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'File 4/1 General Information regarding Kuwait and Hinterland' [‎191r] (381/474)

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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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«•£>**
Abdul Karim Abul. jUrad 63
, , A Persian bom in Kuwait he is an astute man who has
control of tho Subah private funds and acts as treasurer* He is
pro British and does a lucrative business in grains and piece
goods* Npw very near sighted and in consequence seldom returns
a salutation.
”• Saivid Abdul V.'ahab bin Khalaf al Nakib. Atyed 58.
A scion of a notable Basrah family he is a man of
S leasant appearance ^ married to a daughter or Saiyid Talib an
oKib and resident in Basrah. A personal friend of His Hi^diness
he pays frequent visits to Kuwait and is named as pro British.
8 . Abdullah Al Nafisi. Aired 73.
He ie the Saudi Arabian Agent in Kuwait and is a
wizened old man as deaf as a post but withal very pro British
and noted for his generosity. He is in business in the town but
is past any practical interest in this world f s affairs with the
exception of cigarettes of which he smokes an inordinate number.
His work is carried on by his sons Abdul Aziz and Yusuf and very
helpful they are to the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. .
9.
Abdullah Al Qadhi-
U£u
The Saudi Arabian trade Agent. A man of severe
countenance and irritable aspect he was at one time employed
in Hasa in the revenue department but does not seem to have been
S ®2 cc#8B 80 was 80n ^ k 0re to be out of the way. A native of
Taif he looks and probably is most unhappy and disgruntled.
10 .
HajiLifc
Mn. Sulimon Al Khalaf . Aged 52-
He is the unofficial head of the ship-wrights and is a
pleasant and efficient man t honourable and loyal to the Ruler
and entirely British in his sympathies. He has made a great deal
of money but being of a very generous disposition he has little
left having helped many score of the poorer members of his own
craft. He and his son Haji Firdan are the best ship builders and
own the biggest yard. He has recently done a great deal of work
for Hie Majesty’s Government and done it very well.
11 .
Mohamad Husain Maraf i. A*:ed 60.
, , l 0 ^ 1 *^ Persian family long resident in Kuwait
he has seen distinctly better days. At one time he was agent for
various shipping lines and comparatively well^fco do but his
financial state is now rather parlous. Pro-British f
12 .
I'M » T *
bin Mohajirnad Bahar. h2
A general merchant like his brother Abdul Rahman but
more open handed and not in nearly such a large way of business.
His politioa are pro-Britieh and he is a member of the Municipal
Council. ^
13. Saivid Ali bin Suliman. Aged 54.
A member of the 1938 Council and played a leading part
in the ineurrection of that year which landed him in prison where
he yet languishes. He is a merchant in a moderate way of business
with distinctly anti British views which I do not believe are shared
by his son a tall pleasant lad of 22 or 23 who is now running the
business/

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' [‎191r] (381/474), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/5/179, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100040050674.0x0000b6> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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