Page 45 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter I- 23
83. The Persian Government had intonded to occupy the island by
force, but this was abandoned (telegram
Secrot, August. 1878, Noi. S3—G7.
from Government of India to Secretary of
Slato, dated 5th August 1878).
81. In 18S1, Iho Mutesserif of Basrah sent a demand upon the Chief of
A. Pol. E., February 1881, Nob. 280*287. Mohammcrah for tho evacuation of the
May 1881, Nos. 305-307. island of Shallah, saying that it belonged
noithcr to Nasir Pasha nor to tho Persians, but was tho property of the Turkish
Government and that the latter wished to cultivate it. The island had been at
this time occupied by subjects of tho Sheikh of Mohammcrah aud planted with
date trees which bore fruit. Mr. Plowdcn reported that from a report of Mr.
ltobortson it appeared that the island had been in Persian occupation since
1877 (No. B3, dated 23rd January 1881). Thcro were found in 188'1 mud huts,
but no other buildings.

(vi) Wahabi incursions into Turkish Arabia and Turkish Expeditions agaiust the
Wahabis, 1897-1801.
85. Turkish Arabia was at the close of tho 18th century threatened by a
now danger, tho predatory incursions of
Turkish Arabia, Trie is 1G46-1S46, porn graphs
180 nnd 184. the Wahabi Arabs, which writes on 2ith
Qutl.(d'fd'*ini,lrat!on RePort> is70-so, (ifemoir May 17‘J8 Mr. Manesty, the East India
JUixtory of ih« Wahnby,\n Amiia an.! in India Company’s Agent at Basrah, extended
Journal, Bo. Branch, Royal A.iutic Society, Volume even (.0 tllO banks Of tllO Euphrates and
the vicinity of llilla, within 50 miles of
Baghdad, so that alarm was felt for the safety of tho cities of Baghdad and
Basrah.
S5-A. Orders were then repeatedly sent by tho Porte to Soliman Pasha, Vali
of Baghdad, to send an expedition into Ncjd nnd chastise the Wahabis. An
irregular force of Arabs having been first tried, and having failed, tho Pasha
in 1798 despatched his “ Kaliiya ” or Secretary, Ali, in command of an expedi­
tionary force of 5,000 Turkish infantry and artillery, with a contingent of about
10,000 Arab irregulars collected from the Montefik, Whafir, and other tribes
under Ibrahim Tliakib. Ali Pasha having penetrated to Hasa with his force,
reduced that province, with the exception of tho fort of Suhud of Mubarrik and
the citadel (Kut) of Iloffuf, which held out against him for upwards of two
months, aftor which lime, by advice of his Arab colleagues, tho Turkish Com­
mander abandoned the siege and rolurned with his force northwards. Saud-bin-
Mahomed intercepted tho retreat of the Turkish Army, and took up a position
at the walls of Taj. A battle was imminent, hut was averted by the mediation
of tho Arab Sheikhs. Ali Pasha continued his retreat to Basrah, and Saud
marched into Hasa, where he punished thoso who had submitted to the Turks,
and rewarded the garrisons of Sahud and Kut. The plantations of all others
wore confiscated, and Sulciman-bin-Majid placed as Governor of Hasa. This
affair contributed much to the extension and stability of the Walmbi power,
and offers of submission came from all sides; the Amir, nevertheless, thought
it prudent to endeavour to conciliate the Turkish Wali, by amicable overtures
and the despatch of valuable presents of horses, etc., to Baghdad.
86. In 1801 tho Wahabi’s Amir marched with 20,000 men to Korhella
and entering the town in 20th April, on which day a large number of pilgrims
had gathered for the annual festival, put to the sword every male member,
destroyed the tomb of Hussein and carried away immense booty. The
combined motives of puritauism of the Wahabi sect aud hope of rich booty
would account porhaps for this aweful massacro and pluudcr of property
of an innocent people.
87. Besides the above mentioned expedition of the Turks, which marched
to Hasa, another ono was despatched towards Deriah, the Wahabi capital,
and reached the well Cheleihi, distant about ono day’s journey from Koweit.
This expedition was commanded by the Montefik Sheikh Thoenv, who led
besides Ins own people and several Bedouin tribes and the Turkish troops.
Whilst, however, Tliocny was encamped at tho well mentioned, he was murdered,