File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎109r] (222/531)

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would even recommend that we should exhibit no signs of eagerness to fall ui
with the Chief’s wishes, and if we could then contrive to get the Land Revenue
Administration reformed and a proper Record of Rights made up at the same
time as we revise the Customs Administration, we should be conferring an in
estimable boon upon the whole rural population and would be paving the way for
an enormous immigration of the cultivating class from all parts of the Gulf. It
is well known that in ancient times a very much larger portion of the main isla.nd
was cultivated than at the present day, and l believe that by means of artesian
wells, the sub-terranean river which is said to come to the surface at the northern
end of Bahrein in the shape of innumerable springs, could probably be tapped
almost all over the island.
29. ft is inevitable, I suppose, if the contract system of the Custotus Ad
ministration is to be abolished, that the Chief should be allowed, if he still
insists on it, to attempt the administration himself, but it is certain that when
such a time comes not only will the revenue from this source diminish, but the
unfortunate merchants of Bahrein will continually be harassed with all manner
of troubles. The diminution of the Customs revenue of course will expedite
the course of the Chief towards bankruptcy, buuf he insists upon his right to
renew the contract with the Hindus can we legitimately object, if the claim to
independence in internal affairs is conceded ? Under the present system we
cannot urge that injustice is done to any individuals, for the omy real suffere
is the Chief himself, and a large number of other influential persons undoubted y
profit as they are able to extort special concessions from the Farmers which
they would not receive from a State-managed Department Even however if
we allow such a contention of the Chief’s, I am hopeful that when the relations
between himself and 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. have become estabhshed on a more
confidential footing, he will eventually allow himself to be persuaded to submit
the desired application to Government.
No. 205, dated Bahrein, the 24th Jane 1905.
prom-s—C aptaIN F. B. PRIDEAUX, 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-5-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.
In my letter No. 133 , dated the 22nd April 1905 1 described the system under
which mercantile disputes between parties of different nationalities are settled in
Bahrein I now have the honour to inform you that when the occasion arcs
Danrein. now av few ^, eeks ag0 for the assembly of a
• Muqbil al Duker and Abdul Rahman bin Idan. Mejlis to hear a Case, tO which a Hindu
and a Baharani were parties, the two most influential Arab Merchants* of Manama
whom l first summoned to the Court, excused themselves from slUin S ^ P.
that the decision of a Mejlis on which they had previously sat a few months
ago had been over-ridden by the Chief of Bahrein and gross injustice had been
perpetrated in consequence.
2 The case to which the merchants referred^ was convened by the Chief
and assembled at the agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. for the purpose of winding up the affairs of a lead-
in^ Baharani Pearl-merchant, Syed Khalaf whose monetary difficulties and in-
debtedness to certain Persian Merchants had formed the subject of correspond
ence between your office and that of the Bushire Karguzar for many years past,
and who after getting his debts compounded and liabilities reduced on more than
one occasion had at last died, leaving as has since been ascertained a considerab e
fortune for the benefit of hi§ heirs.
ti"oh“[rtomb.tJu) a'J MuqM al Dakar la, raraparar, .afc-aaatad,. Ike
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