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Coll 30/33 'Persian Gulf, Trucial Coast. Policy of H.M.G. List of Trucial Sheikhs' [‎340r] (679/818)

The record is made up of 1 file (407 folios). It was created in 27 May 1929-8 Aug 1939. It was written in English. 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

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It is of no great value to point out the benefits the Shaikhs have received from
Britain. They admit the inestimable benefit of maritime peace, but they point
out that they are not receiving the support to which they think they are entitled
against Persia. Some even consider that we ate an impediment in the way of the
attainment of their rights by direct actions
In moments of ceremony even the surly Shaikh of Bas-al-Khaimah may say
to the Resident that the British are not as other nations; but there is no doubt
that the Persians have given our position in the Gulf a set-back by the Tanb inci
dent of last year and also by their attitude towards the Baharaneh of Mohammerah.
This latter, however, does not have repercussions on the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. equal
to its effect further north.
It will be seen that in his latest reply to Khan Bahadur Isa, Shaikh Sultan of
Ras-al-Khaimah has attempted to draw a red herring across the path by pretend
ing that he has been badly treated in the matter of the Tanb lighthouse.
I am informed by Khan Bahadur Isa that he first mentioned this matter after
his pilgrimage *to Mecca. On his return he stayed at Karachi, and some one there
put the idea into his head.
After consulting the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Division, as to Tanb
lighthouse fees, I have written to inform the Shaikh that he is wrong in considering
that the British Government deprive him of any revenue from the lighthouse.
A small fee is levied from ships passing up the Gulf for the upkeep of the Tanb and
.other lighthouses, but the money derived from these fees is under the control of a
Committee specially appointed for the control of lighthouses, lightships, lights and
buoys. AU the revenues are expended in repairs and maintenance, in refuelling
and in canyaag stores to the light keepers. For this purpose a special ship, based
on Basrah, is maintained.
I have moreover consulted my records to see the correspondence which passed
between Shaikh Saggar bin Sultan, of Shargah, and Sir Percy Cox regarding this
^lighthouse and there is no reference to revenues. Sir Percy Cox merely stated:
>< Your interests will be benefited and strengthened by the placing of the light at
Tanb This referred to the indication to all the world given by Government that
they regarded Tanb as the property of the Jowasimi chiefs with whom they had
negotiated permission to erect the light house.
With regard to the Air Force store-house, I pointed out that Government
wished only to rent a house to store petrol and asked him to lay down buoys, for
which they would pay, so that the flying boats could moor themselves securely.
They wished to be treated merely like other people hiring property in Ras-al-
Khaimah were treated. They had no desire to hoist flags or make any claim to
sovereignty.
I pointed out that His Majesty's Government had been in friendly relations
with Ras-al-Khaimah for a hundred years, and that his own distinguished pre
decessor, Shaikh Salim bin Saggar, had been very helpful to the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency.
(Colonel Pelly) in connection with the land telegraph.
It would be an astonishing thing if that Shaikh Salim’s successor proved
less helpful to an old friend in the trifling matter of a petty store-house.
Shaikh Salim bin Sultan is a difficult person with whom to do business ; he
is doubtful of our motives and afraid to commit himself. I am hopeful however
that after delivering my letter, which has been written throughout in a very
friendly strain, Khan Bahadur Isa Abdul Latif may be able to overcome his
opposition.
The Royal Air Force wish to rent at once an aerodrome and store-house at
Abu Dhabi; but I have informed them that I consider the moment inopportune.
It is necessary to succeed in my assault on Ras-al-Khaimah before turning attention
to the wilder Abu Dhabi, which has a particularly blood-strained record.
The Shaikh of Ras-al-Khaimah appears to be in a position to act more or less
as he pleases , but if the young Shaikh Shakbut, of Abu Dhabi, dared to deviate
from the path laid down for him by the Abu Dhabi oligarchy, fratricide would
quickly remove him as it did his three immediate predecessors.

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Content

This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding British Government policy on the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. . Specifically, this includes discussions concerning the possibility of appointing an Assistant 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. to the region, incorporating it into civil air routes and whether or not Britain should take more formal control of the area. The correspondence is primarily between officials at the Political Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in Bushire, the External Affairs Department of the Government of India, the 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. , the Air Ministry and the Foreign Office.

In addition to correspondence, the file also contains the following:

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the front of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (407 folios)
Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 409; 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 1-382; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in
English in Latin script
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Coll 30/33 'Persian Gulf, Trucial Coast. Policy of H.M.G. List of Trucial Sheikhs' [‎340r] (679/818), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3747, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100057172201.0x000050> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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