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File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎231r] (467/531)

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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^ I do not doubt that some of the Sheikhs have the good will not to take
my coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. , but I know that the servants and followers of the Sheikhs do not
mind it at all.
It is, of course, of no consequence, but I only want to state that the Sheikh’s
man showed an overbearing manner by speaking loudly and big and even
mentioned to my clerk Abdunabi that he would complain to the Sheikh about
him and about me. In fact, he acted as if he thought to be in his right by
taking the coolie A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. although the same was employed by me.
This shows again how little the Sheikh’s people grasp the situation.
No. 259, dated the 7th November 1904.
Prom— Captain P. B. Frideaux, Assistant Political A gent, Bahrein,
To— Sheikh Isa bin Ali al Khalifah, Bahrein.
I received a letter from Mr. Eobert Wonckhaus, the German, complaining
that on the 5th instant one of Sheikh Hamad bin Isa’s servants was forcibly
trying to take away one of the German’s coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. while the man was bringing
wood from a boat to the German’s godown,— that on the coolie A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. refusing to
follow the Sheikh’s man the latter struck him and followed him up to the
German’s godown where the German’s man Abdunabi told Sheikh Hamad’s
servant that the coolie A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. was in the service of the German, but he would not hear
of it and did not leave the coolie A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. alone until he was told to do so by Mr.
Bahnson.
To prevent similar regrettable incidents in future I request that orders
may be re-issued to all the Sheikhs and Amirs to the effect that no coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. in
the employ of Europeans can be forcibly taken away by any one.
The system of “ Sukhra ” is regarded, as you may well understand, by the
British Government as objectionable in the same manner as is slavery.
Every instance which brings to notice the oppression entailed by this
system must, therefore, ultimately afPect the interests of the persons who profit
by its existence, and this fact I think might well he instilled into their minds.
Dated the 10th November 1904.
Prom— Sheikh Isa bin Ali al Khalifah, Bahrein,
To— Captain F. B. Pmdeatix, 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.
I received your letter. You state that Mr. R. Wonckhaus wrote to you
on the 5th instant that my son’s servant was trying to take away forcibly one
of the German’s coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. and that on the coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. refusing to obey the servant
struck him. %
I have now to inform you that orders were long ago issued to the Sheikhs
and Amirs forbidding them to impress coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. in the service of the German as
well as of others of similar standing.
The Germans as well as others of similar position have no authority what
ever over the poor coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. that work along the seashore and when they are taken
for work by the Sheikh’s servants they are paid their hire. I do not, however,
desire that they should be taken forcibly.
I understand that Mr. Bahnson invents these stories for your information.
I do not like all these things as much as you would not like them. I hope
you will not take these complaints as true.
No. 260, dated the lOtk November 1904.
Prom— Captain P. B. Prideaux, 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— Herr Robert Wonckhaus, Bahrein.
With reference to your letter dated the 5th instant, I have the honour to
inform you that the Chief of Bahrein, in reply to a letter I wrote to him on the

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)' [‎231r] (467/531), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/81, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100027013014.0x000044> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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