Turkish Arabia Affairs

Content

This item comprises 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. [Mumbai] 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. [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 22 dated 31 March 1856. The enclosures are dated 16 Janurary-5 February 1856.

The item comprises letters from Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, 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 Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. [Ottoman Iraq] to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, for the attention of the President and Governor in Council, Bombay, and the Government of India.

The papers cover matters including the following:

• Events in the Montefik [Muntafiq] District, including the contested ‘chiefship’ of the Montefik tribe, and the decline of the area caused by excessive taxation imposed by the Governor of Bussorah [Basra] and the ‘most revolting means’ (f 397) used by Zeyd en Nasser [Zayd bin Nāṣir], the brother of Bunder en Nasser [Bandar bin Nāṣir] (who was invested with the ‘sheikhship of the Montefik’), for their collection for the Turkish authorities
• The capture of Kars by Russian forces [Crimean War, 1853-1856] under General Mouravieff [Nikolay Muravyov] and the military situation in that area of the Ottoman Empire
• Tensions along the Persian [Iranian]-Turkish [Ottoman] frontier notably at Kermanshah and Mohamrah [Khorramshahr], including: concerns of the Governor-General of Bagdad [Baghdad] regarding potential Persian plans to mount a campaign in spring 1856 with Russian allies; British concerns that Turkish troops may march into the disputed territory of Zohab, then in possession of Persia; and Persian fears of an invasion at Mohamrah by the English via the Turkish dominions.

Extent and format

1 item (18 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 124

1014 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/486

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

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/L/PS/5/486, ff 392-409

History of this record

Date(s)

31 Mar 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Crimean War, 1853-1856FrontiersTaxationAggression and violenceTribal relationsMilitary occupation

Places

ZohabKarsMohamrah

People & organisations

Government of Bombay, Chief SecretaryPolitical AgentMuntafiq (Tribe)

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Cite this record in your research

Turkish Arabia Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/486, ff 392-409, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100129828683.0x000014> [accessed 4 August 2026]

Link to this record

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