‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎286r] (570/949)

Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). held, as at Maskat, upon the “ Argonaut,” was a ceremony that can
, „ TTT hardly fail to have left upon them a
great impression. I enclose a copy of
the address that I delivered at this Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). , which may be described as an
epitome of British history in the Arab waters of the Gulf during the past
century.
7. Prom Shargah I crossed to the Persian coast at Bunder Abbas, where
I arrived on 22nd November, and was received on behalf of the Shah by His
Excellency the Salar-i-Moazzam, Governor of the Gulf Ports. The Ala-ud-
Dowleh, Governor-General of Pars, was originally to have met me at Bander
Abbas, and in view of subsequent events, it is to be regretted that this part of
the programme was departed from at the instance of the Persian Government.
Courtesies were exchanged between the Salar-i-Moazzam and myself: and
„ , XT TTr I also received an address from the
Enclosure No# IV# t i i i x i * i i
Indian traders, my reply to winch will be
found in the Appendix. While at Bunder Abbas I landed upon the islands
of Hormuz and Kishm, and discussed with the Admiral the question of Naval
defence and strategy at the mouth of the Gulf.
8. After leaving Bunder Abbas the “ Hardinge ” skirted the southern shore
of the island of Kishm and halted in the Straits at Henjam, in order to enable the
Admiral and myself to form an opinion upon the question of re-opening the
telegraph station at that place. We formed a very definite conclusion in its
favour, in preference to Bassiduh ; and this will form the subject of an inde
pendent communication. A visit was next paid to the British possession of
♦ Basiduh or Bassidore at the western extremity of Kishm, where the British
flag is kept flying and where a small Arab and Persian population has formed
a colony under its protection. The possession of this territory is invaluable
because of the hold that it gives to us over Kishm: but owing to the tortuous
and shallow nature of the channels, it does not seem likely that we shall again
require to use it as a naval station, or that it could advantageously be turned
into a naval base. While anchored off the neighbouring Persian port of Lingah,
I entertained the Salar-i-Moazzam to a
dinner on board the “ Hardinge,” and the
remarks which I made in proposing the health of his sovereign are among the
enclosures to this letter. Nothing could exceed the cordiality of the relations
that prevailed.
9 . Prom Lingah I again crossed to the Arab Coast of the Gulf, where I
spent two days in the harbour of Bahrein. The Chief of these islands, who has
now ruled for a period of 36 years, owes his position, his immunity from attack
and from the warfare and bloodshed of earlier days, and the increasing prosperity
of Bahrein (which appears to be capable of very considerable further develop
ment) exclusively to the British Protectorate. The latter has on many occa
sions been asserted by His Majesty’s Government and admits of no dispute. It
is the main, if not the sole, guarantee for the commercial expansion of which
the place seems to be undoubtedly susceptible. It has been further empha
sized in recent years by the recognition in 1899 by the Government of India,
with the sanction of your predecessor, of the Sheik’s eldest son, Sheikh Hamed,
as his successor-designate to the Chiefship of the State. The Sheikh himself is
of a conservative disposition, and he would gladly see no changes made in any
thing in his time, and be left to die in peace. In the private interview which
I accorded to him, one or two local subjects were discussed , and in pursuance
of the authority more than once given to me by the Secretary of State. I then
pressed upon the Sheikh an improvement in the administration of his Customs.
If this be not undertaken before long, the State will become seriously embar
rassed by the personal indebtedness of its head. I intimated to the Sheikh that
the reform which was entirely in the interests of himself and his son could not
be permanently postponed : and that I should expect proposals to be submitted
tome by the Resident in consultation with him.
10 . While at Bahrein I thought it likely that I might receive a visit from
Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani of El Katr, about whom I had been in correspondence
with you. Had I met him I should have acted in accordance with the instruc
tions contained in your telegram of 18 th November. The Sheikh, however,
did not receive Colonel Kemball’s invitation in time to attend.
11 . On the 28 th November, the squadron arrived at Koweit, and I spent two
days at this interesting place. Sheikh Mubarak was unaffectedly flattered and