The Creation of Modern Saudi Arabia, c. 1914-1939

THE CREATION OF MODERN SAUDI ARABIA, C. 1914-1939

British Colonial Policy and Intelligence Files on Asia and the Middle-East, c. 1880-1950

Abstract The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was formally created in 1932 by King ‘Abd al-’Aziz b. ‘Abd al-

Rahman b. Faysal Al Sa’ud (Ibn Sa’ud). From the Saudi capture of Riyadh in 1902 till the development and exploitation of Saudi oil resources in the 1930s, the British maintained close

relations with the Saudi ruling family, and they recorded in great detail the development of the Kingdom from a small sultanate in central Arabia in the early 1900s, to an economically powerful

modern state on the eve of the Second World War.

1 The Creation of Modern Saudi Arabia, c. 1914-1939

The Creation of Modern Saudi Arabia, c. 1914-1939

Published by IDC Publishers, 2004

• Descriptive Summary

Creator: India Office Library and Records Title: The Creation of Modern Saudi Arabia Dates (inclusive): c. 1914-1939

Abstract: Intelligence files on Arabia and the Gulf, consisting of confidential printed reports, maps, memoranda and handbooks, together with Political and Secret Department policy files describing the wider context of international relations as well as the practical details of an expanding political administration and social and economic infrastructure.

Languages: Language of materials: English Extent: 778 microfiches or 74 microfilm reels; 155 files, containing c. 50,000 p. Ordernumber: BIS-1 - BIS-8

• Location of Originals

Filmed from the originals held by: British Library, Oriental & India Office Collections (OIOC).

• History Note

British interests in Arabia and the Gulf date back to the earliest East India Company contacts in the seventeenth century. Subsequently, for both economic and strategic reasons, the region was drawn into the wider political and economic sphere of the British Empire in India. British relations with Arab rulers were generally managed by Political Residents and Agents in the Gulf, who reported directly to the imperial administrations in Bombay, Calcutta or Delhi and, ultimately, to the India Office in London. British Government policy towards the region was formulated in the India Office, where the department responsible for the conduct and supervision of relations with areas outside the Sub-continent was the Political and Secret Department. After the First World War, the involvement of the Foreign Office and Colonial Office in Arabian affairs increased and departmental responsibilities became more complicated. However, the India Office continued to play an important role in British relations with the region until the Second World War.

• Scope and Content

From 1902, when the future King 'Abd al-'Aziz Al Sa'ud (known to the British as "Ibn Sa'ud") captured the city of Riyadh from the rival forces of Ibn Rashid of Hayl, the British took an increasing interest in the rapidly


changing affairs of central Arabia.By 1914 they had already set up a series of meetings with Ibn Sa'ud, undertaken by the British Political Agent in Kuwait, Captain W.H.I.Shakespear. After the Anglo-Saudi Treaty of Darin was signed in December 1915 Britain gradually abandoned her previous policy of non-involvement in inland Arabian politics.

For the next twenty-five years British officials in the Gulf, in London and in India, observed, recorded and assessed the changing face of Arabian politics. Local British agents reported on the shifting balance of power in south-west Arabia during the First World War and the struggle between Saudi and Yemeni interests which culminated in the Saudi absorption of Asir in 1930 and the delineation of the Saudi-Yemen boundary in the 1934 Treaty of Taif. British economic and strategic concerns were involved in the development of the Saudi oil industry and the closely related evolution of Saudi Arabia's, northern, eastern and south-eastern boundaries, as well as the southern Saudi boundary with Britain's Aden colony and protectorate in south Yemen. At the same time, in parallel, the extraordinary development of a modern Saudi government administration and infrastructure was recorded and occasionally advised on by British officials and technical experts. The British records, by definition, present events from a mainly British perspective. However, the knowledge and accomplishment of the civil servants and military officers, combined with the British thirst for information and the occasional divided loyalties of adventurer-officials such as Captain Shakespear, Gertrude Bell and H.St.J.B.Philby, together produced a meticulous and surprisingly balanced account of the emergence of the modern Saudi State.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was formally created in 1932 by King Àbd al-Àziz ibn 'Abd al-Rahman Al Saùd (Ibn Saùd). From the Saudi capture of Riyadh in 1902 to the development and exploitation of Saudi oil resources in the 1930s, the British maintained close relations with the Saudi ruling family and they recorded in great detail the development of the Kingdom, from a small sultanate in central Arabia in the early 1900s to an economically powerful modern state on the eve of the Second World War. The archives of the Political and Secret Department of the India Office are an outstanding source for the history of the Saudi state and this is the first time they have been made completely available in one major series. The material in this collection consists of confidential printed reports, maps, memoranda and handbooks, together with Political and Secret Department policy files describing the wider context of international relations as well as the practical details of an expanding political administration and social and economic infrastruct

• Organisation and arrangement

The first series (BIS-1) comprises printed gazetteers and handbooks now preserved in the departmental library of the Political and Secret Department (L/P&S/20) together with a few relevant items from the library of the India Office Military Department (L/MIL/17). The other series (BIS-2 through BIS-8) comprise India Office Political and Secret Department subject files and collections arranged broadly according to subject.

▪ BIS - 1 : Gazetteers and Handbooks.

▪ BIS - 2 : Arabian Politics and the First World War.

▪ BIS - 3 : Arabia after the War : Territorial Consolidation; The Conquest of the Hijaz.

▪ BIS - 4 : Regional Relations and Boundaries : Kuwait, Iraq and Transjordan, 1920-1932.

▪ BIS - 5 : Regional Relations and Boundaries : Asir, Yemen and the Red Sea, 1919-1934.

▪ BIS - 6 : The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : Government and Infrastructure.

▪ BIS - 7 : The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : International Relations.

