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'Military Report on S. W. Persia, Volume II, Arabistan' [‎15r] (34/96)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (44 folios). It was created in 1910. 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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19
<R> h
In autumn the temperature falls, heavy mists and dew are
the rule, and malarial fever becomes very prevalent.
Military Capacities of Inhabitants.
/.— S. ’Arabisfdn,
#
The military value of the Persian ’Arab, fighting under his
own leaders in his own country, is undoubtedly less than that of
his fellows on the Turkish side, and has probably decreased of late
years. There is, however, little reliable information on the sub
ject. They are mobile, whether on horse or foot, to a remark
able degree, and are httle hampered by questions of supply.
They are fairly well armed, though not by any means correspond
ingly good shots, owing to lack of practice: the less well-armed
Bakhtiari are better shots.
When ’Arabs are fighting ’Arabs one side usually loses heart
after a time, and retires, even though no decisive action may have
been fought, or decisive range reached, or serious losses sustained.
The side which can hold on longest, and keep together, wins the
day. They are in fact generally faint-hearted and without con
fidence in themselves or their leaders. Their democratic ten
dencies make it impossible for any chief long to exact obedience
from them unless they see it to be to their own advantage. To
this cause may be partially attributed the fact that the Shaikh of
Muhammareh has never been able to gain a decisive victory over
his rebellious subjects W. of tue Karan.
Arms and ammunition are extensively smuggled into ’Arabis-
tan by sea from the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and by land from 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. ,
in spite of prohibitions. Only lack of money'prevents every ’Arab
from being armed with a modern rifle. As things stand at pre
sent, when serious military operations are contemplated by the
Shaikh, he has to issue a large number of rifles and ammunition
to the levies. In 1908, 5,000 rifles and a large number of
rounds were lent by Shaikh Mubarak of Kuwait to the Shaikh
of Muhammareh for use against the Bani Turuf, and it seems plain
that without assistance the Shaikh could not have put more than
15,000 rifles into the field.
The question of the number of ’Arabs that the Shaikh could
put into and maintain on the field is of some importance. Under cer
tain circumstances he would receive the assistance of tribes who,
though on the Turkish side of the frontier, nevertheless look to
the Shaikh as their tribal leader. These non-Persian adherents
of the Shaikh could probably muster about 5,000 armed men.
0 2

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Content

It consists of a military report on S W Persia, specifically Arabistan [Khūzestān], created for the personal information of the officers of the Army in India. Compiled in the Division of the Chief of the Staff, Army Head Quarters, India. Printed at the Government Monotype Press, Simla, 1910.

It includes a preface by Wilfrid Malleson, Assistant Quarter-Master General, Intelligence Branch.

It is divided into the following sections:

  • general considerations – geographical, political, and commercial;
  • military considerations – communications, supplies, transport, climate, military capacities of inhabitants, medical, and harbour reports;
  • route reports – incorporating comments on the road, climate, supplies, grazing, fuel, water, transport and physical obstacles;
  • appendices – including a table of principal tribes of Arabistan, a translation of Kārūn River Regulations, and abstracts of: the terms of an agreement between Sheikh Khaz'al and the Bakhtīārī Khāns; the Treaty of Erzeroum (1847), the Turko-Persian Boundary Agreement (England and Russia); the Boundary Agreement (Turkey and Persia); and the Nāsirī Company's Concession.

Also includes one map on folio 45: 'MAP to illustrate Military Report on S.W. PERSIA'.

Extent and format
1 volume (44 folios)
Arrangement

The item consists of a single report and an accompanying map enclosed in a pocket on the inside back cover. A contents page at the front of the volume (f 5) and index at the rear (ff 39-43) both reference the volume’s original printed pagination.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 46; 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. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Military Report on S. W. Persia, Volume II, Arabistan' [‎15r] (34/96), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/15/10/2, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036010055.0x000023> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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