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The file contains correspondence in the form of reports, letters and translated letters related to political affairs in Oman. The correspondence is mainly concerned with the news of Ibn Sa'ud’s probable attempt to take over the al-Buraimi region in north-west Oman and the arrangement of the shaikhs of Trucial Oman and Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih al-Harthi on behalf of the Imam of Oman to militarily unite against Ibn Sa'ud. To discuss the matter, members of the Bani Yas tribe from Dubai visit Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih in his home town al-Qabil (mistakenly referred to in the file as Kabul). The Political Agent at Muscat reports to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire, on internal affairs taking place in various towns that belong to the regions of al-Dhahira, al-Dakhiliyya and al-Sharqiyya of Oman. He also reports on clashes between the two main Omani factions, the Hanawi and the Ghafiri, and the role played by Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih al-Harthi to settle the cases, reportedly in order to unite various Omani tribes against Ibn Sa'ud. The file also includes news of the areas of Al-'Ainain, 'Ibri and Yanqul falling under the influence of Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih, and news of the murder of some local Omani shaikhs and the names of those who took over their positions.

The file contains printed narrative reports of the Government of India concerning internal politics and relations with the Muscat Government (also called Maskat) between 1869 and 1892. The reports are signed by Assistant Political Residents in the Persian Gulf and others. Each report is preceded by a table of contents. The reports are as follows: Muscat Affairs, October 1869 to March 1872 Muscat Précis which contains papers up to proceedings, Political A., June 1873 Continuation of Narrative of Muscat Affairs, June 1873 to July 1874 Continuation of Narrative of Muscat Affairs, Jul 1874 to July 1875 Continuation of Narrative of Muscat Affairs, August 1875 to December 1880 Continuation of Narrative of Muscat Affairs, January 1881 to December 1884, (pages 179-180 of the report are missing, these have an account of the Khojas settled in Oman) Continuation of Narrative of Muscat Affairs, January 1885 to December 1888 Continuation of Narrative of Muscat Affairs, January 1889 to December 1892

The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts), the India Office (Maurice Clauson), Petroleum Concessions Limited (Major Frank Holmes, John Skliros, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg) and the Standard Oil Company of California (Hamilton R Ballantyne) regarding Petroleum Concessions Limited’s interest in an oil concession in Muscat and their intention of opening negotiations with the Sultan of Muscat and Oman (Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd) which were delayed owing to the Sultan extending his stay in the interior of his country near Dhofar [Zufār]. Included in the file are copies in Arabic and English of the proposed concession agreement for Muscat and Oman, including correspondence regarding possible amendments to the agreement and copies of the various drafts which can be found at folios 5-20, 28-40, 109-124, 136-139, 144-159 and 195-210.Also discussed is correspondence between the Sultan of Muscat and the Standard Oil Company of California, including samples of oil seepages found near Dhofar which were sent to the company for assessment but were not found to contain crude oil. Also discussed are the concerns of British authorities at Standard Oil’s attempts to acquire concessions in the Persian Gulf and conversations between the Company’s representative in London and the India Office at which the Company were made aware that Petroleum Concessions Limited had been given first right of negotiation in that area.Other matters of interest within the file include: concerns over possible reactions by the Bani Bu Ali [Banī Bū ‘Alī] tribe to any negotiations for, or grant of, an oil concession in Muscat, which would cover the Sur district where they held power; discussion regarding the difficulty of defining the boundaries for the Imamate of Oman; a visit paid by Major Holmes to Cairo and the British authorities in the Persian Gulf interest in knowing who he had met and what he had discussed whilst there; correspondence regarding Count Byron de Prorok and his wife Alice who had travelled from Aden to Muscat and Bahrain with the intention of searching for antiquities and archaeological sites in the region, and Tullio Pastori who was visiting Muscat and Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] to recruit labour for an Italian road construction project in Eritrea; and British officials suspicions that their visits to the area were on behalf of an Italian Oil concern, which were concluded to be unfounded. A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 227-236.

The volume contains correspondence and other papers on a range of political subjects, chiefly communicated by the Political Agent at Muscat (Percy Cox until 1904; Major William Grey thereafter) to the Political Residency. The file begins with correspondence related to the Sultan of Muscat's new steamship, but expands to encompass a greater range of matters of a political nature taking place in Oman. These include: debts of and loans to the Sultan of Muscat by the British Government and various individuals (f 44); a report from Cox (October 1903) of Sultan Faisal bin Turki's desire to abdicate (ff 54-56); numerous memorandums of interviews taking place in November 1903 between the Sultan, Political Resident (Charles Kemball), Muscat Agent (Cox) and the Viceroy of India (Lord Curzon) (ff 59-62, 64-67 68-73). During one interview the Sultan is bestowed the honour of Knight Grand Commander of the Indian Empire (G.C.I.E.) (f 65); reports on French activities, including the departure of Roger Laronce and the arrival of Beguin Billecocq as French Consul to Muscat (f 112), French naval vessels in the Gulf (ff 158-59, ff 217, 223); and German (f 176, 181) and Russian (f 173) consulates in Muscat. Numerous papers in the second half of the file relate to the 1907 murder of Sulaiman bin Suwailim, Wali of Dhofar, and a trusted associate of Sultan Faisal bin Turki. A number of reports from Grey inform Cox (who is now Political Resident) of the circumstances surrounding the murder, and negotiations between Sheikh Faisal and Sheikh Isa bin Salih of the Al-Harth tribe to bring the perpetrators (believed to belong to the Siyabiyin tribe) to justice.

