Page 171 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883

residency and MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1880-81. 3

PART I.

GENERAL REPORT.
Classification—
1. The 'Oman or Muscat Slate.
2. Pirate Coast.
3. Islands of Bahrain.
4. Nejd, El-IIasa, and El-Katr.
5. Southern Persia aud Persian Beloocbiston.
C. Bassidore.
1.—’OmIn.
The Political Agent’s general report on the affairs of the Sultanate
of ’Oman or Muscat forms Part II, and his report on the trade Part III.
Another year passed without risings or rebellions may be regarded
as satisfactory.
The account of the tribes of ’Oman, furnished by Lieutenant-Colo-
ml Miles, and attached as Appendix A to Part II, is a paper of great
Im manent interest and value.
2.—Pirate Coast.
The recognized independent chiefdoms situated on this part of the
coast of ’Oman are six in number, viz. :—
1. Ras-el-Khaimah, Chief Ilamevd-hin-Abdullah, Jowjisimee.
2. Umm-el-Kawain, Chief Ahmed-bin-Abdullah, Al-bu-Ali.
3. ’Ajman, Chief Rashid-bin-IIameyd, Al-bu-.\li.
4. Sharkah or Shargah, Chief Salim-bin-SulUin, Jowiisimee.
5. Debaye, Chief Hashar-bin-Maktoom, Al-bu-Falasah.
6. Abu-Zhabbee, Chief Za’ced-bin-Khaleefah, Beni Y6s.
The year has again passed without any serious disturbance of the
tranquillity by sea or land. The various Chiefs have remained at peace
with one another. A few unimportant raids were made by Bedouins of
the Haboos, Awiimir and Man6sir tribes in the vicinity of Rds-el-
Khaimah, and a few camels carried off.
The arrangement entered into by the Chiefs in July 1879, regarding
mutual adjustment of claims arising from debtors abseondiug from one
Cbief’9 territory to that of another, appears to exercise a pacifying influ­
ence, and no evil effects from the measure have hitherto been observed.
It need scarcely be said (for they are Arabs) that these petty Chiefs
are very prone to quarrelling amongst themselves, but all legitimate
influence, when opportunity offers, is brought to bear to persuade them
to settle their numerous disputes rationally without recourse to arms,
and interchanges of visits have occasionally been promoted by the Gov­
ernment Agent with good result.
The Chief of Shargah reverted to liia desire to coerce ^he present
holders of his tributary fort of Fajeyrah on the B&tinah Coast, aud it