Page 630 - PERSIAN 1 1873_1879 Admin Report1_Neat

JU ADMINISTRATION REPORT op THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

PART III.

ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE POLITICAL AGENCY,
MUSK AT, FOR THE YEAR 1878-79.

The last official year opened favourably. Tranquillity prevailed
Politic.!. generally over all ’Oman and ltoj.es were
entertained by many that the year would
pass quietly. The position and tenure of power of His Highness Seyyid-
Toorkee had been undoubtedly strengthened by the collapse of the re­
bellion in the preceding year and the repulse of the attack on Muskat,
while their discomfiture had as certainly diminished the influence and
prestige of Sheykh Saleh-bin-Ali and the other rebel leaders. The dis­
affected and turbulent tribes of El Sharkiyeh had also been taught a
lesson which it was hoped would not be lost on them.
2. At this time Scyyid Abdool Azeez was in Jaalan residing with
the Beni Boo Ilassan tribe, and though unceasing in his exertions to
enlist a party in his favour his prospects of doing so were believed to be
not very brilliant. No signs of movement among the tribes were
observed until the month of June when the Sultan received information
that Sheykh Saleh in the name of Seyyid Ibrahira-bin-Eais had succeed­
ed in forming a fresh coalition of the tribes and would shortly march
on Muskat. This news produced an immediate panic in the town and
many of the inhabitants withdrew to the Batinch and other places for
security. No tidings arrived, however, of the invaders' approach, and
after some time it was reported that dissensions and affrays had occurred
among them and that the coalition had corne to a premature end. This
was in the beginning of July, and the Sultan felt so confident in the
dispersion of his enemies that he left Muskat and proceeded to Burka,
where his son was lying ill. Her Majesty's ship Arab which had re­
mained for the protection of Muskat also left for Kurrachee to give
leave to her men.
a 3. Hardly a week had elapsed before disturbing rumours again pre­
vailed in the town, and it was now said that Seyyid Abdool Azeez, having
succeeded in collecting a following, had quitted El Sharkiyeh and reached
Semed, expecting to gather further adherents on his way down. At the
request of His Highness Scyyid Toorkee, who had in the meantime re­
turned to Muskat, the Political Agent wrote to Abdool Azeez counseling
him to desist from hostilities against his brother and return to allegiance.
This advice Seyyid Abdool Azeez did not think proper to accept, but
continued his march to Scmail, where he arrived on the 34-th July. Here
be was opposed by a Ghafliree force assembled by the Governor, Nasir-
bin-Mohammed, which was 6oon supported by a strong reinforcement
seut up by Seyyid Toorkee, under his son Fcysal, and Abdool Azeez, who
ha<l only about 400 men with him, found himself greatly outnumbered
and his further advance effectively checked. Notwithstanding this
favourable state of affairs and the improbability of Abdool Azeez forcing
his way through unices joined by Saleh-bin-Ali or some powerful Sheykb,
his operations caused the greatest consternation in Muskat. The suburbs
ouUidc the walls were completely deserted and most of the families

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