The volume comprises correspondence and other papers relating to competing British and French interests in Muscat and Oman at the beginning of the twentieth century. The principal point of contention between British officials, represented by Percy Cox (Muscat Political Agent 1899-1903), was the use of the French flag by Omani vessels, permitted by the French Vice-Consul to Muscat, and regarded by the British as being exploited by the region's slave traders as a means of avoiding interference by British ships. Items of note include a letter from Cox to the Political Resident (Charles Kemball), dated 2 January 1902, discussing relations since 1891 between the Sultan of Muscat and British and French officials, the abuse of the French flag in the town, and the need for diplomatic negotiations between Britain, France and the Sultan to resolve the situation (folios 1F-37). Enclosed with Cox's letter is an eyewitness account (from a British Indian subject residing in Soor [Sur]) of slave trading activity in the town during 1901 (folios 31-35). The file also includes a letter from Cox to his French counterpart (Roger Laronce), dated February 1902, explaining that the Sultan protests at what he describes as the French Government's claims to exercise jurisdiction in Muscat territory over Omani subjects (folios 70-71), and Laronce's reply (folion 73); and a report of a tour of the Muscat coast aboard HMS "Amphritite" by Cox (folios 120-22) and Charles Windham, the "Amphritites's" captain (folios 147-49). Reference is made in a number of pieces of correspondence to a confrontation between Arab slave traders and the Portuguese in Mozambique on 18 March 1902 (folios 117-118, and 140-141). In May 1903 Cox writes to the Political Resident, informing him that he has received information from the British Vice-Consul at Mozambique, of around 100 inhabitants of Muscat and Sur being captured and killed in the confrontation (folios 178-180). Cox uses this incident to repeat his recommendation that a British Agent be installed at Sur (folios 145b-145d). Arrangements are also made to loan the Sultan of Muscat funds to enable him to buy his own steamer (folios 123-127), which Cox hopes will encourage the Sultan to take responsibility for his coast, and in particular Sur (folios 135-138). A blueprint of the steamer acquired for the Sultan is included in the file (foldout plan, folio 169).

Correspondence relating to the succession to Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr], Sultan of Muscat, in the event of his sudden demise. Said bin Taimur felt that no member of the Royal Family met the two criteria required for his succesor: to hold the same views as his own about the State's close connection with the British Government and to be personally acceptable to the majority of the people. Includes notes by Major Tom Hickinbotham, Political Agent, Muscat, on four members of the Al Bu SaRoyal Family: Saiyid Shahab bin Faisal bin Turki [Shahāb Fayṣal bin Turkī]; Saiyid Nadir bin Faisal [Nādir bin Fayṣal]; Saiyid Hamad bin Faisal; Saiyid Tarik bin Taimur[Tāriq bin Taymūr]; Saiyid Majid bin Taimur [Mājid bin Taymūr]. A letter headed 'Most Secret' from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the Secretary to the Government of India in the External Affairs Department describes a conversation between the Resident and Sultan Said bin Taimur in which the Sultan intimated that he would prefer a British Officer to fill the post of Regent rather than any members of his family. Correspondents include Major Tom Hickinbotham, Political Agent and HBMs Consul, Muscat; Political Resident Persian Gulf; R R Burnett, Secretary to the Government of India, External Affairs Department, New Delhi.

Correspondence concerning the abdication of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal [Taymūr bin Fayṣal]and the accession of his son, Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr]. The file includes a letter in Arabic (folio 97) from Sultan Taimur with a translation in English, giving reasons as to why he cannot return to Muscat and willingness to accept a reduced subsidy. Correspondence discusses the timing of the abdication and arrangements for Taimur bin Faisal to reside in Ceylon. Correspondents include Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Agent, Muscat; Hugh Vincent Biscoe, Political Resident Persian Gulf; Taimur bin Faisal; Said bin Taimur.

