Page 64 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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XLIV-— Imprisonment of Abdullah-biu-Feysal and absorption of the
Wahabi Kingdom in the Shammar Principality, 1887—1896.

210. In the autumn of 1887 intelligence was received that the sons of
Saud-bin-Feysal, had seized and imprison­
External A., February 1887, Not. 169-182.
ed their uncle Abdullah. Letters were
writton by Mnhomcd-bin-Saud to tho Chief of Bahrein and to the various
Arab Sheikhs of Oman, announcing his accession as Amir of Nejd.
211. But the triumph of Mahomcd*bin-Saud was shortlived, for the more
External A., April 1838, No*. 182-83. powerful Amir of Jebci Shammar, speedi­
External A., April 18s8. No*. 233-3-1. ly marched against him up to the gates
External A., May 16S8 No*. 110-117. I
External A , Aupukt 1858, No*. 82-83. ofRiadh, which place capitulalod after a
External A., September 1883, No*. 127-29. short defence. Abdullah-bin-Feysal was
then released and re-instated, and Mahomcd-bin*Saud retired to Kharj.
It was, however, arranged that Abdullah should accompany Mahomed bin
Rashid back to Jebol Shammar, his younger brother Mahomed-bin-Feysal
acting as Governor of Nejd, assisted by an Agent of Ibn Rashid.
212. The forces of Ibn Bashid were too formidable and well appointed to
allow of any successful resistance on the
Persian Gulf Administ ration Report for 18S7-S3.
part of the adherents of the Wahabi
Amirs. The Shammar Chieftain was, nominally at least, the vassal of Turkey.
He at once communicated the news of In's victory to the Turkish authorities,
by whom it was received with the utmost satisfaction.
213. In the month of August 18S8 three of the sons of Saud-bin-Feysal
namely Mahomed, Saad and Abdullah,
External A., October 1888, No*. 32-33.
External A., Octibcr 1888. No*. 61-63. were put to death ia Kharj by Ibn
External A., October 1898, No*. 123-127. Sabhan, the Agent of Rashid. Accounts
External A., October 1888, No*. 180-181.
vary as to the reason for this massacre,
but it seems probable that their uncle Abdullah-bin-Feysal instigated the
murder of these princes. The eldest., Maliomed-biu-Saud, was much beloved
in Nejd on account of his chivalrous and liberal disposition. For months the
Bedouin Arabs refused to credit the news of his death, and rumours were every­
where prevalent that Mahomed had
External A., January 1889, Nos. 74-76.
escaped, and was living amongst Bedouins
in the desert. Only one son of Saud survived, Abdul Aziz, and ho resided at
Hail, as also did his uncle, Abdullah-bin-Feysal, now styled the “ Imam **
in Nejd. The power of Mahomed-ibn-Bashid was then paramount through­
out Nejd from the coniines of Syria to Hasa. Iu the time of tho Amir of
Nejd Feysal-bin-Turki as noted above Abdullah-bin-Bashid, father of the
present Amir of Shammar, was appointed “ Mnliafidh,” or warden of the
frontier, by the Wahabi Chief, and, latter, Maliomed-ibn-Rashid was befriend­
ed by Abdullah-bin-Feysal, and owed to the latter bis accession to power in
Hayil. Now, owing chiefly to family dissensions, tho Wahabi princes had lost
I their authority, and the relative positions had completely changed.
214?. Tit ere were at this time persistent
External A., September 1888. No*. 127-139. rumours of an invasion of Oman by Ibn
External A., November 1888, No*. 102-161.
External A., February 1889, No*. 21G 326. Rashid in conjunction with Sheikh Jasim
External A., Fcbru»ry 1889. No*. 347-367. of ICatar and under the auspices of tho
External A., May Ibbv, No*. 69-81.
Porto.
215. Representation were made to tho Porte in tho matter, and the Porte
denied that there were any communications
External A., July 1899, Not. 235-239.
between Ibn Bashid and tho Sultan, except
exchange of presents. From the British ambassador—Sir W. White’s letter, dated
9 th May lSb‘J, it appears that Ibn Rashid was anxious to secure from the Sultan
jurisdiction over Hasa, while the Sultan was desirous of securing a greater
hold over Nejd and Shammar. Both these purposes could not be attained having
regard to the facts that the Porte’s policy was to extend its jurisdiction over tho
Arab littoral, and the ambition of Ibn Rashid to bo practically independent
ruler, only nominally acknowledging tho suzerainty of the Sultan,

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