Page 559 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

RESIDENCY AND 1TU8CA* POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1888-89. 23

PART II.--ANNUAL REPOET OF TEE MUSCAT POLITICAL
AGENCY AND CONSULATE FOR THE YEAR 1888-89,

Political.—At the commencement of the official year there were slight
internal disturbances in* Oman.
In April an affray took place between the Hikman and Yal Bede tribes
near Barkah, regarding an old boundary dispute, in which 6ix lives were lost.
Peace was speedily restored between the two tribes by a deputation sent from
Muscat by His Highness the 8ultam
A demonstration was also made by Shaikh Hilal-bm-Zahir at the head of
500 men against Manb, but the fort being well-guarded, the expedition failed,
and Shaikh Rilal returned to Nezwa without having attained any political
object.
Reports from Sohar stated that the Shahook and the Nakbieen tribes,
whilst on their way to attack the forts of Dibba and Kore Fakkan, were oppos­
ed by the Sharkieen and SuItan-hin-Muhamniad, the encounter resulting in the
death of 13 men of the Saarkieen. No action was taken by the Sultan in
regard to the above quarrel.
In May, His Highness Seyyid Turki took an important step in the dis­
missal of his Minister Sayyid Sa'eed-bin-Muhammad, being convinced that his
long-continued ill-health was due to sorcery practised by his TVazir, although
•assured, by Dr. Jayakar that his disease was in no way connected with that art.
Attempts at a reconciliation failed, and finally Seyyid Sa’eed, who stated
that he went in fear of his life from the Sultan, was ordered to quit the neigh­
bourhood and left in a native boat for the island of Kishm.
It appears that the dismissal of his minister was owing to no sudden change
in the Sultan’s feelings towards him. Dislike and distrust had been growing
in. Seyyid Turki's mind for some years past
Matters were in this position at the death of His Highness Seyyid Turki,
which occurred oa 4th Jano 1888. Dr. Jayakar, who was then in charge of
the Agency, reported as follows:—
The late Saltan had baca suffering from chylaria for many years, aod although for a
long time the disease was in abeyance, the last relapse of the disease, which proved to be a
serious and a continuous one, came on about a year ago. He never recovered from this attack,
and aboat the end of April, owing to the great weakness caused by the disease, he had to take
to his bed. On I5th May, owing to repeated attacks of syncope and palpitation, he was in
such a critical state that I had to telegraph to you.* After
your departure from Muscat on 88rd May he seemed to
improve a little, hat the improvement was only of a temporary nature and the weakness oon-
tamed to increase, although almost to the last moment he was able to conduct affairs of
the State. Besides this, His Highness suffered from other chronic diseases, and his health
ther^ore had been in a precarious state for several year*.0
The death of Seyyid Turki was fortunately not followed by disturbances of
any kind in Muscat, although it was considered advisable to take precautionary
measures with regard to British subjects owing to the possibility of an out­
break.
The position of Sultan was forthwith assumed by Seyyid Feysal, the second
son of Seyyid Turki, who wrote to the officiating Pblitical Agent, desiring a
continuance of the friendly relations which existed between the British Govern-
meat.and his father, and praying for their protection and favour. Seyyid Fey-