IOR/R/15/2/783

The file contains correspondence about investigations conducted by the Political Agent, Bahrain into the maritime smuggling of rice, sugar, tea, matches, cotton piece goods and other essential commodities in short supply during the Second World War (1939-1945). Supply and trade in these goods between India and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf under British protection were subject to Government of India wartime export restrictions and import quota arrangements. The file contains details of several reported cases dating from 1944 and 1945 about supplies released from Indian ports for landing and local consumption in Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai and the other Trucial Coast sheikhdoms, being subsequently diverted via Bahrain and Kuwait, for illegal re-export and more profitable sale or barter in Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], Persia and Basra, Iraq. Included in the file are witness statements by Nakhudas (boat masters) and petitions by merchants from Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Dubai, as well as exchanges of letters between the Political Agent and some local rulers, especially the Shaikh of Qatar, about offences committed. The file also contains extensive correspondence about the arrangements made by the Political Agent, Bahrain for purchase by the Government of Bahrain, of local stocks of rice, sugar and cotton piece goods belonging to a former Bahrain merchant who had retired to Karachi. Finally, there are several Government of India circulars compiled by the Export Trade Controller, Bombay, providing the names of blacklisted shippers who are known to export to Arab States, Afghanistan and Persia from Indian ports.