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 113 of 1846, dated 1 October 1846. The enclosures are dated 15 August-30 September 1846.

The papers relate to works on the defences of Aden, notably including the following:

• Memoranda stating the progress of the principal works, by: Captain James Kilner, Executive Engineer, Captain Tremenheere, Engineers; and Lieutenant H W B Bell, Assistant Executive Engineer, Aden (ff 446-449)
• Copies of letters from Kilner and Lieutenant-Colonel C W Grant, Engineers, Poona [Pune], discussing several points regarding the works which are still undecided and requiring the decision of the Governor-General of India (ff 451-479)
• A request by the Secretary to Government, Bombay, that copies of plans and sketches in connection with the undecided points be prepared and forwarded to the Governor-General of India
• The reason for the delay in executing certain improvement works in the town of Aden (leading to flood damage occurring), including Kilner’s letter of explanation and rebuttal of any blame imputed to him by Haines (ff 486-488)
• Kilner’s request to Haines regarding the possibility of obtaining labourers from the opposite coast [east Africa] to facilitate the construction of the public works at the Aden settlement (f 492).

The principal correspondents are 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 Military Board, Bombay.

Extent and format

1 item (53 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 441-493

Former external reference(s)

No. 113 of 1846

History of this record

Date(s)

1 Oct 1846 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

FortificationsBuilding constructionLabourPlans

Places

Aden

People & organisations

Executive EngineerPolitical AgentGovernment of Bombay

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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 441-493, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100154581908.0x000015> [accessed 2 July 2026]

Link to this record

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