Page 269 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

230 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [cil.

hamlets, are included in the estimate. Sohar
is an ancient town : from its ports the
Arabian ships formerly took their departure
for China. I find mention made of it in

several early authors. To the Portugueze,
under the name of Soar, it was well known.
In 1829, during the minority of Ahmed Ibn

Aisan, the present Sheikh of this town, the
Imdm possessed himself of the government of
his district, and, as it is generally thought,

intended to retain it, but his design was de­
feated by the young Sheikh, who, by stra­
tagem, obtained possession of the fort, and

has since successfully held it against several
attempts of the Im&m to dislodge him.
Peace has been subsequently declared be­

tween them; but as the territories of this
chief are prolonged in a narrow strip, in a
south-east direction, from Sohar to Rostak,

through the very heart of the Imam's domi­
nions, Seyyid S’aid, it is thought, still views
him with a jealous eye, and would seize with

avidity any opportunity which might present
itself to dispossess him. The government of
this district is mild and regular, and similar

in its elements to that of Maskat; but the