▪ BIS - 8 : The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : Oil, Boundaries and Regional Relations.

http://www.idc.nl/ead/dsc.php?c01=all&faid=370faid.xml#bi.05.01









Container List

BIS - 1 : Gazetteers and Handbooks.

Microfilm no. / Microfiche

no.

Title: Handbook of Arabia. Vol 1, General. Dates: May 1916. Physical description:708 p. : 4 maps, plates, genealogical tables. File number:L/P&S/20/E84/1 Notes: London : Admiralty War Staff, Intelligence Division, Notes: For Official Use Only

1 1-8

Title: Handbook of Arabia. Vol 2, Routes. Dates: May 1917. Physical description:519 p. : map, plates. File number:L/P&S/20/E84/2 Notes: London : Admiralty War Staff, Intelligence Division, Notes: Confidential

1 8-14

Title: Handbook of Asir. Prepared by the Arab Bureau, Cairo, 1st edn, Dates: June 1916 Physical description:[iii], 169 p. : map. File number:L/P&S/20/E79 Notes: For Official Use Only

2 14-17

Title: Handbook of Hejaz. Prepared by the Arab Bureau, Cairo, 2nd edn, Dates: 26 February 1917. Physical description:vi, 179 p. : map, genealogical table. File number:L/P&S/20/E81 Notes: Secret, For Official Use Only

2 17-19

Title: Routes in Arabia Physical description:xiii, 817 p. : map. File number:L/P&S/20/E76 Notes: Simla : General Staff India, 1915 Notes: Confidential

2 19-27

Title: Where's Where in Arabia, Mesopotamia and Persia Physical description:i, 63, 9 p. File number:L/P&S/20/C128/1 Notes: Simla : General Staff India, 1915. Notes: Confidential

3 27-28

Title: Where's Where in Arabia, Mesopotamia and Persia Physical description:i, 110, 10 p. File number:L/P&S/20/C128/2 Notes: Simla : General Staff India, 1916 Notes: For Official Use Only

3 28-29

Title: Gazetteer of Arabia. Vol 1 [A-J] Physical description:973 p. File number:L/MIL/17/16/2/1 Notes: Simla : General Staff India, 1917. Notes: Confidential

3 29-39


Title: Gazetteer of Arabia. Vol 2 [K-R] Physical description:[625] p. File number:L/MIL/17/16/2/2 Notes: Simla : General Staff India, 1917 Notes: Confidential

4 40-46

Title: Gazetteer of Arabia. Vol 3 [S-Z], with Glossary of Terms by Lt-Col C.C.R.Murphy Physical description:[413] p. : map. File number:L/MIL/17/16/2/3 Notes: Simla : General Staff India, 1917 Notes: Confidential

4 46-51

Title: Personalities. Arabia Physical description:362 p. : map, genealogical tables. File number:L/P&S/20/C131 Notes: London : Admiralty War Staff, Intelligence Division, April 1917 Notes: Secret

5 51-54

Title: Southern Nejd. Journey to Kharj, Aflaj, Sulaiyyil and Wadi Dawasir in 1918 / H.St.J.B. Philby, Cairo : Arab Bureau, Dates: 1919 Physical description:81 p. : map. File number:L/P&S/20/C169 Notes: For Official Use Only

5 54-55

Title: Arabia. Handbook prepared under the direction of the Historical Section of the Foreign Office, No 90 Physical description:vi, 127 p. : map. File number:L/P&S/20/E85 Notes: [London: Foreign Office], April 1919 Notes: Confidential

5 55-57

Title: Military Report on the Arabian shores of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait, Bahrein, Hasa, Qatar, Trucial Oman and Oman Physical description:iii, 198 p. : maps. File number:L/MIL/17/15/141 Notes: Calcutta: General Staff India, 1933 Notes: For Official Use Only

5 57-59

Title: Military Report and Route Book. The Arabian States of the Persian Gulf, Dates: 1939 Physical description:xi, 276 p. : maps & sketches. File number:L/P&S/20/C252 Notes: Simla : General Staff India, 1940. Notes: Security

5 59-63

BIS - 2: Arabian Politics and the First World War.


no.

Title: Persian Gulf: situation in Qatar; policy towards Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: May-Dec 1913 File number:L/P&S/10/384 File 2182/1913 Pt 1 155ff Scope and contents: includes: Saudi occupation of Hasa and Turkish response; Anglo-Saudi relations and mission of Captain Shakespear; Turkish garrison in Qatar.

6 64-67 (1-4)


Title: Persian Gulf: situation in Qatar; policy towards Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Dec 1913-Nov 1916 File number:L/P&S/10/385 File 2182/1913 Pt 2 257ff Scope and contents: includes: British and Turkish relations with Ibn Sa'ud; translation of Saudi Treaty with Turks, 15 May 1914

6 67-72 (4-9)

Title: Persian Gulf: Anglo-Qatar treaty, 3 Nov 1916; British negotiations with Qatar; Saudi interests, Dates: May 1913-May 1918 File number:L/P&S/10/386 File 2182/1913 Pt 3 120ff

7 72-75 (9-12)

Title: Persian Gulf: policy towards Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Sep 1914-Nov 1916 File number:L/P&S/10/387 File 2182/1913 Pt 4-5 363ff Scope and contents: includes: Saudi relations with Turkey; Captain Shakespear's mission; Anglo-Saudi treaty negotiations and treaty, December 1915; Saudi relations with Sharif Husayn.

