File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎103r] (210/616)

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23. In 1838 the Wahabi Amir was captured by the Egyptians and deported
to Egypt, a puppet being set up in his place.
The Shaikh of Bahrain was much alarmed at the rumours he heard and, in
reply to the demands of the puppet Amir Khalid, professed himself to be a subject
of the Persian Government; as a result the Persian Governor of Shiraz sent an
envoy to reside at Bahrain, but his mission was a failure.
The intentions of Khurshid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the Governor of Hasa, now became clear and
the Government of India found themselves, to some extent, bound to anticipate
the intentions of H. M.’s Government regarding the policy to be pursued
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and the presence of a British Naval Squadron in the Gulf
was made use of, and the Commander was instructed “ strongly to use his in
fluence ” to deter the Egyptian General from further encroachment. The Admiral
was empowered, in the event of the Shaikh of Bahrain soliciting British aid, to
afford every encouragement to resist, and all the support he could render without
engaging in actual hostilities.
The Governor General of India was not disposed at the time to enter into
any new engagement with the Shaikh of Bahrain, but the Admiral was instructed,
in case such an engagement should be suggested, so far to encourage the proposals
of the Shaikh as to transmit them for the consideration of the Goven m ?nt of
India.
In other words the Government realised the seriousness of the situation if the
Egyptians desired to annex Bahrain, but did not wish to be drawn into a difficult
situation unless circumstances really demanded it.
24. Prom this period dates our more active intervention in the affairs of
Bahrain.
In a letter dated 18th April, 1839> the Indian Government advanced beyond
the position they had taken up, and empowered the Admiral, in the event of the
Shaikh claiming British intervention, and offering to place his territories under
British protection, to assure him of the temporary protection of H. M,’s Squadron
and to intimate his action to the Egyptian Commander.
About the same time the Admiral visited Bahrain, accompanied by Captain
Edmunds, Assistant 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. , and Shaikh Abdullah gave the latter a pro
mise that he would take no steps to place himself under the authority or protection
of a Foreign Power without first consulting the British Resident: but in the same
year the Shaikh unexpectedly acknowledged the supremacy of the Egyptians and
covenanted to pay them a tribute of £2,000 per annum, on condition that his local
authority should be preserved and that no Egyptian representative should be sent
to reside at Bahrain. The Shaikh justified his action by the Resident s refusal
to give him advice, or a specified assurance of support, and of a virtual immunity
from disturbance which he had purchased for a trifling and mere pecuniary
saciifice.
25. The Resident delivered a written protest to the Shaikh, and another in
nearly the same terms to the Egyptian Commander. The Shaikh protested that
he would never, even at the demand of the Egyptians, place himself in opposition
to the British Government and he offered, on condition that distinct pledges of pro
tection should be given him in writing to repudiate his agreement with the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
and to avow himself a dependent of the British Government—but he refused to
put this in writing.
26. This circumstance is most illuminating, especially in relation to our
dealings with the Shaikhs of Qatar and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. to-day, where the circihn-
stances are very similar. Without our definite pledge of assistance the Shaikh
of Bahrain of that day could not afford to compromise himself with the power on the
mainland.
The Egyptian question was brought to an end in the following year, 1840,
on the evacuation of Hasa.
27. By his conduct with the Egyptians Shaikh Abdullah had forfeited the
trust of the British Government, and the possibility of his being displaced by
a more favourably disposed Shaikh was discussed.
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