Correspondence relating to abdication of Saiyid Taimur bin Faisal [Taymūr bin Fayṣal], Sultan of Muscat and Oman. Correspondence discusses how the Sultan had initially expressed a desire to abdicate in 1920 following the conclusion of the Omani rebellion and the Treaty of Sib. Correspondence relates to attempts by British officials to dissuade Taimur bin Faisal from abdicating including a reduction in his financial allowance from the Government of India. Letters discuss arrangements for his son Saiyid Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr] to rule through a Council of Regency and the tenents of the Ibadhi branch of Islam on election of their religious head. A letter describes how Saiyid Said bin Taimur became Sultan at the age of 22 following time as President of the Council of Ministers and de facto ruler for two years. Other topics discussed include: finances, proposed increase of the Muscat tarriff and the Zanzibar Subsidy; the Sultan's [Taymūr bin Fayṣal] house in India; succession in Oman; and Bertram Thomas. Correspondents include Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett, Political Resident Persian Gulf; Gerald Patrick Murphy, Political Agent, Muscat; Saiyid Taimur bin Faisal [Taymūr bin Fayṣal]; Foreign Secretary to the Government of India.

Correspondence on the education of Saiyd Sa'id bin Taimur [Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr], son of the Sultan of Muscat, Taimur bin Faisal. Letters discuss his education at Mayo College, Ajmer in a school for the sons of Indian rulers. The Sultan, Taimur bin Faisal [Taymūr ibn Fayṣal] wished him to attend a school suitable for Arabs, partly to improve his Arabic. The American Missionary School in Beirut was considered by British officials but the Sultan felt this was not suitable. Letters discuss a school in Baghdad and necessary arrangements such as the rent of a house.

Correspondence discusses relations between Muscat state and the interior of Oman. Since 1920 the Treaty of Sib had regulated the interactions between Muscat on the coast and the interior of Oman under the Imam. The treaty was mediated by Ronald Evelyn Wingate, Political Agent, Muscat. Correspondence in 1945 and 1946 discusses Sultan Sa'id bin Taimur's desire to obtain a guarantee of RAF support for any incursion into the interior when the ailing Imam died. Letters from British officials discuss what additional leverage they could gain as a condition of provision of arms and officers. Correspondents include Shaikh Isa bin Saleh (of Sur); Reginald George Alban, Political Agent Muscat; Major Claude Edward U Bremner, Political Agent Muscat.

The file is concerned with an agreement between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and Petroleum Development (Oman and Dhofar) Limited, which relates to the oil concession agreed between the company and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd, in respect of the district of Dhofar. The agreement outlines the terms and conditions, laid down by the British Government, regulating the operation of the company in Dhofar. The agreement is signed by Leonard Day Wakely, Deputy Under-Secretary of State for India, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, in the presence of Sir Alexander Colin Burlington Symon, the Assistant Principal for the Political Department in the India Office. It is also sealed by the petroleum company.

The file consists of a memorandum in two parts. The first part provides information about the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman in eight sections, entitled, 'Territory', 'Historical', 'Physical Features', 'Climate', 'Population', 'Products and Trade', 'Religion' and 'Government'. The second part describes and gives a brief biography of His Highness Sultan Saiyid Said bin Taimur, and outlines the extent of British influence upon him.

This printed India Office report was written by John Gilbert Laithwaite and published in November 1934. It aims 'to examine, with particular reference to the proposal which has been put forward to establish a station at Khor Quwai [Khawr Quway] in the Musandim Peninsula, the history of the Declaration of 1862 by which France and Great Britain undertook to respect the independence of Muscat, and its effect, and that other existing treaty provisions, on the right of H.M. Government (subject to the consent of the Sultan of Muscat) to establish a naval station in Muscat territory.' The documents include a short note on the status of the Musandam Peninsula. It lists key treaty engagements between the Sultan of Muscat and His Majesty's Government with relevant extracts including: British Treaty of Commerce of 1839 with Muscat, Article 2; Treaty of Commerce between France and Muscat, 1844, Article 3; Anglo-French Declaration of 10th March 1862; British Treaty of Commerce of 1891 with Muscat, Article 4; Exclusive Agreement of the Sultan of Muscat with H.M. Government, 1891. Further sections are: Muscat and France, 1770-1934; British Connection with Muscat, 1770 to 1934; The Anglo-French Declaration of 1862: its importance in Muscat Policy, and the interpretations which have been placed on it.

Report on Sur by Major Gerald Patrick Murphy, Political Agent of Muscat, dated 9 October 1928. It is divided into the following sections: I. – 'Geographical Description of Sur' – including an introduction to the tribes who inhabit it; II. – 'Historical Summary of the Bani Bu Ali' – including their origin, religion, engagements, expeditions, and feuds; III. – 'Historical Summary of the Jenebeh' – including their origin, feuds, criminal activities, and fines; IV. – 'The Slave Trade at Sur' – including British efforts in the suppression of the slave trade, treaties, a description of a captured slave vessel, and use the of the French flag as protection for slaving operations; V. – 'Summary of recent Events in Sur' – including the building of new forts, establishment of a new customs post, the question of the Sultan's authority, criminal activities, and customs dues; VI. – 'Review of the Situation at Sur' – including the policy pursued so far, request for assistance by the Sultan, the value of Sur in terms of prestige, and the form of assistance to be taken; appendix 1. – 'Early History of Sur'; appendix 2. – 'Wrecks and Piracy'.

