Page 28 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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CHAPTER 2
BAHRAIN
I.—General
1. Shaikh Isa bin Ali who had been relieved of control of the administration
of Bahrain in 1923(*) survived until 1932. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving
son Hamad who had been Deputy Ruler since his deposition, and had
been recognised as heir apparent in 1899.(2) Hamad died in February 1942
and messages of condolence were sent to his family by His Majesty’s
Government, but not by His Majesty as recommended by the Political Resident^3)
and by the Viceroy. His eldest son Salman the present Ruler was accepted by the
ruling family as his successor, while he was still on his death-bed, and was at once
recognised by His Majesty’s Government and the Government of India, and a
Kharita containing the Viceroy’s congratulations was handed to him by the Political
Resident at a formal ceremony held in Bahrain in April 1942. He was not required
to give any kind of undertaking but in an interview with the Political Agent two
days after his father’s death orally promised (1) loyally to preserve the existing ties
of friendship with His Majesty’s Government, (2) to respect the rights both of
members of his family and of his individual subjects and (3) to promote the public
welfare by all means in his power. He also expressed his determination to be
loyal to the British connection and to implement all undertakings given by the
previous Rulers of Bahrain, and he spontaneously offered to be guided by any
advice which the Political Agent might tender to him.O
2. Hamad had been granted on his accession a personal salute of four guns
in addition to his dynastic salute of seven guns and the same salute was granted
to Salman on his accession. In 1950 the total salute was increased to thirteen guns.
It has since been recommended that the distinction between the personal and
dynastic salutes enjoyed by the Ruler of Bahrain and other Gulf Rulers should be
abolished and that all the salutes should be regarded as dynastic,(3) but no orders
have yet been passed on this recommendation. The title of His Highness was
accorded to Hamad in 1937 and made dynastic. Salman was awarded an
honorary K.C.I.E. in 1943 and an honorary K.C.M.G. in 1952. He was born about
1894. He takes an active part in the day to day business of his State and is
genuinely interested in the welfare of his people, though jealous of his own and
his family’s position. He possesses some education but knows no English. He is
usually sensible but there are certain subjects especially those affecting his relations
with Qatar on which he is quite unable to take a balanced view and in recent years
he has shown defects of temper possibly due to over-work. He appears genuinely
attached to the British connection and made a very good impression when he
visited the United Kingdom for Her Majesty’s Coronation in 1953.
3. Salman has two uncles alive, Muhammad and Abdullah. The former
spends much of his time travelling and though prominent socially plays no part in
State affairs. Abdullah is Minister of Education and President of the Manamah
Municipality. He was formerly regarded as dangerous and his deportation was
considered in 1923.(‘) He probably now has no personal ambitions but is still active
and is frequently consulted by Salman. His advice is usually sensible. Only three
of Salman’s seven surviving brothers, Mubarak, Abdullah and Daij, take any part
in the public life of Bahrain. Salman has three sons the eldest of whom, Isa, was
born in 1933. He is insignificant in appearance and only partially educated but
otherwise appears eligible for the succession.
4. Before Hamad died he made a will in which he nominated Salman as his
successor. As this was not in accordance with Arab custom he kept the matter
secret and deposited one copy of the will with the Political Resident and another
with the Eastern Bank. On his death the ruling family unanimously selected
Salman as his successor and the will was only produced to confirm their selection
when it had been made.(') The question of the succession is at present entirely open
(') Para. 14 at p. 64. P.G. 13.
(’) 1.0. to F.O. P.Z. 246/10 of January 19. 1940 (E 307/307/91 of 1940).
( ) Tel. from I.O. to P.R. 3590 of February 26. 1942 (E 1275/1275/91 of 1942).
\ ) hO. to F.O. Ext. 2426/42 of May 19. 1942 (E 3218/1227/91 of 1942).
) P.R. to F.O. 2021/12/52 of May 28. 1952 (T 10/5 of 1952).
(*) Para. 14. p. 64. P.G. 13.
(’) I-O. to F.O. Ext. 2426/42 of May 19. 1942 (E 3218/1227/91 of 1942)
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