7 75-82 (12-19)

Title: Arabia: relations with Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Jan-Dec 1917 File number:L/P&S/10/388 File 2182/1913 Pt 6 267ff Scope and contents: includes: Gertrude Bell's memorandum 'A Ruler of the Desert'; Arab Bureau memorandum on 'Relations with Ibn Sa'ud'; Saudi relations with Ibn Rashid; tribal affairs in central Arabia; correspondence between Ibn Sa'ud and Sir Percy Cox; British mission to Ibn Sa'ud

8 82-88 (19-25)

Title: Arabia: policy towards Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Jan-Dec 1918 File number:L/P&S/10/389 File 2182/1913 Pt 7-8 505ff Scope and contents: includes: British policy towards Ibn Sa'ud; Saudi relations with Hijaz; British military assistance; Saudi relations with Kuwait; Khurma dispute; Philby mission

8 88-98 (25-35)

Title: Arabia: policy towards Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: May 1919-Dec 1920 File number:L/P&S/10/390 File 2182/1913 Pt 9-10 529ff Scope and contents: includes: the 'Najd-Hijaz feud' - relations between Ibn Sa'ud and King Husayn; Khurma and Turaba incidents; memorandum on British commitments to Ibn Sa'ud; 'Report on Najd Mission, 1917-1918' by H.St.J.B.Philby;

9 98-109 (35-46)

Title: Arabia: relations with Ibn Sa'ud; Hijaz-Najd boundary dispute, Dates: Jan-Oct 1920 File number:L/P&S/10/391 File 2182/1913 Pt 11-12 558ff Scope and contents: includes: Philby mission; diary of mission to Hasa by H.R.P.Dickson, Political Agent Bahrain, February 1920; British subsidy to Ibn Sa'ud

10 109-121 (46-58)

Title: German War: Red Sea and Arabia, Dates: Sep 1914-Jul 1915 File number:L/P&S/10/558 File 3086/1915 Pt 1 181ff Scope and contents: includes: protection of Holy Places; Turkish relations with Idrisi Imam of Asir and Imam of Yemen; British negotiations with Idrisi; measures for policing Red Sea

11 121-124 (58-61)

Title: German War: Arabia; Turkish military activities in southern Arabia; supply of arms to Idrisi; Idrisi relations with Italy.

11 124-129 (61-66)


Dates: Jan-Oct 1915 File number:L/P&S/10/559 File 3086/1915 Pt 2 231ff

Title: Arabia: Red Sea policy; occupation of Red Sea islands, Dates: Jan 1915-Nov 1917 File number:L/P&S/10/560 File 3086/1915 Pt 3-4 413ff Scope and contents: includes: negotiations with Imam and Idrisi; blockade of Red Sea coast; proposed British occupation of Kamaran, Farasan and other Red Sea islands; mineral prospecting licence on Farasan islands; report by Major D.G.L.Shaw on the occupation of Hanish, Zukur and Kamaran, June 1915, with sketch map of southern part of Red Sea; Italian activities

12 129-137 (66-74)

Title: Arabia: Red Sea trade during war, Dates: May 1915-Sep 1919 File number:L/P&S/10/561 File 3086/1915 Pt 5 468ff

13 137-147 (74-84)

Title: Arabia: Red Sea littoral situation; Farasan islands, Dates: May 1915-Jan 1919 File number:L/P&S/10/562 File 3086/1915 Pt 6-7 313ff Scope and contents: includes: British negotiations with Idrisi; British occupation of Farasan islands; Treaty with Idrisi, 30 April 1915 and Supplementary Agreement, 22 January 1917

14 147-154 (84-91)

BIS - 3: Arabia after the War : Territorial Consolidation; The Conquest of the Hijaz.


no.

Title: Arabia, Najd: Ibn Sa'ud's subsidy; policy and payment, Dates: Oct 1916-Apr 1922 File number:L/P&S/10/635 File 4931/1916 202ff

15 155-159 (1-5)

Title: Arabia: subsidies to Arab rulers; Ibn Sa'ud and the British government; subsidy negotiations with Ibn Sa'ud's envoy; Najd passports. Dates: Jan 1920-Apr 1925 File number:L/P&S/10/880 File 488/1920 Pt 1-2 282ff

15 159-165 (5-11)

Title: Arabia: visit to England of the son of the Shaikh of Kuwait, Ahmad b. Jabir Al Sabah, and the son of the Amir of Najd, Faysal b. 'Abd al-'Aziz, October 1919, and discussions relating to expenditure, Dates: Jul 1919-Feb 1924 File number:L/P&S/10/843 File 4006/1919 Pt 1 420ff

16 165-173 (11-19)

Title: Arabia: British relations with Ibn Rashid, Dates: Nov 1918-Sep 1920 File number:L/P&S/10/765 File 4929/1918 224ff Scope and contents: includes: Rashidi overtures to British government; question of subsidy; assassination of Sa'ud Ibn Rashid, 1920; Rashidi-Saudi relations

17 173-178 (19-24)

Title: Arabia: general situation; Hijaz-Najd relations, Dates: Sep 1920-Jun 1924 File number:L/P&S/10/936 File 7251/1920 Pt 1 398ff Scope and contents: includes: proposed meeting between King Husayn and Ibn Sa'ud; memorandum on 'Political situation in Nejd' by H.R.P.Dickson, August 1920; proposed conference of Arab rulers; Najd pilgrimage

17 178-186 (24-32)


Title: Arabia: Najd; question of channel of communication between British government and Ibn Sa'ud; control of British relations with Ibn Sa'ud and the Ruler of Kuwait; proposal for British representative in Najd and Saudi representative in London. Dates: Apr 1922-Apr 1929 File number:L/P&S/10/938 File 7251/1920 Pt 4 208ff

18 186-190 (32-36)

Title: Arabia: situation in 1924; Wahhabi attack on Hijaz; capture of Taif and defeat of Hijaz army; abdication of King Husayn, Dates: Aug-Dec 1924 File number:L/P&S/10/1124 File 3665/1924 Pt 1 430ff

18 190-199 (36-45)

