Political (External) Collection 20: Muscat

The Political (External) Collection 20: Muscat sub-series concerns British policy in Muscat, Oman, and the Muscat territory of Gwadar. It largely consists of copies, drafts, and originals of correspondence between the India Office, Government of India (External Affairs Department), Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, and the Political Agent in Muscat. Interdepartmental correspondence from the Foreign Office, Colonial Office, Treasury, Admiralty, Air Ministry, War Office, and Home Office also features prominently. Communications with other British political and diplomatic offices in the region are also present. Themes and subjects covered by the files include the following:. state finances and administration, including the employment of British advisers; development of the Muscat Levy Corps and the road network; relations with the Sultan, including treaty renewals and the question of subsidies; boundaries; trade; visits made by the Sultan to Europe, India, Japan, and the United States of America; oil exploration and concession agreements; coinage and stamps; jurisdiction over British subjects in Muscat; relations between Muscat and France, Italy, the USA, and Persia; the situation in the interior of Oman and the Sultan's relations with the tribes there; In addition to correspondence the sub-series includes minutes, reports, maps, and copies of political agreements and treaties. IOR/L/PS/12/2973B is missing and thus no catalogue description exists.

The Political (External) Collection 20: Muscat files are arranged by file and (where appropriate) part number, by which, for example, the former external reference Coll 20/14(3) is composed of the Political (External) Collection number 20, the file number 14, and the part number 3.

Unrestricted