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'File 4/1 General Information regarding Kuwait and Hinterland' [‎93r] (185/474)

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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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AL SUI.IMAK
i)\/^ '
A huge district, the northern portion of which fells
within the territory claimed by the Shai hs of Kuwait.
It lies between the SAHANAH desert on the west and
the districts of DIBDIBAH and SHAQQ, the Abu Dhuhair
hills and the Taff hills in Hasa on the east. Sumnan
extends from the lattitude of HAKAR-al-Batin on the
north to the route between RIYADH and HOFUF on the
south, and possibly beyond; its length from north
west to south-east is thus at least £40 miles. It is
divided h&lf way betw en the extreme points mentioned
by the direct route from KUWAIT to RIYADH; and its
breadth, which at this point is 90 miles, diminishes
southwards to about 20 miles at the place where the
road between RIYADH and HOFUF crosses it. Entered
from the Kuwait side by the direct route to RIYADH
the Summan is at first a confused region of earthy
mounds and flat-topped sandstone hills, through v/hich
run shallow winding valleys that in spring are
brightened here and there by wild flowers, grass and
shrubs. Further on the hills become more entangled,
and further on again the country becomes more open;
the valleys, broad and flat-bottomed, run with
winding courses almost north and south, while the
hills, low, level and less irregularly disposed,
are frequently ribanded near their bases with brick-
colour or, when their form is conical, exhibit brick-
red in their summits. A barren and glaring tract
follows and is succeeded by a second labrynth of
valleys, but the aspect of the country is now milder.
The last 20 miles, as the western border of Summan
is approached, consists of broken ground with patches
of grass and brushwood; it gradually opens into
undulating plains, with outcrops of sandstone, which

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' [‎93r] (185/474), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/5/179, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100040050673.0x0000ba> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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