Page 38 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

16
Part I.
which had remained unpunished. He proposed to Saduk Khan the desirability
of delivering over the Kaab ships to the Agency and placing the Bundorik and
other fleets at the disposal of Sheikh Nasir, in which case the English Resi­
dency would bo re-established at Bushiro. Saduk Khan could not of courso bo
expected to do anything of the sort against his principal ally in his present
campaign against Basrah.
60. In their letter, dated 22nd April 1775 (Selections No. OCX), the Agont
and Oounoil informed the Bombay Government that they left Basrah on 11th
April and on their passage down the rivor, their cruisers, were attacked by tho
Persian fleet consisting of 22 large gallivats and clows, their scheme being to
got the English cruisers between them and tho Kaab fleet, in which attempt
they did not succeed. No damage was suflered on either side. Sheikh Nasir
alleged that the attack on his fleet was made by tho English.
61. Matters were soon readjusted with Karim Khan by tho re-establish­
ment of tho factory at Bushiro. Basrah though ably defended by the Turks with
tho assistance of Arab tribes especially the Monfcefik tribe, was compelled to
surrender to the Persians in 1776. The placo was abandoned hv the Persians
on tho death of Karim Khan in 1779. The Kaab Arabs were left alone.
62. Our rocords are then silent about the Kaab until the year 1791, when wo
TurAriiA Arabia Pr/cir, Nos. 1GIG-181G, paragraph arc informed of tll6 destruction Of a portion
165* of the Kaab fleet by the Turks, and of an
attempt made by the Kaab to erect forts on tho Basrah river with a view to
intercept Turkish vessels. An engagomeut then took place between the Kaab
and Turkish forces, in which either side gained no advantage and the Kaab
retired to Dorak.
63. From Major Rawlinson's memorandum (appendix A), it appears that
IlieKaab Arabs after the events of 1775-79 constantly encroached on Turkish
territory. Thus Sheikh Barakat (1770-82) seized from its Turkish proprietors
the district of Bujidi between Tamar, and Hafar and bestowed it upon tho
Eaioi Arabs into which tribe ho had married. His son Ghathban (1782*92)
took possession of tho entire left bank of the Sbat-el-Arab and even colonized
the right bank with his people. He subsequently withdrew the colonists from
tbe right bank and his successor Gbais (gbeyth 1812*28) restored the ancient
limits of Kaab territory as they were during Sheikh Saloman’s time retaining
only the district of Tamar higher up the Shat-el-Arab, but he also built a fort
on either side of the Hafar and entrusted its defence to his confidential
servant Meerdow, belonging to the Muhesiu tribe whose son Haji Jabir raised it
into a place of commercial importance.
64. This rising importance of Mohammerah as a rival of Basrah excited
the jealousy of tbe Turks, and they* de­
• Volunio 792 of 1837-38, page 139.
Ltyard's Early Adventurer, page G4. termined to destroy the towu. Accor­
Curzou’e Ptrria, Vol. II, page* 32, 325 and 339.
dingly Ali Pasha attacked and captured
it with a large force consisting mostly of Arabs in 1837. After plunder­
ing tho placo and destroying its houses and huts, the Turkish forces, return­
ed to Basrah. The Muhesiu Arabs, as wo shall sco below, soon after cleared
the way for the Persians into the town of Mohammerah. The Sheikh of
Mohammerah (Jabir) then openly declared himself a subject of Persia and was
honored with the title of Governor by tho Shah.
55. In his despatch No. 32, dated the 22nd October 1841, to tho
address of tho Seci’ct Committee, Colonel
Volnmo 1013 of 1839-41.
Taylor (Resident at Baghdad) reported :
u Information in the city is current that Persian troops commanded by the Moat cm ad.
Governor of Shuster, are again marching against the Sheikh oE Chaab to take possession or
that country, in which the disputed division of Mohammerah in situated/'
As a result of this expedition fShcikh Tharaer was displaced by the Moate-
t An interesting acconntof tl.i. edition i. given W>d WHS Called upon to pay UlCt WnM
io Chapter* XII and XIII of Lojard’e Early Ad- of 1'QVCnUC duC On tll6 Persian UlSiri
venturer. farmed out to himself and his ancestors*
Thauicr in response abandoned his capital Pollahieh, inundated tbe country an