IOR/R/15/1/90

The volume comprises correspondence relating to the crisis in Britain’s relations with Persia in the early 1840s, in the wake of the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42) and the siege of Herat (1838), which led to British occupation of the island of Karrak [Jazīreh-ye Khārk] in the Persian Gulf.

The volume’s contents, sent and received by the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain Samuell Hennell, relate to:

• Reports from British officials in Persia on the state of Anglo-Persian negotiations over British occupation of Jazīreh-ye Khārk and the restoration to the Persians of the fortress of Ghoriān, near the border town of Herat;
• Various reports, written by Hennell, and based on his tour of the Gulf, on the possibilities of occupation by the British of Bahrain [written as Bahrein throughout] or Grane [Kuwait], for the purposes of establishing a naval station in the Gulf;
• A report, written by Hennell, on relations between Muscat and Bahrain, and the prospects of an attack on Bahrain by the Imam of Muscat’s forces;
• An assessment, written by Hennell, of Bahrain’s climate, considered by the Resident to be too harmful to the ‘European constitution’ for permanent occupation of Bahrain by British forces;
• Egyptian territorial ambitions in Arabia and the Gulf, and measures to counter Egyptian influence;
• Relations between the Al Khalifah at Bahrain;
• The political situation at Bushire, including the removal of the Bushire Governor;
• Discussion between officials over whether the British Residency should remain at Jazīreh-ye Khārk (as desired by Hennell) or return to Bushire;
• Hennell’s absence through sickness, and his insistence that an assistant to the Resident is required.

Some of the letters in the volume (folios 42, 61) have incorrect dates assigned to them (1853 and 1851 respectively); these dates have been omitted from the volume’s assigned date range.