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'File II. IRAQ (3) Vol. 2 Shaikh of Kuwait's Date Gardens on the Shatt-al Arab' [‎221v] (444/682)

The record is made up of 1 volume (338 folios). It was created in 14 Aug 1904-18 Aug 1920. 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. .

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dinner by the Wali. What passed between them exactly I am not aware, but the
subject of the registration of bis properties certainly came up and was settled sum
marily by the Wali refusing even to discuss the question until Mubarak should first
take out a Turkish nationality certificate. Subsequently the Shaikh went up to
Basrah, and I am unable to say whether calls were again exchanged there, but I
believe not, as I am informed that Shaikh Mubarak did not land at the serai
(Government House) at Basrah.
4. It is significant that the Shaikh’s secretary, Abdul Aziz bin Salim, has been
in Basrah some time now, though on what business I have no information, and
that the Shaikh undoubtedly sought to deceive me as to what passed between
him and the Wali.
5. I am forwarding a copy of this letter to His Majesty’s Consul at Basrah
to ask if he can furnish any further light on the subject.
(Copy.)
No. 14.
Basrah ;
March §th 1910.
Sir,
I have the honour to report that last month the Wali and the Commodore pro
ceeded in the “ Marmaris ” to Fao and met Shaikh Mubarak and Shaikh Khazal at
the house of Abdul Wahab el Kartass at Saraji a few miles from Basrah. The
company were entertained at a banquet at which the proceedings were enlivened
by the Turkish band. After the meal Abdul Wahab, the host, made a speech
which has been reproduced in a local Arabic newspaper the “ Izhar-ul-Hakk.”
The speaker after congratulating the Ottoman nation on acquiring freedom and a
constitution, said no people had ever done so without gradually progressing to the
attainment of the highest happiness, glory and prosperity, and he was convinced
Turkey would do the same. He then declared that certain dishonest officials in
the past, in order to serve their own ends, had succeeded in estranging Shaikh
Mubarak Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Kaimmakam of Kuwait, from his country and bis Government
and went on to eulogise the Shaikh in the following terms
“ Who is Shaikh Mubarak Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. as Sabah ? He is the free, faithful and zealous
Ottoman now among us. Excellencies, we all know him well, and I need not detain
you with an account of the Shaikh or his family, whose generous qualities have
gained notoriety from the books of Midhat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the founder of our freedom,
while more recently the Shaikh himself has become famous for the lavish manner
in which he has contributed both money and assistance, as is attested by the
official records of the Government.”
The speaker concluded bis address “ by attesting to the fact that throughout
the course of past events and vicissitudes, the Shaikh has never wavered or changed
in his allegiance and fidelity to the Ottoman Government and nation,” and ended
by saying “ Long life to Shaikh Mubarak and our beloved neighbour, 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
Khazal Khan, who, although a Persian by nationality, conducts himself like an
Ottoman in his acts .and contributes both efforts and money to the establishment of
peace and good order in our dear native land and that more specially in the time
of the present Wali. ”
The party were then photographed, the Wali in the middle with Khazal on his
right and Mubarak on his left, while the speaker, Kartass, stood in the foreground
with bis back to the camera.
I called a few days ago on the author of the speech, ’Abdul Wahab al Kartass
who quite admitted that he had his tongue in his cheek when he delivered it.
Mr. Lyle of Messrs. Gray, Mackenzie & Co., who visited the Shaikh at Kuwait
shortly after his trip to Basrah, informed me that Mubarak had told him that the

About this item

Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to three main topics.

The first main topic discussed is the Shaikh of Kuwait's date gardens on the Shatt al-Arab (ff 3-162). The discussion in the volume relates to the Shaikh's concern about the repair of embankments and the actions of Turkish soldiers in dismantling the embankments in proximity to their fort. Included in the volume is a hand-drawn plan (folio 135) of the fort, garden, embankments and marshlands in relation to the Shatt al Arab waterway.

The second main topic discussed is registration of Shaikh Mubarak's property at Faddaghiya (ff 163-311). The volume includes the Arabic version with English translation (ff 165-182) of the preliminary agreement between Shaikh Mubarak al-Sabah and Abdul Wahab bin Qirtass concerning 'the property known as Fadhagiya' as well as the final deed relating to the purchase. Also included is an Arabic copy (folio 251) of 'receipts passed for land revenue paid by Shaikh Mubarak on his Faddaghiya estate'.

The third main topic discussed is the dismissal of the Mudir of Fao for overstepping his authority.

The principal correspondents in the volume include 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 (Stuart George Knox; William Henry Irvine Shakespear); 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 Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Percy Zachariah Cox); the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department (Sir Louis Dane); the First Assistant Resident, Bushire; HBM's Consul at Basrah; and the Ruler of Kuwait (Shaikh Mubarak bin Sabah al-Sabah).

Extent and format
1 volume (338 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in rough chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 340; 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.

A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Pagination: the file also contains a hand written pagination sequence (ff 3-339).

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File II. IRAQ (3) Vol. 2 Shaikh of Kuwait's Date Gardens on the Shatt-al Arab' [‎221v] (444/682), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/5/6, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100037859809.0x00002d> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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