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 25 of 1856, dated 14 April 1856. The enclosure is dated 18 February 1856.

The enclosure consists of a copy of despatch from Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, 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], to Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, HM Ambassador at the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire], Constantinople [Istanbul], and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London, forwarded 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 Government of India. The despatch notably concerns the following matters:

• The measures of the Persian [Iranian] Government to induce Prince Abbas Meerza [‘Abbās Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Mulk Ārā Qājār], brother of the Shah of Persia, to return to Persia; the Prince’s association with a relation of the Sudder Azzam [Ṣadr A‘ẓam, minister to the Shāh] and avoidance of communication with his mother and with Kemball; the refusal by Kemball of authorize an escort for the Prince to Samarrah [Samarra]; and the request of the Prince’s mother that British and Ottoman authorities prevent his return to Persia without her consent
• Claims that the Shah has sent a deputation to Tabreez [Tabriz] to foster a reconciliation with the recently departed British Mission
• Rumours of a Persian occupation of an island near Mohamrah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] and plans to build a fort there, and Kemball’s persuasion of the Governor of Baghdad not to send troops to forcibly eject them.

Extent and format

1 item (8 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 125

998 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/487

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/5/487, ff 3-10

Former external reference(s)

No. 25 of 1856

History of this record

Date(s)

14 Apr 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Bilateral relationsInternal politicsRumours

Places

Mohamrah

People & organisations

Government of PersiaPolitical Agent

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Turkish Arabia Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 3-10, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100157091557.0x000001> [accessed 21 July 2026]

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