Page 495 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY POR 1887-88. 27

In this year Assistant Surgeon Bogle was succeeded by Captain David Seton, of the Bom-
bny Army/ who was appointed to act undor the title df Resident at Muscat, and who assumed
charge of his duties towards the close of the year.
The expulsion from El Bahrein was a disappointment to Seyyid 8ultan, whose ardour tor
military enterprises appears to have been unquenchable, and who now resolved upon prosecut­
ing the Utloobeo war in earnest. Saif bin Ali was again despatched with a strong naval
force to the island, which, in part, he sucoeedod in re-occupying. But, though he made good his
footing, Saif could not entirely expel the enemy, and Seyyid Sultan, feeling his strength
unequal to their subjugation, supported as they were at this time by the Wahnabces, now
determined to call in the aid of Persia. With this object be despatched as envoy one 8haikh
Ali, by way of Congoon to the Prince Governor of Shiraz, with costly presents, to procure the
cooperation of that Ruler in a great expedition against the Uttoobees. Seyyid Saltan wrote
also to Shaikh Nasir, the Wali of Bushire, requesting him to use his influence with the prince
in obtaining the required assistance, and enclosing a blank sheet of paper with his (Saltan's) seal
on it, to be filled op with any conditions the Persians might impose in return for the military
assistance they were to give. Seyyid Sultan, however, did not wait for these re-inforcements,
but early in June 1802, having determined on conducting operations in person, 6et sail with
a formidable fleet of ships and bughlas for El Bahrein. Landing in force, he attacked the
Uttoobce8 vigorously but without gaining much success, until two months later, his appeal to
Shiraz having been favourably received, a body of 200 horse and 2,000 foot embarked at
Bushire to join him.
The result of the combined forces acting against the tribe was that the latter were com­
pelled to submit-and acknowledge the supremacy of'Oman; the aggressive attitude of the
Wahhabees at this time, and the consequent necessity of withdrawing a large portion of his
army for home defence, alone preventing Seyyid Sultan from prosecuting the war until he had
completely expelled the Uttoobees from the island. His navy, however, had the satisfaction
of so far destroying the Uttoobee war craft that by the end of October 1803 their piratical
depredations were entirely at .an end.
In May 1802 Captain Seton was compelled by ill health to return to Bombay on twelve
months’ leave, the Company's native broker being left in charge of affairs. Captain Seton
returned to Muscat, and resumed charge as Resident in June 18U3.
Though it was as much as he could do to protect his own country from the Wahhabees
Seyyid Sultan was too magnanimous to refuse an appeal which appears to have been made
about this time to him to aid in repelling the Nejdeans, who had invaded the Hejaz, and were
threatening the Holy Cities. Taking with him presents of money and munitions of war for
the Shereef, he embarked with Shaikh Mubena* El Yaareby and others on board one of his
ships in January 1803, and set sail for Jed da.
A small military contingent appears to have been also prepared and despatched to Jedda
at this time, but if so, it was not commanded by Seyyid Sultan, whose object in going himself
was to perform the pilgrimage at Mean, which he duly accomplished. The Regency appointed
to act during his absence was composed of his elder son, Salim, his relative Muhammad Nasir
El Jabri, and Muhammad Khalfan.
Soon after his departure, his nephew, Seyyid Bedr, who was then residing at Hibra, a
village near Nakhl, proceeded to Muscat with & few followers and concealed himself in the
home of Seyyid Majid, the brother of the Wali of the town, and endeavoared therefrom to
eedaoe the commandant of Fort Jelali from his allegiance. In this intrigue Seyyid Majid,
who was disaffected, lent his aid, bat the attempt failed, and Seyyid Bedr, having been
deuonneed, was barely able to effect his escape. Tradition relates that he was being smuggled
into Jelali in a large box, but was detected by one of the Hindu traders, who reported the matter
to Seyyid Salim.
At all events Bedr got clear off, and made his way, first to Ajmdn, from whence he pro.
ceeded to Zobura in Katar, and sought protection from the Wahhabees, whose tenets he adopted.
With their help he subsequently, on two occasions, made an attempt on Muscat, bat, failing
in this, he at length determined to moke & journey to Negd, where, in 1804, he had an interview
with the Amir Saood, who gladly received him.
Though the small force despatched to the Hejaz ooaid have done hut little to help in
stemming the tide of Wahhabee invasion, the knowledge of Seyyid Sultan’s act of hostility
and the presence of the 'Omanis in the ranks of his enemies so exasperated the Amir Abdol-
Azeez that op his return from the campaign he declared war against Muscat, and despatched
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