Page 11 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

BUSIIIRE RESIDENCY FOR 1873-74. 3

At Shiraz there is a Native Agent, who is placed under the orders of
Iler Majesty's Minister at the Court of Persia. This Agent being also
under the Government of India receives instructions on some occasions
from the Resident in the Persian Gulf.
Independent Arab Chief donut.—The following are the petty Chief-
doms as you go from the entrance to the Persian Gulf, following the
Arabian Coast to El Kutr (Guttur):—
1. Ras-cl Kheimah—Chief, Ilamcyd bin Abdoollah bin Sultan;
tribe El Kowasim, or El Joasim.

2. Umm-el-Keiweyn (vulg. Amulgavine)—Chief, Ahmed bin
Abdoollah; tribe Al-boo Ali.
3. Ejman—Chief, Rashid bin Hameyd A1 biD Ali.

4. Shark ah or Shargah—Chief, Salim bin Sultan bin Suggur
(Sakar); tribe El Kowasim or Joasim.
5. Debay—Chief, Ilashar bin Muktoom of the Al-boo Fclasali, a
branch of the Beni Yas.
G. Aboo-Dhebbee (Aboothabcc)—Chief, Zaecd bin Khalcefali;
tribe Beni Yas.

The above are what arc termed the trucial Chiefdoms of Oman,
meaning that they have engaged to the British Government to keep
peace by sea.
The small seaport of Ilimrceyab may be mentioned. It is con­
sidered a dependency of Shargah, but latterly has revolted and joined
Umm-el-Keiweyn. Its Chief is Seif bin Abdool Rahman.
The principal duty of the Native Agent on this coast next to
protection of British subjects and property is to prevent irregularities
on the sea in breach of Treaty arrangements, and to report when such
occurrences take place.
During the past year but few cases of irregularities were brought
to notice, and as regards their relations to the British Government, the
conduct of the Chiefs has been on the whole satisfactory.
Certain statements were made by the Native Agent regarding the
Chief of Debay allowing slave traffic at his port, and these reports were
alluded to in the last Annual Report. On further enquiry I found that
the accusations were by no means substantiated.

Disturbances on land.—The Arab Chieftains and their followers
being restrained from indulging their pugnacious proclivities on the sea,
they found vent for their feelings by engaging in eternal squabbles on
land.
In the early part of the period under notice the Chiefs of Umm-el-
Keiweyn (Amulgavine) and Shargah were at war, subsequently the Chief
of Ejman joined Shargah and Himreeyah joined the opposite party.
The Chief of Aboo-Dhebbee next engaged in hostilities against Shargah
and made a night raid on that town.