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File 1855/1904 Pt 7 'Koweit Flag.' [232v] (128/154)
The record is made up of 76 folios. It was created in 30 Jun 1904-22 Mar 1907. It was written in English and Arabic. 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.
In the
firman
A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’).
given him in connection with the Customs, it is distinctly
stated that the Directorship-in-Chief (Riasat-i-kul; of the Customs of Arabistan
is his : that, as there are no capable local men, Mons. Waffelaerat and Mons.
Mirzayanty are to be sent to be in charge of the Customs under his Director
ship and orders, and his Directorship is under the Ministry of Customs. He
undertakes to carry out the orders of the Ministry of Customs, and to lend
his private steamers, when required, for preventive service. This Directorship
appears to be practically ignored, but whether this is the fault of the local
Customs or the Ministry he does not know. Clerks have been appointed with
out reference to him, and other small matters show that the local Directorate
ignore his headship.
Again, the Customs of Arabistan is not under Bushire as is shown by the
firman
A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’).
above, yet the Bushire administration have sent the “ Muzaft’eri” into
the Shatt-el-Arab to search for arms and other contraband, and, on the Captain
reporting that he had arrested two sailing boats with arms, the Bushire Director
ordered him to bring them to Bushire. The Captain could not do this, so
brought them to Mohammerah, and telegraphed to Bushire for the “ Persepolis”
to come for them.
Some months ago the Cashier of the Mohammerah Customs embezzled
moneys belonging to the Customs and absconded to Karachi, where he was arrest
ed. The
Sardar
Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
Arfa, at the request of the Customs, issued a warrant to two
of his guards to receive the prisoner and bring him to Mohammerah, and his
signature and position were authenticated at this Consulate. On this warrant
the prisoner was extradited and brought to Mohammerah, and detained at
the Customs House. After a preliminary examination, at which • the
Sardar
Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
Arfa was represented, Mons. Waffelaert being transferred to Bushire, took the
prisoner with him, and handed him over to the custody of the authorities at
Bushire, aUbough the offence was committed in the jurisdiction of Arabistan.
Prom this it appears that the Customs wish to ignore his position as Governor,
as well as that of supreme Director of the Customs of Arabistan, and he
considers it necessary to report this to the Central Government.
About this item
- Content
The papers concern the proposal that vessels from Koweit [Kuwait] should adopt a distinctive flag, and the likely reaction this would bring from the Government of Turkey [the Ottoman Empire].
The principal correspondents are 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. (Major Percy Zachariah Cox); 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. , Kuwait (Captain Stuart George Knox); the British Ambassador at Constantinople (Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor); and senior officials of Government of India.
The papers cover: correspondence concerning the question of the protection that the British Government should give to subjects of Kuwait in Persian territory, June-December 1904 (folios 220-246); a report that the Ambassador at Constantinople saw no objection to the adoption by the Shaikh of Kuwait [Mubārak bin Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ] of a distinctive flag for Kuwait vessels, while retaining his existing flag for use in Kuwait, February-March 1905 (folios 217-219); correspondence concerning the proposed use by the Shaikh of Kuwait of the Turkish flag with the addition of the word 'Koweit' written across it in Arabic letters (including colour drawings of the proposed flag, folios 199-203), and specimen shipping certificate, July 1905 - July 1906 (folios 190-216); and correspondence concerning the Shaikh of Kuwait's concerns over the likely consequences of his adoption of the new flag, particularly his fears of 'oppressive measures' from Turkish officials at Basrah [Basra] and other Turkish ports, August 1906 - March 1907 (folios 176-188).
The Arabic language content of the papers is confined to Arabic wording on the specimen shipping certificate and drawings of the proposed Kuwait flag, between folios 192 and 201.
The date range gives the covering dates of all the documents; the date range of the Secret Department minute papers given on the subject divider on folio 171 is 1905-07.
- Extent and format
- 76 folios
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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File 1855/1904 Pt 7 'Koweit Flag.' [232v] (128/154), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/50/2, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100035754162.0x00004a> [accessed 12 August 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/50/2
- Title
- File 1855/1904 Pt 7 'Koweit Flag.'
- Pages
- 170r:196r, 196r:196v, 196v:245v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence