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'Report on Sur. By Major G. P. Murphy, I.A., Indian Political Department, Political Agent, Muscat' [‎93v] (20/20)

The record is made up of 1 file (10 folios). It was created in Jan 1929. 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. .

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APPENDIX I.
Early History of Sur.
The name Sur is stated by Colonel Miles to be identical with that of
Tyre or Sur in the Mediterranean and to have been its prototype. He
therefore ascribes a Phoenician origin to the place.
The Mart of Maceta (mentioned by Arrian in his account of the voyage
of Nearchus), Hereen says, was probably Stir, and he adds that an emporium
like this, at the entiance of the Gulf, strengthens our idea ol an ancient
Indian trade with the Oman coast.
At the time of Albuquerque, Sur is described as a small fishing village
he passed whilst approaching Muscat. The Portuguese appear to have
occupied the place twice, the first period prior to 1633, when they were
driven out by Naser bin Murshid al Yarraby, again prior to 1648, when
one of the conditions imposed by the Arabs on the Portuguese was that the
fort of Sur should be surrendered and razed.
APPENDIX 2 .
Wrecks and Piracy.
In It}-.) the Dam Bu Ah looted a British ship Oscai', which ran ashore
on the coast of Jaalan, and plundered cargo to the value of eight lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of
rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. . The Resident went to Sur, accompanied by 11.H. the Sultan, two
fi igates and a squadron, to lecover the property, but succeeded in recoverin° r
$ 12,000 and some shawls only.
It was remarked at the time : “ Finding that this Chief and tribe, in
consequence of their residing in the interior, were wholly untangible by
naval means alone, the British authority conceived it useless to attempt
force and therefore endeavoured to create such an impression on the minds
of the inhabitants of this dangerous coast as would be likely to prove highly
beneficial to ail y British ship that might have the misfortune to suffer a
similar accident.” (Vide Bombay Government Selections, XXIV, page 199.)
In 1833 a piracy attended with cruel and aggravated circumstances,
committed on a Cutch No wry oft the coast of Zanzibar, was traced by the
Imam to some of the tribes of Sur. He seized the principal offenders and
placed them at the disposal of the Resident to be dealt with as he might
direct.
In 1852 the S.S. Centaur ran ashore near Ras el Hadd. The Bani Bu
Ali plundered the whole of her cargo, valued at 10 or 11 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , and
destroyed the vessel.
In 1904 Jenebeh, of Masirah Island, were responsible for the murder
of 17 of the crew of the Baron Inverclyde, which struck a rock near the
Kuna Muna Islands. Eight Greeks remained on the ship and were rescued
by the S.S. Prome. One ship’s boat was never heard of again. The other
boat contained the 17 men mentioned above, who were massacred on
attempting to land at Masirah.
The ringleaders were shot after trial by the Sultan’s Askaris, in the
presence of Major Grey, Saiyid Taimur and a party from II.M.S. Merlin.

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Content

Report on Sur by Major Gerald Patrick Murphy, 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. of Muscat, dated 9 October 1928.

It is divided into the following sections:

  • I. – 'Geographical Description of Sur' – including an introduction to the tribes who inhabit it;
  • II. – 'Historical Summary of the Bani Bu Ali' – including their origin, religion, engagements, expeditions, and feuds;
  • III. – 'Historical Summary of the Jenebeh' – including their origin, feuds, criminal activities, and fines;
  • IV. – 'The Slave Trade at Sur' – including British efforts in the suppression of the slave trade, treaties, a description of a captured slave vessel, and use the of the French flag as protection for slaving operations;
  • V. – 'Summary of recent Events in Sur' – including the building of new forts, establishment of a new customs post, the question of the Sultan's authority, criminal activities, and customs dues;
  • VI. – 'Review of the Situation at Sur' – including the policy pursued so far, request for assistance by the Sultan, the value of Sur in terms of prestige, and the form of assistance to be taken;
  • appendix 1. – 'Early History of Sur';
  • appendix 2. – 'Wrecks and Piracy'.
Extent and format
1 file (10 folios)
Arrangement

The file consists of a single report and contains a table of contents at the front.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 84, and terminates at f 93, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

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English in Latin script
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'Report on Sur. By Major G. P. Murphy, I.A., Indian Political Department, Political Agent, Muscat' [‎93v] (20/20), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B416, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100029571276.0x000015> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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