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'Koweit: A Report' [‎41v] (91/140)

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The record is made up of 2 volumes (60 folios). It was created in 1903. 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. .

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4
piracy, which they practised on the lower reaches of the Shatt-
el-Arab, and in the northern end of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . In the
17th Century, the authorities at Basrah expelled them from
their stronghold, and the tribe moved down the Bubiyan Creek,
to the great bay, now known as that of Koweit. Crossing to
the southern shore, the Sheikh erected a fort or “ Khote,” and
hence the present name; (which is pronounced Quoit or Quait).
It was about 1716 that three clans of the A 1 Uttub tribe,
the Beni Subah, the A 1 Yalahimeh, and the A 1 Khalifeh, entered
into a mutual compact or alliance, and still further strengthened
their position, wnere Koweit now stands, by inter-marriage
with other clans, with a view to being able to resist the attacks
of their powerful neighbours, the Beni Khalid Arabs.* They
intended to follow the occupation of agriculturists and mer
chants, and to share the profits equally. The Beni Subah
were to exercise the functions of Government; the Yalahimeh
carried on the maritime, while the Khalifeh managed the
mercantile branch of their small commonwealth.
In the course of fifty years, the new settlement had attained
a very high degree of prosperity. The accumulation of wealth
seems to have led the mercantile branch of the league to wish
to secede from the original compact, in order that they might
enjoy, and add to, their acquired riches without sharing them.
Accordingly, Khalifeh bin Mahommed, Sheikh of the A 1
Khalifeh, represented to the other two tribes the openings for
trade and the advantages generally of forming a settlement on
some spot in that part of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. which is close to the
most productive pearl fisheries.
The Sheikh was permitted to leave Koweit with part of
his tribe, and settled at Zobara, on the Bahrein coast. Here he
was gradually joined by the rest of his tribe and at length he
completely severed his connection with the other two tribes at
Koweit, and established the independence of his new colony
at Zobara.
The A 1 Subah, the more powerful of the two clans thus
left at Koweit, soon felt the absence of their commercial breth
ren, in a deficiency in their finances, and after first refusing the
A 1 Yalahimeh their share of the revenue, ultimately expelled
them from the port and town of Koweit.
The expelled tribe settled close to their brethren of Zobara,
and devoted themselves to piracy, but were shortly afterwards
annihilated by the A1 Khalifeh tribe, the influence and power of
which rapidly increased.
Friendly relations appear to have continued between the
two remaining clans, once associated at Koweit ; for mention is
• The whole of the coast districts, Adan, El Hasa, and Katr belonged to
these Beni Khalid, some of whom occupied points on the coast only one ,]» '
march from Koweit. J ua > •

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Content

Two copies of a report, marked as secret, on Koweit [Kuwait]. The report was compiled in the Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Department, by Captain H H Dowding, The Essex Regiment. It was printed at the Government Central Printing Office, Simla, 1903.

The report contains information on the geography, history, politics, military strength, administration, resources, climate, and communications of Kuwait. It includes appendices on routes and prominent families in the region.

The volume also contains a number of photographs and maps:

  • A photograph of the foreshore of Kuwait (folio 3)
  • A photograph of Mobarek-Bin-Subah [Mubārak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ], Shaikh of Kuwait, and his youngest son Naser (folio 9)
  • A photograph of the residence of the Shaikh of Kuwait (folio 17)
  • A rough diagram of the village of Jehara (folio 31)
  • A map of Kuwait Harbour (folio 32)
  • A map of Kuwait and surrounding country (folio 33).

At the rear of the volume is an index, arranged alphabetically and with reference to the original pagination (folios 26-28).

Folio references given are for the first of the two copies. The second, identical copy runs from folio 34 to 66.

Extent and format
2 volumes (60 folios)
Arrangement

The report contains a table of contents (folio 6) and an index (folios 26-28) which is arranged in alphabetical order. Both refer to the original pagination.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-33) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 34-66); 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.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Koweit: A Report' [‎41v] (91/140), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/383, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100075142659.0x00005c> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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