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File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎22v] (49/566)

The record is made up of 1 volume (281 folios). It was created in 1910-1915. 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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2
Complaints on this subject have naturally reached the Shaikh’s ears and
some months ago he appointed a man named Khallaf, one of his trusted servants,
to assist Chasib at AhwaZ and more particularly to see that important^ tribesmen
arriving at that place were properly treated and entertained in Chasib’s name.
With this agent of the Shaikh Chasib has quarrelled and a few days ago he
came down to Mohammerah to see his father in the matter and to complain
about him ; there is little doubt also that Chasib was responsible for the telegram
to your address complaining of the tyrranical conduct of one of the Shaikh’s
servants, the servant referred to being of course the same Khallaf.
The Shaikh, who is undoubtedly fond of Chasib, has spoken to him very
clearly and has told him that if he finds the weight of Government, and the duties
which are a necessary accompaniment thereof, to be too heavy for his shoulders,
it would be better for him to realise the fact and to resign the prospect of succes
sion, that suitable provision would be made for him and that he would have all
he wanted but that one of the other sons would be named heir in his place.
After thinking it over Chasib said that he would wait two months till the
chiefs of the Muhaisin and Chaab came in to see the Shaikh and that he would
then ask them if they would give him their support: if they answered in the
affirmative he would undertake the responsibilities of the position, but if they did
not seem anxious to support him he would resign.
This answer, which is certainly not Chasib’s own, appeared to the Shaikh so
sensible that he immediately consented to it and so the matter rests for the
present.
It now remains for us to survey the matter from our own point of view.
Our own interests in the country demand a stable Government. The longer
the Shaikh lives the easier will be the task for his successor, for he has welded
together the loosely connected elements of his rule and year by year the unifica
tion will become more complete. A weak Governor, unpopular with his people
would however soon cause the disintegration of the factors so carefully brought
together by Shaikh Khazal and with the dissatisfaction which would prevail a
fertile ground would be prepared for the sowing of the germs of sedition and dis
loyalty which would end m the weakening of the power of the Shaikhdom and
its subsequent disappearance as a power of any value either to its holder or to
The history of the past few years has shown how easily this would t
accomplished in Arabistan under a less acute rule than that of the present regim
True loyalty is not very common in Persia and the very poor substitute therefi
possessed by the majority will rarely withstand bribery : the inimical tribes o
the bhaikhs border would have caused dissension had there been less confident
in-the Shaikh s powers, a confidence which has always been greatly increase
by the knowledge of the relations between the Shaikh and ourselves.
Our political, even more than our commercial, interests demand a strnn
government of the Shaikh with the confidence of the people.
I do not believe that this could be obtained with Shaikh Chasib.
bp nn? dlfficult to form a i ust opinion about one who is so voum
miaL ? T ch l abov t twen ty°ne, and one has no wish to be severe on one wh
capable woman who meets her subjects unveiledt hnt th J ^ S rnot ler ' (
the respect given to Chasib who bSL ^ b v fact does not ‘"creas
to Xfs addXtlLfSS ^
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Content

Correspondence including telegrams, hand written letters and printed enclosures, discusses an attack by a Turkish gun-boat on a village - Zain, belonging to the Shaikh of Mohammerah - which lay on the Turkish bank of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. The correspondence outlines the circumstances that led to the quarrel between the Turkish authorities and the Sheikh of Mohammerah, and suggestions that the Porte should be urged to replace the Wali of Basrah with a less aggressive official.

Correspondence discusses the proposal to give the Shaikh of Mohammerah assurances against naval attack, whatever the pretext for such action; letters and telegrams also discuss the award of a decoration (Knight Commander of the Indian Empire) to the Shaikh of Mohammerah.

A letter (dated 7 December 1913) from 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. , outlines the Government of India's interests in Arabistan including: the oil fields and their future; irrigation; railway enterprises; telegraphs; Russian and German activity.

Correspondents include 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. ; Sir Gerard Lowther, Ambassador to Constantinople; Charles Murray Marling, Ambassador to Tehran; Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign affairs; Francis Edward Crow, H M Consul at Bussorah [Basra]; Arnold Talbot Wilson, H M Consul at Mohammerah; Shaikh Khazal bin Jabir, Shaikh of Mohammerah; Wali of Bussorah; Viceroy of India.

Extent and format
1 volume (281 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 345 (Mohammerah: situation) consists of two volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/132-133. The volumes are divided into two parts, with each part comprising one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 278; 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.

The folio sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the one ending flyleaf.

An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel throughout; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

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English in Latin script
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File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎22v] (49/566), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/133, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030525713.0x000032> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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