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File 522/1922 Pt 5 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Administration: Internal Affairs: British Interference' [‎57v] (125/356)

The record is made up of 1 volume (174 folios). It was created in 19 Aug 1924-22 Jan 1931. 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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With this short summary I will come to details.
Ill 1880 the Shaikh entered into closer relationship with the British by
a Treat in which was included a provision by which he agreed to have no negotia
tions wHhForetn Countries, and in 1892 he made a further and more extended
treaty in which he stated he would cede no territory to foreign countries.
The protection given by Great Britain to Bahrain resulted m a considerable
increase of material prosperity and our interest, our influence being more and more
powerful was turned to internal improvement and reform, and to precautions
against political competition on the part of European Powers.
5 In 1899 differences came to light between Shaikh Isa and his nephew Ali
i • »L ,i „„„ n f the Shaikh Ahmad mentioned in paragraph 2, and supplied a
possMe ' explanation^for the anxiety which Shaikh Isa had displayed to have his
son Hamad recognised by the British Government as his heir.
Sanction to this recognition, and it is illuminating that such sanction was
considered by the Shaikh necessary, was granted in 1898 but it was not actually
openly announced until 1901, owing to the obstruction by the Shaikh to the
reform of his customs, from which he was not receiving the value he should have
received, the profits going mainly to the Customs farmers.
li In 1899 the British Government offered to lend the Shaikh a British Cus
toms Official but he declined the offer the reason being apparently that he
considered his dignity and independence would be compromised.
In the same year, in violation of a promise that he would not extend the
current customs contract without reference to the British Resident, Shaikh Isa
granted a new lease for two years, and enhanced the general rate of duty from 4 to
5 per cent., without giving previous notice to the British authorities.
7 It was felt that the time had come to replace the Indian Agent, who had
existed since 1829, by an European Officer, and in January 1900 an uncovenanted
officer of the Bushire 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. was appointed. In earlier days an Assistant
Resident from Bushire had been sent occasionally to reside in the Island.
8 . The question of the customs was allowed to rest until Lord Curzon’s visit
to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. in 1903 when it formed the chief subject of discussion between
His Excellency the Viceroy and the Shaikh.
Lord Curzon pressed the customs reforms on the Shaikh but the latter main-
ta'ned that .t was a matter which concerned himself and there is little doubt that
he considered the matter as one affecting his independence. Lord Curzon,
however, gave him a final warning that the matter could not, and would not, be
dropped.
It may be stated that in 1901 Sir N. O’Connor had recommended the
appointment of a British Director of Customs as a measure which would appear
to the Turks a material proof of British authority in Bahrain.
To coerce Shaikh Isa into acceptance of reforms would have been easy but
it was thought better that he should consent of his own will.
9 . In 1904, after the failure of various attempts to induce the Shaikh to agree
to a reform of his customs administration, a further enhancement of the status ot
the British representative in the Islands was approved of, and in October 1904
a 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. was appointed from the Cadre of the Indian Political Depart
ment. Lord Curzon had felt, while at Bahrain, that an uncovenanted officer,
hailing from India, did not carry the necessary weight with the Shaikh of Bahrain
and it was hoped that a British Officer would obtain more influence.
10 . Shaikh Isa’s conduct, however, left much to be desired, and he seemed
more concerned with preserving his independence from us, than with conciliating
us, by whom only his independence could be maintained.
11 . In November 1904 a riot had occurred in which the bodyguard of the
Shaikh's nephew Ali attacked the Persians resident in the bazaar at Manameh,
the capital of the Islands. Captain Prideaux, the new 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. , interview
ed the Shaikh in the matter but the Shaikh, on the ground that the Persians
were Mohammedans, declined to admit his interference, and expressed his inl en '
tion of sending the case to Shara. Ultimately the matter was kept pending

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Content

Correspondence, minute papers, memoranda, and draft papers relating to British and European representation within the Bahrain administration. The papers discuss a number of matters, including: appointment and terms of the posts of Director of Customs, Commandant of the Levy Corps, and some medical positions; appointment of a surveyor and survey party; the question of employing Sudanese policemen instead of Indian; and the degree of interference the British should adopt in Bahrain.

The principal correspondents include officials at 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. , Foreign Office, Colonial Office, and the Government of India (Foreign and Political Department). Further correspondence, included as enclosures, comes from 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the 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. in Bahrain, and the Governor General of the Sudan.

Extent and format
1 volume (174 folios)
Arrangement

The volume is arranged in chronological order from the back to the front.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 171; 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.

The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 522/1922 Pt 5 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Administration: Internal Affairs: British Interference' [‎57v] (125/356), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/1043, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100060828705.0x00007e> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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