Page 63 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

51
XXjIII.—Hostilities between Abdullah-bin-Feysal and Ibn Rashid,
1882—1886.

205. Tho death of Amir Foysal of Nojd was soon followed by intorneoino
civil wars bctwcon his sons Abdullah and Saud. This afforded Mahomed Ibn
Rashid opportunities to extend bis power and consolidate his control over the
tribes in Nojd adjoining bis territory. Tho important tribe of Majma in Kasim
placed itsolf undor his protection, lie gradually detached from the Nejdoan
principality the two rich districts of Borcydah and Sedeyyir. Though nominally
vassal of the Wahabi Amir, Ibn Rashid was virtually independent of him,
and mado attempts to extend rnoro and more his dominion in his lord’s terri­
tory.
206. In tho autumn of 1832, Abdullah-bin Foysal endeavoured to recover the
district of Majma in Kasim. This attempt
Persian Galt Beiidoocy Administration Report brought the latter chieftain into the field,
for 1832-83.
and Abdullah, outnumbered, retired to
Riadh. There ho learned that Ibn Rashid had entered into correspondence
with his nephews, the sous of Saud, and had mado overtures to them with a view
to inducing them to take part against their uncle, or else to remain neutral,
This, apparently, alarmod Abdullah, who, therefore, in March 1883, placed his
relations with his nephows on a now footing, under which Abdullah-bin-
Feysal was recognizod as “ Imam,” or religious head of the Wahabis of Riadh,
and tho military power was entrusted to Maliomcd-bin-Saud as Military Com­
mander. Mahomed-bin-Saud, supported by
A Political K.. April 1883, Nos. 173 74.
A Political K„ Soplombcr 1883, Nos. 99-105. the tribes Ateybah, Suhul, and Soboyyah,
A Political K, January 1884, Nos 308-39. marched against tho tribe Bureyyah, and
A Political K., May 1884, Nos. 330-331.
carried away numerous camols and cattle.
Hostilities then oommonccd botween tho Al-Saud and the chief of Jebel-
Shammar. The chief tribes which rallied to the standard of Mahomed-bin-
Saud were the Ateybah, the Kahtan, tho Moteyr, the Sobeydah, the Suhul, the
Dowasir, tho Ajman, the Almorah, or rather fragments of those tribes.
Mahomed Ibn Rashid commanded the Shainmar, Harb, und Boreyah tribo9.
Their hostile operations did not go beyond raids and counter raids into one
another’s territories. Neither side appears to have gained any decisive successes.

207. Mahomed-bin-Saud was however soon alienated from liis uncle
Abdullah, ho appoars to have learned from intercepted letters that Abdullah
was intriguing for his defeat and murder and thereupon threw up the com­
mand of the forces, and retired with liis
External A., January 1885, Nos. 16-18,
brothers to Kharj. While the Wahabi
Amir’s party was growing weaker, the Abel-Shammar Sheikh, grow more power­
ful every day. He was reported to bo friendly with the Sheikh of Koweit.
208. In April 1885 Ibn Rashid attacked two sub-tribes of the Ajman, who
were encamped at the waters of Owuineh to the north of Hasa and plundered
their houses and cattle. The Ajman tribe having subsequently received rein­
forcements, pursued Ibn Rashid and succeeded in re-capturing some of their
horses and killing others. This incursion by Ibn Rashid was reported to bo
due to tho Ajman tribo having attacked some people under his protection.

209. In May 1886 a Turkish mission wont to Hail to induce Mahomed
Ibn Rashid to allow the ereotion of a mosque and a Government school at that
place. Mahomed Ibn Rashid dismissed
External A., Norcrober 1880, No*. 137-141.
the mission with presents but without
acceding to their request. It was also reportod that in tho previous year (1885)
valuablo presouts had boon taken to Mahomed Ibn Rashid by tho Turkish head
of the mission, with a view toiuduce him to allow the ereotion of a mosque and
school at Hayil.

Mahomed Ibn Rashid reportod to ho in command in 1886 of a force of
2.000 horse-men, 15,000 foot and camel men, and had four field pieces, also
1.000 breecli-loading rifles.