Title: Arabia: Najd-Hijaz situation. Dates: Aug 1924-Dec 1926 File number:L/P&S/10/1125 File 3665/1924 Pt 2-4 319ff Scope and contents: Pt 2 : British policy of complete neutrality regarding the future of the Holy Cities; question of the recruitment of troops in the Aden Protectorate on behalf of the Amir 'Ali; recruitment of Palestinians for Hijaz army Pt 3 Wahhabi attack on Trans-Jordania; Hijaz-Transjordan boundary Pt 4 Attitude of Muslim world; Hijaz and Najd deputations to India

19 199-205 (45-51)

Title: Arabia: Najd-Hijaz situation; military hostilities, Dates: Nov 1924-Oct 1925 File number:L/P&S/10/1126 File 3665/1924 Pt 5 395ff

19 205-214 (51-60)

Title: Arabia: Najd-Hijaz situation, Dates: Aug 1925-Jan 1929 File number:L/P&S/10/1127 File 3665/1924 Pt 7-9 421ff Scope and contents: Pt 7 Fall of Medina; surrender of Jeddah; abdication of King 'Ali; desecration of shrines by the Wahhabis Pt 8 Egyptian mediation, October 1925 Pt 9 Wahhabi massacres at Taif, 1924; claims and compensation for British subjects for damages at Taif

20 214-222 (60-68)

Title: Arabia: international recognition of Ibn Sa'ud as King of the Hijaz; relations with British government; revision of Anglo-Saudi treaty; regional relations, Dates: Dec 1925-Dec 1927 File number:L/P&S/10/1165 File 87/1926 Pt 1-2 571ff

21 222-234 (68-80)

Title: Arabia: Ibn Sa'ud; Anglo-Saudi treaty negotiations, Dates: Nov 1926-Nov 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1166 File 87/1926 Pt 3-4 511ff

22 234-244 (80-90)

Title: Arabia: Najd; employment of British airmen by Ibn Sa'ud; Hijazi airforce, Dates: Jan 1926-Jun 1931 File number:L/P&S/10/1167 File 351/1926 697ff

23 244-259 (90-

105)

BIS - 4: Regional Relations and Boundaries : Kuwait, Iraq and Transjordan, 1920-1932.


no.

Title: Kuwait affairs: Kuwait-Najd boundary dispute; expenditure on protection of Kuwait from Ikhwan attacks. Dates: Aug 1920-Aug 1926 File number:L/P&S/10/925 File 6499/1920 Pt 1-2 175ff

24 260-263 (1-4)


Title: Arabia: Najd-Iraq and Najd-Kuwait boundaries; Muhammerah Agreement, May 1922, and 'Uqayr Protocols, December 1922 Dates: Jan 1922-Apr 1923 File number:L/P&S/10/937 File 7251/1920 Pt 2 180ff

24 263-267 (4-8)

Title: Arabia: Najd-Transjordan dispute; activities of Ibn Sa'ud's followers; proposed conference at Kuwait, Dates: Jan 1922-Dec 1923 File number:L/P&S/10/1033 File 450/1922 Pt 1 418ff Scope and contents: includes: 'Note on the Trans-Arabian Railway' by Major A.C.Griffin; Philby's activities at Jauf; claims to Jauf and Wadi Sirhan; organisation of conference at Kuwait

24 267-275 (8-16)

Title: Arabia: Najd-Transjordan dispute; Kuwait Conference; proceedings of conference; Ikhwan raids; correspondence with Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Dec 1923-Sep 1924 File number:L/P&S/10/1034 File 450/1922 Pt 2 471ff

25 275-285 (16-26)

Title: Arabia: Najd; negotiations with Ibn Sa'ud regarding Iraq-Najd question and Transjordan boundary; Sir Gilbert Clayton's mission, Dates: Apr 1925-Jul 1927 File number:L/P&S/10/1144 File 1166/1925 382ff Scope and contents: includes: 'Report by Sir Gilbert Clayton on his mission to negotiate certain agreements with the Sultan of Nejd', Colonial Office, February 1926; 'Agreements with the Sultan of Nejd regarding certain questions relating to the Nejd-Transjordan and the Nejd-Iraq frontiers [Hadda & Bahra Agreements], November 1925

26 285-293 (26-34)

Title: Iraq-Najd relations: frontier situation, Dates: Oct 1927-Jun 1928 File number:L/P&S/10/1234 File 57/1928 Pt 1 408ff

27 293-301 (34-42)

Title: Iraq-Najd relations: frontier situation, Dates: Jan-Dec 1928 File number:L/P&S/10/1235 File 57/1928 Pt 2 614ff

28 301-314 (42-55)

Title: Iraq-Najd relations: mission of Sir Gilbert Clayton to Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Mar-Jun 1928 File number:L/P&S/10/1236 File 57/1928 Pt 3 457ff

29 314-323 (55-64)

Title: Iraq-Najd relations: frontier situation; Clayton mission; interpretation of the 1922 'Uqayr protocol, Dates: May 1928-Oct 1929 File number:L/P&S/10/1237 File 57/1928 Pt 4-5 816ff Scope and contents: includes: 'Report by Sir Gilbert Clayton on his mission to the King of the Hejaz and of Najd and its Dependencies, for the purpose of negotiating a settlement of outstanding questions (April-June 1928)', Colonial Office, August 1928; and 'Report by Sir Gilbert Clayton on the resumption of his mission...(July-August 1928)', Colonial Office, January 1929

30 323-338 (64-79)

Title: Iraq-Najd relations: Kuwait situation; air and car reconnaissances, Dates: Dec 1927-May 1929 File number:L/P&S/10/1238 File 57/1928 Pt 6 548ff

31 338-349 (79-90)

Title: Iraq-Najd relations: frontier situation; Government of India printed correspondence; press reports; parliamentary questions, Dates: Dec 1927-Jun 1928 File number:L/P&S/10/1239 File 57/1928 Pt 7-8 168ff

31 349-353 (90-94)


Title: Iraq-Najd relations: discussions with Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Oct 1928-Feb 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1240 File 57/1928 Pt 9 738ff

32 353-368 (94-

109)

