IOR/L/PS/12/3827

The file concerns affairs at Debai [Dubai] on the Trucial Coast. This includes both individual incidents involving British subjects and developments in the internal politics of Dubai. The policy of the British Government was one of non-interference in the internal affairs of the Trucial States, and it is repeatedly emphasised by British officials that the main priority in the event of trouble in the area, is to safeguard the lives and property of British subjects.

The papers cover: an attempt in 1929 to depose the Shaikh of Dubai [Shaikh Saʻīd bin Maktūm bin Hasher Āl Maktūm], the reasons for which were believed to be an attempt by him to enforce payment of debts, and his general submission to the wishes of the British Government; the recommendation of the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf that more active support be given to the Shaikh, for instance by increasing his gun salute and conferring an honour on him (folio 232); an assault by relatives of the Shaikh on men working on behalf of the British India Steam Navigation Company, 1931; a complaint by British Indian subjects of the ill-treatment of a member of their community at Dubai, March 1933; an attempt on the life of the Shaikh, October 1934; looting of goods being conveyed to a British India Steam Navigation Company vessel, July 1935; disturbances at Dubai in October 1938 between the Shaikh and members of the Al Bu Falasah tribe headed by the family of Shaikh Mana bin Rashid; reports in Baghdad that Britain was encouraging the Shaikh to suppress a liberal modernist movement in Dubai, and the issue of a disclaimer by the British Government in a BBC Arabic broadcast, April 1939; the formation of an executive council in Dubai and attempts at reform, followed by the flight of political refugees under Shaikh Mana to Sharjah, 1939; the resultant threat of hostilities between Dubai and Sharjah, which was averted by the withdrawal of the political refugees from Sharjah, June 1939; and further political tensions involving Shaikh Mana and his followers, 1940.

The file includes reports by British naval officials and the Political Agent, Bahrain, intelligence summaries, and correspondence from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.