Aden Affairs

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 41 of 1853, dated 20 June 1853. The enclosures are numbered 3-14 and are dated 18 May-20 June 1853. A handwritten note in red ink states that enclosures 12-14 are missing.

The papers relate to:

• Affairs in the vicinity of Aden including reports of the return of HC sloop Elphinstone and the reports of Commander Moutrion and Mr Cole, HM Consul and the HC Agent at Judda [Jeddah], concerning various complaints and demands on the Turkish [Ottoman] authorities in the Red Sea
• The attack of a party of men from Bir Ahmed on a ‘kafila’ [a travelling group with camels] which the Lahedge [Lahej] guard at Sheikh Othman [Ash Shaikh Outhman, Yemen] responded to by attacking the Aqribe [al-‘Aqrabī], wounding the son of the Chief of Bir Ahmed.

Correspondents include 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 (Stafford Bettesworth Haines) and the Secretary to Government, Bombay.

Extent and format

1 item (37 folios)

It is part of

‘ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY’, Vol 115

1092 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/477

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/5/477, ff 259-295

Former external reference(s)

No. 41 of 1853

History of this record

Date(s)

20 Jun 1853 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Tribal relations

Places

Aden

People & organisations

Political Agent

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Aden Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/477, ff 259-295, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100157409359.0x000009> [accessed 3 August 2026]

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