Aden Affairs

Content

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 101 of 1846, dated 27 August 1846. The enclosures are dated 30 July-27 August 1846.

The papers chiefly relate to reports of an impending attack on Aden by a force led by ‘a fanatic named Sayud Ismail [Sayyid Ismā‘īl, also spelled Syud in this item] who having made his way from Mecca to this vicinity by slow marches, accompanied by a number of Dervises [dervishes] and other religious Zealots, has loudly proclaimed his determination to dislodge the “Feringhees” [foreigners] from the “strong hold” of the Moslem’ (f 146), and notably cover and include the following:

• A report by Stafford Bettesworth Haines, 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, to the Government in Bombay, of intelligence received regarding the progress of Sayud Ismail and his followers towards Aden between 1-15 August, including: Sayd Ismail’s apparent meetings with the local ‘chiefs’ gathering additional followers from various tribes; the support of a son of Sultan M Houssain of Lahidge [Sultan Muḥsin bin Faḍl al-‘Abdalī, Sultan of Lahej] in the ‘Holy cause’; the influence of Sayud Ismail and his reputation for possessing ‘superhuman’ (f 147) powers of conquest, causing 1200-1400 inhabitants of Aden to leave the town in anticipation of the defeat of the English
• Copies of Haines’s instructions to Lieutenant-Colonel H R Milner, Commanding the troops at Aden, and Lieutenant-Colonel W C Barker, Senior Naval Officer, regarding arrangements to repel any act of aggression, including: prevention of arms entering Aden via the defensive wall; assessment of the military force and ammunition at Aden; searching of all boats entering Aden harbour; and surveillance of the numbers entering daily through the town gates (ff 149-151)
• Minute of the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, concurred in by members in Council, regarding measures to be taken in response to the information received about a potential attack on Aden
• Instructions issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to the Military Board, the Superintendent of the Indian Navy and the Deputy Quartermaster-General of the Army, Bombay, regarding: arrangements to supply to Aden any deficiencies of military stores and salt by the ship Seminaris or another vessel; a return of all troops and armaments at Aden (f 166); information regarding which vessels can be immediately sent or be got ready to sail to Aden, including those proceeding for the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; termination of the pensions (or stipends) of any ‘chiefs’ who may have joined Sayud Ismail; and agreement that no force need be despatched at this stage to Aden.

Extent and format

1 item (31 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 83

1062 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/445

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/5/445, ff 139-169

Former external reference(s)

No. 101 of 1846

History of this record

Date(s)

27 Aug 1846 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Security measuresDefenceStipendsMilitary suppliesReligious zealotryLeadership

Places

AdenYemen

People & organisations

Political AgentGovernment of BombaySuperintendent of the Indian NavySultan of LahejSenior Naval Officer at Aden

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Cite this record in your research

Aden Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/445, ff 139-169, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/mirador/81055/vdc_100154581908.0x000008> [accessed 2 July 2026]

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