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‘Masqat Arms Traffic. 1908–1909.’ [52v] (109/128)
The record is made up of 1 volume (60 folios). It was created in 1909. It was written in English and French. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
68
the Afghan trade. The Arabs do not take
any rifles away overland. The immedi
ate hinterland of Masqat appears to be a
dangerous neighbourhood, and they are
afraid of being looted.
As mentioned under “ African trade ” the
people of Sur do most of the trade with
the Southern Arabian ports. In this
direction, too, there is little trade until July
and August.
The favourite rifle with the Arabs is a
short M.-H. rifle (or carbine), in which the
wood does not come to the end of the barrel.
These rifles are priced at Rs. 22 with
100 cartridges. It is not a good rifle. A
similar rifle to the above with regard to
length and make, is the Martini-Metford,
priced at Rs. 40. This is also a favourite
with the Arabs.
A large share of the Arab trade falls
to Damodar Mul.
About 8 months ago Habib-bin-Salin, Suspected German enterprise,
an Arab, brought some German tele
phones and lamps valued at Rs. 30,000
as presents to the Sultm of Masqat.
He was expected at Masqat again on
25th April with a motor car and motor
boat which are believed to be presents
from Germany. He is coming from Mom
basa in the Sultan’s yacht “Nur-ul-Bahar.”
About 40 yeais ago Habib lived at Masqat
The merchants there say that he is a poor
man, and that he could never afford to give
presents on this scale, and they think that
Germany is trying to get round the Sultan
of Masqat, in order to increase her influence
and obtain a Consulate there.
Our men think that the Masqat mer
chants and the Baluchis will be busy
sending across rifles to the Makran Coast
all this summer. There are also still a
considerable number of Afghans hanging
about the Gulf, and they will certainly
try to make their purchases early. Tbev
will stoie their rifles with Baluch Sardars
along the Makran coast until the next
caravan season, while the Masqat mer
chants and Baluchis will collect rifles on
Plans for next season.
This is confirmed by our other reports which
all prediot a busy hot weather and an early
season.
About this item
- Content
Bound volume containing two secret reports, both authored by Colonel Wilfrid Malleson (referred to as Division of the Chief of the Staff in the first report, and Assistant Quarter Master General for Intelligence in the second), and both issued by the Division of the Chief of the Staff in 1909.
The first report is entitled Statistics regarding the Masqat [Muscat] Arms Traffic (Revised.) (ff 4-16), and contains several appendices and fold-out tables giving details of: caravan routes along which arms trafficking is carried out on the Makran coast; total values of arms and ammunition imported into Muscat and other Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports; importers and (European) exports of arms.
The second report is entitled Special Reports on the Masqat Arms Traffic, Season 1908-09 (ff 17-60), and comprises a number of reports on the arms trade through Muscat, submitted by ‘secret agents’, and a map illustrating the arms traffic from Muscat to Persia, Baluchistan and Afghanistan (f 59). The report also includes two appendices, lettered G and H. Appendix G is a letter (in French) dated 28 October 1907, from M Pick to Messieurs Malcom and Company of Muscate [Muscat]. Appendix H comprises lists (in French) of arms for sale, with prices given in French francs.
The voluime includes a map illustrating the Muscat arms traffic, dated 1909, indicating routes taken by the Muscat arms trade from the Persian (Makran) coast and inland, into Persia, Baluchistan and Afghanistan (f 59).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (60 folios)
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 62; 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.
Pagination: this part also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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‘Masqat Arms Traffic. 1908–1909.’ [52v] (109/128), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/289/A, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100049315702.0x00006e> [accessed 18 April 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/20/289/A
- Title
- ‘Masqat Arms Traffic. 1908–1909.’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:35v, 38v:61v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence