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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [150v] (311/995)
The record is made up of 1 volume (491 folios). It was created in 28 Jun 1920-11 Feb 1921. 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. .
Transcription
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(b) If so is order in force now.
(c) Is it fact Indian Officers of I.M.S., who applied for Civil Medical
post in Mesopoamia were not given any. Ends.
Will you kindly suggest reqly.
Telegram—R.
jr rom —Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—Foreign, Simla.
No. 10448.
Dated 29th August, 1920.
Your telegram of 24th August, 1045S.
Reply to first question is in negative and second does not in consequence
arise. Decision of Committee of War Cabinet in March, 1917, regarding
control of Mesopotamia was to effect that employment of Indians in any branch
of the Administration was to he strictly discountenanced as inconsistent with
principles laid down for future administration of Mesopotamia. No Asiatics
from outside were to he employed unless of Persian or Arab descent or domi
ciled. The above had particular reference to Baghdad Wilayat but was to
•apply as far as possible to Basrah Wilayat.
In actual practice it lias not been possible to adhere closely to above prin
ciples and actual position as regards employment of Indians in civil depart
ments in Mesopotamia in other than menial capacities is as follows: —
General Administration
Accounts and Audit
I Irrigation
Agriculture
Police
Education
J udicial
Health
•Tails
Customs
Public Works
Posts and Telegraphs
30
15
15
8
12
• 1
1
1
1
12
92
.. 1,092
Total ... 1,280»
Local personnel are gradually being trained and introduced in replace
ment of Indian personnel particularly in Posts and Telegraphs.
. Total number of Indians employed of all classes in employ of Civil
Administration in Mesopotamia is 2,216. For detailed distribution see my
•despatch of 15th August, 23891.
As regards third point. Position as to I.M.S. Officers is that owing to
shortage of I.M.S. officers in India, frequent applications by Mesopotamian
Administration for services of I.M.S. officers, both British and Indian, have
been refused, and for this reason and as those services are subject to withdrawal
at short notice only two officers of I.M.S. are now on our books, of whom one,
Lt.-Col. Graham is on leave, and one Id.-Col. Lane has served his full'time
for a pension already.
Above figures exclude railways as to which detailed figures are not yet
available hut will he furnished later if desired.
Telegram—
From—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—Foreign, Simla.
No. 10449.
Dated 29th August, 1920.
My immediately preceding telegram.
I beg that His Excellency the Viceroy will be pleased it he sees no serious
objection to take suitable opportunity if possible in Legislative Council to
express on behalf of the Civil Administration of Mesopotamia my whole
hearted appreciation, admiration and gratitude for the very notable services
About this item
- Content
The volume consists of correspondence, memoranda, drafts, and departmental notes relating to rebellion against British mandatory rule in Mesopotamia [approximately corresponding to present-day Iraq], later known as the Iraqi Revolt of 1920.
The volume covers the period from the start of unrest in May 1920 to British imposition of control in October of the same year. The majority of the volume comprises reports from political officers across Mesopotamia on the situation in their respective divisions and districts.
Other matters discussed within the volume include:
- The suspected causes of the uprising, including fears of ‘Bolshevik’ and pro-Turkish influence
- Settlement of the border between Syria and Mesopotamia
- Military strategy and operations, including the need for reinforcements
- The severing of British lines of communication, particularly rail
- The efficacy and principles of the use of armoured cars and air raids as means of control following numerous cases of misidentification and disproportionate force that resulted in the deaths and injuries of innocent people
- Political and civil policy in the region
- Identification and arrest of some of the leaders of the rebellion
- The prominence of events in Mesopotamia in the British press
- The question of disarming the tribes following the suppression of the rebellion.
Principal correspondents include 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. ; the Office of the Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia (from November 1920, the High Commissioner); the War Office; General Headquarters of the military in Mesopotamia; and the Government of India, Foreign and Political and Army departments.
The volume contains cuttings from several publications, including: The Times , The Statesman , The Observer , The Daily Herald , The Daily Mail , The Baghdad Times , and The Near East .
The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence. A second divider is included, for File 4722/1918 Part 7, entitled ‘Mesopotamia: Sir A. Wilson’s invitation to Syrian Baghdadis’. This was transferred to File 5268/20 Parts 1 and 2 (see IOR/L/PS/10/913).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (491 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is arranged in approximate chronological order, from the rear to the front.
The subject 4722 (Mesopotamia) consists of ten volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/755-764. The volumes are divided into twelve parts, with parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 comprising one volume each. Part 10 is missing. Part 7, entitled ‘Mesopotamia: Sir A. Wilson’s invitation to Syrian Baghdadis’, was transferred to File 5268/20 Parts 1 and 2 (see IOR/L/PS/10/913).
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 489; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, 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. Multiple intermittent additional foliation sequences are also present. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. The sequence contains one foliation anomaly, f 89a.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [150v] (311/995), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/761, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100137804986.0x000070> [accessed 18 July 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/761
- Title
- File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:i-v, 1r:89v, 89ar:89av, 90r:113r, 114v, 118v:120r, 121v, 127v:169v, 173r:192v, 194r:211v, 213r:223v, 225r:227r, 229r:261v, 262v:263v, 266r:279v, 280ar, 280r:293v, 294v, 295v:317v, 318ar, 318r:333v, 334v:341v, 342v:359v, 360v:400v, 404r:424v, 425ar, 425r:489v, ii-r:ii-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence