PZ 4718/1934 ‘Historical Memorandum on Bahrein.’ [‎2v] (4/48)

2
expelled, irom uie ibiduu& uj ,
occupation was of uncertain duration, and in their Notu oi
2nd August 1928 they refer to 1622 as the date on w hicli
Lor. 1 836. Persia regained possession of Bahrein. They appear in any
event to have had a military depot in Bahrein m 16^2.
Cnrzon, Ourzon states that “ the Portuguese . . . m 1625 concluded
Persia, II, a treaty with Shah Abbas, by which they restored to him
419 - all his coast possessions, retaining only the pearl banks at
Bahrein. ...”
4. In or about 1718 the islands were occupied by the
Arabs of Muscat, who, however, appear to have maintained
their occupation for a short time only. It is not clear
whether at the date of this attack the islands were derelict
or whether they were held by a Persian garrison. About
1753 the Ruler under the Persian Government of the town
of Bushire made a descent upon Bahrein, the chief resident
tribe in which (the Huwalah Arabs—at the present day
still stronghy represented in the islands) was seriously
divided by internal feuds, and established his authority
there. In this manner the islands again became, at least in
name, dependent on Persia. In 1782 the Arabs of Zubarah 18th-century town located 105 km from Doha. ,
on the Arabian mainland, efforts to reduce wRich had been
made by the Governor of Bahrein under the Persians in the
years immediately preceding that date, retaliated by a
descent on the island of Bahrein. They defeated the
Persian Governor, drove him to his fort, plundered and
destroyed the town of Manama, and took possession of a
Bushire vessel, with which they retired to Zubarah 18th-century town located 105 km from Doha. . A
counter attack was repulsed, and in the following year the
Uttabi Arabs of Zubarah 18th-century town located 105 km from Doha. , assisted by contingents from
various tribes of Qatar, occupied the Bahrein islands, the
Persian garrison of the Manama Fort capitulating on 28th
July 1783, alter a siege of about two months’ duration, and
being allowed to return to Bushire.
5. It will be seen that while the history of Bahrein
prior to 1783 is very obscure, it would appear that Persia
for 11 ot inconsiderable periods exercised control over the
islands. The nature of that control is not, however, very
clear; it seems probable that it was only very rarely of
a definite character; and even in more recent periods
Summary.