Turkish Arabia Affairs

Content

This item comprises a copy of an enclosure 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 3 of 1847, dated 9 January 1847. The enclosure is dated 27 November 1846.

The primary document is a despatch from Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, 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], forwarding, for the information 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. and the Governor-General of India, copies of his communications to Henry Wellesley, HM Minister Plenipotentiary at Constantinople [Istanbul], reporting on affairs in the Bagdad Pachalic [Baghdad Pashalik].

The papers cover the following matters:

• The punishment of the Persian [Iranian] troops who forced the gate at Kerbela [Karbala] the previous spring (1846) and the reparation and apology offered to Nejib Pashah, Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of Bagdad [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad], by the Persian Government, which was delayed on its passage to Bagdad due to the quarantine measures imposed by Mohib Ali Khan [Muḥibb ʿAlī Khān], Governor of Kermanshah
• The serious disturbances in the southern part of the province of Kermanshah requiring Mohib Ali Khan to lead a force there, and so delaying the ‘tranquilisation’ of the Turco-Persian frontiers during the forthcoming winter
• The problems at Bagdad subsequent to passport regulations being applied to Persian pilgrims (to Karbala) by the Turkish [Ottoman] Government, including: delays in issuing passports due to the large number of pilgrims; disagreement between Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and the Persian Consul over the proportion of Persian pilgrims entitled to free passports following the (unverified) order of the [Ottoman] Porte to grant them to poorer pilgrims; Nejib Pasha’s objection to the Persian Consul issuing passports to Persian pilgrims on the basis that Russian ‘Mahomedans’ [Muslims] from Georgia with Russian passports are not restricted, and his threats to repudiate the right of all Persian pilgrims to passports if the practice continues
• Rawlinson’s report on a conference he attended between Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and the Persian Consul, largely consisting of the Consul’s complaints about the infringement of Persian rights and Nejib Pasha’s responses, in relation to: a Persian nobleman of high rank who was deprived of his arms on his visit to Kerbella [Karbala] during the summer; the enlistment of Persian refugee soldiers in the Turkish army; frontier matters including the ‘depredations’ by frontier tribes; the Turkish guard ship off Mohamerah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] which the Consul claims is impeding the trade of that place; and Persian intentions to facilitate the passage of their pilgrims journeying to Kerbela across the rivers Diala [Diyala] and Euphrates at cost-price in order to counter the expensive charges of the company contracted by the Turkish Government.

Extent and format

1 item (9 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 87

1242 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/449

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/5/449, ff 30-38

Former external reference(s)

No. 3 of 1847

History of this record

Date(s)

9 Jan 1847 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

InsurrectionsTribal relationsBilateral relationsFrontiersPassportsMuslim pilgrims and pilgrimages

Places

KerbelaPachalic of BagdadKermānshāh (inhabited place)

People & organisations

Prince-Governor of KermanshahPersian ConsulPolitical Agent, Turkish ArabiaHM Ambassador to the Ottoman EmpireGovernor of Baghdad

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Turkish Arabia Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/449, ff 30-38, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100156754476.0x000017> [accessed 5 August 2026]

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