Document outlining the administration and history of Muscat from 1908-28. Covering: administration – Sultan of Oman succession history; treaty relations; internal administration by Council of Ministers; role of the Political Agent, Muscat; and the responsibility for expenditure; 1908 to 4 October 1913: Sultan Faisal – the successful suppression of arms traffic from Muscat; internal history of Muscat from the accession of Sultan Taimur, 4 October 1913 to 1928 – conditions for recognition of Sayid Taimur as ruler by His Majesty's Government; inefficiency of internal administration; proposals by the Political Agent for active interference in internal affairs by the Government of India and His Majesty's Government; the programme of reform accepted by the Sultan as condition of a loan; the results of the reform and loan; negotiations with Omani tribes; financial situation and the decision to employ a British Financial Advisor; relations between the Sultan of Muscat and Oman and the Ibadhi Tribes of Oman – the Oman Rebellion, 1913-21; foreign relations of Muscat, 1908-28 – treaty relations with France; relations with the United States of America, Dutch Government, Germany, Persia, and Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd]; miscellaneous questions – the Muscat Order in Council; proposal for the establishment of a British Naval Base in the Musandim [Musandam] Peninsula; cession of Gwadur; oil in Muscat. It also includes a summary, lists points referred to in connection with the Persian Gulf Sub-Committee, and states the view expressed by the Government of India. Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.

The file is a précis of correspondence related to affairs at Zanzibar between the years 1856 and 1872, prepared by Captain Philip Durham Henderson of the Foreign Department in the Government of India. The contents of the précis, which includes reports from Christopher Palmer Rigby, the British Consul at Zanzibar, and Sir William Marcus Coghlan, relate to: the death in 1856 of the Sultan of Muscat Syed Saeed [Sa‘id bin Sulṭān al-Sa‘id] without a direct heir; the succession struggle between Syed Thoweynee [Thuwaynī bin Sa‘id al-Sa‘id] and Syed Majid [Sa‘id Majid bin Said al-Sa‘id]; British arbitration in the dispute; succession arrangements at Muscat and Zanzibar; the slave trade between Zanzibar and Muscat. The précis is organised into six chapters (labelled I to VI), as follows: I – Events preceding the arbitration by the Government of India; II – Arbitration of the Government of India; III – Proceedings subsequent to the arbitration relating to the question of subsidy; IV – Events at Zanzibar from the arbitration to the death of Syed Majid; V – Events in Zanzibar from the death of Syed Majid; VI – Slave Trade. The contents page lists four appendices (labelled A to D) that are not included in this copy of the précis.

A memorandum on British relations with Muscat for the years 1895 to 1901. It was prepared by Colin George Campbell for the India Office on 7 June 1901. The document gives a history of British and French relations with the Sultans of Muscat, and to a lesser extent, Zanzibar. It opens with a brief historical outline from 1798, when the first agreement was signed between Britain and Sulṭān bin Aḥmad al-Sa‘īd, the Sultan of Muscat at the time, to 1895. It then goes into more detail for each year until 1901, covering the diplomatic activities of the two European powers. On folio 2 there is a genealogical table for the al-Sa‘īd dynasty covering the period in question. There are notes on sources in the margins throughout.

A memorandum describing how it had emerged that the Sultan of Muskat had granted the French a concession to establish a coaling station on his territory, and stating that the Sultan had only produced the text of the concession upon threat of bombardment by the British. The memorandum goes on to describe the French Government's agreement to withdraw the concession, as it contravened a Treaty of 1862 in which the Sultan pledged not to lease any part of his territory to either Power, and notes the French Government's continuing desire to establish a coaling station on the same terms as the British. The memorandum concludes with a quotation from newspaper, reproducing a statement in the House of Commons regarding the events. The memorandum is written by Sir William Lee-Warner. The Times A memorandum describing how it had emerged that the Sultan of Muskat had granted the French a concession to establish a coaling station on his territory, and stating that the Sultan had only produced the text of the concession upon threat of bombardment by the British. The memorandum goes on to describe the French Government's agreement to withdraw the concession, as it contravened a Treaty of 1862 in which the Sultan pledged not to lease any part of his territory to either Power, and notes the French Government's continuing desire to establish a coaling station on the same terms as the British. The memorandum concludes with a quotation from newspaper, reproducing a statement in the House of Commons regarding the events. The memorandum is written by Sir William Lee-Warner.