IOR/R/15/2/1865

The file contains a series of bi-monthly news summaries about events in Trucial Oman, for the years 1935 and 1936, compiled by the Residency Agent, Sharjah and sent to the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire. The news summaries are also referred to in the correspondence as the Residency Agent’s fortnightly diaries. They cover several topics including: air and sea traffic, kidnapping and raids by Bedouin, the diving and pearl trade, public health, theft and other crimes, relations between the ruling shaikhs, ceremonial visits and occasions in the Trucial Coast shaikhdoms. Particular attention is paid to the actions of the Trucial shaikhs with regard to the maintenance of law and order in their territories, such as the peaceful resolution of tribal conflicts, the protection of their subjects and the dispensation of justice.

There are also letters from the Residency Agent, Sharjah to the Political Agent, Bahrain reporting cases of assault, murder and other incidents. The news summaries and letters from the Residency Agent, Sharjah are in both Arabic and English.

In addition, there is protracted correspondence between the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Political Resident about the protection of British Indian subjects from punishment according to Sharia Law, for an infringement of local laws in the Trucial States, by the creation of a Trucial Coast Order in Council, so that such offences would be prosecuted under Indian law by British authorities.