Page 7 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

Persian and Turkish claims to Bahrain, 1870-1874 333

. PtfhUd for the use of the Foreign Office. March 25, 1874.’

CONFIDENTIAL.

Memorandum on the separate Claims of Turkey
and Persia to Sovereignly over the Island of
Bahrein.

“Gaseltccr of tho World,” j». .529 TIIIC Bahrein Islands arc .a small group of islands,
three in number, on the south-west side of the
Persian Gulf, in the centre of Bahrein Bay, the
principal of which is Bahrein (or Aval), lying about
ten miles off the Coast of Arabia. These islands
arc famous for their pearl fishery, which are con­
sidered the richest and most productive in the '
world, and arc conducted on an extensive scale.
" Imperial Gazetteer/’ vol. i, p. 300. Bahrein was occupied by the Portuguese in the
sixteenth century, but in 1G22 they were expelled
b v the Persians, who appear to have held possession
of the island till about the year 1782 or 1783,*
Inclosurc in Colonel Shrill when the Zoborah Arabs attacked and captured it.
No. .12 of IH-15.
In 1800 the island was again attacked, and
reduced to submission by the lmaum of Muscat,
when the headmen of the principal families were
sent to Muscat; but in the following year it was
taken from the lmaum by the Uttoobccs with the
assistance of the Wuhabccs.
In 1809 the British Government sent an expe­
dition against the Pirates in the Persian Gulf, when
the Uttoobccs intreated the British Government to
exempt them from the general chastisement, and
solicited British assistance to throw ofT the Walmhcc
yoke; but the British Government abstained from
all interference.
In 1810-11 the Wahabce Ruler assumed tho-
‘ Government of Bahrein and Zoborah, and appointed
a Vakeel over those places. The Uttoobccs con-
* Tho " Imperial Gnxottccr" states that tho Persians withdrew
from the Island in 1790, and that subsequently the Wahabccs
extended their sway over tho island as'well as the coast.
12341 B