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'File 4/1 General Information regarding Kuwait and Hinterland' [‎6r] (11/474)

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The record is made up of 1 file (235 folios). It was created in 1933-1948. 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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4
whose mildness and affability made him a popular ruler.Shaikh
Salim, another son of Shaikh Mubarak succeeded on his brother’s
death in February 1917. He was very different type of man
from his easy going brother, being a stern Muhammadan and a
very obstinate man. He had spent nearly all his life in the
desurt before he came to the throne and hated all modern
inventions. He was almost entirely to blame for his quarrel
all
with Ibn Saud and/the sorrow that it brought to Kuwait, and
in short he did nearly as much harm to the State, as his
father had done good. He died suddenly on the 23rd February
1921 to the undisguised jo£ of nearly all his subjects.
It had always been the custom for Shaikhs of Kuwait
to rule personally and autocratically, and to avoid all
delegation of authority. In the town it was their usage to
give audience for an hour or two each morning in the market
place, and decide cases by direct judgment. On the death of
Shaikh Salim, however, the townspeople, tired of the unnecessary
war with Ibn Saud which he had led them into against their
will, determined that in future they would have some say in
the a fairs of the State, informed the members of the Subah
family that they would only accept as their Ruler one who
would accept a council of advisers.
S haikh Ahmed , eldest son of the late Shaikh Jabinp was chosen
as Ruler, and on his return from Nejd an Agreement was drawn
up between him and the people of Kuwait to the effect that
all criminal cases would be decided in accordance with the
Shar’ or Religious Law; that in case of appeal, the written
statements of both parties and the Oadhi’s judgment would be
submitted to the ’ Ulama , whose decision would be final; that
if both parties in a dispute agreed beforehand for a third
party to arbitrate between them, his decision should hold;
that the Ruler would seek advice in all matters ▼ external
as well as internal - which affected the town; and that if any
one had any suggestion to make for the benefit of the town or
people, he would lay it before the Ruler, who would consult
his people, and adppt it if they so advised. A council of

About this item

Content

This file contains a number of reports concerning different aspects of life in Kuwait, including its geography, history, flora and fauna, weather, political administration and leading personalities. Unless otherwise stated, the reports' author is Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Richard Patrick Dickson (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).

The reports appear as follows:

  • Note on Kuwait in 1933 incorporating Geography, Administration, History and Trade (folios 2-62)
  • Note on Villages of Kuwait State (folios 63-76)
  • Note on the Various Districts in Kuwait, Kuwait Neutral Zone, Summan Area , Hussaim and Suda (folios 77-104)
  • Notes on the "Batin" Valley, and "Dibdibba" Country (folios 105-120)
  • Note on the "Shaqq" Depression (folios 121-123)
  • Note on "Failakah" Island (folios 124-130)
  • Note on Native Craft of Kuwait (folios 131-135)
  • Note on the Prevailing Winds of Kuwait (folios 136-138)
  • Note on the Different Kinds of Fish found at Kuwait (folios 139-144)
  • Notes on the Drinking Water (Wells, etc) available in Kuwait Town, in Case of Military or Naval Operations (folios 145-147)
  • Notes on Personalities in Kuwait (folios 148-154)
  • Notes on Kuwait (folios 155-159)
  • A report on Kuwait Dhows (with odd notes attached at rear) written by Alan Villiers in 1939 (folios 160-183)
  • Leading Personalities of Kuwait written by Major Tom Hickinbotham in 1942 (folios 187-198)
  • Who's Who in Muscat written by John Baron Howes in 1942 (folios 199-209)
  • Conditions in Kuwait written by Major Maurice Patrick O'Connor Tandy in 1947 (folios 226-228)

Some of the reports contain handwritten notes in Arabic, notably when giving place names and geographical information.

Extent and format
1 file (235 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 237; these numbers are written in pencil 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.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 4/1 General Information regarding Kuwait and Hinterland' [‎6r] (11/474), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/5/179, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100040050673.0x00000c> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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