Page 30 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PEBSIAN GULF POLITICAL
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ft ft. British r.r-liii.. b. b..«rf «. ft. M ft ft. ft EM-
v. • ftll Beinn- too lato for that affair, he moved across to Shmas, which he reached just after
its fall For threo days the small British force awaited the Wahabec onslaught, but Mutlak
declined an en-a-ement until Colonel Smith had embarked his troops, when he immediately
attacked the ’Omdnis, and with such vigour that he completely routed them. On the depar­
ture of tbo British, Sa’ecd remained atSobar, which Mutlak, after pillaging the country around
and massacring the inhabitants in revenge for the attack on Shin as, began to invest. Sa’eed
attempted negociations but failed; he was, nevertheless, soon able to compel Mutlak to raise the
siege, and the latter then proceeded with Mohammed Nasir to Scmail, which very shortly sur­
rendered to him. Sa’ccd, returning to Muscat, strengthened the forts in the Batineh still
remaining to him, but the Wahabees were expecting reinforcements and were indeed already
masters of the position. In these straits he was strongly advised by the French Consul, M.
Dallons, to compromise with Mutlak, but, trusting in eventual aid from Bombay, Sa’eed declined
this advice. The Wohabces now raided ’Oman and harried the inhabitants at will, but Mutlak
had evidently found their subjugation a tougher task than he Lad anticipated. On the other
hand, Sa’eed’s endeavours to rid the country of its foes were unavailing; his utmost efforts
were on ly equal to maintaining his own independence. He was unable either to assume the
offensive against the invaders or to contend with them in the field, and when, in April of the
following year 1811, Sa’eed, after repulsing Mutlak from the walls of Muscat, ventured to give
him battle in the Ma’Awal valley, he suffered a disastrous defeat. On several occasions Sa’eed
6cnt appealing letters and envoys to the Bombay Government praying for armed intervention
and support against his enemies, representing that his alliance with the British in the late
cam paign had incensed the Wahabecs against him and made them implacable in their enmity.
The request, however, was not complied with, as Government considered it impolitic to offend
the Wahabces or to undertake hostilities against them. Sa’eed then turned his attention to
Persia. It was arranged that his brother Salim should proceed to Fars and request aid from
the Governor-General of that Province. Provided with suitable presents, Salim accordingly
made his way to Shiraz, where the influence of Pishkush procured him the promised assistance
of 1,500 men. Accompanied by this auxiliary force under the command of Saadi Khan, Salim
returned to Muscat early in 181*2, and operations were at once renewed against the Wahabees.
In the meantime Sa’eed, taking advantage of the Egyptian successes over the Wahabees in
Western Arabia, which had compelled the latter to concentrate their forces, despatched his
cousin, Hilal-bin-Hamad, against Zobara, and El Bahrein. The expedition was partially sne-
cessful, and the Wahabee agent, Ahdulla-bin-Ufeysan taken prisoner, but no advantage resulted
to Sa’eed. The operations undertaken against the Wahabees on the arrival of the Persian con­
tingent were conducted by Salim, who, iu conjunction with Azzan-bin-Kais and Saadi Khan,
marched against the Wahabees at Nakhl and obliged them to retire to Zikki; Seraail also fell;
but unadvisedly pursuing their successes too far, Salim and his Persians were completely routed
by Mntlak at Zikki and driven back to Barka. Mutlak took his revenge by raiding and
devastating the Sbarkiyeh as far as Ras-el-Had, leaving a bloody track behind him. In the
following year Sa eed made preparations for a second expedition against Rfa-el-Khaimah for the
purpose of reinstating the Kowasim Shaikh, Sultan-bin-Sakar. This Chief had been carried
pnsouer to Nejd in 1809, but, subsequently escaping to Jeddah, had been entrusted with a
mission to Sa’eed by Mohammed Ali of Egypt, soliciting his aid against the Wahabee Amir.
Sa eed, flattered by this notice, had written to Toossoon Pasha, promising co-operation, and a
small fleet had been despatched with Shaikh Sultan to Ras-el-Khaimah, but had returned
unsuccessful. Mr. Bruce, the British Resident in the Gulf, who had arrived at Muscat at this
time to make arrangements for the appointment of a Native Agent, was desired by Sa’ced to
accompany him to the pirate coast, to lend his countenance to the operations. Mr. Brace,
Living instructions from Government to renew certain treaties with the Arab Chiefs, complied,
but the operation failed, and Sa'ecd returned defeated to Muscat. This espousal of Sultin'e
quarrel and consequent operations against the Wahabec nominee at Ras-el-Khaimah naturally
pve fresh cause of offence at El Dcreyheh, and Mutlak. who had for some time suspended
hostilities and been residing at Bereymce, received orders to move against Muscat. He accord­
ing!/ gathered his forces, quitted Bereymee, and marched along the Batineh as far ns Mesnaab.
Azzan-bm-Kais made terms with him en route, and Sa’ccd, unable to offer opposition, arranged
a personal intorviow and induced him to retire by the payment of forty thousand dollars.
With this amount Mutlak returned to Nejd, where his action in abandoning the campaign would
appear to have been disapproved by the Amir. Auother General, named El Azdukah, wai.