IOR/R/15/2/617

The file begins with a memorandum from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, reporting the deposition of Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad, the Ruler of Sharjah (also spelt Shargah) by his nephew Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr in 1924, together with an Arabic transcript and English translation of the peace agreement between them, dated 14 Rabi II, 1343 (12 November 1924). Two further memoranda from the Residency Agent, Trucial Coast, Sharjah to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, 1927-1928, report disputes over Sharjah property and revenues between the deposed ruler and his successor. With these memoranda are English translations of a second peace agreement, dated 23 Dhil Haj 1345 (24 June 1927) and also letters exchanged with the two warring Shaikhs, about the re-settlement of Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad and his family in the village of Dhaid in Sharjah and the allowance to be paid to him by Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr.

This is followed by correspondence in 1939 between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Political Agent, Muscat about a request for British assistance with the private claim of Mahkoom bin Baroot, an Omani subject resident in Dubai, against Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr of Sharjah. The claim is for arrears of pay owed to Mahkoom bin Baroot and his soldiers, for their assistance in seizing the town of Sharjah and expelling the former ruler Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed in 1924. Included are English translations of a letter of support for the claimant from Saiyid Saied bin Taimur the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Āl Sa‘īd, Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr], a statement from the claimant and a list of the names of his twenty-five soldiers still owed arrears of pay.

The rest of the file consists of further, extensive correspondence, 1939-1950, mainly between the Political Agent, Bahrain and both the Residency Agent and the Political Officer, Trucial Coast, Sharjah about Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad, who by this date is known as the Regent of Kalba [Kalbā']. This correspondence discusses the latter’s complaints about non-payment of his allowance, his right to occupy Dhaid, the opposition of the Rulers of Dubai and Sharjah to his desire to re-settle in Hira [Hirah] and their preference that instead, he should reside with his family and followers in Dubai, as an ordinary citizen, 1941. Included are Arabic (mainly transcripts) and English translations of a few letters from Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed the Regent of Kalba in 1939 and 1941 and from Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr (spelt Sultan bin Saqer al-Qasim) the Ruler of Sharjah in 1947 to the Residency Agent, Trucial Coast, Sharjah and to the Political Agent, Bahrain respectively, confirming that their actions are in accordance with the peace treaty between them.