Page 329 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

MUSK AT. 287

carrying trade of the Gulf, and the cultivation of the date tree, and of
grain, to the scanty extent to which the barren nature of their soil
admits. A few of their boats proceed annually to Zanzibar, and they
engage more or less extensively in the pearl fishery.
Of these Arab settlements on the Persian Coast, Lingah is by far the
most thriving and important. The advantages it possesses as a free
port, and the mild and equitable rule of its chief, lately deceased, have
attracted thither, during the past fifteen years, a large accession of
population, including many wealthy merchants, principally natives of
Bahrein, who have been driven from their homes by domestic troubles;
but its increasing magnitude and prosperity have of late attracted the
attention of the Persian authorities, and the measures taken by them to
extort additional tribute, if persisted in, may soon cause it to relapse
into its former insignificance.

MUSK AT.

I.—Syud Sueed bin Sultan bin Ahmed, Imaum of Muskat, succeeded
Name, Title, and Age of as Political Chief in 1807-03. His title of
Chief. Imaum, in its religious signification, not gene­
rally recognised by Arabs; age sixty-seven years, (a. d. 1854.)
II.—Zanzibar, in his African possessions ; has
Usual Place of Residence.
lately come to Muskat.
III. (A.)—Surviving sons :—Syud Soweynee ; of an Abyssinian mo­
Names and Ages of Le­ ther; age thirty-three years; vicegerent of the
gitimate Male Issue. Imaum in his Arabian possessions.
Syud Mahomed; of an Abyssinian mother; age twenty-six years;
residing at Muskat; Governor of the district of Sumail.
Syud Khalid; of a Georgian mother; age not known; residing at
Zanzibar.
Syud Burghash ; of an Abyssinian mother; age nine years ; has
accompanied his father to Muskat.
Syud Toorkee; of an Abyssinian mother; age eleven years; ditto
ditto.
Syud Soweynee has Salim, age fifteen years ; and issue up to this date
another son, six years of age.
Fysul bin Hilial, grandson of the Imaum, age twenty-four years.
III. fB.)—Syud Mahomed bin Salim bin Sultan, nephew of the
Relatives, and Principal Imaum, age fifty-three years; associated with
Persons of the Court.
Syud Soweynee in the government of the
Imaum’s Arabian possessions, and enjoys a considerable share of power.