Charles Belgrave facts for kids

Sir Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (born December 9, 1894 – died February 28, 1969) was a British advisor who worked for the rulers of Bahrain from 1926 to 1957. He was known as the "Chief Administrator" or "Advisor" and helped modernize the country. He first served under Shaikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa and later under Hamad's son, Shaikh Salman.

Early Life and Adventures

Charles Belgrave went to Bedford School and Lincoln College at the University of Oxford. During World War I, he was part of the Imperial Camel Corps, serving in places like Sudan, Egypt, and Palestine. In 1915, he joined the Darfur Expedition and received a special medal for his service.

After the war, he helped the Egyptian Government manage areas near the border, including the Siwa Oasis. From 1924 to 1925, he worked as an administrative officer in Tanganyika Territory (which is now part of Tanzania).

Interestingly, Belgrave's great-grandfather was Admiral James Richard Dacres, who commanded a ship called HMS Guerriere in 1812.

Becoming Bahrain's Advisor

In the early 1920s, the British in Bahrain wanted to make sure the island was politically stable. In 1923, the elderly ruler, Shaikh Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa, was encouraged to let his son, Shaikh Hamad, take over. This led to many changes in how the country was run.

It became clear that Bahrain needed a permanent advisor to help with these changes and ensure stable leadership. Shaikh Hamad agreed to hire a personal advisor who would work directly for him, not for the British government. This advisor would help him modernize Bahrain.

The job was advertised in The Times newspaper in August 1925. Charles Belgrave was chosen for the role, with a salary of £720 a year. He had experience from his time with the Imperial Camel Corps and his work in Tanganyika. He quickly improved his Arabic language skills in London before arriving in Bahrain in March 1926. He stayed there for 31 years, until 1957.

In Bahrain, people often called him Al Mustashar (Arabic: المستشار), which means "the Advisor." To his family and friends, he was known as "Carol."

Big Changes in Bahrain

Charles Belgrave achieved many important things in Bahrain. He helped set up a system of civil and criminal courts, making sure justice was fair. He also created a well-trained police service to keep people safe.

He was a strong supporter of education, making sure schools were available to many children. He also helped establish local city governments. Belgrave was very keen on finding oil in Bahrain, and his efforts helped Bahrain become the first Gulf state to discover oil in 1932. This discovery brought a lot of wealth to the country.

Belgrave also understood the importance of trade. He was the main person behind building the 'Bab Al Bahrain' (Gateway to Bahrain), a famous structure at the entrance to the market area near the old boat docks. People often saw Belgrave riding his horse, wearing a topee hat, and visiting markets. He liked to talk to Bahrainis to understand their ideas and hopes. His old office, called the 'Advisory', is still used today as the home of Bahrain's courts and justice system.

Challenges in the 1950s

In March 1956, many people in Bahrain went on strike. They wanted Belgrave to leave the country. During these protests, which included thousands of people, there were some disagreements and disturbances.

A few days before these events, the car of the British foreign secretary, Selwyn Lloyd, was hit with objects, and people shouted "Down with Belgrave!" British citizens were advised to stay indoors for safety.

As a result of these protests, Belgrave's powers were significantly reduced. Although Shaikh Salman did not completely remove him, he did allow the creation of the first official political group, the National Union Committee. This was a step towards more democratic elections in Bahrain. Some believed these protests were encouraged by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the leader of Egypt at the time.

Leaving Bahrain

After serving as Bahrain's economic advisor for thirty years, Charles Belgrave left the country in December 1956, about six months after his powers were reduced.

One of the most important long-term benefits to Bahrain during Belgrave's time was the establishment of schools for girls by his wife, Marjorie Belgrave. This was a big step forward, though it did cause some discussion with people who preferred older traditions.

See also

• History of Bahrain
• Ahmed Al-Fateh
• National Union Committee