IOR/L/PS/6/734, ff 157-186

This item is a collection to Bombay Political Despatch No. 52 of 31 July 1867, from the Secretary of State for India to the Government of Bombay Political Department (the Political Despatch itself is not included in this item). The collection consists of papers forwarded with the Government of Bombay’s Political Despatch No. 28 of 23 May 1867 to the Secretary of State for India, on the subject of affairs chiefly relating to Bahrein [Bahrain], notably:

• The restoration of a war buggalow [baghlah, also spelled bugla and buglah in this item] to Mahomed bin Khuleefa, Sheikh of Bahrein [Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shakih of Bahrain], which was previously confiscated by Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, as punishment for the former’s ‘past misconduct’
• The Government of India’s sanction for payment of the expenses incurred by Pelly on account of storing the Sheikh of Bahrein’s captured vessel prior to its restoration
• The question of the political position of Bahrein and its independence from Turkey [Ottoman Empire], Persia [Iran], and the Wahabee Ameer [Wahhābī Amīr of Najd].

The item includes copies of correspondence dated between 1847 and 1861 regarding: the British policy of preventing Bahrein becoming subordinate to the Ottoman Porte; relations between the Sheikh of Bahrein and the British, including the former’s ‘unfriendly’ attitude towards Hajee Jassem [Ḥājjī Jāsim], the British Agent at Bahrein; the Sheikh of Bahrein’s imposition of ‘unusual duties and restrictions on British subjects and vessels bearing the British flag’ (f 176); the special Mission to Bahrein in 1858 by Lieutenant Herbert Frederick Disbrowe, Assistant Resident, Persian Gulf, and his meeting with Sheikh Ali bin Khuleefa [Shaikh ‘Alī bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah], brother of Mahomed bin Khuleefa (ff 177-178). Letters from British officials during this period include their statements of opinion on the conduct, character and personal habits of the Sheikh of Bahrein.

The collection was compiled for information purposes for the Secretary of State for India to compose the answering Political Despatch.

The enclosed papers consist of copies of correspondence and resolutions of the Government of Bombay. The main correspondents are the following: the Government of Bombay; the Government of India; and Pelly.