Lorimer's Gazetteer was compiled by officials of the British Government in India during the decade after Lord Curzon's Vice-regal tour of the Gulf in 1903. When first issued in 1915 it was classified as Secret and for Official Use Only, and just a few dozen copies were printed for circulation to British Government departments and agencies.

The work was planned in two parts; the first comprising a history of the Gulf region, the second being a geographical dictionary, but grew to encompass all aspects of Gulf life, culture, cities, towns, tribes, and topography.

Lorimer was an official of the India Civil Service, who had spent most of his career on the North West Frontier, was placed on special duty to compile the Gulf handbook. It was intended to be completed in six months but due to Lorimer's dedication and extensive field trips, the work took some ten years to complete.

The present edition, printed from the India Office Records, makes available one of the most important primary sources for the study of the Gulf region from the seventeenth to the early twentieth century.

6 vols, 8vo, includes maps and genealogical tables, original red cloth gilt, top edge gilt, a fine set.