Page 85 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

n
RESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1005-1000.
some years ago by tlie Sultan of Maakat to his friend Sheikh Maktoom of
Dcbai, the understanding being that the latter should receive tho revenue duo
from tho village and in return should give tho Biduwat what support and
protection they nooded at short notice.
Tho Boni Kattob, it appears, in order to keep the road or the neighbouring
hills open for themselves attempted to build a towor at a spot called Jebail
commanding the caravan road, and to this both the Naim Sheikh at Barauni
and the Slicikh of'Behai took exception, and endeavoured to put pirauro on
the Heni Kattab to relinquish it. The people of Misfut however sided with tho
Beni Kattab and the latter also gained the support of their now friend tho
Sheikh of TJmm-al-Knwain, while the Sheikh of Abu Thabi supported tho
attitude of his fellow tribesman, the Sheikh of ’Debai. None of the Truoial
Sheikhs however seriously wanted to come to issue with their fellowa over this
matter, and in September the Chiefs cf Shargah, Umm-al-Kavrain end Ajmau
rendezvoused with Sheikh Zaeed and Sheikh Maktoom at Bebai and discussed
their differences.
Sheikh Zaeed who owing to his venerable age and reputation io the doyen
of the Trucial Chiefs and likes to play that r61e, endeavoured to persuade the
Sheikh of Umm-al-Kawain to refrain from allying himself with the Bedcuino
and thereby making them inconveniently powerful, and Sheikh B-ashid mad©
vague promises t-o respect his advice ; but nevertheless a few weeks later took
the two Chief Bedouin bheikhs of the Beni Kattab with him lo Ajman and
Shargah, and effected a mutual reconciliation doubtlessly, though not osten­
sibly, with the idea of opposing Sheikh Zaeed’s policy.
If the latter had left matters alone fora few months all would probably
have gone well but his dignity was hurt at his failure to manage the Sheikh of
Umra-al-Ka\\aia and the Beni Kaitab, and he accordingly proceeded to pick
a quarrel with the latter in connection with a tribal depute which they had
recently bad with the inhabitants of the “ Baluch ** villages of Mazum and
Subeyki, who, though living among and subject to the settled Beni Kattab
villages at Aflaj Beni Kattab in the Dbahireh, had rebelled against them on
account of oppression experienced and had obtained the support of Sheikh
Zaeed to their cause. The latter ultimately threatened to take the field against
the Beni Kattab tribe if they did not send their ekleis to Abu Thabi with a
view to a settlement of their quarrel by himself.
It is necessary to explain that these so-called cf Baluchis ” have been
where they are for many generations and haTe entirely lost touch with their
country of origin and tho Baluch language, and at this time cannot be regarded
in any other light than as a specialised section of an Arab tribe.
This quarrel was at its height when the Resident travelled from Ras-ai-
Khaima to Baraimi in December; in fact he met a deputation of the Baluchis,
with whom he had previously staved at Mazum in 1902, on their way to see
Sbeikh Zaeed, and took the opportunity to send a letter to the latter warning
him of the folly of taking action which would rouse all the Ghafiri
Sheikha against himself, just at tho time when it was most important that
they should be united in order to show a common front to Bin Saood, should
he appear in Oman, as he threat ened to do
This homily had a good effect and Sheikh Zaeed eventually sought a
peaceful solution of his differences with the Beni Kattab and the Sheikh of
Umm-al-Kawain which was in a fair way of conclusion when the year
closed. The chief point worthy of notice was that Sheikh Rashid made it
clear that he did not intend to be dictated to by his venerable compeer and
indeed maintained snob an independent attitude that the Sheikh of Adu
Thabi was ultimately obliged to make a com promise with him
The second disturbing factor lay in the fear lest the Wahabi Chief Bin
Saood should make good his intention of
Expected Tint from Bis Saood.
. . v , , .. r., . , regaining the oeotrea of influence which
ms forbears had established on the Tmcial Coast and in Oman in the sixties
and seventies. In September 1906 the Wahabi addressed letters to all the
Oruoial Chiefs informing them of his arrival ^o Katr and of his successful
efforts in bringiog about the reconciliation of tiie Al.Morrah, Beni Hajir and