The Construction of Defence Works at Aden

Content

This part of the volume consists of 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 121 of 1846, dated 15 October 1846. The enclosures, numbered 3-15 and dated 2 September to 15 October 1846, relate to the construction of defence works at Aden.

The matters covered mainly concern:

• The progress made in the construction of the principal defence works, as reported in a memorandum by the Executive Engineer at Aden, Captain James Kilner, and his assistants, dated 29 September 1846 (enclosed in No. 3)
• The view of the 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. at Aden, Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, that it would be more advantageous to employ Arab labourers instead of Indian labourers on the public works at Aden
• The question of whether the number of convicts employed on the construction of the fortifications at Aden could be increased, and whether any vessels of the Indian Navy could be made available for the accommodation of these convicts.
• The enclosures consist of correspondence, the above memorandum, and two minutes of 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. .

The main correspondents are the following: the Secretary 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. , Arthur Malet; the Secretary, and the Under-Secretary, to the Government of India with the Governor-General; the Military Board, Bombay; the 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. at Aden; and the Executive Engineer at Aden.

Extent and format

The Construction of Defence Works at Aden

It is part of

‘ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY’, Vol 84

1162 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/446

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/5/446, ff 246-276

Former external reference(s)

No. 121 of 1846

History of this record

Date(s)

15 Oct 1846 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

ConvictsLabourersDefenceFortifications

Places

Aden

People & organisations

Government of IndiaGovernment of Bombay, Military BoardPolitical Agent

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The Construction of Defence Works at Aden, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/446, ff 246-276, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100145096946.0x000002> [accessed 8 July 2026]

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