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File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [114r] (232/531)
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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
3
with the internal affairs of the State. It is understood that no such right is
claimed in the case of any of the
Trucial States
A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates.
on the Arab coast of the
Gulf, and its frank admission by the Chief of Bahrein is the most explicit
evidence yet supplied of the dimensions which the Protectorate has already
assumed.
(vi) The case of the Customs may be brought within the prerogative of the
Protecting Power, under more than one of the above-named heads, according to
the point of view from which it is regarded. Originally the appointment of a
British Customs officer was advocated by British Residents in the Gulf as a
mark of British authority. Then it was recommended in the interests of the
Sheikh and the equilibrium of his finances. Pinally, it was urged in the
interests of Sheikh Hamed, his son, whose future position our recognition of his
claims to the succession required us to safeguard. Whichever of these views
be adopted, the insistence of Great Britain upon the measure may be regarded
as an illustration of the advice which, in virtue of her general controlling
authority, she deems it necessary to give, and which the Sheikh is not at liberty
permanently to disregard.
6 . The above are, in the opinion of the Government of India, approximately
the limits of our Protectorate, so far as it has a s y et been developed. It follows
from this that for none of the claims put forward by 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.
is there
any justification, and that he should not attempt to apply interference or
pressure in the various forms wffiich he suggests with a view to forcing the
Sheikh to adopt premature reforms, but that he should devote himself to the busi
ness of acquiring the confidence of the ruler. Instructions in this sense should
be given to Captain Prideaux, with a view to his building up a position which
will enable him to tender advice for the gradual amelioration of the internal
administration. The one point upon which the Government of India are com
pelled at the present stage to offer auth oritative a dvice is that of Customs
reform, which, after the previous declarations made to Sheikh Esa on the subject,
is not a matter which can be allowed to rest until the Chief chooses to take action.
On this matter they are prepared to await your advice as to the manner in
which, and the moment when, a communication should be made to Sheikh
Esa, and it will be for you to consider whether the best course would not be
to have a frank explanation with the Chief, and to let him know that his
dependence upon the British Government is not consistent with the permanent
disregard of the advice so frequently tendered to him in this matter; advice
which when thus seriously repeated, must be regarded as possessing the
authoritative character referred to in the ultimatum presented to him in
February last.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Offg* Secretary to the Government of India.
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:
- Percy Zachariah Cox, 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. ;
- Francis Beville 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. at Bahrain;
- Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifah [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah], ruler of Bahrain;
- Shaikh Ali bin Ahmed Al Khalifah [Shaikh ‘Alī bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], nephew of the ruler of Bahrain;
- numerous other British political and naval offices in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. and Persia.
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 View the complete information for this record
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File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [114r] (232/531), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/81, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100027013013.0x000021> [accessed 19 April 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/81
- Title
- File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:49v, 51r:53v, 57r:89r, 90v:94v, 95v:109r, 111r:121r, 121r:146r, 147v:225v, 227v:228r, 231v:237r, 238r:262v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence