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File 522/1922 Pt 1 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein affairs: Retirement of Shaikh Isa; Reforms' [‎11r] (30/804)

The record is made up of 1 volume (394 folios). It was created in 6 Feb 1922-20 Mar 1924. 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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not Va ," EsS ’t Sch001 at Basrah ' Shaikh Hamad did
not appear to like the idea, he emphasised that he would like them to go to
pnhlaA am w edan I 1 ^ stltutl ° n an ^ tiniself suggested Alighur or some similar
ollege. He would regard with the greatest suspicion any attempt on our
part to appear to wish to advise him to send them to a Mission School and
even it he consented I think ill-wishers would make capital out of it, whereas
excellent 11 ^ ° f ^ Sending his sons to be edllcat ed is regarded as very
(5) Diving —-The proposal originally made was the outcome of several
discussions with Shaiklis Hamad and Abdullah. It was not intended that it
should necessarily be adhered to, but that if Government agreed in principle
to some scheme of reform for the diving to be drawn up we would investi
gate on those lines. It is proposed to consult some of the leading people
before definitely formulating a scheme. At the time the bare outline of a
possible scheme was made it had not been considered advisable to consult
leading people as the agitation against reforms, led by Nakhudas, was at
its height. Since the recent firm action however, a considerable change has
taken place and it is generally recognised that reforms are necessary and
bound to come and already there is speculation and talk of how they can best
be done. All that is necessary is for Government to authorise Hamad to
say that they approve of reforms which when agreed upon and sanctioned
will have our support. We will then consult local opinion and put up for
the consideration of Government what we consider to be the best scheme.
The Qadhi, who has much experience of the relations between divers and
Nakhudas, has already informed us that he strongly supports a scheme on
the lines already outlined. Nakhudas are at present being sent to him in
disputes about accounts and they are producing their accounts which they
never would do before. He is disallowing the iniquitous interest charged
and they are accepting the situation which shows a great change in their
attitude. A typical case is a recent one in which the Nakhuda claimed
Rs. 1,050 and eventually only proved before the Qadhi Rs. 300 and accepted
the decision. I have recently for the first time got hold of an account book.
I am having accounts translated as typical examples. In several cases
divers have worked for years receiving only about Rs. 6 for each actual
month of diving, all other advances being recorded as debts. Even if they
had not been recorded as debts but had been finally paid to them without
recovery they would have received only about Rs 30 for each actual month
of diving, less than a cooly can earn here. Being theoretically in debt they
cannot escape the Nakhuda. The idea is gaining ground here that a scheme
might be devised whereby the diver gets a fixed share of the actual oysters
he recovers and takes his chance as to what he gets out of them. This is
the system which used to be in force in Ceylon. "The idea is that he would
work willingly for his own sake and incidentally improve the Nakhudas
share. It is proposed to discuss the possibilities of this with Nakhudas.
Xt would remove all the difficulties connected with the Nakhudas selling the
pearls without the knowledge of the divers and thus swindling them.
' Reform Hamad’s attitude .—Shaikh Hamad is as actively engaged in
the reforms as he can be and is taking more personal interest than I had
anticipated and certainly as much as anybody who knows A1 Khalifa family
could ever expect.
( 6 ) Customs increase and cost of living .—It is believed that the pro
posed increase of Customs would have very little effect on the cost of living.
It would certainly not materially affect the poorer classes, whose staple diet
is dates which are not imported. Shaikh Hamad has already agreed to
remit customs on slaughter animals. This will not affect Customs receipts
in cash as the duty has hitherto been received in kind, and has been handed
over to the Shaikhs for their own use. This will be a great benefit to the
community. It is proposed to introduce it as a set-off to the other increases.
The increase suggested is Rs. 1-4-0 per cent. On the other hand it is esti •
mated that as soon as the railway is in situ we can afford to reduce the
handling costs considerably. Also the agreement of the landing company
shortly expires and it is proposed that the increase of 10 per cent, in charges

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Content

Correspondence, minute papers, memoranda, and draft papers concerning reforms in Bahrain. The principal correspondents are 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, and the Government of India (Foreign and Political Department). Further correspondence, mostly included as enclosures, comes from the Colonial Office, Admiralty, 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. (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Prescott Trevor), 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 (Major Clive Kirkpatrick Daly), British Legation in Tehran, British Consulate in Damascus, High Commissioner in Palestine, 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. (Political Department), and Government of India (Finance Department).

Throughout the file the papers deal with reports and complaints of the oppression of the Baharna by their Sunni rulers and those connected to them. The British response to the situation is then discussed and communicated. Matters covered include:

  • The need for administrative reform to redress inequalities in the system
  • The proposal to press for the deportation of Shaikh Abdullah, one of the ruling Shaikh Isa's sons and someone thought to be largely responsible for injustices committed against the Shia Baharna
  • Agitation in the Persian press in response to perceived injustices, highlighting Persia's claim to Bahrain
  • The forced retirement of Shaikh Isa and the instalment of his son, Hamad, in his stead
  • Trouble between the Baharna and the Dawasir tribe (loyal to Ibn Saud of Nejd) in Budaiya and the proposal to bombard the village.
Extent and format
1 volume (394 folios)
Arrangement

The volume is arranged in chronological order from the rear 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 392; 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. The front and back covers, along with the leading and ending flyleaves have not been foliated.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 522/1922 Pt 1 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein affairs: Retirement of Shaikh Isa; Reforms' [‎11r] (30/804), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/1039, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100075142827.0x00001f> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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