This Script Certificate is the oldest security paper from the Ottoman Empire known up to now
Mavi Boncuk |

Before the construction of the Suez Canal, the British government tried to find a route towards India without having to circumvent all of Africa. Therefore, in 1836, they financed an expedition with the goal of finding out whether it was possible to let ships go from Syria to the Persian Gulf by way of the Euphrates. During the 1850ies the concept of a better railway connection came into focus. Simultaneously the growing power of Russia in this region was felt to be a threat to the British. During this time the plan matured for the Euphrates Valley Railway that was to create a connection between the Mediterranean and the Gulf. One idea was to build a railway line up to the Euphrates and then continue on the river by ship. However, there also existed plans for laying tracks along the entire distance. Then the German-Ottoman proposition to build the Baghdad line (which was constructed later-on) appeared on the table. The project found support on the Jewish side. According to the proposition, Jewish construction crews would be building the Euphrates river line from Palestine/Syria. On termination of the project, these crews should settle in the region and the land on both sides of the line in Mesopotamia could become Jewish territory. Given these uncertain perspectives and vague promises, it was surprising that a company was founded and shares were actually placed for the project.