Title: Najd-Transjordan frontier; situation; tribal raiding, Dates: Oct 1928-Sep 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1241 File 57/1928 Pt 10 885ff Notes: [NB File 57/1928 Pt 11 relates to a different geographical area and subject and is not part of this series]

33-34 368-386 (109-

127)

Title: Iraq-Najd relations: Kuwait frontier situation, Dates: Mar 1929-Apr 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1243 File 57/1928 Pt 12 634ff

35 386-399 (127-

140)

Title: Iraq-Kuwait-Najd frontier, Dates: Jun 1929-Feb 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1244 File 57/1928 Pt 13 580ff

36 399-411 (140-

152)

Title: Najd and Kuwait: proposals for a comprehensive settlement between Ibn Sa'ud and the Shaikh of Kuwait, Dates: Oct 1929-Jun 1931 File number:L/P&S/10/1245 File 57/1928 Pt 14 392ff

37 411-419 (152-

160)

Title: Iraq-Najd-Kuwait situation: Ibn Sa'ud's measures against Ikhwan; negotiations, Dates: Nov 1929-Jul 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1246 File 57/1928 Pt 15 509ff

38 419-430 (160-

171)

Title: Iraq-Najd frontier: Bon Voisinage agreement between Iraq and Najd; procedures for dealing with frontier incidents, Dates: Jan-Dec 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1247 File 57/1928 Pt 16 923ff

39-40 430-449 (171-

190)

Title: Iraq-Najd relations: administration and operations in southern desert of Iraq, Dates: Jun 1928-Apr 1933 File number:L/P&S/10/1248 File 57/1928 Pt 17 36ff Notes: Confidential Scope and contents: includes: 'Report on the operations carried out in the Southern Desert in connection with the Iraq-Najd borders, June 1928-May 1929' Air Ministry, July 1929 with map of region between Basra and Hayl

#41 449 (190)

Title: Meeting between Ibn Sa'ud and King Faysal, February 1930; report by commander of cable ship Patrick Stewart on Ibn Sa'ud's voyage to and from the meeting; costs of the cable ship, Dates: Jan-Dec 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1248 File 57/1928 Pt 18 57ff

41 449-451 (190-

192)

Title: Najd-Transjordan frontier situation; raiding incidents and claims, Dates: Sep-Oct 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1249 File 57/1928 Pt 19 518ff

41 451-461 (192-

202)

Title: Najd-Transjordan frontier situation: raiding incidents and claims, Dates: Dec 1930-1932 File number:L/P&S/10/1310 File 42/1931 456ff Scope and contents: includes: 'Note by Captain J.B.Glubb on policy for the control of the Transjordan deserts', Nov 1920

42 461-471 (202-

212)


Title: British relations with Ibn Sa'ud; proposed meeting between Colonel H.V. Biscoe, Political Resident in the Gulf, and Ibn Sa'ud; Kuwait-Najd relations; Kuwait Intelligence Summaries, Dates: May 1929-Sep 1932 File number:L/P&S/12/2066 Coll 6/5 462ff

43 471-480 (212-

221)

Title: Najd-Transjordan frontier situation: raiding incidents; British communications with Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Jan 1931-Nov 1932 File number:L/P&S/12/2067 Coll 6/6 775ff

44-45 480-496 (221-

237)

BIS - 5: Regional Relations and Boundaries : Asir, Yemen and the Red Sea, 1919-1934.


no.

Title: Arabia: Idrisi; situation, Dates: Jan 1919-Aug 1926 File number:L/P&S/10/1089 File 1182/1923 368ff Scope and contents: includes: proposed aerodrome on Farasan islands; Idrisi claim to Qunfida; Idrisi relations with Imam of Yemen, King Husayn and Ibn Sa'ud; events in Asir; sketch map showing boundaries of Idrisi territory

46 497-504 (1-8)

Title: Red Sea: Farasan Islands; safeguarding against Italian encroachments; supply of arms to Idrisi and to Imam of Yemen; Farasan islands oil concession negotiations and Saudi mediation, Dates: Apr 1925-Sep 1928 File number:L/P&S/10/1174 File 714/1926 Pt 1 491ff

47 504-514 (8-18)

Title: Red Sea: British and Italian interests, Dates: Apr 1925-Nov 1930 File number:L/P&S/10/1175 File 714/1926 Pt 2-4 582ff Scope and contents: Pt 2 Anglo-Italian 'conversations', 1926-1927 Pt 3 attack by the Imam on Ibn Sa'ud and the Idrisi; the Saudi-Idrisi ('Mecca') Agreement, October 1926; Saudi-Yemen relations; map showing the limits of Saudi, Idrisi and Yemen rule, December 1926 Pt 4 Italian relations with the Iman of Yemen and Treaty between Italy and Yemen, September 1926

48 514-526 (18-30)

Title: Saudi-Yemen relations: assumption by Ibn Sa'ud of control of internal administration of Asir, Dates: Nov 1930-Oct 1933 File number:L/P&S/12/2064 Coll 6/4 Pt 1 545ff Scope and contents: includes:Treaty of Abu Arish, December 1931; recognition of new status of Asir; rebellion in Asir

49 526-537 (30-41)

Title: Saudi-Yemen relations: Asir situation; proposed Anglo-Italian discussions; outbreak of hostilities; sketch maps of frontier, Dates: Sep 1933-Apr 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2065 Coll 6/4 Pt 2 391ff

50 537-545 (41-49)

Title: Saudi-Yemen relations: Asir; progress of hostilities, Dates: Apr-May 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2125 Coll 6/58 446ff Scope and contents: includes: sketch map of of Persian Gulf and Arabia showing boundary lines

51 545-555 (49-59)


Title: Saudi-Yemen relations, Dates: May 1934-Jan 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2132 Coll 6/65 453ff Scope and contents: includes: peace negotiations and Treaty of Taif, May 1934; publication of Saudi Green Book on the Saudi-Yemen conflict, Apr 1934 also includes a few miscellaneous pages relating to Saudi-Yemen relations, Jan 1935-Jan 1938

52 555-560 (59-64)

Title: Saudi Arabia: oil concession negotiations in Asir and the Farasan islands, Dates: Jun 1933-Nov 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2127 Coll 6/60 20ff

52 560 (64)

BIS - 6: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : Government and Infrastructure.


no.

