Page 191 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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UTTOOBEES. 149

Date. Occurrences.

a. d. 1840 Mahomed bin Khaleefa, the young Chief of Bahrein, is
invited to assume authority over Lahsa and Kateef, but is
opposed in doing so by the elder chief. An open collision
between the two is with difficulty averted ; a hollow re­
conciliation takes place. Mahomed bin Khaleefa addresses
a letter to the British authorities, offering his services, and
soliciting assistance against his grand-uncle. He then
proceeds to the Guttur Coast, and commences a system
of annoyance and opposition to his superior.
1841 A piracy, committed in the previous year upon a Koweit
boat, is traced to a follower of Shaikh Moobaruk, the son
of Abdoolla bin Ahmed. The father is compelled to make
reparation, by the payment of the value of the property
plundered.
1842 An open rupture takes place between the parties,—the im­
mediate, but only ostensible, cause of contention being a
girl sought in marriage by a dependent on either side.
Mahomed bin Khaleefa is driven out of Munama (which
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town is given up to plunder by Abdoolla bin Ahmed to his
victorious followers, and property belonging to British
merchants shares the common fate), and flies to the main
land. He proceeds to Lahsa and Riaz, to solicit the aid of
the Wahabee ruler, Abdoolla bin Soneyan.
Abdoolla bin Ahmed, finding that the son and dependents of
Humood bin Omeree, a person most obnoxious to him, had
taken refuge in the British Agent’s house, demands and
obtains their surrender by means of threats of violence, ;
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when they are immediately cut to peices. The Agent’s
conduct throughout the affair is so irregular and condemn-
able, that he is dismissed. The Uttoobee Shaikh is not
without blame however. Abdoolla bin Ahmed proceeds to
Khor Hassan, which he also gives up to plunder.
Abdoolla bin Ahmed, not coming to terms with the Wahabee
ruler, in consequence of his refusing to release his staunch
adherent, Shafee, the head of the Huwajir Tribe, the latter
favours the cause of Mahomed bin Khaleefa.
Esai bin Tarif and Busheer bin Bahmah solicit and obtain
permission from the British Resident to espouse the cause
of Mahomed bin Khaleefa, and due intimation is given of
this coalition to Shaikh Abdoolla bin Ahmed.