IOR/R/15/1/556-609

These files and volumes contain correspondence, reports, and other documents relating to the Najd region, in present-day Saudi Arabia, and its ruler, ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd, commonly known as Ibn Sa‘ūd. The papers cover the period from Ibn Sa‘ūd's rise to prominence after taking Riyadh in 1902, to the end of the Second World War when Britain's power and influence in the region was in definite decline. They are mostly political in nature and reflect the developnment of the colonial power's policy vis-à-vis the Arabian ruler as it evolved with his expansion and consolidation of power. British protectorates and territories in the Persian Gulf and other parts of the Middle East surrounded the territory of Najd and thus it could not be ignored.

The correspondence is mostly between the British Offices in the Persian Gulf and the parent Government of India, the Home Government in London, British Offices in other parts of the Middle East, the rulers of the countries involved and their governments, other European governments, tribal leaders, and numerous, corporations, individuals, and third parties.

The documents cover Britain's involvement in Ibn Sa‘ūd's relationship with his neighbours, including Iraq, Kuwait, the Hejaz (now part of Saudi Arabia), Transjordania (now Jordan), the Trucial Coast (now the United Arab Emirates), Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen. Relations between these countries were often characterised by Bedouin raids, an issue that is discussed a great deal in the files. Also dominant in these relationships were the protracted negotiations to define borders between these new nation states, negotiations that produced numerous conferences, treaties, and agreements.

Ibn Sa‘ūd's relationship with Britain itself is also prominent, as it developed from a fear of the Wahhabi influence over their Gulf protectorates to a far more conciliatory stance that at times actively supported him. This brought into being more treaties and agreements, as well as a regular subsidy payment to him.

Other subjects covered are:

• the Ikhwan movement up until its demise in 1929;
• administrative matters such as the issue of passports;
• relations with other European powers such as Italy and Germany, including diplomatic visits to Europe;
• the pilgrimage to Mecca.

The files also contain a lot of information about tribal conflicts, allegiances, and migrations, because of their importance in power dynamics in the region and the definition of borders.