'Vol: 1. Affairs of the Persian Gulf'

IOR/F/4/1596/64625

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The record is made up of 1 item (367 folios). It was created in 3 Jul 1834-25 Jul 1836. 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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Content

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the East India Company Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. and the governments of Bombay [Mumbai] and India. It is the first in a series of two items on general affairs in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (the other is IOR/F/4/1596/64626), with some of the enclosures to the political letters contained in the second item.

As well as the above, principal correspondents include: Samuel Hennell, Assistant Resident (also called the Acting Resident) in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Thomas Elivon, Commodore in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Captain John Pepper, Commander of the Amherst ; and the Native Agents Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Shargah [Sharjah], Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh], Bahrein [Bahrain], and Muscat.

The item covers several subjects. The majority of the item relates to acts of 'piracy' committed by inhabitants of Debaye [Dubai] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], including details of:

  • The measures taken by Hennell to force the Chiefs of Debaye, Obed bin Saeed ['Ubayd bin Sa'īd Āl Bū Falāsah] and Mukhtoom bin Bustey [Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāsah] to give up the offenders and pay compensation
  • The 'piracy' committed by a fleet from Aboothabee on a number of different vessels including the Duriah Dowlut [Daryā Dawlat], a ship from Bombay flying under English colours
  • The engagements undertaken by Company ships, notably the Amherst and the Elphinstone , to suppress the 'pirates' and exact compensation from Shaik Khuleefa bin Shackboot, Chief of Aboothabee and the Benyas [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and of the Beni Yas]
  • The compensation agreed on by Shaik Khuleefa after being threatened with the destruction of the Benyas' forts, boats and the blockade of their ports; details of which can be found at ff 266-267
  • The subsequent trials of the 'pirate chiefs' Mohummud bin Suggur bin Zeb [Muḥammad bin Ṣaqr bin Dhīb] and Mohumed bin Mirhud [Muḥammad bin Rāshid ?] at Bombay, including a detailed report by the Advocate General on the latter's trial which can be found at ff 345-354.

To a lesser extent, the item also contains information on:

Other matters briefly referred to include:

The political letters sent between 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. and the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. also briefly touch on a number of other minor topics, mostly relating to expenses, 'piracy', and the Company policy of non-interference in the Gulf.

There are multiple variant spellings of multiple people and place names. In particular, the 'pirate' Mohumed bin Mirhud's name is also written as: bin Murghad; Mujhud; Meeshad; Meerjud; Misheed; Meshud; Mishud; Mujhid; Mijhid; Mujhed; Muhad; Mulah; Mujheed; and Meshid. A later correction in pencil reveals that this name should in fact be 'Rashid'.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'P.C. [Previous Communication] 1944, Draft 432, 1837' and 'Examiner's Office'.

Extent and format
1 item (367 folios)
It is part of
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the item. The item also contains a table of contents (ff 5-9), noting ‘Page’, ‘Date’, ‘From’, ‘To’ and ‘Date of Consultation’.

Written in
English in Latin script
Type
Archival item

Archive information for this record

Access & Reference

Original held at
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.
Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference
IOR/F/4/1596/64625

History of this record

Date(s)
3 Jul 1834-25 Jul 1836 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 6 Sep 1837, draft 432/1837, IOR/E/4/1061 pp 515-31. See also IOR/F/4/1516/59859 and IOR/F/4/1539/61165.

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'Vol: 1. Affairs of the Persian Gulf', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1596/64625, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100120168271.0x000002> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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