Page 32 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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the subjugation of the island, of which, under
varying fortunes, thoy have rotained possession
ever since.
Under the resolute rule of Syed Sultan, the
influence of Muscat had been steadily increasing,
and in 1799, at the instance of the Boglcrbog of 1799.
Fars, the Imam fitted out an expedition which
ended in the reduction of Bahrein and the
deportation of members of the leading families
to Muscat. Those who escaped were not slow
to make overtures to the Wahabces, and in 1801 1801.
by their aid recovered the island.
Tlio influence of Syed Sultan proved, indeed,
on his doath to have been no more than personal;
the ascendency in the Gulf Mas left with the
Wnhabees, and the Uttoobees, no less than the
other Chiefs of the Littoral, were for some years
completely under their control. In 1805, how­ 1805.
ever, they tired of their allegiance, and were also
disincliuod to share in the piratical schemes
which the Wahabees systematically encouraged.
Their Sheikhs accordingly inquired from the
British Resident in the Gulf whether if they
retired from the mainland, and withheld their
allegiance from the Wahabces, the British
Government M*ould supply them with a vessel or
two, so as to enable them to remain undisturbed
at Bahrein. The Resident recommended that
the request should be granted, but the Bombay
Government declined to interfere in the matter.
In 1815 the Imam of Muscat attacked the 1815.
island, but was repulsed with great loss. •
At this time the Uttoobees had so far deported
from their former policy as to encourage pirates
to resort to their ports, in order to dispose of
their plunder.
In 1820 General Kcir negotiated a Treaty with 1820.
the brother Chiefs Suliman and Abdulla, who
then ruled over the island, stipulating that every
possible discouragement should be given to
pirates, and admitting them to the benefit of the
general Treaty with the friendly Arabs, con­
cluded about the same time.
Id 1822 an Agreement was made by the 1822.
British Resident at Bushire with the Prince of
Shiraz, recognizing Bahrein as a dependency of
the Province of Pars. This Agreement was
entirely contrary to the views of the Govern­
ment at Bombay, and letters were written to the
Prince of Shiraz disavowing the Treaty in strong
terms and announcing the recall of Captain

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