Page 33 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat
P. 33
21
81. In the views thus expressed by Colonel Polly as to the course which
Gorernmout lcitor No. 1300, dated tl.o 3rd Juno OU1* Treaty obligation S fllld SOUnd policy
18G5* indicated, the Bombay Government gene
rally concurred, but it seemed premature to dccido on any definite course of
action until the British had heard what the Wahabi Amir had to say. Mean*
while the officer in charge of the Residency in the Persian Gulf (Colonel Pelly
having proceeded to Europe) and the Political Agent at Masqat, were informed
that it was exceedingly desirable that theso differences should bo adjusted by
their good offices without hostilities commencing between Maskat and the
Wahabi Amir.
S2. These proceedings having been reported to the Government of India, Mr.
Secretary Muir replied on the 21st June 18(J5, that the Viceroy in Council
“ concurred in tho views and approved the action of the Bombay Government.'*
XXIV.—Rebellion of two Oman tribes under leadership of a Wahabi
officer. (2) Outrages on British subjects at Sur, 1865.
S3. Shortly afterwards the Political Agent at Maskat brought to notice
that a Wahabi Agent had arrived at that
Aisis'nnt Rciidcnt, Dusbiro, Iso. Cl, dated 23rd
July 1SC5. place with demands for the payment of
romkai Agent, Maskat, No. 153, dated tho ub three or four times the customary annual
August isgo. contribution, and that on his recommen
dation, ITis Highness Syud Thoweyni bad seut a messenger with a letter to
the Wahabi Amir, informing him that lie had paid tho usual annual contribu
tion, but as regards additional demands lie awaited the Amir’s reply to Colonel
Pelly’s communication offering to mediate, and to the lottcr enclosed from him
self (the Sultan).
Si. This was followed by a letter from the Political Agent, dated the 22nd
August, reporting that the Beni-hu-ali and Jenubah tribes had, under the
leadership of Abdul Aziz Wahabi, invested the castle of Sur, and on the
refusal of the garrison to surrender laid siege to it. Resistance was successfully
offered by the Maskat troops for two days, but on the night of the third day
the besiegers succeeded in undermining the walls of the bazar adjoining the
castle, and effected an entry, when the entire wealth of the place, the greater
part of which belonged to British Indian subjects, fell iuto thoir hands. During
the assault ouc British subject was killed, whoso remaius were denied the rites
of burial, and another was wounded. The castlo subsequently surrendered.
After suffering much hardship and indignity, and being stript of nearly all
their clothing, tho British Indian subjects were permitted to leavo Sur and
proceed to Maskat. They represented their lossos to the Political Agent at
27,000 dollars.
85. On receiving intelligence of these occurrences the Political Agent
addressed tho Sultan of Maskat, exhorting him to take “active and determined
measures, tempered with clemency in its place and season,*’ to bring the rebels
to submission. lie at tho same time addressed tho Wahabi Amir, and also
bis deputy Sudeyri at Brymi, protesting in the name of tho British Govern
ment at the proceedings of their subordinate Abdul Aziz at Sur.
8G. In forwarding to the Government of India a copy of tho correspondence
relating to these events, His Excellency the Governor in accordance with the
• Letter from Mr. Secretary Muir. No. SJ0, d;«tcd request of tllC Governor-General ill Council
tbo 20iu September ibG». (previously* communicated) proceeded
to record his views on tho altitude proper to be observed by the British Govern
ment in tho position of affairs in Oman.
87. After reviewing briefly tho events connected with the rise of the
Wahabi power, and its temporary subversion by Ibrahim Pasha, His Excel
lency wrote:—
“There can he no doubt that the Wahabishave of late shown a considerable revival
Minute by HU Excellency tho Governor, concurred °f thoir former, activity, both os an aggressivo
c b> ibe Uouorallo lijurJ, dated tUo tub October temporal power in tho interior of Arabia, aud as
18C5, leaders of fanatical revival iu India."