Title: Hijaz-Najd: internal affairs; administration and constitution, Dates: Aug 1928-Feb 1940 File number:L/P&S/12/2099 Coll 6/33 191ff Scope and contents: includes: regulations for the distribution and administration of charities, 1928; registration of companies, 1928; composition and functions of legislative council, 1928; reorganisation of administration of Hijaz, 1930; constitution of Hijaz, 1932; proclamation creating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, September 1932

53 561-563 (1-3)

Title: Hijaz-Najd affairs: financial and internal political situation, Dates: Mar 1928-Aug 1938 File number:L/P&S/12/2074 Coll 6/10 648ff Scope and contents: includes: conditions in the Hijaz; currency exchange crisis; banking arrangements; engagement of financial advisers; Saudi request for a British loan; Saudi relations with Russia; constitutional developments and ministerial appointments; economic survey of Saudi Arabia, 1936; military structure

53 563-576 (3-16)

Title: Saudi Arabian affairs: financial and internal situation, Dates: May 1939-Jan 1940 File number:L/P&S/12/2076 Coll 6/10 Pt 2 21ff Scope and contents: financial position of Saudi government; value of riyal

54 576 (16)

Title: Hijaz-Najd affairs: economic development in the Hijaz, Dates: Dec 1929-Aug 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2077 Coll 6/11 246ff Scope and contents: Employment of foreign experts; mining concessions; Saudi Arabian Mining Syndicate

54 576-579 (16-19)

Title: Hijaz railway: reconstruction, Dates: Jun 1931-Nov 1938 File number:L/P&S/12/2078 Coll 6/12 512ff

54 579-585 (19-25)

Title: Railways and communications: proposed Jeddah-Mecca railway; motor transport arrangments, Dates: Sep 1932-Nov 1939 File number:L/P&S/12/2116 Coll 6/49 105ff

54 585-586 (25-26)

Title: Hijaz-Najd: international sanitary arrangements; accession to International Sanitary Convention of 1907,

54 586-587 (26-27)


Dates: Jul 1930-Nov 1932 File number:L/P&S/12/2080 Coll 6/14 37ff

Title: Hijaz Air Force: recruitment and training, Dates: Mar 1931-Mar 1939 File number:L/P&S/12/1950 Coll 5/5 345ff

55 587-591 (27-31)

Title: Salutes in the Hijaz-Najd: British gun salutes for royal family and officials, Dates: Aug 1928-Apr 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2113 Coll 6/46 75ff

55 591-592 (31-32)

Title: Saudi Arabia: exemption of Saudi nationals from koshan tax, Dates: Jun 1937-May 1939 File number:L/P&S/12/2156 Coll 6/83 14ff

55 592 (32)

Title: Hijaz: procedure for deportations to and from, Dates: Jun 1931-May 1932 File number:L/P&S/12/2079 Coll 6/13 52ff

55 592-593 (32-33)

Title: Hijaz-Najd: ownership of property by foreigners, Dates: May 1930-May 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2101 Coll 6/35 125ff

55 593-594 (33-34)

Title: Migration of Hijazis into Transjordan, Dates: Aug 1931-Apr 1932 File number:L/P&S/12/2084 Coll 6/18 54ff

55 594-595 (34-35)

Title: Saudi Arabia: position and national status of British subjects and protected persons, Dates: Apr 1931-Feb 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2105 Coll 6/38 82ff

55 595-596 (35-36)

Title: Hijaz-Najd: personalities; biographical notes and Who's Who; changes in government appointments, Dates: May 1928-Nov 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2107 Coll 6/40 70ff

55 596-597 (36-37)

Title: Saudi Arabia: anti-Saudi activities of Sayyid Muhammad Tahir al-Dabbagh, Dates: Jun 1932-Jul 1936 File number:L/P&S/12/2119 Coll 6/52 158ff

56 597-599 (37-39)

Title: Saudi Arabia: Khalid ibn Hithlain: prevention of use of Bahrain and Kuwait as bases for anti-Saudi activities, Dates: Jul 1933-Jul 1936 File number:L/P&S/12/2123 Coll 6/56 29ff

56 599 (39)

Title: Saudi Arabia: alleged execution of the state prisoners handed over after Ikhwan rebellion (Naif ibn Hithlain, Sultan ibn Hamaid and Ibn Lami), Dates: Oct 1933-Nov 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2126 Coll 6/59 13ff

56 599 (39)

Title: Future of royal family: possible events on death of Ibn Sa'ud; succession plans; attack on King Ibn Sa'ud, 1935; Sep 1931-1949 File number:L/P&S/12/2082 Coll 6/16 211ff Scope and contents: Includes: Note by Captain G.S. de Gaury, Political Agent Kuwait, June 1937, on the Shammar tribe and the Ibn Rashid dynasty, with genealogical charts of the Rashid, Shammar and 'Anaza; note by de Gaury on the 'Anaza, August 1938

56 599-602 (39-42)


BIS - 7: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : International Relations.


no.

