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Sur les Mozabites p. 49-53

Djerba p. 173-194

This file contains the daily political diaries of the Political Agent in Muscat. It includes information categorised under the condition of the country, arrivals and departures of ships, movement of British representatives, missionary enterprises, aviation and other subheadings. Many of the events recorded pertain to exchanges and visits between leading notables and merchants of Oman and the Gulf and their relations to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.

The file contains correspondence in the form of reports and diaries circulated between British Officials. The reports are concerned mainly with internal affairs in Muscat and Oman. The British Political Agent and Consul at Muscat reports to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire, on the present conditions in Muscat and the situation of failure between the state and the tribes nominally under it. The Political Agent also provides half-yearly statements of the revenue of the Muscat State finance along with comments on Bertram Sidney Thomas’ financial reports. Among other issues included in the reports are: the news of collecting (alms) money from various regions in Oman and Muscat and people’s reaction to that zakat the news of collecting (alms) money from various regions in Oman and Muscat and people’s reaction to that Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih’s diplomacy in bringing conflicting tribes together the clashes between the two main Omani factions, the Hanawi and the Ghafiri the Wahhabis’ occupation of al-Buraimi in the1800s, and how they influenced some of the tribes of al-Dhahira region who still identify themselves as Wahhabis the relation between the Sultan of Muscat and Shaikh 'Isa bin Salih al-Harthi and his father Shaikh Salih bin Ali before him the issue of succession of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal the need of the British to protect al-Buraimi from the Wahhabis a summary of the history of Oman, its sect, the establishment of the (religious leadership) and the ruling family founded in 1744 Ibadhi a summary of the history of Oman, its sect, the establishment of the (religious leadership) and the ruling family founded in 1744 Imama a summary of the history of Oman, its sect, the establishment of the (religious leadership) and the ruling family founded in 1744 the rebellions of 1895 and 1913 The last report in the file is of the visit of the Senior Naval Officer to the Trucial Coast in May 1931, and his notes on the internal affairs in Ras al-Khaimah and Dubai.

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.

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.

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 comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to Suleiman al Baruni and his relatives. The discussion in the file concerns: Baruni's travel to Iraq and Muscat his membership of the Ibadhi sect and the esteem he was held in by both the Sultan of Muscat and Oman and the Imam of Oman his appointment as Minister in the government of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman arrangements for travel of members of his family The principal correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agent, Muscat; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; HM High Commissioner for Iraq; and officials of the Government of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman.

Typescript memorandum (marked 'Book Copy' in the top left corner of the first page) giving information about the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman under the following headings: Territory, Historical, Physical Features, Climate, Population, Products and Trade, Religion, and Government (folios 150-154); and about Sultan Saiyid Taimur Bin Faisal bin Turki [Taymūr bin Fayṣal], including comments on his appearance, habits, religious practices, political principles, sons, health, pastimes, and wealth (folios 154-155).