Persian Gulf Affairs [374v] (50/50)
The record is made up of 1 item (25 folios). It was created in 25 Jun 1856. 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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This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from 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. Secret Department to the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. , Number 45 of 1856, dated 25 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 5 May-19 June 1856.
The enclosures chiefly comprise copies of the correspondence of Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , with Commodore Richard Ethersey, Indian Navy, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and 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. , relating to the removal of the Al Ali [Āl ‘Alī] tribe from Demaum [Dammam].
They notably cover and include:
- Jones’s and Ethersey’s agreement to make a demonstration of naval strength at Demaum with the Ajdaha , Semiramis and Falkland , and if that fails to bombard the town and fort of Demaum, followed if necessary by further coercive measures including the blockading of the port and destruction of any captured Al Ali boats
- Ethersey’s reservations regarding the agreed measures to be taken at Demaum, due to: the inadequacy of naval resources to carry out the Demaum action in addition to policing the Gulf and searching vessels for enslaved persons; the unsuitability of the Ajdaha for the shallow seas around Demaum; and the urgent need for the Semiramis to return to Bombay [Mumbai] for repairs
- Jones’s hope that a brief show of naval strength at Bahrein [Bahrain] and his negotiations with the Sheikh of Demaum [Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh, Shaikh of Dammam] will achieve the British objective, his reluctant agreement that the Semiramis return to Bombay before the monsoons set in, and his decision to retain the Constance at Bushire [Bushehr] during the temporary withdrawal of the Ajdaha and Falkland
- Ethersey’s provision of the Ajdaha for Jones’s visit to Demaum and tour of the Gulf, due to the inadequate cabin accommodation on his own vessel the Falkland
- Jones’s report to 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. on his proceedings at Bahrein regarding the Al Ali, including: his meetings with Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain], the Sheikh of Demaum and with Ali ben Sultan [Alī bin Sulṭān], chief of the Al Ali; the agreement of Jones and the Sheikh of Bahrein not to force the Al Ali to return to Geis [Kish, also was known as Kenn] due to its unsuitable living conditions, and proposal that the Al Ali go to Kuweit [Kuwait], Grane [Kuwait] or Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; Jones’s encouragement of those Al Ali who wish to reconcile with the Sheikh of Bahrein and return to the island without punishment; Jones’s consent to the Sheikh of Demaum’s request (f 367) to allow the Al Ali to remain at Demaum until the month of Ramadhan [Ramadan] has ended; Ali ben Sultan’s compliance following Jones’s threat to bring the squadron to Demaum; Jones’s pleasure that he has achieved a ‘peaceful resolution’ and relief at the avoidance of a potentially ineffective and expensive blockade
- Jones’s orders to Ethersey that the Semiramis should go to Bombay should any important despatches arrive at Bushire for India.
In this item Jones also reports unverified intelligence from the Acting Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Muscat that the agents of the Imam of Muscat and Persia [Iran] at Kishm [Qeshm] have agreed that the Imam will take possession of Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas].
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Persian Gulf Affairs [374v] (50/50), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 350-374, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100105500615.0x00009a> [accessed 23 August 2026]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 350-374
- Title
- Persian Gulf Affairs
- Pages
- 350r:366v, 368r:374v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence
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