Title: Hijaz-Najd and Saudi Arabia: treaties and relations with France and Syria, Dates: Jan 1926-Dec 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2061 Coll 6/1 54ff Scope and contents: includes: proposed appointment of French representative in Najd; Saudi treaties with France and Syria, November 1931; Franco-Saudi relations

57 603 (1)

Title: Hijaz-Najd and Saudi Arabia: treaty and relations with Italy; attitude of Saudi government during Italo-Ethiopian dispute, Dates: Sep 1930-Aug 1938 File number:L/P&S/12/2062 Coll 6/2 180ff Scope and contents: includes: Treaties of Freindship and Commerce with Italy, February 1932; Italian recognition of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Italian representation in Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia and the Abyssinian crisis

57 603-605 (1-3)

Title: Hijaz-Najd and Saudi Arabia: relations with British Government, Dates: Sep 1927-Jan 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2087 Coll 6/21 Pt 1 449ff Scope and contents: includes: establishment of diplomatic relations with British Government; Hijaz Legation in London and British Minister in Jeddah; future of 1927 Treaty of Jeddah; Anglo-Saudi "Conversations", 1934; discussions relating to Blue Line,

58 605-615 (3-13)

Title: Saudi Arabia: relations with British Government; Hijaz Legation in London and British Minister in Jeddah; ratification and prolongation of treaty of Jeddah, Dates: Jan 1935-Nov 1943 File number:L/P&S/12/2088 Coll 6/21 Pt 2 375ff

58 615-619 (13-17)

Title: Channels of communication with Ibn Sa'ud; communication arrangements with the British Residency, Bushire, and British authorities other than the Government of India, Dates: Apr 1929-Jun 1931 File number:L/P&S/12/2109 Coll 6/42 90ff

59 619-620 (17-18)

Title: Saudi relations with Egypt, Dates: Jan 1926-Apr 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2092 Coll 6/25 125ff

59 620-622 (18-20)

Title: Saudi-Polish relations: Polish arms for Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Jun 1929-Apr 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2097 Coll 6/31 46ff

59 622 (20)

Title: Saudi-Turkish relations: Treaty of Friendship, 1929; appointment of Turkish representative at Jeddah, Dates: Oct 1926-Jan 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2098 Coll 6/32 44ff

59 622-623 (20-21)

Title: Saudi Arabia: relations with the Soviet, Dates: Jul 1932-Jun 1938 File number:L/P&S/12/2117 Coll 6/50 47ff

59 623-624 (21-22)


Title: Saudi Arabia: relations with USA, Dates: May 1931-Jan 1947 File number:L/P&S/12/2124 Coll 6/57 63ff

59 624 (22)

Title: Saudi Arabia: relations with Germany; 1929 Treaty of Friendship, Dec 1928-Nov 1941 File number:L/P&S/12/2143 Coll 6/70 86ff

59 624-625 (22-23)

Title: Saudi Arabia and Yemen: relations with Japan, Dates: May 1938-Mar 1941 File number:L/P&S/12/2159 Coll 6/86 25ff

59 625-626 (23-24)

BIS - 8: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : Oil, Boundaries and Regional Relations.


no.

Title: Revolt in northern Hijaz: Hijaz-Najd and Transjordan frontier situation; Hijaz relations with Egypt and Transjordan, Dates: May-Jul 1932 File number:L/P&S/12/2096 Coll 6/30 465ff

60 627-636 (1-10)

Title: Najd-Transjordan frontier affairs, Dates: Jul-Nov 1932 File number:L/P&S/12/2102 Coll 6/36 458ff

61 636-645 (10-19)

Title: Najd-Transjordan frontier affairs, Dates: Nov 1932-Apr 1933 File number:L/P&S/12/2103 Coll 6/36 492ff

62 645-655 (19-29)

Title: Najd-Transjordan frontier affairs; treaty negotiations and 1933 Saudi-Transjordan Treaty, Dates: Apr 1933-Mar 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2112 Coll 6/45 512ff

63 656-666 (30-40)

Title: Saudi Arabia: frontier with Transjordan; Saudi claims to Akaba and Maan, Dates: Apr 1934-Mar 1940 File number:L/P&S/12/2133 Coll 6/66 209ff

64 666-668 (40-42)

Title: Saudi Arabia: national and provincial boundaries, Dates: Feb-Dec 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2129 Coll 6/62 57ff and 2 maps Scope and contents: includes: "strictly confidential" map of Arabia showing national and provincial boundaries and map of Aden Protectorate showing tribes and boundaries in South-West Arabia

64 668-669 (42-43)

Title: Foreign Office memorandum, May 1935, on "The seven independent Arabian States", Dates: Dec 1935-Jan 1936 File number:L/P&S/12/2147 Coll 6/74 13ff

64 669-670 (43-44)

Title: Saudi Arabia: limit of territorial waters; Saudi regulations relating to Red Sea fishing; Saudi Coast Guard Administration, Dates: Sep 1932-Aug 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2121 Coll 6/54 53ff

64 670 (44)

Title: Saudi Arabia: relations with Yemen; delimitation of Saudi-Yemen frontier; sketch map of the frontier prepared by the British Legation Jeddah,

64 670 (44)


Dates: Nov 1934-Apr 1936 File number:L/P&S/12/2145 Coll 6/72 23ff

Title: Saudi Arabia: Red Sea oil concessions, Dates: Mar 1936-Jan 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2149 Coll 6/76 76ff

64 670-671 (44-45)

Title: Oil concessions in Saudi Arabia (Hasa), Dates: Dec 1923-Jul 1945 File number:L/P&S/12/2115 Coll 6/48 565ff Scope and contents: includes: Hasa Oil Concession Agreement, 1935; California Arabian Standard Oil Company road map of operations in Hasa; reconnaissance map of Arabian Gulf coastline

64 671-678 (45-52)

Title: South Eastern Arabia and Qatar boundaries: India Office memorandum on "The Southern Boundary of Qatar and connected problems", 1934; Middle East Committee discussions Jul 1933-Jun 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2130 Coll 6/63 372ff

65 678-686 (52-60)

