Page 34 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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dmwnl of the Egyptian army from Nejd made
any further negotiations on this subject un­
necessary.
Tho dissensions amongst the various members
of the ruling family of Bahrein had by this time
reached such a pitch as to give tho greatest
cause of anxiety for tho safety of the Gulf.
Khalifa died in 1834, and was succeeded by his
son, Mahomed. Botweon the latter and his great-
uncle, Sheikh Abdulla, thero had always been
jealousy, and in a short timo civil war broke out,
and finally led to the discomfiture of Abdulla
and his expulsion from tho island.
In 1845 the British Government exerted their 1845.
influence 'at Bahrein, when they objected to
tho interference of Persia, and ordered the
exiled Sheikh Abdulla to abstain from disturbing
tho peace of the Gulf.
In 18-17 the ruling Sheikh, Mahomed-bin- 1817.
Khalifa, offered allegiance to Great Britain,
which, however, was refused, though he was
assured of the continuance of tho good-will and
friendship of the British Government.
In 3848 Abdulla died, but the feud with the 1848.
Khalifa family was vigorously mointained by
his son, Mahomod-bin-Abdulla; and the history
of the period which intervened up to tho timo
(1859) that the latter was declared n public 1859.
enemy and confined by the Government of India
in tho fort of Assurghur, resembles in every
essential the history of preceding days. Piratical
outrages were frequent; tho Resident's advice
was asked only to be disregarded; agreements
were brokeu as soon as made ; trade languished;
the common people were oppressed; the Walia-
bees, egged on by a restless ambition, aided and
abetted Mahoraed-bin-Abdulla; and, finally,
when a descent on Bahrein was imminent, the
British Government were compelled to expel the
rival Sheikh from his asylum at Domaum.
Shortly afterwards the ruling Sheikh, on being
remonstrated with on account of certain lawless
acts, declared his allegiance first to Persia, and
afterwards to Turkey. He was compelled by the
British Resident to raise tho blockade of the
Wahabee ports which he had instituted, and, in
1861, a “ Perpetual Treaty of Peace and Friend­ 18(51.
ship” was concluded with him. By this the
engagements entered into in 1820 were declared
to bo valid and in |force, the Chief as “ Inde­
pendent Ruler of Bahrein ” bound himself to