Page 417 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

ADMINISTRATION REPORT
OF THB
PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY
An
MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY
FOR THE YEAR
1886-87.

PAET I.—GENERAL SUMMARY.

1.—MUSCAT STATE.
Daring the first portion of the year under review, that is to say, until the end of October
1886, Lieutenant-Colonel S. B. Miles was in charge of the Persian Golf Political Residency,
and had the honoor in July of presenting His Highness the Sultan of Muscat with the
insignia of Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India. The impressive nature of the
ceremony, and its significance, were enhanced by the announcement made on the occasion, to
the effect that His Highness Seyyid Toorkee could rely on the support of the British Govern,
ment against unprovoked aggression during his own lifetime.
Lieutenant-Colonel E. Mockler, who held charge of the Muscat Political Agency daring
the first half of the official year, has furnished the summary of events in Oman which forms
the second part of this report.
2.—PIRATE COAST OF OMAN.
The following are the independent districts or townships of the so-called Pirate Coast of
Oman, with the ruling Chiefs who are parties to the maritime truce
(1) Ras-el-Kheimah.—Shaikh Hameyd-bin-AbduIlah, of the tribe El-Kowasim or
Jowasim.
(2) Umm-el-Kawain.—Shaikh. Ahmod-bin-AbdulIah, of the tribe Al-bu-Ali.
(3) Ajman.—Shaikh Kashid- bin- Ha me yd, of the tribe Al-bu-Ali.
(4) Shargah.—Shaikh Sakar-bin-KhaEd, of the tribe El-Kowasim.
(5) Debay.—Shaikh Rashid-bin-Mattum, of the tribe Al-bu-Fahsah.
(6) Abu-DhebbL—Shaikh Za'eed-hin-Khafifah, of the tribe Beni-Yas.
During the year the several Chiefs observed their engagements to the British Government
and no breach of the maritime truce occurred, but, as usual, petty disturbances, the result of
tribal jealousies, were not wanting on land.
In the winter of the previous year the townships of Bas-el-Kheimah, Ras-el-Kawain, and
Shargah were leagued against Debay, Ajman, and Himriyah, the latter township being originally,
and still nominally, a dependency of Shargah, hut now disavowing allegiance. On thejdefeat of
Shargah-by the latter coalition, the Chief of Shargah agreed to renounce the alliance of Umm-
el-Kawain and came to terms with his enemies. This trace, however, only affected Shargah,
and the hostility between Debay, Ajmau and Himriyah on the one side, and R&s-el-Khezznah
on the other, continued.
In April it was reported that Debay had incited the Shaikh of Kumiar, the people of
Bokha, and some of the tribe EJ-Shuhuh to annoy Rss-d-Kheimah, and that raids bad oocuned
in consequence. The ill-feeling so arising baa continued throughout the year and • is still
active.
Between Umm-eJ-Kawain and the rival neighbours, Ejman and Himriyah, petty qpd*
and forays were of frequent occurrence. An attempt made by Shaikh Za'eed-bin-Khalifah of
Abu-Dhebbi in April to effect peace by mediation, failed through the obstinacy of the Umm-
el-Kawain Chief.
In retaliation for a raid made by Hinrijyah in May, the Chief of Umm-el-Kawain
a sudden attack on the town of Himriyah, the greater part of the men of which place mo