Title: South Eastern boundaries in Arabia: Anglo-Turkish convention of 1913; attitude of USA, Feb-Jul 1934 with printed copies of Anglo-Turkish Convention respecting the Persian Gulf and adjacent territories, July 1913, and Anglo-Turkish Convention respecting the boundaries of Aden and of Ottoman territory in Southern Arabia, March 1914 File number:L/P&S/12/2131 Coll 6/64 90ff, maps

65 686-688 (60-62)

Title: Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar, Dates: Jun-Dec 1934 File number:L/P&S/12/2134 Coll 6/67 Pt 1 388ff

66 688-696 (62-70)

Title: Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar: Anglo-Saudi negotiations, Dates: Dec 1934-May 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2135 Coll 6/67 Pt 2 358ff

67 696-703 (70-77)

Title: Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar, Dates: Apr-Dec 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/2136 Coll 6/67 Pt 3 409ff Scope and contents: includes: reconnaissance map of Qatar Peninsula and aerial photographs, Secret, October 1935

68 703-711 (77-85)

Title: Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar, Dates: Oct 1935-Sep 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2137 Coll 6/67 Pt 4 409ff Scope and contents: includes: maps showing boundary lines and claims, approximate area of Murrah tribal dirah,

68 711-717 (85-91)

Title: Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar: Khaur al-'Udayd, Dates: Oct 1937-Aug 1939 File number:L/P&S/12/2138 Coll 6/67 Pt 5 320ff Scope and contents: with map showing claim lines

69 717-724 (91-98)

Title: Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar: oil concessions and operations, Dates: Feb 1942-Mar 1948 File number:L/P&S/12/2139 Coll 6/67 Pt 6 194ff Scope and contents:

69 724-728 (98-

102)


also includes: Foreign Office memoranda on "Ibn Sa'ud's claims in respect of the South Eastern frontiers of Saudi Arabia", April 1934, and "The South East Frontiers of Saudi Arabia", June 1940

Title: Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar: 3 maps: File number:L/P&S/12/2140 Coll 6/67 Scope and contents: Map of Arabia showing the boundaries of the Aden Protectorate Map showing provisional southern boundary of Qatar War Office map of the unsurveyed Qatar Peninsula, Secret, 1934

70 728-729 (102-

103)

Title: Qatar: protest by Ibn Sa'ud against grant of the Qatar oil concession; direct correspondence between the Shaikh of Qatar and Ibn Sa'ud, Dates: Aug 1935-Feb 1936 File number:L/P&S/12/3848 Coll 30/119 93ff

70 729-730 (103-

104)

Title: Oil concessions in South Eastern Arabia: Petroleum Concessions' interest in Rub' al-Khali and question of disputed boundary, Dates: Oct 1936-Mar 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2152 Coll 6/79 39ff

70 730 (104)

Title: South and South Western boundaries of Saudi Arabia: activities of H.St.J.B.Philby; Philby's journey to Shabwa, Dates: Nov 1936-Jan 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2153 Coll 6/80 69ff

70 730-731 (104-

105)

Title: Boundaries in Arabia: interpretation of Anglo-Italian Rome Understanding of 1927, Dates: Apr 1934-Nov 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/2158 Coll 6/85 37ff Scope and contents: includes: Foreign Office "Memorandum respecting the boundaries of Arabia: Anglo-Turkish arrangements", April 1934, with map

70 731 (105)

Title: Kuwait blockade by Ibn Sa'ud; Kuwait-Najd relations, Dates: Aug 1931-May 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/3732 Coll 30/21 558ff

70 731-743 (105-

117)

Title: Kuwait blockade by Ibn Saud; Kuwait-Najd relations, Dates: May 1935-Sep 1937 File number:L/P&S/12/3733 Coll 30/21 Pt 2 495ff

71 743-753 (117-

127)

Title: Kuwait blockade by Ibn Sa'ud; Kuwait-Najd relations; smuggling; Bon Voisinage and Extradition agreements Dates: Sep 1937-Apr 1940 File number:L/P&S/12/3734 Coll 30/21 Pt 3 513ff

72 753-759 (127-

133)

Title: Saudi-Kuwait frontier incidents, Dates: May-Nov 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/3841 Coll 30/112 72ff

72 759-760 (133-

134)

Title: Kuwait: survey of Neutral Zone; its status and history, Dates: Nov 1932-Mar 1935 File number:L/P&S/12/3748 Coll 30/35 87ff

72 760-761 (134-

135)

Title: Oil Concessions in Kuwait Neutral Zone, Dates: Apr 1933-Aug 1935 File number:L/P&S/10/1003 File 2794/1921 Pt 15 479ff Scope and contents: includes draft oil concession agreement and sketch map

73 761-771 (135-

145)


Title: Kuwait (Neutral Zone): oil concessions in Kuwait Neutral Zone and eastern Saudi Arabia; negotiations with Petroleum Concessions Limited, Dates: Oct 1935-Jan 1947 File number:L/P&S/12/3856 Coll 30/124 441ff

74 771-776 (145-

150)

Title: Relations between Ibn Sa'ud and Shaikh of Kuwait; visit of Ibn Sa'ud to Kuwait, 1936, and of Shaikh of Kuwait to Riyadh, 1940, Dates: Nov 1935-Mar 1948 File number:L/P&S/12/3861 Coll 30/127 82ff

74 776-777 (150-

151)

Title: Saudi relations with Bahrain and Qatar: visit of Ibn Sa'ud to Bahrain, 1939, and other visits between ruling families. Dates: Sep 1937-Oct 1941 File number:L/P&S/12/3884 Coll 30/149 59ff

74 777 (151)

Title: Attitude of Ibn Sa'ud towards Arab rulers in the Persian Gulf and Persian Gulf affairs. Dates: Dec 1938-May 1939 File number:L/P&S/12/3909 Coll 30/172 31ff

74 778 (152)

Documents

The Creation of Modern Saudi Arabia, c. 1914-1939