IOR/R/15/2/78

The file relates to Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (also referred to Ibn Sa'ud), Sultan of Najd (also referred to as Nejd), particularly in terms of relations between Najd (also referred to as the Akhwan [Ikhwān] and Wahabis [Wahhabis]) and neighbouring states.

The papers consist mainly of correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Political Agent, Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein), and Bin Saud. Enclosures contained within correspondence from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the Political Agent, Bahrain include correspondence between the Resident and other British officials in the region, such as the Political Agents at Kuwait, Muscat, and Jeddah, the Resident at Aden, the British Consul at Damscus, the High Commissioner for Iraq, and officials of the Colonial Office and Government of India.

The papers include: the Kuwait conference, February - May 1924 (including copy of earlier agreement between King Hussein [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] of the Hedjaz [Hejaz/al-Ḥijāz] and Bin Saud, dated 1920, folios 23-25); relations between Najd and Iraq, Transjordania, Kuwait, and Hedjaz, including frontier disputes, tribal disputes and military operations; Najd passports, including discussion of the Arabic wording to be used in endorsements in Bahrain, March - May 1924; the capture of Taif by 'Wahabis', which resulted in the deaths of a number of British subjects, and the issue of the protection of British pilgrims, including a sixteen-page report by the British Agent and Consul, Jeddah, September 1924 (folios 80-110); trial of a Najdi subject by the Assistant Political Agent, Bahrain, November 1924 (folios 152-154); correspondence with the ruler of Hassa [al-Aḥsā’], April - July 1925 (folios 209-222); discussion of a report that Bin Saud was intending to attack Oman, August 1925 (folios 228-230); and related matters.

The file also contains a copy of a letter concerning a member of the Camel Corps of the Trans-Jordan Arab Legion, who was killed by Wahhabis in August 1924. Enclosed with the letter is an original letter in Arabic, to which is attached a photograph of the dead man.

The overall date range is 1924-26, but the correspondence also includes copies of some earlier papers dated September 1920 - October 1923.

The Arabic language content of the file consists of correspondence to and from Bin Saud (mostly accompanied by translations into English); correspondence with the Ruler of Hassa; and discussion of the Arabic wording of endorsements to Najd passports.

The French language content of the file consists of a single copy of a letter from the Conseil d'Administration de le Dette Publique Ottomane, Constantinople on folio 115.