IOR/F/4/2661/176326

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 12 September 1856. A copy of this letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2661/176320, alongside details of further enclosures. The item is the seventh in a series of fifteen items on events in the Persian Gulf during 1855-56. The eighth item in the sequence is not present.

The item relates to the recent plunder of a ship, the Cullian Pursand [Kalyān Parsād], by Wahabee [Wahhābī] inhabitants of Shargah [Sharjah]. In particular, it covers:

• Methods of repaying the stolen cargo's value by Sheikh Sultan bin Sugur bin Rashed bin Mutur Alkasmee, 'Chief' of Rasel Khymah [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Ra's al-Khaymah], including the use of jewellery as security until full repayment can be made
• Valuation of the jewellery offered as security
• Statements made by Khimjee Gopaldass [Khemjī Gopāldās] and Fazull Bulloo detailing the amount, value, and ownership of the stolen cargo
• Reports on the situation by: Sheikh Sultan; Lieutenant Carpendale, Commanding the Company schooner Constance; Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Commodore Richard Ethersey, Commanding the Persian Gulf Squadron.

Carpendale's letter also notes general updates from the southern end of the Gulf relating to a conflict at newly-discovered pearl banks and 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people] activity involving ships from Rasel Khymah and Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn].

As well as the above, correspondents include: William Crawford, Senior Magistrate of Bombay, Bombay; the Court of Directors; and the Government of Bombay.

The item contains multiple spellings for multiple personal and place names. The Cullian Pursand and Khimjee Gopaldass may be the same ship and person mentioned in IOR/F/4/2641/169201 (Kallion and Kemjee Cossal respectively).

Sheikh Sultan is also referred to as the Sheikh of Shargah.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', Draft Number '52 [18]57', 'Collection No. 6', 'Vol: 7', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was written as 'Collection No. 5 of No. 71 of 1856.' but the '5' was replaced with '6' and 'of No. 71 of 1856.' has been crossed out.