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File 1855/1904 Pt 9 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikhs claim to Bubiyan, Warba & Umkasr' [‎222r] (45/228)

The record is made up of 113 folios. It was created in 8 Dec 1903-11 Apr 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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Translation of confidential correspondence passing between Sheikh Mubarak as
Subah t ruler of Koweit and Major S. G. Knox, 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. , Koweit.
Dated yth Jamadi-al-awwal, 1326 H.
From— Sheikh Mubarak,
To—Major S. G. Knox, 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. , Koweit.
After compliments. —Let it not be hidden from your honour that the island
of Warba is our property and the place of the erection of fishing nets of the
people of Koweit for two hundred years and in the past years in the time of our
grandfathers and fathers, strangers were referring to them, demanding from them
permission to inhabit it at a rent and that was not accorded to them, for it is a
place of obtaining a livelihood of poor fishers, people of Koweit and that you
may take cognizance of this, we have written this letter and may you remain
safe.
( ) seal of Sheikh Mubarak as Subah.
No. 59, dated 7th Jamadi-al-awwal 1326 H.=7th June 1908.
From— Major S. G. Knox, 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. , Koweit,
To— Sheikh Mubarak as Subah.
After compliments.—Yowx letter of the 7th Jamadi-al-awwal has reached
me and whatever you have detailed there about the island of Warba has become
known to me that it is your property and the place of erection of fishing-nets of
the people of Koweit for two hundred years and that it is the place of liveli
hood for poor fishers of the people of Koweit and that the aforesaid island is a
portion of Koweit. Quite so, but let it not be hidden from your honour that with
people apart from us, the English, and your honour’s subjects, your honour’s
letter will be only the talk of the claimant and we wish to prove this talk with
proofs and arguments and we desire proof of that, that this island is the place of the
erection of fishing-nets of the people of Koweit and without doubt we shall find
some of the old men who have information on this subject, that we may enquire
of them and, if you think proper, that you should send one of your men, as for
instance, Abdul Aziz bin Salim or Abdulla Hajri or Haji Ali that he may be
present at the enquiry with them, this will be as you please. Usual ending.
Dated 7th Jamadi-al-awwal 1326 H.
From— Sheikh Mubarak,
To—M ajor S. G. Knox, 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. , Koweit.
After compliments. —I have taken with the hand of friendship your letter
dated 7th Jamadi-al-awwal and what you have mentioned has become known.
Now with regard to the island of Warba, it is well known to all and sundry and
we will not write except the reality. Many of the Awazim will be found (as
witnesses) and Haji Ali, according to the promise, to-morrow, at three o’clock
Arabic will be present. Usual ending.
( ) seal of Sheikh Mubarak.
Dated 7th Jamadi-al-awwal 1326 H.=7th June 1908.
From— Major S. G. Knox, 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. , Koweit,
To—S heikh Mubarak.
After compliments. —Your letter dated 7th Jamadi-al-awwal reached and
what you have written became known ; about the island of Warba that it is well
known to all and sundry and that your honour will not write anything opposing

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The papers concern the claims of Shaikh Mubarak [Mubārak bin Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ], Ruler of Koweit [Kuwait] to the islands of Bubiyan, Warba, and Umkasr [Umm Qaşr] against the competing claims of the Government of Turkey [the Ottoman Empire].

The principal correspondents are the British Ambassador at Constantinople (Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor); the Viceroy of India (Baron Curzon of Kedlestone; from 1905 the Earl of Minto); 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 (Major Stuart George Knox); and senior officials of 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 Government of India, and the Foreign Office.

The papers cover: the nature of the claims of the Shaikh of Kuwait to Bubiyan and Umm Qaşr, December 1903 - April 1904 (folios 285-312); the views of the Viceroy on the issue, April 1904 (folios 279-283); proposed representations to the Ottoman Government by the British Ambassador at Constantinople concerning the establishment of Turkish military posts on the islands, May 1904 - May 1905 (folios 246-278); the Shaikh of Kuwait's views on a proposal that he establish a post on Bubiyan Island, and the proposed establishment of a permanent British Agent at Kuwait, June 1905 (folios 231-245); and papers concerning the Shaikh of Kuwait's rights over Warba and Bubiyan islands, including the view of the British Government in 1910 that it was inadvisable to assert the Shaikh's rights at that time, November 1907 - April 1910 (folios 201-230).

The date range gives the covering dates of all the documents contained in the papers; the covering dates of the Secret Department minute papers that enclose them, as given on folio 200, are 1904-1910.

Extent and format
113 folios
Written in
English in Latin script
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File 1855/1904 Pt 9 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikhs claim to Bubiyan, Warba & Umkasr' [‎222r] (45/228), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/51/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100037401203.0x000035> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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