarak and from interfering Turkish and Persian officials
Generally, Sheikh Esa’s attitude has been satisfactory, and when mistakes have
been made he has not failed to submit to Government’s orders. Recently how
ever two cases have occurred in which Sheikh Esa has forgotten that it is his
duty to accept the Resident’s advice. A British force was sent here to exact
compliance, and if he had shown resistance he would doubtless have been driven
from Bahrein. - ' ~ -—
He professed, however, to submit, and signed a written promise always in
future to follow the advice of Government. He also promised to use his best

About this item

Content

The volume contains correspondence relating to disturbances in Bahrain and the consequent discussion over administrative changes. The correspondence is mostly between 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 Foreign Office, and the Government of India. Further correspondence, included as enclosures, is from the following:

The disturbances centred around attacks on a German man and several Persians by Shaikh Isa's nephew, Ali bin Ahmed, and his followers in late 1904. The papers within the volume cover several matters related to these attacks:

  • the investigation into the details of the attacks;
  • the discussion over what to do about Ali bin Ahmed and his eventual exile;
  • British naval operations to enforce order;
  • Turkish claims that Shaikh Isa believes himself to be a Turkish subject;
  • the discussion over increased administrative intervention in Bahrain, specifically control of customs.
Extent and format
1 volume (260 folios)
Arrangement

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

The subject 1508 (Bahrain) consists of three volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/81-83. The volumes are divided into five parts, with parts 1 and 2 comprising one volume each, and parts 3, 4, and 5 comprising the third volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 262; 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.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎104r] (212/531), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/81, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100027013013.0x00000d> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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