File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎103v] (211/616)

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In 1842 a rival appeared in the form of one Mohammed bin Khalifeh, a gra 1
nephew of Shaikh Abdullah. The Wahabis, who were once again in power, J'
ported the young claimant and Isa bin 1 anf of Qatar and Bashir bin Rahm^
an Utb chief of the Jatahimat section asked permission of the Resident to ^
themselves with Shaikh Mohammed. This sanction was given, and in April, 1843
Bahrain passed into the possession of Shaikh Mohammed.
28. In 1843 the Government of India issued orders that an invasion of Bahrai
by the ex-Shaikh Abdullah would be prevented if necessary by a British Naval
force.
/
In 1847, however, Shaikh Mohammed bound himself to pay tribute to the
Wahabis at the rate of $2,000 per annum.
20 . In the same year, 1847, Turkish claims to Bahrain were advanced from
Basrah, apparently for the first time. The Shaikh was invited to declare his alle
giance to the Sultan, and to submit a detailed list of his shipping, in order that it
might be registered under the Turkish flag.
For various reasons the Shaikh was disposed to accept this advance on the
part of the Turkish Government.
30. This caused the Bombay Government to state that it was obviously
desirable to exclude interference by Foreign Powers in the affairs of the Persian
Gulf, inasmuch as without retaining supreme authority the British Government
could not hope to secure the performance of the objects which they had attained
in that quarter at a large expense.
The Board of Directors concurred in their recommendation that “ any attempts
upon Bahrain ought to be resisted by the British Naval force.” The Resident,
Major Hennell was authorised to ascertain whether the Shaikh was inclined to enter
into a closer connection with the British power, and some months later Shaikh
Mohammea expressed a wish that his Shaikhdom should be taken under British
protection, but n 1849 the Resident was directed to decline the proposal of the
Shaikh, but to assure him of the continuance of the goodwill and friendship of the
British Government. r
to the 1 Resident Shaikh Wa§ ° n bad terms ^ itb us ’ and sent ^suiting messages
3L Ta 185 | the Shaikh wa s on the point of succumbing to the Wahabis, when
a British Squadron arriving took the Islands under their wing.
summarflv & t be korte sovereignty over Bahrain was
summarily rejected by the British Government.
to offer ewrv^nboi- q 6 lGovernment authorised the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions.
Of th^S^andthe'wahat ^vernor sued Tor pardon" tClled ^ ^
tion to the Persian mai ^ e simultaneous application for protec-
O the Persian Governor of Pars, and to the Turkish Wali of Baghdad.
Khan, a weTknowh An Jonh S V WaS but a Persian agent, one Mirza Mehdi
sian flag was hoisted and^V' a most 1,nr nediately arrived in Bahrain, the Per-
had these ceremonies been n.T" Scarcely, however,
Mustafa, Nuri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. appeared thlTpersi M ° hammed Bey ’ the emissar y
flag raised into its place to n 1 f rsianda g was again lowered, and the Turkish
***"■ “
Felix Jones, the ^tesident^arid^ 6 ^ ldste r in Tehran differed from Captain
contented himself with obtain^ re / ar , tbe mat ters as of slight account. He
military occupation of Bahrain aL rC i!fr tbe ^ bak s Minister an assurance that no
of title had been settled by diplomatic ^ be > undertaken ^7 Persia until the question